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: ruclips.net/video/XV435Ba7hOs/видео.html *** Plus: My Focusrite Control Loopback Setup Guide is now live! Check it out here: ruclips.net/video/rZxKyW88JPE/видео.html
THANK YOU! I've a very busy schedule and am always looking for time to do the things I enjoy. This helped me put things together quickly. I Appreciate your time.
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
Much appreciated. My goal for this channel is to create a community where we can all share our interest in audio / video whether for recording, streaming, production and more, all while learning along the way... I will also be launching a new Discord server shortly to keep the conversations going and provide an opportunity for all to share., look for an announcement soon...
Much appreciated and I'm glad to help out! If you need further detail on digital IO or using an iPad / iPhone as a remote control surface for FC, my part 2 advanced FC video covers those topics. ruclips.net/video/XV435Ba7hOs/видео.html
The best channel concerning the Focusrite Control! I cants wait for part 2, I have been struggling with my Clarett 8Pre USB for the longest while. When can we expect the new video? Many thanks!!!
Much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed part 1. I have the outline for part 2 put together, but I am still doing some research into questions coming up in the community (forums, etc.) to make sure I address as many as possible during the course of part 2. The Clarett 8Pre is a great unit - let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to see addressed.
Thank you so much for posting this video. 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. 😁
Glad I could help out with this video. I intended it to be a reference that you can go back to with chapters when you need to set things up. It can get a bit long from start to finish...😄 Good to hear you have your 8i6 up and running. Windows updates can "break" things, but I find that often all that is needed is to change the default input and output sound devices in Windows Settings back to your Focusrite interface (Windows likes to reset them from time to time). You will find I have a few other tutorials on Focusrite Control as well as hardware setup with the 8i6 (compressor, loopback, etc). As always, if you have a question, please ask. I try to answer as many as possible.
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 channel was an explanation of how USB is routed thru the Scarlett. It seems like I should be able to always have a channel out to my speakers for the audio from my computer system to monitors. Thanks
Great info! Just got off work and watching this, loosing me a little bit, but kinda normal on a 12hr shift! Saving this for a rewatch! I just started into this whole venture and using the Scarlett 18i8 3rd gen... lots of stuff to learn!
Thanks and it’s great to hear you are getting started! The 18i8 3rd gen is a very good interface to get started with! Things can seem complicated when you get started and watching this video start to finish can make it seem that way. I like to think of this (and my other Focusrite Control tutorials) as more of a reference collection, use the time stamps and find the answers you need (at least I hope you do), and if not, you can always ask, chances are others have the same questions. Good luck as you get started, Cheers!
Much appreciated and I hope you found the information you needed! I posted part 2 with advanced features and setup today. Thanks for checking out my tutorial.
@@askdrtk I actually think I'm okay. I have to get two splitters at Guitar Center for a gig next week to get more than two broadcast headsets out to the world, but I did my research ahead of time, so I should be set.
Good to hear! You may want to look at a headphone amp with four outputs so you can adjust the levels for each set. Doesn’t need to be expensive. Mackie HM-4 or similar comes to mind…
Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is simple once you explained what it is doing. Thanks to you I now know and understand how it operates . Excellent video!!! Top shelf brother. Thank you.
Thanks so much for doing this video , 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
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed my tutorial and please do ask any questions that come up! As you said, planning is actually the most important step in any audio setup. The FC interface can be challenging until you get used to it. It is a departure from the familiar look of a console (at least that I am used to) but in the end FC is a mixer plus a controller for interface functions (sample rate, clock source, etc.) Enjoy your 18i20! Cheers, Todd
Thanks and I'm glad to hear my tutorial helped out. Part 2 - Advanced functions is going live tomorrow - sync/clock, monitor control, digital io-ADAT/SPDIF, zero latency outboard effects, iPad control surface, and more...
Thank you for a clear explanation. I have had my 6i6 for a wile and have never been able to get it to work. Got a Mac and my main issue was monitoring with powered speakers, It never worked for me. I hope thing will get better after this.
Glad to help out. Focusrite Control should be the answer as it will let you configure the mix for both the Mac and onboard inputs to your powered monitors and headphones. Thanks for checking out my tutorial!
So around the 14:00 mark is this essentially the same thing as a blend knob that controls the PC and direct sounds? Like if I only want to hear the pre-recorded tracks on my DAW and NOT what I’m currently tracking, I can do that? Thanks
This is the only video 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 video helped me so much, amazing!
