Focusrite Scarlett Solo User Guide

User Guide

FFFA001410

www.focusrite.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OVERVIEW..................................................................... 3

Introduction .................................................................3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Box Contents ................................................................4

System Requirements.........................................................4

Mac OS .......................................................................4

Windows ......................................................................4

GETTING STARTED .............................................................5

Software Installation ..........................................................5

Mac OS only ...................................................................6

Windows only ..................................................................6

Powering your Scarlett Solo ....................................................6

Connecting your Scarlett Solo ..................................................7

Audio Setup in your DAW ......................................................7

Examples of use..............................................................9

Connecting a microphone/instrument ..............................................9

Using Direct Monitoring.........................................................10

Headphone monitoring .........................................................10

Connecting Scarlett Solo to loudspeakers..........................................11

HARDWARE FEATURES......................................................... 13

Front Panel.................................................................13

Back Panel .................................................................14

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS ................................................15

Physical and Electrical Characteristics ..........................................16

TROUBLESHOOTING ...........................................................17

OVERVIEW

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this Second Generation Scarlett Solo, one of the family of Focusrite professional audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-ampliﬁers. You now have a simple and compact solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer.

In developing the Second Generation series of Scarlett interfaces, we have enhanced both the performance and feature set including support for sample rates up to 192 kHz, improved mic preamp performance with low noise and plenty of gain, and upgraded instrument inputs with additional headroom for recording the loudest guitar parts without clipping. They are class compliant on Mac, which means they are plug-and-play, so no need to install a driver if you are a Mac user. You will also be able to download some exciting new software plug-ins once you’ve registered the product.

This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the hardware to help you achieve a thorough understanding of the product’s operational features. We recommend that both users who are new to computer-based recording, as well as more experienced users, take the time to read through the user guide so that you are fully aware of all the possibilities that the Scarlett Solo and accompanying software have to offer. If the main User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be sure to consult https://support.focusrite.com/, which contains a comprehensive collection of common technical support queries.

Features

The Scarlett Solo hardware interface provides the means for connecting a microphone and an instrument or line level audio signals to a computer running Mac OS or Windows. The signals at the physical inputs can be routed to your audio recording software / digital audio workstation (referred to throughout this user guide as the “DAW”) at up to 24-bit, 192 kHz resolution; similarly, the DAW’s monitor or recorded output will appear at the unit’s physical outputs.

This lets you record “real-world” instruments into Ableton Live Lite, GarageBand® (or whichever other DAW you may use) along with – or instead of – any “native” sounds already available within your computer. The physical outputs can be connected to an ampliﬁer and speakers, powered monitors, headphones or any other audio equipment with analogue inputs that you wish to use. Although all inputs and outputs on the Scarlett Solo are routed directly to and from your DAW for recording and playback, you can conﬁgure the routing within your DAW in order to meet your needs. A Direct Monitoring feature lets you hear what you are playing without the effects of computer latency.

Box Contents

Along with your Scarlett Solo you should have:

• Bundle code* for accessing the following on-line resources:

- Solo USB Drivers for Windows

- Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite

- Softube Time and Tone bundle

- ProTools | First

- Ableton Live Lite

- LoopMasters sample library

- Novation Bass station

- Multi-language User Guides

• USB cable

• Getting Started Guide and Important Safety Information*

* information printed on the inside of the gift box

System Requirements

Mac OS

Apple Macintosh with a USB 2.0 or 3.0-compliant USB port and an Internet connection*

OS: Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)

Windows

Windows compatible computer with a USB 2.0 or 3.0-compliant USB port and an Internet connection*

OS: Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit), 8.1 and 10

* Internet connection required for downloading on-line resources.

GETTING STARTED

Mac Users

1. Connect your Scarlett Solo to your Mac using the included USB cable

2. Go to "System Preferences" then "Sound" and select "Scarlett Solo" as the input and output device

3. You are now ready to use the Scarlett Solo

(Please Note: You may need to select the Scarlett Solo as your interface within your music software preferences)

Windows users

1. Please go to www.focusrite.com/downloads to download and install the relevant audio drivers (internet connection required)

2. Connect your Scarlett Solo to your PC using the included USB cable

3. Go to "Control Panel" then "Sound" and select "Scarlett Solo" as the playback and recording default device

4. You are now ready to use your Scarlett Solo

GET STARTED WITH SCARLETT SOLO

For an in depth video tutorial, please go to www.focusrite.com/get-started

IMPORTANT: WINDOWS USERS - PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU RUN THE INSTALLER

BEFORE CONNECTING THE SCARLETT SOLO TO YOUR COMPUTER.

THE SECOND GENERATION SCARLETT SOLO IS CLASS COMPLIANT FOR MACS,

THEREFORE DRIVER INSTALLATION IS NOT NECESSARY.

Software Installation

All software required by the Scarlett Solo - and several powerful and useful extras - is available for download from the Focusrite website www.focusrite.com/register. You will ﬁnd a “Bundle Code” printed on the inside of the gift box your Scarlett Solo comes in, and the Serial number can be found on the underside of the unit. You will need to enter these when you access the downloads area of the website; this procedure ensures that you will have the most up-to-date software versions.

DOWNLOADING THE INCLUDED SOFTWARE

To download the included software, you will need to register your Scarlett Solo at www.focusrite.com/register

You will need the product serial number which can be found on the underside of the Solo hardware.

Once you have entered the serial number, you will be asked to enter your BUNDLE CODE, found below:

XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX

Focusrite is a tr ade mark of Focusrite Au dio Engineering Lim ited registere d in the UK and ot her countries.

Scarlett Solo i s a trade mark of Focusri te Audio Engineerin g Limited reg istered in the UK a nd other countries.

2016

1. Using your usual browser, go to www.focusrite.com/register/.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions, entering the Serial number and then the Bundle Code (XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX) into the form where prompted. Your Bundle Code is printed on the inside of the gift box.

3. You will then be able to access the “My Products” page, where the software products to which your registration entitles you are available for download, complete with activation codes where applicable.

4. Download and install the Scarlett Solo drivers (Windows only). Follow all on-screen instructions.

• When the installation is complete, restart your computer.

• After restart, connect the Scarlett Solo to your computer with the USB cable supplied.

This information is accurate as of May 2016, however we are constantly striving to improve the customer experience and as a result this process is subject to change. If anything appears to have changed please refer to www.focusrite.com/get-started for the latest info.

Mac OS only:

Your OS should automatically switch the computer’s default audio inputs & outputs to the Scarlett Solo. To verify this, go to System Preferences > Sound, and ensure that the input and output are set to Scarlett Solo. For more detailed setup options on a Mac, open Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.

Windows only:

Your OS should automatically switch the computer’s default audio inputs & outputs to the Scarlett Solo. To verify this go to: Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Manage Audio Devices and ensure that ‘Default Playback’ and ‘Recording’ are set to ‘Scarlett Solo’

Powering your Scarlett Solo

The Scarlett Solo is an active device, and needs a DC power source to operate. This will be supplied by the Mac or PC to which it is connected, via the single USB connection. Note that an external power supply is not required.

You should experience no problems in powering the Scarlett Solo from the USB ports on any compatible Mac or PC. However, please be aware that USB ports on some laptops may not be able to deliver the same current to externally-connected devices when they are running off their internal batteries, compared to their current capability when running from AC mains. We therefore recommend strongly that if you are using Scarlett Solo with a laptop, please power the laptop from the mains with its supplied AC adaptor.

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