To set up Focusrite Control with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), download and install the Focusrite Control software. Launch the software, select your DAW from the drop-down menu, click “OK” button, and then click Setup > Playback Engine in the top menu bar. Select Focusrite USB ASIO (Windows) or Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen in the Playback Engine dropdown. Click Track > New in the top menu bar. Set the number of tracks needed and set the type to Audio Track. Click the record arm and input enable buttons on the track.
To get the most out of your Scarlett, Clarett, or Clarett+ audio interface, install and configure Focusrite Control. This is a complete step-by-step guide on how to use the Focusrite Control Software on your Focusrite Audio Interface. The software provides a user-friendly control surface to set the routing and recording parameters of your unit, as well as input settings.
To get set up in Pro Tools, open Pro Tools on your computer, click Setup > Playback Engine in the top menu bar, and select Focusrite USB. Open your DAW or recording software, create a new recording channel, either mute or set the output to ‘none’ for this channel.
In this Focusrite Control tutorial, you will learn how to set up, route, and adjust settings in your Scarlett interface. The combination of Clarett’s excellent audio performance and professional build quality with Focusrite Control’s simple and intuitive interface will work well with your DAW.
📹 Focusrite Control – Step-by-Step Setup Guide
To get the most out of your Scarlett, Clarett, or Clarett+ audio interface, you need to install and configure Focusrite Control.. This is …
📹 Focusrite Control // Overview and routing
00:00 What is Focusrite Control? 00:38 Focusrite Control for Scarlett Solo and 2i2 00:58 Focusrite Control for Scarlett 4i4, 8i6, …
I have now released the second part of my Focusrite Control guide – Part 2 Advanced. It includes a detailed walk through of clock / sync, digital IO – ADAT / SPDIF, multiple monitor mixes, loopback, and using an iPad as a wireless control surface. Check it out here: youtu.be/XV435Ba7hOs * Plus: My Focusrite Control Loopback Setup Guide is now live! Check it out here: youtu.be/rZxKyW88JPE
Very clear, synthetic, understandable even to those who are not experts, no blah blah blah, no jokes that are a terrible obstacle for those who are not native speakers, no superfluous or self-celebrating phrases, tutorials that follow a teaching process where what is needed after to understand is administered before. You are great I love you
I’ll have to link your class up so that I can refresh my old memory, So much great information. One bit of information that I was looking for when I stumbled onto your website was an explanation of how USB is routed thru the Scarlett. It seems like I should be able to always have a website out to my speakers for the audio from my computer system to monitors. Thanks
Thank you so much for posting this article. I’ll have to play it back a few times before I’ll fully understand all of these connections. Although I’ve had my 8i6 for some time, I’m afraid that I’m finding these different setups very confusing. I’m an old newb who gets flustered and overwhelmed very easily. But for someone like me, the fact that I can install the Focusrite drivers and software and have it working right out of the box without any adjustments is a godsend. One thing that I’ve noticed: After doing a Windows update, just some, not all, the Focusrite stops working. The quickest way that I’ve found to rectify this is to simply uninstall the Focusrite drivers and software, reinstall it, restart my computer, and there it is… problem solved. I’m sure that there are other faster ways of doing this but as I said… the easiest way to fix something without having to give it too much thought works best for this old fella. 😁
This is the only article series that checks all the boxes, incredible! You are explaining every detail of the Focusrite Control Software in such a comprehensive and calm way, plus you give us real world usage scenarios 🙏! I’ m thinking about switching from the Arturia Audiofuse 8 Pre to the Clarett+ 8 Pre because the routing on the Arturia is not flexible at all. This article helped me so much, amazing!