Thanks and I'm glad to help out! Once you get comfortable with it, FC opens up a lot of options for multiple monitor mixes / outboard gear integration and Focusrite did some big upgrades to the converters in the Clarett + interfaces (due to a chip shortage during the pandemic). The new converters perform far above the price point.
@@askdrtk Nice, great to hear about the performance upgrade of the converters. In a review of the Clarett+ it said that the former AKM converters were replaced by Cirrus Logic.
Yes, C-5381 AD and C-43198 DA - nice converters. I struggle to hear any difference compared to my 828es (Sabre 32 converters) on my monitors (Genelec 8040s - decent monitors imo). Both are very transparent which is great if you need to print and rerecord.
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,
Thanks, I'm glad you are finding my tutorials helpful. I haven't tested the connections on the sx900, but the L/L+R makes me unsure if it is wired as balanced when the R output is in use and unbalanced when only one TRS cable it used with the L/L+R jack. I suspect both are unbalanced. If you are not experiencing any phase or ground loop issues you are likely ok to stay with TRS cables, but if either issue is present changing to TS may help out.
@askdrtk Thanks again. You are absolutely right. i contacted Yamaha, and they said the outputs are unbalenced, i am switching the connections to TS cables
Hey, is there a way I can individually control the level of my voice in my headphones, as I want to make my guitar lower than my voice in my headphones. How can I do this on the mixcontrol? Thank you
I'm trying to route a click track through my 2nd Headphone output, but I'm getting NOTHING! I've got a 2nd 6i6. I've upgraded to the latest driver, but it doesn't show how to route the 2 front Headphones. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
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?
All this info made the use of my Clarett USB 4Pre possible. However, if you are using Cubase as your DAW make sure to turn off the monitor button on the recording channel.
Hi finally after watching your videos 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
While you could connect your processor to inputs 1/2 using the line level option (your processor provides line level output), I would recommend connecting to the line inputs on the back of the 8i6. That way you still have the mic preamps available. I hope this helps out!
@askdrtk Thank you, i am so happy i came across this channel just one more thing as the line inputs in the back of the 8i6 are balenced will it make any difference if i insert unbalenced output coming from the guitar processor with two TS cables
Great!!!!! if you adjust the analog input level of an instrument being recorded (drums), for monitoring: purposes, doesn't that reduce the signal level going in to the DAW. Thanks, great video!
Thanks and great question! The level adjustments only apply to the hardware and ADAT/SPDIF outputs. The levels to the DAW remain unchanged (unity gain). It is like having an audio interface and a monitor/headphone mix controller in one.
Around 38:00 when you show the OBS Studio interface, I can see that in source tab on OBS you have Scarlett individuals inputs as different sources. How can I do that on OBS?
Great question! You need to install the OBS ASIO plugin. Then instead of adding an Audio Input Capture as a source you add and ASIO source. All individual channels will then be available from your interface as long as it supports ASIO. You can find the plugin here: github.com/Andersama/obs-asio
@@askdrtk Thank you for your attention! It means a lot. I've checked this plugin is only available for Windows. Sorry I forgot to mention I'm using a Scarlett 18i20 on Mac OS. Is there any plugins which would do the same for Mac?
Glad you enjoyed my setup guide. On MacOS, buffer size is controlled in your DAW instead of in Focusrite Control. I really need to do a Mac specific version of this guide to cover the few minor differences. Cheers!
Thank you. So far I've only found your channel to be the most detail and slow enough for me to follow. Unfortunately, I don't run Windows. I have a MacBook Pro.
Fantastic video! My monitor volume knob on the front of my Clarett doesn’t affect the volume of the output to my speakers? I can see it moving the fader on the control software, but it doesn’t affect the sound. What am I doing wrong? Thank you so appreciate your help Andrew.
Hi Andrew, sorry I missed your question earlier. This usually happens with the "Monitor Controls" setting in the gear icon menu is set so that it doesn't control the outputs you have your monitors connected to. I hope this solves things, but if not let me know how you have the monitors connected and I will try to help out further. Cheers!
