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 Solo 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 Solo 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 Solo 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 Solo 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 Solo to your Mac, a Scarlett icon appears on the desktop:
Double-click the icon to open the Finder window shown below:
Double-click “Click Here to Get Started.url” icon. 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 pre-filled 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 have installed the Focusrite Control 2 software to set up and configure your interface, the Scarlett disables 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 Solo.
On connecting your Solo 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 2 software to set up and configure your interface, the Scarlett switchs out of Easy Start mode — 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 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 Focusrite Easy Start, which you may find helpful if you have any issues with the procedure.
Once registered, you have immediate access to the following resources:
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Focusrite Control 2 (Mac and Windows versions available) - see note below
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Multi-language user guides
Note
Installing Focusrite Control 2 also installs the correct driver for your device. Focusrite Control 2 is available to download at any time, even without registering: see “Manual Registration” below.
If you decide to register your Solo 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 Solo 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 Solo with the DAW of your choice.
Please note - your DAW may not automatically select the Solo 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 Solo is set as the preferred Audio Device* in your DAW, its inputs and outputs 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 examples below show two Inputs and two outputs enabled in the Ableton Lite Audio Preferences.
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*Typical name. Terminology may differ between DAWs.
Solo 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 a typical configuration for recording using DAW software on your Mac or PC. You would record vocals through Input 1 and guitar through Input 2 into your recording application, while monitoring the playback via headphones.
Solo’s inputs are on the front panel: Input 1 uses a standard 3-pin XLR socket, and is configured to work with microphones of most types; you will probably have a male XLR connector on the end of your mic cable.
If you are using a “studio” condenser microphone designed to operate on 48 volt phantom power, press the 48V button. Some lower spec. condenser microphones are able to operate from a lower phantom power voltage – typically 15 V. You should check the mic spec to see if it is safe to operate it from 48 V; if not, obtain a suitable external phantom power supply. 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.
Input 2 uses a ¼” (6.35 mm) jack socket which is 2-pole when in instrument mode and 3-pole when used as a mono line input. It can accept signals from an electric or electro acoustic guitar or bass, a keyboard, and most other types of audio equipment. 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 jack socket 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 Solo has “Direct Monitoring”, which overcomes this problem. Setting the front panel DIRECT MONITOR switch to ON routes your input signals directly to the Solo ’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. Your inputs are summed to mono, so both mic and instrument will appear in the centre of the stereo image. Note that the input signals to your computer are not affected in any way by the use of Direct Monitor.
When Direct Monitoring is set to ON, ensure your recording 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 a plugin in your DAW which contributes to the live performance, for example a reverb or guitar amp simulator. In this way, you can hear what you're recording, with any effects. However, some latency may result, the amount depending on the DAW’s buffer size and processing power of your computer.
Connect a pair of stereo headphones to the front panel headphone output to hear both what you are recording - your current input signal(s), plus any tracks you’ve already recorded in your computer. Note: Set the front panel DIRECT MONITOR switch to ON when recording. The pre-recorded tracks will be heard in stereo, and the current input signals in mono – central in the stereo image. If you are using both the mic and instrument inputs, the two inputs will be summed in mono.
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 Solo.
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.