Thanks so much for doing this article, I read the whole pdf manual files for the 18i20 3 Gen and I still have doubts and questions about the routing mapping even though I learned a lot from it,but I think to really grasp this system, besides obviously get the experience,is either by written down mapped out diagrams specifically for a certain tasks you want to do wether basic and or advanced, and also some creative things that experienced engineer would do in a heart bit since he has better understanding of routings of the whole system . Or maybe just naming things in a different way that would be more intuitive to a beginner . I have to watch the part 2 of this course and probably understand better Thanks again I will get back to you if I have specific questions
New viewer and I can’t wait to dive deeper into some other articles you’ve posted. That said I can’t wait for the next part of this. I have my Clarett OctoPre and Scarlett 18i20 seemingly connected right and I can see there is a signal going into the Octopre, but nothing comes out through the 18i20 / Focusrite Control regardless of what combination of sync settings I use. On another note
Thanks for the tutorial. I am interested in using an 18i20 as a stand-alone keyboard mixer, where each keyboard is a stereo input pair. When you have stereo pair inputs, can I still use both gain knobs in the Scarlett’s front panel for Left and Right, or does it default to one gain knob for Left and Right on the front panel?
Hi firstly thanks a lot for uploading these contents so much helpful, if you can kindly help me with this, i have a yamaha sx900 arranger keyboard which has L/L+R and R as main outputs i have conected these with two individual TRS cables at the back of my 8i6 line inputs, shall i continue with two TRS cable or shall i change them to TS cable,
I watched many times your full detailed article. I got many things to know. I followed your article step-by-step but still I hooked up and set up my microphone but I have a problem hooking up my 88 Korg Krome keyboard and Roland E-A 7 to the new Focusrite 18i20 interface I bought. Would you please write me a 1/4″ cable into the Krome mono(R) output and the other end into the Focusrite output? Is this correct? I had Focusrite 2nd gen. 6i6 I set up like that but the new interface does support me. Please help me step by step to set my Korg and Roland keyboards. Thanks.
Hi there, great tutorial article. I have a question. I just the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 audio interface 3rd generation the other day. Great product by the way. Sounds really nice. I had the digi 003 rack factory mount audio interface since ’99. I hve been having some issues with it and decided to get the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. My question is since I have also bought a sampler recently the Novation Circuit Rhythm and want to plug it into one of the inputs of the focusrite scarlett, and open the focusrite control application do I set it on line or instrument?
I have the 18i20 3rd gen. I opened the box, plugged it into my buddy’s Mac, and it was plug and play. So I plugged it into my windows laptop and with a little configuration, it recorded fine. But now it wont hook up to his Mac anymore. We did everything the same as before. Soo confusing. Garageband is my daw of choice because of simplicity, but I cant get it on windows. So its nice when he brings his mac… but now I cant use it. 😕
Hi finally after perusal your articles i bought the 8i6, if you can please help me with something, in my guitar processor i have L mono and R outputs i want to connect my guitar processor with my interface so i guess i can do it with 2 TS cable one goes to the preamp1 and the pream2 in the front panel of the interface but which mode i should choose line or instrument, i was thinking of one more thing can i coneect the guitar processor in the 5 and 6 line inputs in the rear panel if yes can i still use the TS cable as i guess my boss gt100 the outputs are unbalanced, if you can please help me
I appreciate you making the article! Hopefully you see my question lol I have an MBox Studio and I want to expand by getting ADAT input from another interface into my MBox. If I use the 18i20 will I only be able to route mic/line inputs to the ADAT out or can I also route Spdif and ADAT inputs into the 18i20 to the ADAT out on the 18i20?
Great article. Am I missing something… I have an 18I20 with pre sonus studio one. I need to learn how to adjust outputs so that one has a click and the other does not. I was told I have to choose either to mix in the focusrite controller or in the DAW which would be pre sonus. I cant find ANY info on this and would pay someone to show me how to do it. I have tried a few times with some busses and sends and never get anywhere. Any thoughts ?
Hello askdrtk, long time no see. I am coming back to you for your assistance again. this time I’d like to know if it’s possible to connect a mac desktop computer and a macbook laptop to the focusrite scarlett 18i20 audio interface? if so, can you please let me know the steps to connect the 2 computers and tools I would need to make the connection. Thanks
I’m really confused.. So, all of my hardware is being routed through a focusrite Clarett 8pre.. My issuse is when I insert hardware I would have to go to focusrite control center and solo which ever output I’m using so It doesn’t create a feedback. Now when I use a second insert on the same vocal chain I have to solo the other output website, and mute the last website which is in use.. It’s becoming annoying and I know I’m doing something wrong..