New viewer and I can't wait to dive deeper into some other videos 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
Welcome and thanks for checking out part one of my Focusrite Control guide. Since you are getting signal from the 18i20 through the outputs on your OctoPre, sync should be ok (note that ADAT only functions at 96 kHz and below on the 18i20 and you need to use either 44.1 or 48 to take advantage of all eight input channels with one cable or you two cables for 8 input channels at 88.2 or 96 kHz). Also, if you are trying to use the 18i20 as the clock source, you will need a BNC cable from clock out on the 18i20 to clock in on the OctoPre (plus set the OctoPre sync to Word.) Using the OctoPre as the clock source, optical from the OctoPre out to the 18i20 will carry the clock, as the18i20 does not accept word clock in via BNC. If all of the above is configured correctly, the first thing I would check is the optical cable(s) from your Octopre out to your 18i20 in. Given that output from the 18i20 to the Octopre is working, you could swap the optical cable(s) going from your Octopre out to your 18i20 in with the one(s) you are using from the 18i20 out to the Octopre in. This can help determine if you have any bad optical cables. I have had bad optical cables before...very frustrating. Let me know if this was the issue. If not, I will attempt to assist further + I will be explaining ADAT and sync in part two of the FC series. Hope this helps out!
Great video. I have the claret 4pre usb and I can’t figure out how to record zoom calls since my unit does not have loop option. Any suggestions. Thank you
Much appreciated. Setting aside recording in zoom itself which is highly inflexible, it would depend if you are using a Windows or Mac PC. For Mac, the most popular option is Audio Hijack. This allows you to record the audio from any application, including Zoom. There are a number of options for Windows, but the most popular free option is Voicemeeter. This allows you to mix application audio into two outputs so you can set one up including all Zoom audio for recording that is separate from your speaker/headphone mix. You can also capture all Zoom application audio within OBS studio using the Application Audio Capture plugin. You would setup a scene in OBS with the any source being the Zoom application and let it record while you are on a Zoom call. Hope these few options help out!
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 video. 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"
Hi Antonios and thanks for the question. Your headphones should be ok, but I haven't tested Max's. The Scarlett Solo does not support output routing as stereo playback from your Mac is automatically routed to the two outputs by the interface. You can of course select which audio output device is being used to output sound from your Mac, but again if the Solo is selected on the Mac, the sound will automatically play through the two outputs. Instead of output routing, the Solo only uses the direct monitor button on the front, but does not allow you to control the level in Focusrite Control. If you have no sound from your bass when the Direct Monitoring and INST buttons are selected and you have signal showing, I would suggest trying another set of headphones. (Both the Solo and 2i2 work the same way.) Output routing in Focusrite Control only works for Scarletts and Claretts with four our more outputs. Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Thanks alot for your answer. Yes, while playing bass right now, I can see that the input is received (I can see sound bar, even in the Ableton Live software), and while I see that there is Output, I cannot get the Output from Scarlett Solo on my headphones using Direct Monitor as I used to while in Windows PC. I am in communication with Focusrite support team, so to see what it can be done. I will try and borrow another set of wired headphones from work, since I do not own any other at the moment, and test it. I will let you know :-)
@@askdrtk Yes, the other headphones work - as Direct Monitor. Therefore the "issue" is with the AirPods Max. And my question now is, should I contact Apple customer support service, to guide me how to use the headphones through a sound card (Focusrite Scarlett Solo) ? I can of course go for some studio headphones, but that has extra cost. What headphones would you suggest in that case ?
OK, now that we know it is the Max's, let's try this. Restart the Max's by Pressing and holding both the Digital Crown and Noise Control buttons on the Max's (about 12 seconds until the light beside the charging port flashes amber) - don't hold the buttons longer as that will cause a full factory reset. Now try the Max's with the Scarlett. If this doesn't work, you should probably contact Apple support as there may be something wrong with the headphones. If you want to go with studio headphones, I generally prefer a more neutral frequency response for mixing purposes, monitoring is not as critical. While many like the DT 770s (I have a set as well), they are not particularly neutral. I like the DT 880 pro's far more for mixing as their frequency profile is far more neutral. I have a review on the DT 880's coming soon. More affordable options for good neutral studio headphones include the AKG ATH-M40X's (review here: ruclips.net/video/jjkDInbbC2c/видео.html ) and AKG K361's (review on K361's coming soon as well). You can of course go higher end vs these options, let me know if you would like some further recommendations... Let me know how you make out with the restart on the the Max's.
@@askdrtk My AirPods Max don't work at all with this third party lightning to aux cable I am using. All the problem so far is on the headphones, while connected with cable. I tried to reboot, didn't help. Wireless they are simply amazing ! Thank you for all the headphones you suggested so far. I will consider them all, in order to select the best one. :-)
I watched many times your full detailed video. I got many things to know. I followed your video 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.
What about using the outputs as discreete channels for a 5.1 Surround system. Wold you be able to calibrate the volume of each channel coming out? thanks
Sorry for the late reply. Yes, using an 18i20 as an example, you can calibrate each output using the output faders as long as you set the Monitor Control to None. Listening level would then be controlled from your DAW or with a software-based monitor controller such as the Ginger Audio Ground Control Sphere.
