With the Third Generation, Scarlett interfaces introduce a new, faster way of getting up and running, using the Scarlett Easy Start tool. All you need to do is connect your Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen to your computer. Once connected, you will see the device is recognised by your PC or Mac and the Easy Start tool will guide you through the process from there.
Important
The Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen has a single USB 2.0 Type C port (on the rear panel): connect it to your computer using the USB cable provided. Note the Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen is a USB 2.0 device, and the USB connection needs a USB 2.0+ compliant port on your computer.
Your computer will initially treat your Scarlett as a Mass Storage Device (MSD), and during its first connection, the Scarlett will be in “Easy Start mode”.
We have tried to make registering your Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen as simple as possible. The steps are designed to be self-explanatory, but we have described each step below, so you can see how they should appear on either a PC or a Mac.
On connecting your Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen to your Mac, a Scarlett icon will appear on the desktop:
Double-click on the icon to open the Finder window shown below:
Double-click on the “Click Here to Get Started.url” icon. This will redirect you to the Focusrite website, where we recommend you register your device:
Click on “Let’s get you started”, and you’ll see a form which will be partly prefilled for you automatically. When you submit the form, you’ll see options to go straight to the downloads to get the software for your Scarlett, or to follow a step-by-step setup guide based on how you want to use your Scarlett.
Once you have installed the Focusrite Control software to set up and configure your interface, the Scarlett will be switched out of Easy Start mode so it no longer appears as a Mass Storage Device when connected to your computer.
Your OS should switch the computer’s default audio inputs and outputs to the Scarlett. To verify this, go to System Preferences > Sound, and ensure the input and output are set to Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen.
For detailed setup options on a Mac, open Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
On connecting your Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen to your PC, a Scarlett icon appears on the desktop:
(the drive letter may be something different, depending on other devices connected to your computer.)
Double-click the pop-up message to open the dialogue box shown below:
Double-click “Open folder to view files”: this opens an Explorer window:
Double-click “Click Here to Get Started”. This redirects you to the Focusrite website, where we recommend you register your device:
Click on “Let’s get you started”, and you’ll see a partly-prefilled form. When you submit the form, you’ll see options to go straight to the downloads to get the software for your Scarlett, or to follow a step-by-step setup guide based on how you want to use your Scarlett.
Once you've installed the Focusrite Control software to set up and configure your interface, the Scarlett will be switched out of Easy Start mode so it no longer appears as a Mass Storage Device when connected to your computer.
Your OS should switch the computer’s default audio inputs and outputs to be the Scarlett. To verify this, right-click on the Sound icon on the taskbar and select Sound Settings, and set the Scarlett as the Input and Output Device.
Note that a second file - “More Info & FAQs” - is also available during the initial set-up process. This file contains some additional information about the Focusrite Easy Start tool, which you may find helpful if you have any issues with the procedure.
Once registered, you will have immediate access to the following resources:
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Focusrite Control (Mac and Windows versions available) - see note below
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Multi-language User Guides
You can find the licence codes and links for the optional bundled software in your Focusrite account. To find out what bundled software is included with Scarlett 3rd generation, please visit our website:
Note
Installing Focusrite Control will also install the correct driver for your device. Focusrite Control is available to download at any time, even without registering: see “Manual Registration” below.
If you decide to register your Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen at a later date, you can do so at:
id.focusritegroup.com/register
You need to enter the Serial Number manually: you can find this number on the base of the interface itself, and on the barcode label on the side of the box.
We recommend you download and install our Focusrite Control application, as this disables Easy Start mode and unlocks the full potential of the interface. Initially, in Easy Start mode, the interface only works at sample rates up to 48kHz . Once Focusrite Control is installed on your computer, you can work at sample rates up to 192 kHz.
If you decide not to download and install Focusrite Control immediately, it can be downloaded at any time from:
To force your Scarlett out of Easy Start mode without first registering it, connect it to your computer and press and hold the 48V button for five seconds. This will ensure your Scarlett has full functionality. Please bear in mind that should you wish to register your Scarlett after taking this action, you will need to so manually, as explained above.
The Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen is compatible with any Windows-based DAW that supports ASIO or WDM or any Mac-based DAW that uses Core Audio. After following the Getting Started procedure described above, you can start using your Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen with the DAW of your choice.
Please note - your DAW may not automatically select the Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen as its default I/O device. You must manually select Focusrite USB ASIO as the driver on your DAW’s Audio Setup* page. Please refer to your DAW’s documentation (or Help files) if you are unsure where to select the ASIO or Core Audio driver. The example below shows the correct configuration in the Ableton Live Lite Preferences panel (Windows version shown).
*Typical name. Terminology may differ between DAWs.
Once the Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen is set as the preferred Audio Device* in your DAW, Inputs 1 & 2 and Outputs 1 & 2 will appear in your DAW’s Audio I/O preferences. Depending on your DAW, you may need to enable certain inputs or outputs before use.