Hi mate just a quick question I have focusrite 8i6 I have connected Shure mic in the front and balanced cable at the back output and connected to rocket 8 monitor. I am also using same monitor at the same time playing music through my dj deck Numark ns7 iii. The difficulty I am having is when I am playing music through dj decks I can’t hear my mic through the monitor. I am not sure what I am doing wrong on this instance. Please help many thanks
Thank u for the tutorial. I have a digital guitar delay pedal. I would like to use it as an effects processor on an output and the input on my 18i20. I can’t figure out do I just use the line inputs and outputs on the back or do I have to plug the outputs of the pedal into the instrument inputs on the front to correct the noise and impedance mismatches? It’s the new tc Electronic 2290p delay pedal. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again
Please, please, please show me how to have totally independent volume controls for heaphones vs monitors. I do not want them to have anything to do with each other. I am using Clarett 2 Pre. Since the new Mac M1 upgrade I cannot get indpendent volume controls for my device. This is driving me absolutely mad. Surely I dont have to turn my monitor speakers off? Thanks 🙂
Hi folks, newbie here. Just got my piano 5 and encountered some problems that really need help. My setup is very simple and I just want to record article on my iPhone and pick up the audio from my audio interface at the same time. I have a focusrite 4i4 connected to my iPhone. A condenser mic connected to INPUT1 (front panel of 4i4), piano 5’s LEFT and RIGHT OUT connected to INPUT 3 and INPUT 4 respectively (back panel of 4i4). OUTPUT 1 and OUTPUT 2 are connected to my monitor speakers, and I connected a DT 770 PRO as monitor headphone. Problem is the recorded article only has my vocal but has no piano sound. However, if I connect piano 5’s LEFT and RIGHT OUT to INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 (front panel of 4i4), iPhone is able to pick up the sound. So it seems to me that the issue is iPhone wouldn’t pick up sound from INPUT 3 and INPUT 4 somehow. While recording, I can hear both my vocal and piano sound from my monitor speakers and the monitor headphone. So really confused what’s going on with my setup. Please advise if you have any idea, thank you!!!
8:10 my output presets are fade off. I cannot select them. Hi I’m Antonios. Thank you very much for a very helpful instructional article. In my case, I was using a Windows PC, connected to a Scarlett Solo, and Bose QC25 headphone, in order to play Bass at home. I decided to give my laptop to my father and buy for myself a MacBook Pro M1. Plus, I replaced my old headphones, with AirPods Max (with wire). I can see that Scarlett Solo reacts to the Input Settings changes from the software (Macbook). May I ask, what you suggest next, in order to understand where the problem is, and I have no output ? Unfortunately I cannot test with other wired headphones. Do you find it necessary to purchase new headphones, or there is something more I can test on the settings ? PS In the Output Routing, I see this message “Output routing is not supported on this device”
Hello. I’m getting crazy trying to make a setup. I have a 2.1, active speakers and active subwoofer. I want to EQ speakers and subwoofer separately. I know I can buy a miniDSP and make things easier, but since I got a Scarlett 4i4 I wanted to try to use the 4 outputs and save money. I need it for general use not with a DAW. I plugged speakers in 1/2 output and subwoofer in 3/4 output, so I thought to EQ 1/2 with a filter in Equalizer APO and EQ 3/4 with an other filter. But I can’t find a way to make them sound separately to apply filters separately in Equalizer APO. Is there any way to do it or should I surrend? Thanks
I’m trying to figure out a specific issue and I cannot find an answer – I have my guitar in Input 1, when I playback in my DAW on a mono track that isn’t panned I can hear everything fine. When I pan it left 100% I can hear everything fine. However, when I pan it right 100% I cannot hear anything at all. How would I go about routing the Focusrite Control software such that I will hear my Input 1 at full volume when panning 100% right as I do when I pan it 100% left?