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
I appreciate you making the video! 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?
It took a while, but I did see your question lol... Yes, you can configure the analog inputs on the 18i20 to be sent to ADAT Out which would connect to ADAT Input on the MBox and then configure the ADAT input on the 18i20 to be sent to the analog outputs. This will give you an additional 8x8 IO from the MBox. You will also need to set the clock source on the 18i20 to ADAT and ensure the 18i20's sample rate is also set to the what you are using on the MBox. I hope this helps out!
Hi , question? At the beginning of the video, you randomly pulled up the “device Settings”. You did not show how you did that? Is it your daw settings ? Or your interface settings? Can you clarify?
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. 😕
Thanks for checking out my tutorial - Much appreciated and I'm glad to help out! I have added part 2 with digital IO, iPad as a remote control surface, etc... Let me know if you run into any questions.
What is very confusing for newbies in output mapping is : actually not showing the physical inputs and outputs on the scarlet device to what is shown in the software. It would then makes more sense to what is happening with mapping.
Thanks for your comment! I hear you and will be posting a few specific tutorials showing complete routing through DAW, physical IO, and Focusrite Control. I have already posted one very specific video about how to connect (I show physical connections) and use a compressor while tracking through a Scarlett interface using Focusrite Control. As always, if there is anything specific you are interested in, please ask and I will try to help out!
Great content! Perhaps I missed it, but is Focusrite Control only for Gen 2 and newer interfaces? I can't seem to find out whether it will work with my Gen 1 device. Thanks!
Thanks, I'm glad to help out! Yes, FC is for Gen 2 and 3, Gen 1 uses Mix Control. Depending on who you ask, some prefer Mix Control and some Focusrite Control. In the end, both accomplish the same thing although for those experienced with analog mixers, Mix Control looks more "familiar" imo. Cheers!
OBS for mac doesnt allow ASIO. So I cant see audio on SPDIF. Is there a way to record SPDIF coming in from another source (Denon Mixer into Focusrite 18i20)on OBS ?
Interfaces without additional IO for mixing have the main output and headphone output tied together (including the Solo and 2i2) and therefore do not support routing in Focusrite Control but rather provide a direct monitoring control on the interface itself. If your interface has a direct monitoring button it will not duplicate that function in FC.
Great Video. 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 ?
Glad you enjoyed the video. Setting this up requires both. Assuming you have all of the 18i20's outputs setup in S1, you need to decide which output(s) you want the click on and which ones you don't. Then from the left-hand side of the console display open "outputs." You will then see all of the outputs you have setup in S1 displayed. Most likely you will see a blue box with a triangle (the "click" symbol) on the master output. The same box will be gray on all of the other outputs. Here you can select which outputs will have the click. Once you have done this, go into FC and setup the "DAW Playback" inputs you want sent to each output (main monitor 1-2, headphone outputs 7-8 and/or 9-10). As an example, lets say you have you main output going to outputs 1-2 and the click playing on outputs 9-10 from Studio One. To have the master bus play through Monitors 1-2 and Headphones 7-8 with the master and click played through Headphones 9-10, in Focusrite Control add DAW Playback 1-2 to Monitor Output 1-2 and Headphone Output 7-8. Then add DAW Playback 1-2 and and 9-10 to Headphone Output 9-10. This is a common setup for recording where the musician hears the click and master bus in their headphones (9-10) and the engineer hears only the master bus in their headphones (7-8) or monitors (1-2). It is also possible to setup a different mix in S1 for the musician to hear with the click on one of the outputs. You would then use this output as the DAW Playback selection for Headphone Output 9-10 in Focusrite Control. There are other ways to configure this with and without a separate click output. I hope this helps out, but if you need further assistance I do book live video sessions through my website where I can go through a customized setup with you.
@@askdrtk DUDE!!! Thanks so much for the detailed response. I'll try this in my studio when I get back!! Very exciting. Now how do I book a live session with you because I have LOTS of other questions. If its not to much to ask. Thanks again hope your friday is awesome!
It can be opened by right-clicking the Focusrite icon in the taskbar (usually with the other hidden icons) and then selecting "Clarett 4pre settings." Focusrite has an article showing where to find the icon and what is looks like here: support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360013505620-Why-can-t-I-see-the-Focusrite-Notifier-icon-in-my-taskbar-on-Windows- Hope this helps out!
great guide, quick question! i might have missed it, but how do i sync line outputs 3-4 playback 1-2. Output 3 is being used for subwoofer.. but i want to control it with the monitor gain. when i turn down the monitor knob, i can still hear the subwoofer. i want the 2 to be linked.
