Scarlett Solo, Scarlett Solo User Guide

User Guide

RIGHT LEFT

Version 1.0

www.focusrite.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quick Start Tool ..............................................................5

Mac users only .................................................................5

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

All users ......................................................................9

Manual Registration.............................................................9

Audio Setup in your DAW .....................................................10

Examples of use.............................................................12

Connecting a microphone/instrument .............................................12

Using Direct Monitoring.........................................................13

Headphone monitoring .........................................................13

Connecting Scarlett Solo to loudspeakers..........................................14

HARDWARE FEATURES......................................................... 16

Front Panel.................................................................16

Back Panel .................................................................17

SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................. 18

Performance Specifications ...................................................18

Physical and Electrical Characteristics ..........................................19

TROUBLESHOOTING ...........................................................20

COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES................................................ 20

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OVERVIEW

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this Third Generation Scarlett Solo, one of the family of Focusrite
professional computer audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue preamps. You
now have a simple and compact solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer
and you will also be able to download some exciting new software plug-ins once you’ve registered
the product.

In developing the Third Generation series of Scarlett interfaces, we have made further improvements
to both performance and features to allow you to get the best out of your recordings. Audio
specifications have been upgraded throughout the unit to give you greater dynamic range and even
lower noise and distortion; additionally, the mic preamp now accepts higher input levels. An important
enhancement is the inclusion of Focusrite’s AIR function. Individually selectable on each channel, AIR
subtly modifies the preamp’s frequency response to model the sonic characteristics of our classic
transformer-based ISA microphone preamps. When recording with good quality microphones, you
will notice an enhanced clarity and definition in the important mid to high frequency range, just
where it is most needed for vocals and many acoustic instruments.

You can also plug a guitar or bass straight into the dedicated instrument input: its high headroom
will let you record without distortion or clipping. Both of Solo’s inputs have Gain Halo meters, which
makes it easy to set input levels. Solo now has balanced outputs, which means when you connect
them to monitors or an amplifier with balanced inputs, your audio will be protected from any hum
or interference.

Third Generation Scarlett interfaces are class compliant on macOS: this means they are plug-and­play, so no need to install a driver if you are a Mac user.

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 signal 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, ProTools | First (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. Solo’s
Direct Monitoring feature lets you hear what you are playing in “real-time”, without the effects of
computer latency.

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Box Contents

Along with your Scarlett Solo you should have:

• USB cable, Type ‘A’ to Type ‘C’

• Getting Started Information (printed on inside of box lid)

• Important Safety Information

System Requirements

The easiest way to check that your computer’s operating system (OS) is compatible with the Scarlett
Solo is to use our online OS Checker at https://customer.focusrite.com/downloads/os. As new OS
versions become available over time, you can continue to check for further compatibility information
by searching our Help Centre at https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb.

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GETTING STARTED

With the Third Generation, Scarlett interfaces introduce a new, faster way of getting up and running,
using the Scarlett Quick Start tool. All you need to do is connect your Scarlett Solo to your computer.
Once connected, you will see that the device is recognised by your PC or Mac and the Quick Start tool
will guide you through the process from there.

IMPORTANT: The Scarlett 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 that Scarlett Solo is a USB 2.0
device, and thus the USB connection requires a USB 2.0+ compliant port on your computer.

Scarlett Solo gets its power from your computer via the USB connection: there is no need
for a separate power supply. However, we do recommend that when using it with a laptop,
the laptop should be powered using its AC adaptor, as otherwise the battery will run down
faster than when powering the laptop alone.

Your computer will initially treat your Scarlett as a Mass Storage Device (MSD), and during its fi rst
connection, the Scarlett will be in “MSD Mode”.

Quick Start Tool

We have tried to make registering your Scarlett Solo as simple as possible. The procedure is 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.

Mac users only:

On connecting your Scarlett Solo to your Mac, a Scarlett icon will appear on the desktop:

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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 that you register your device:

Click on “Let’s get you started”, and you’ll be presented with a form which will be partly prefi lled
for you automatically. On submitting the form, options will be presented to either go straight to the
downloads to get the software for your Scarlett, or to follow a step by step setup guide based on
your choices. Once you have installed the Focusrite Control software to set up and confi gure your
interface, the Scarlett will be switched out of MSD mode so that it no longer appears as a Mass
Storage Device when connected to your computer.

Your OS should automatically switch the computer’s default audio inputs and 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..

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