I’m new in audio interface and i need help. I have Fractal FM3 connect by SPDIF to scarlett 8i6. FM3 & scarlett by usb to pc. MY guitar direct to FM3. Scarlett out to monitors and headphones. I don’t understand focus control inputs & outputs and in spanish there aren’t articles tutorials. I need that by monitors and headphones ear my guitar sounds through the FM3-SPDIF-SCARLETT and other sounds for example of youtube, etc from PC. AND can RECORD IN reaper my guitar. What is the configuration in & outs in focus control and reaper?
Hello askdrtk how are you pal? Hope all is well. So far my scarlett 18i20 has been great. I am having a problem where im perusal youtube articles, or listening to music on itunes and sometimes for no reason the scarlett disconnects and I hear sound coming out of my mac pro 5,1 computer speakers and then after maybe 30-60 seconds it switches back to the scarlett. ever experience this issue? if so, what did you do to fix it?
ok so i guess i am stupid or my computer is. I have tried to install focusrite control a couple times and it keeps telling me that it ran into a problem and has to restart my computer. idk what i am doing wrong can someone please help me? i install the windows 10/11 one (which is what my OS is i have checked numerous times). it also already has a focusrite control folder but i cant seem to open focusrite control with it.
Something no article told me and is not pointed out in the Focusrite manual is the fact that inputs and outputs on the back do NOT use 1/4″ TRS jacks. As the instructions state, it will accept them, but it does NOT use them. The inputs and outputs are mono tracks and therefore only uses TS jacks. If you use a TRS cable, it will simply transmit the mono signal on both sides. They could’ve stated this in the instructions rather than implying that the inputs and outputs are capable of stereo signals, but instead I had to buy three different cables to figure it out. The other thing they don’t tell you is that the jacks on the front do NOT automatically know what you’ve plugged in. It simply uses mic level if you plug in an XLR or instrument level if you plug in a TS. If you plug in a microphone via TS cabe, it thinks it’s an instrument. So it does not automatically detect, rather, it is always XLR=mic and TS=instrument. If the Focusrite manual were written well, it could have saved me (and how many others?) about $60 in cables and several days wasted.
on my Scarlett 18i20 its not the line out put 3-4 that has the head phone and jack symbol but the line out put 7-8 why is this? this software really those make people turn away even when a good teacher like you explains it, its overly complicated they need to think of there clients more, we are simple people who maybe are jsut getting into music and this is really not a good system, can you dumb it down for a stupid person like me please apparently im really dumb, sigh having a bad day here.
Absolutely the worst user interface I’ve seen for an audio interface. Love the unit but c’mon Focusrite, so bad we have to watch articles? I hate using it and it has killed off more than one creative spark. Also, if you liked the game of Pong then you will love the cheap ass looking graphics here. Convoluted and crappy. Not what one would expect from Focusrite.
Here’s a a specific question. I’m unable to figure out how to enable direct monitoring in stereo. I have a left / right going into the two front inputs, and I’m using the 4i4 to monitor / record stereo. Everything works as expected, and the recording is in stereo I just can’t hear the stereo out the 4i4 directly. Focusrite Control 2 has no outputs tab either.
This has been very helpful, but I’m still confused about one thing. I have a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 connected via USB to a Macbook Pro, with Focusrite Control and Pro Tools First installed there. I also have a Roland Boss GT-1 effects pedal which is connected via USB to a Windows computer with the output from the GT-1 connected to Input 2 on the 4i4, set to INST. (I also have a microphone on Input 1, which seems to work fine). So, with headphones connected to the headphone output on the 4i4 and output routing in Focusrite Control set to Custom Mix, HW Inputs 1-2-3 and Software (DAW) Playback 1-2-3 with 2 in Stereo, I can hear the guitar on the GT-1 and any audio playing on the Windows PC (which loops back through the GT-1), but I can’t hear any audio on the Macbook, either from Pro Tools First or, say, from a YouTube article like this one. What am I missing? Is this tied to the Loopback settings in Focusrite Control? I’ve tried both SW Playback 1-2 and 3-4, that doesn’t change anything. Or is this something mis-configured in Pro Tools First? Thanks.