Thanks and great question! You can setup the monitor knob to control both sets of outputs by clicking on the gear icon in Focusrite Control and then clicking "Monitor Controls" 1-4. Hope this helps out!
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
Glad to help out! For impedance match, connect the output from the 2290p to the instrument input on the 18i20. A reamp box is required to connect the line output from the 18i20 to the input on the 2290p. This will match both level and impedance through the pedal. You can also use an effect reamper such as the Radial EXTC. It provides both DI and reamp allowing you to use line in and out on the back of your 18i20. (This is very convenient if you plan to use pedals in effect loops with the 18i20 often). I hope this helps out, Cheers!
Great video, I’m still having trouble with the monitor output volume being much lower than when I use my monitors through the Mac mini’s headphone out. Is there anyway to boost the monitor output on my 18i20?
Thanks! I will give you a few ideas but it depends on the type of connection you are using to your monitors. Without getting into the weeds, headphone output is more powerful than line level and the monitor output from an audio interface such as the 18i20 is line level at maximum assuming you haven't reduced the gain on inputs being monitored in Focusrite Control. Normally to match your Mac's headphone and 18i20 monitor line outs I would recommend reducing the headphone level until it is similar to the monitor output level from the 18i20 when listening through your monitors. Then I would increase the gain controls on your monitors so that you can achieve the maximum level you are looking for leaving enough room for adjustment on both the Mac and 18i20 output level controls. It is possible to "boost" the monitor output from your 18i20 by using a line level booster between the 18i20 and your monitors. The downside of this arrangement is in the potential loss of quality depending on the booster being used. Also, most line boosters are unbalanced (intended for home audio) and therefore not ideal. One final point is in the cable you are using. The18i20 has balanced monitor outputs as do most monitors (I would need to know which monitors you have). If you use unbalanced cables (TS) between the balanced output from the 18i20 and balanced inputs on your monitors, the level will be lower than if you use balanced (TRS) cables. I hope this gives you some ideas to get started with. I may be able to assist further if you let me know which monitors and cables you are using.
@@askdrtk Thanks for your reply. I am using 1/4 Inch TRS Balanced Instrument Cables with Yamaha HS5 speakers. I tried your suggestion of increasing the gain control on my monitors while working in Logic, but even when maxed out it still doesn't reach the volume levels that I can get from headphone out of my mini to monitors. I may just be missing something obvious here. Cables?
Excessively love volumes really sounds like a cable issue to me. This generally happens when TS instrument cables are used for balanced connections, but it wouldn't hurt to try a different set of cables. For connecting the 18i20 to the HS5s I would use 1/4" TRS to XLR cables, although 1/4" TRS to 1/4" TRS should also work. In any case though, a headphone output will have more power vs the monitor (line level) outputs on any interface so the headphone output will produce louder sound from your monitors.
Great question! You can use multiple phones or iPads to control FC, but not remote computers at this point. I can have FC open on my iPhone, iPad, and computer at the same time and everything stays in sync when adjustments are made from any of the devices. This is great if you want to give musicians control of their own mixes.
Hey thanks for all this! Question - I have a 18i20 and it works great with control. I just bought a clarett+ octopre and connected it via ADAT to the 18i20, but the octopre is not showing up in the control app, nor in my DAW. What am I doing wrong? I can't find any info about this...
Glad you enjoyed it! You will need two ADAT cable 18i20 in to Octopre out and 18i20 out to Octopre in. The Octopre is controlled by ADAT inputs and outputs in FC. If you don’t see them you may need to add them using the “+” sign in the output and input sections of FC. Also, make sure the clocks are synced between the 18i20 and Octopre or you will not have sound. I also have an advanced version of this video focussing on ADAT that may help out further.
Thanks for this videos. Definitively subscribing. ONE QUESTION, can we use Focusrite Control with two or more interfaces conected vía usb in the same Mac?
Glad to help out and welcome! 😄Focusrite does not support multiple Scarlett or Clarett interfaces over usb conection, so only one will be recognized by Focusrite Control. Some have attempted to create an aggregate device, however I have never had any success with this. When I need to use the IO from more than one Scarlett or Clarett interface, I set one up in stand alone mode (not available on usb powered models) and connect the two interfaces with ADAT or SPDIF. The only down side is that if you need to reconfigure the interface set up as stand alone, you need to disconnect the other interface and then connect the stand alone interface to reconfigure it in Focusrite Control. Hope this helps out!