The two screenshots below show Inputs 1 & 2 and Outputs 1 & 2 enabled Input and Output Config in Ableton Live Lite’s Audio Preferences.
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*Typical name. Terminology may differ between DAWs.
Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen is an ideal audio interface for many DAW applications running on a laptop or other computer, PC or Mac. A typical set of connections is illustrated below.
This setup shows the most typical configuration for recording with DAW software on your Mac or PC. You might record guitar through Input 1 and vocals through Input 2 into your DAW, while monitoring the playback from the DAW via headphones (or speakers).
The front panel input sockets are “Combo” type, which accept either an XLR male connector or a ¼” (6.35 mm) jack plug.
The full gain range of the microphone preamplifier is only available to a mic connected via the XLR contacts. If your microphone has an XLR plug on the end of the cable, you can simply plug it in. If it is a “condenser” microphone, you will need to turn on the 48 volt phantom power for it to work. Most modern microphones of other types, e.g., dynamic or ribbon, will not be damaged by the inadvertent application of phantom power, but note some older mics may be; if you have any doubt, please check the specification of your mic to ensure it is safe to use.
If your mic has a jack plug on the end of the cable, it will require an adaptor to make it usable with the XLR part of the Combo connector. Inserting the jack plug will configure the preamp with reduced gain, which is likely to be insufficient for the mic (see below). Mics intended for use with computer sound cards may also require a much lower phantom power voltage, so an adaptor specific to the mic type should be obtained in this case.
The Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen has no “Mic/line” switch – the Focusrite preamp stage is automatically configured for a microphone when you plug an XLR into the input, and for a line or instrument when you connect a jack plug. Set the INST switch ON (‘INST’ illuminates red) if you are connecting a musical instrument, e.g., a guitar in the example, using an ordinary 2-pole (TS) guitar jack. Set the INST switch to OFF if you are connecting a line level source such as a keyboard, synthesiser or the balanced output of an external audio mixer via a 3-pole (TRS) jack.
Note
The Combo connector accepts both TRS and TS types of jack plug.
You will frequently hear the term “latency” used in connection with digital audio systems. In the case of the simple DAW recording application described above, latency will be the time it takes for your input signals to pass through your computer and audio software. Latency can be a problem for a performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals.
The Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen is fitted with a “Direct Monitoring” option, which overcomes this problem. Setting the front panel DIRECT MONITOR control to either MONO or STEREO will route your input signals directly to the Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen’s headphone and main monitor outputs. This enables you to hear yourself with zero latency – i.e., in “real time” – along with the computer playback. The input signals to your computer are not affected in any way by this setting.
In MONO mode, Inputs 1 and 2 are routed equally to the two outputs (both the rear panel outputs and headphones) so they both appear in the centre of the stereo image. This is useful when you are recording two separate instruments or an instrument and a vocal, where there is no need for the two signals to be specifically located in the stereo image. Further examples would be an acoustic and an electric guitar, a bass which is both mic’d and DI’d or two separate mics differently positioned on a guitar amplifier.
In STEREO mode, Input 1 is routed to the left output channel and Input 2 to the right. Use this mode if you are recording something inherently stereo in nature. Monitoring in stereo will give you a more accurate impression of the sound stage. Examples are any situation where two microphones are being used to deliberately capture a stereo image such as a pair of overhead drum mics, a single stereo mic recording an orchestra or other ensemble, or the stereo outputs of an electronic source such as a piano, synthesiser or FX unit.
When using Direct Monitoring, ensure your DAW software is not set to route its input (what you are currently recording) to its output. If it is, you will hear yourself “twice”, with one signal audibly delayed as an echo.
Monitoring with DIRECT MONITOR set to OFF can be useful when using an FX plug-in to your DAW to create a stereo effect which contributes to the live performance. In this way, you will be able to hear exactly what is being recorded, complete with the FX. However, some latency may result, the amount depending on the DAW’s buffer size and processing power of the computer.
You can use the ¼” jack outputs on the rear panel to connect monitor speakers. Active monitors have internal amplifiers with a volume control, and can be connected directly. Passive loudspeakers require a separate amplifier; the rear panel outputs should be connected to the amplifier’s inputs.
Connecting active speakers:
Connecting passive speakers with a stereo amplifier:
The line outputs are 3-pole (TRS) ¼” (6.35 mm) jack sockets, and are electronically balanced. Typical consumer (Hi-Fi) amplifiers and small powered monitors will have unbalanced inputs, either on phono (RCA) sockets, or via a 3.5 mm 3-pole jack plug intended for direct connection to a computer. In either case, use a suitable connecting cable with jack plugs at one end.
Professional power amplifiers will general have balanced inputs; we highly recommend using balanced cables to connect these to the outputs of the Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen.
Caution
You run the risk of creating an audio feedback loop if loudspeakers are active at the same time as a microphone! We recommend you always turn off (or turn down) monitoring loudspeakers while recording, and use headphones when overdubbing.