I have the 6i6v2 and use a M-Audio 61 via USB to hub, my 6i6 is USB to the hub. For music production everything is fine. Both PT and Studio One get all of the inputs and outputs. However, when I’m trying to practices with other musicians, none my keyboard is heard over Jamulus or Skype or Messenger (although i can hear it in my headphones). Analogue 1 & 2 inputs work fine (using a bass or guitar). However, I don’t with to do MIDI from the M-Audio to the Scarlett as its meant to be USB connected. Ideas?
I need an audio interface to use as a live keyboardist, and I’d love any feedback on whether a 4i4 would fit my need… Here’s my scenario: I’m running virtual instruments inside of REAPER on a laptop, with a MIDI (USB) keyboard controller. I need the interface to take in an external monitor feed from a mixer, pass it through only to my headphones (not to the main outputs), and have my virtual instrument audio feed out to both the external mixer and my headphones. So my headphones are getting a mix of the external monitor audio and my keyboard audio… and the external mixer is receiving only the keyboard audio. If I understand correctly, I could take the external monitor mix into Inputs 1-2, and send it only to Outputs 3-4 (headphone bus), muting them in Outputs 1-2. Then send the virtual instruments to Outputs 1-2, which will go to the console, as well as 3-4, which will feed headphones. I can adjust the balance between the monitor mix and my virtual instruments using the output faders in Focusrite Control. Is that all correct?
I have a problem with one of your products. on the official page of focusrite, it says that my interface focusrite 18i8 is compatible with the new macbook air m1. when installing the controller, a legend appears that says: license expired. the computer recognizes the interface, but the controller does not. I have tried to contact the support but they only sent me an email telling me that they are going to check my request.
I had to watch a lot of focusrite control articles and play with the settings to understand what did what. I couldn’t figure out something as simple as why I am hearing or not hear playback through my headphones. You guys really need to find a way to make the controls more intuitive to help folks like me figure it out.
Question: if I hook up a compressor and eq to the focusrite (external devices to the DAW), can I than put the compressor and eq in serial if i need to? And also: assign an incoming signal from the daw to the compressor and the eq inputs, than their outputs to two different outs so that I can separately mix them in the daw.
Hey I know this was uploaded a while ago, but I have a question I hope you can answer. I just got a nice pair of headphones that need EQing to sound their best. Can I add an EQ to the output for, let’s say, Headphone 2 so that anytime I put on those headphones, that EQ is automatically added? So far I haven’t been able to find a way to do 3rd-party plugins within Focusrite Control.
I am recording drums with the Scarlett 18i8. I am using all the websites with the following configuration: CH 1 – Overhead 1, CH 2 – Overhead 2, CH 3 – HH, CH 4 – Kick, CH 5 – TT1, CH 6 – TT2, CH 7 – FT, CH 8 – Snare. Because the OH’s and HH need phantom power for their respective condenser mics, they must be in websites 1, 2, 3. The recorded volume of the kick compared to the snare is staggering, with the kick volume being a lot higher, even though I have the volume the same in Logic. Same with the toms–really low volume compared with the kick. How do I control the output/volume of websites 5-8? Of course I can crank them on my DAW (Logic Pro), but I need more juice on those websites. There must be a way. Nothing online seems to address this issue. I’ve been playing with the Focusrite Control and even with cranking the volume for websites 5-8 doesn’t give me the juice compared with websites 1-4. Any help you can offer is most appreciated. I must be missing something. Again, I have the volumes for websites 5-8 cranked on the Focusrite Control but it pales in comparison to the volume of websites 1-4. I really need the snare volume to come up especially. The mics I’m using are all the same level mics by Audix. Please help. Thanks.
Question: While using 80’s csette tape machine going into an 18i20, I lose all control of the tape machine, basically bypassing the hardware. What needs to be switched on to have the machine act as mixer? Simple example, I turn up my hi eq gain knob on machine, no effect in audio from speakers (through DAW).
I have an 8i6 3rd gen. How do I properly set it up to run hardware fx? Right now I have it on output 3+4>hardware>input 3+4. The issue I’m having is that I’m getting the fx on all the websites instead of just the one I’m using the external effects device on in Ableton. Also, is there a way to decouple the output 3+4 from the headphone out on the 8i6?