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 glad to be back! The 18i20 will work with Mac (both Intel and Apple silicon) and it will be recognized by core audio. Focusrite control acts as the hardware output mixer as on PC, however loopback is not supported on Mac. All IO will be available in your DAW. Beyond that, USB C to C and A to C cables are both supported.
@@askdrtk Hello sir, ok i understand pretty much everything you are saying in response, but what i wanted to know is if my scarlett 18i20 can be connected to two computers although it only has one usb port and notthing else other the other available connections on the back of my scarlett 18i20 such as spidif port, word clock out, optical in and out, and midi in and out. I have just my desktop 2010 mac pro 5,1 connected to the scarlett 18i20 and say a friend brings his laptop to playback his project on his daw with my scarlett 18i20, while ithe scarlett 18i20 is connected to my mac pro 5,1 can this be possible to do?
Sorry I missed your question earlier. The 6i6 uses Scarlett Mix Control and will not work with FC. Unfortunately, the 2i2 does not have SPDIF. SPDIF jacks start at the 8i6 on 3rd gen Scarletts. If you were looking for inputs only you could add something like an ART Digital MPA ii which is a two channel mic preamp with SPDIF output, but in that price range you could go with an 18i20 and then use the 6i6 as an additional pair of analog inputs and outputs by connecting it to the 18i20 with SPDIF. Just a few ideas but I hope they help out.
Two stereo pairs: 1-left, 2-right, and 3-left, 4-right as defaults when setup in most DAWs. Windows audio will also default to this arrangement. Hope this helps out!
Is there a way to use the main volume knob on the front panel tò control all the linked 10 line outputs? I would use It in a 5.1.4 setup, if It would be possibile I could go from audio interfacce to the monitors without an additional hardware monitor control.... Thanks in Advance. Best.
Great question and yes there is! In Focusrite Control, go into the setup (gear) menu and at the bottom where it says "Monitor Controls" choose "All." You should be good to go...
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 channel, and mute the last channel which is in use.. It’s becoming annoying and I know I’m doing something wrong..
If i wanted to record a stereo signal from my keyboard how is one supposed to set inputs on the interface? Do I have to match levels L+R or one gain control overrides the stereo pair of inputs?
You will need to use a pair on inputs on your interface. If you keyboard as individual L and R outputs connect L to input 3 and R to input 4 for example. Focusrite Control would be used to setup real time monitoring on the pair of inputs (speakers or headphones). Turn up the faders in FC to unity gain for the output(s) you would like to monitor through. For recording, you will need to go into your DAW, ensure the inputs from the interface are setup (process varies by DAW), and then created a stereo track to record (again varies by DAW). As long as the physical gain controls are set the same on the interface (depends on the output level from your keyboard) and both faders in FC are at unity gain, your levels should match for monitoring and and recording as long as you don't pan L or R on your DAW track. Hope this helps out!
Hi there, great tutorial video. 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?
Hello and Thanks! The digi 003 was some nice gear and I'm not surprised you had it all this time. That said, converters have really improved in the past five years and the 18i20 will provide some great audio, nice choice. For your sampler, configure the inputs to line level in FC. While the output from the Rhythm (also nice by the way) will not overload either line or instrument input on your18i20, the impedance will be a better match with line input. You may also want to use two inputs on the 18i20 so you can bring in the left and right channels from your sampler individually rather then sending only the mono downmix from the left output. That way you can take advantage of the panning effects the Rhythm has. One other tip is that the outputs on the Rhythm are TS unbalanced, so try to avoid long cable runs if possible. Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Thanks for your respnse. Yes I'm surprised the digi 003 lasted this long and still sounds great but was having issues with the inputs on the digi 003. On the Focusrite Scarlett, it sounds great. I'm getting used to the FC settings. I was able to connect the sampler and getting it to sound through Focusrite Scarlett.
@@askdrtk one question. I am noticing the output monitors level is clipping. Im trying everything to lower it. Wouldd you know how I could control that so it doesn't clip?
If output levels are clipping ensure that gains within Focusrite Control are set no higher than unity. You can double click on the faders to set them to unity.
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 🙂
If your monitors connected to outputs 1-2 and headphones are both being controlled by the monitor control knob and you want to separate them, go into Focusrite Control, select the “gear” icon, and make sure “monitor controls” is set to 1-2 only. In this configuration the monitor control knob adjusts only your studio monitors connected to outputs 1-2 and the headphone knob will control only your headphones. This isn’t specific to M1 but should get your 2pre setup the way you are wanting it. Hope this helps out!
Can anybody help with this question? I do tracks for live gigs. Now i have the music sent to pa speakers on my board. Through my scarlet. 4i4. Now how do i send a click to my drummer only for him to hear not my board?
I have 4i4 and use input 1 and 2 for my guitar and 3 and 4 for drum machine. How can I get the drum machine to play through same output as my guitar, without headphones?
If you are using outputs 1 and 2 for your monitors, go into the output routing tab in Focusrite Control and click on "Monitor Outputs 1-2." Then make sure you have inputs 1-4 showing on the "Hardware Inputs" pane with the levels on each turned up. Make sure you see signal on the four level meters when you are playing and adjust the levels to balance the sound as you like. You can do the same with outputs 3 and 4 if you want to have an additional set of monitors. Hope this helps out!
It works with all 3rd gen and the 2nd gen 6i6, 18i8, 18i20, as well as Clarett interfaces. The available functions depend on which interface you have (number of inputs / outputs and other internal features).
Hi i have a clarette 8 pre but everytime i go on youtube to watch videos i get pops and stutters.I got the latest (FC) software download on win 11 but nothing seems to work.. any fixes for this ??
Make sure both windows audio and the clarett sample rates are set to 48KHz and I would recommend a buffer size of 256 for reliable windows audio. If this doesn’t correct it, try disabling usb power control (don’t let windows power down usb ports). I did a video on setting up a pc for music production that may also help.
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
This is a great use case for EQ APO as an active crossover. First you need to expose channels 3/4 from your 4i4 to Windows by right-clicking on the Focusrite icon in the taskbar. Then the key is in EQ APO you need to setup channels 1/2 and copy them to output on 3/4. You would then assign a high pass filter (and other EQ if you like) to outputs 1/2 for your monitors and a low pas filter (and other eq if you like) to outputs 3/4 for your subwoofer. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but I hope this helps out.
@@askdrtk Thank you for taking time to answer me. I tried eveything but I can't copy channels correctly, can't setup things, I guess a little to hard for my knowledge. I will go with a dsp to make things easier. Thanks anyway
I hear you. EQ APO is not the most user-friendly to configure. I personally like an external DSP as I find it more comfortable for me to listen while I make adjustments instead of looking at a screen. I am planning to get a couple of DSPs in for review. Let me know if there are any in particular you have looked at.
@@askdrtk I went for a DSP availabile here in Italy at a good price, since the miniDSP is really expensive. I got the Omnitronic SMARD-24RCA. It's really complete and perfect for my needs. I set all up and my setup now sounds really good with all EQ set.
Very helpful but when I install Forcusrite control and go to open the control center it says no hardware detected . I have a Scarlett solo and she's plugged in. please help. THANK YOU!
Thanks! I will try to help out, but I need some additional information. Which generation is your Solo? (Focusrite Control only works with 3rd gen Solos) If it is a 3rd gen, is is connected directly to your computer or through a hub? Are you using the original cable and if not, what length is it and are your inputs and outputs working in your DAW or other recording software (OBS...)?
I just want to (probably) turn down the bass a little and turn up the higher frequencies as the sound is a little "dark" through my monitors when listening to music online. What to do? Can it be done in this software?
Focusrite Control is for mixing and interface configuration only, no EQ functions. Since the Focusrite interfaces use ASIO, assuming you are running Windows, built-in Windows 10 EQ options do not apply either. While you could insert a hardware EQ between your computer and your monitors, as a free option it is possible to use Voicemeeter as a virtual input for online music (set Spotify, etc. to output to the virtual input) and then add an EQ in Voicemeeter to adjust playback. As a paid option, Sonarworks also allows you to set multiple EQ profiles for system wide audio through ASIO devices. Hope this helps out!
To output DAW outputs 1-10 through your monitors through the 18i20, go into FC, select the "Monitor Outputs 1-2" on the lefthand side, then add "Software (DAW) Playback" channels1-10 on the lower righthand side. This will monitor all ouputs 1-10 out of your main monitors connected to the 18i20. If you want to individually output DAW 1-10 through the analog line outputs 1-10 on the 18i20, select each set of outputs one at a time on the lefthand side in FC and add only the corresponding numbers "Software (DAW) Playback" channels on the the lower righthand side. This is most useful if you want to output to an analog mixer. I hope this helps out!