I recently purchased an 18i20 (3rd Gen). I would like to monitor my recording from my DAW and not through direct monitoring. Everything I’ve read or watched from Focusrite shows how to turn direct monitoring on but it does not show how to turn it off. I’m trying to record a guitar through input 1. According to the manual and the articles, if I leave input website one unmuted, I will hear the direct monitored signal. I would assume from that that if I mute website 1, I should hear the output of website 1 of my DAW, with the effects assigned in my DAW. But this does not work. I am still hearing the direct signal even with input 1 muted. What am I doing wrong?
I have a Scarlett 18i20 and an scarlett octopre attached to that via adat cable. 2 questions. why does my focusrite control app only show 8 inputs, when it should be 16 and why does website 1 on the octopre begin at website 11 inside my DAW and not 9? i would think 8+8=16 so i can use websites 1 thru 16 in my daw- but its confusing because i have to do 1 thru 8 and 11 thru 18 thanks for any help!!!
ive been so frustrated, i got the scarlett solo 3rd gen, i couldn’t hear nothing with the output my headphones picked up no sound i was up all night trying to get it to fix and see what could be the problems, i made sure all my outputs on settings were to the focusrite and still no good, i even decided to go back to the store and the worker told me i should switch to the 2i2 maybe so i decided to get that and try if it fiexed my issues but still i could not hear a thing through my headphones i’ve never been so frustrated please help, there’s only so much i could do at this point
I bought a Scarlett 6i6 (2nd Gen) years ago as an upgrade to my 2i2 (1st Gen) since I was looking for an option that would allow me to switch between my two sets of monitors, and it worked fine until today, which is playing both outputs 1-2 and 3-4 at once and they are being controlled by “monitor” knob. How can I solve this?
Focusrite, can you please release an update patch that will let us control the output settings for the Scarlett Solo and 2i2? I’ve been going crazy for months trying to figure out how to separate my monitor output from my headphone output so that when I’m working in the night, only I can hear what I’m doing and I don’t have to bother my family who is trying to sleep. For the past year I have been trying to figure out how to mute the monitor outputs so that all the audio going out is coming to my headphones only, it is really annoying that the only way for me to work quietly is for me to manually take out the cords plugged into my interface for the monitors only to have them be plugged in in the morning or afternoon when it’s ok to have a bit of noise around the house. I really don’t have the money to go out and spend more on one of your more expensive interfaces just to I can be able to do that. I honestly consider that a waste of my time and money seeing as that would literally be the only reason I’d actually have to buy a new one. I have no problems with the interface thus far, my last interface was a Steinberg one and it was piss poor, because I had no knowledge in music production, I never realized it was broken since the day I bought it and once I did, it was literally two years later and my warranty was out. The guy at Long&Mcqaude literally told me the bad reviews about it and that it would cost less to get the Focusrite Scarlette which is much more reliable (he was right.
When I launch Focusrite control, it says no device found. I have a 2i2 studio 3rd gen. Everything works perfectly in Logic and the OS, not sure why it says that since it’s working. Is it because there isn’t any routing I can do with the 2i2? Just wanted to make sure there wasn’t any weird default routing I was missing. It all sounds fine and works perfectly, however.
For Scarlett 18i20 user, did anyone here could use built-in mic for talkback without any problem? I had been trying to use it but there’s always an annoying high freq feedback signal…. Also the artist that did recording still couldn’t hear my voice although talkback function has been on. Any tips and suggestions how to use built-in mic properly? Thanks before
I went to a studio that had focusrite clarett and there was a huge unusable latency on the midi keyboard going into my laptop, maybe I need to change the settings on the focusrite control panel… damn i hate all this geeky tech gearhead stuff though i want to make music not be a computer programmer!!!!
This control software is absolute crap. After many years using MOTU where it is super easy to route all my signals I bought one of your audio devices and I think I have made a mistake. I have been fighting with it for several days now and I feel like just throwing it out the window. Please make a simple software with a simple matrix of inputs and outputs. It’s not that hard!