Focusrite Control (FC) is designed to control mixing and IO capabilities of Scarlett and Clarett interfaces. These interfaces do not have built-in DSP for EQ, compression, reverb, etc. and so these functions are not available in FC. Effects such as EQ are applied to your audio in your computer using a DAW or other app such as OBS that host effect plugins (often VST). This happens after the audio is converted by the interface and sent to your computer (other than when using outboard hardware effects processors). This differs from some other interfaces such as the Presonus Revelator, UA Apollo, Motu 128es, and others that have the ability to run effects (DSP) within the interface. These interfaces include proprietary effect controls within their own software. Hope this helps out!
Please help...My DAW is ableton live i have the scarlett 8i6 interface. At one time my settings was working on 44100 some how i wasn't getting sound from there now my interface is working on 96000 is that good and if not. How can i get it back to having sound on 44100?
Loss of sound is usually caused by the clock going out of sync on your interface (often the sample rate in Ableton and Focusrite Control may have become set differently). A sample rate of 96000 is fine and provided extended frequency range vs 44100, however 44100 places less load on your CPU. If you prefer to use 44100, make sure both Ableton and Focusrite Control have sample rate set to 44100.
No matter what I do. I cannot figure it out .the 2i2. I got it set up. How do I record? My software messed my computer up. Windows 11 . I have been doing this for three weeks and I want to take it back.
I have a problem with my input being active all the time. when I use my guitar plugins I can still hear the clean guitar playing in the back ground. I'm using a Mac. have a solo 3rd gen. anyone have any suggestions?
On the Mac version I can't find how to set the buffer size. All the options are access from within the app, as there's no System Tray on Mac. But although it has sample rate, sync etc... no buffer size! I'll find it eventually I guess.
Buffer size on the Mac is generally set within your DAW instead of as a general ASIO driver setting as in Windows. In Logic Pro for example, you go into Preferences - Audio and click Devices. You can then set buffer size and see the corresponding latency. Other DAWs will have a similar setting. Hope this helps out!
I also have an 8i6 and I can’t figure out how to link the ‘Monitor’ knob on the front to the volume of my monitors. I’ve done it before in the past but am stuck now. Pls help!
Fixed! - It seems like the monitor knob is hard wired to only control outputs 1-2. Either way thanks for the informative video and maybe someone having the same issue will stumble upon this comment!
Glad you sorted that out. Yes, the monitor control is digital on the 18i20, but the 8i6 and most others are analog hard-wired to 1-2. Thanks for sharing as this does come up...Cheers!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
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: ruclips.net/video/XV435Ba7hOs/видео.html
*** Plus: My Focusrite Control Loopback Setup Guide is now live! Check it out here: ruclips.net/video/rZxKyW88JPE/видео.html
How do I control the volume of output 3 and 4 . The master volume knob only control output 1 and 2 .
This is my 2nd trip through this great resource. You are an excellent teacher. Thanks for your logically designed and warmly delivered tutorial.
Much appreciated, I am glad to hear the tutorial is helping out!
I bought a Scarlett and watched 10 different youtube tutorials. You are the best one. Thank you for the excellent presentation and the content.
Much appreciated, I'm glad to help out! Enjoy your new Scarlett!
Man you are such a wizard and this is so useful. Thanks for putting this out as it 's extremely helpful!
Thanks, I'm glad to help out!
My band just bought this for our studio and this is the video my bassist sent me. Can't wait to check this out!
THANK YOU! I've a very busy schedule and am always looking for time to do the things I enjoy. This helped me put things together quickly. I Appreciate your time.
My pleasure, glad to help out!
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
Much appreciated. My goal for this channel is to create a community where we can all share our interest in audio / video whether for recording, streaming, production and more, all while learning along the way... I will also be launching a new Discord server shortly to keep the conversations going and provide an opportunity for all to share., look for an announcement soon...
Absolutely amazing! Thank you, I've been trying this for ages and couldn't figure out how to. Massive help.
Am on my 3rd viewing of your wonderful instruction. It's like a master - class. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!!
Much appreciated and I'm glad to help out! If you need further detail on digital IO or using an iPad / iPhone as a remote control surface for FC, my part 2 advanced FC video covers those topics. ruclips.net/video/XV435Ba7hOs/видео.html
You earned my sub. Clear and Concise. All in one piece. Not gaming us. Thank you. adding to my playlist form later referencing.
Thanks, and I’m glad you found it useful. I intended this to be a reference with chapters rather than a “watch through” video.
The best channel concerning the Focusrite Control! I cants wait for part 2, I have been struggling with my Clarett 8Pre USB for the longest while. When can we expect the new video? Many thanks!!!
Much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed part 1. I have the outline for part 2 put together, but I am still doing some research into questions coming up in the community (forums, etc.) to make sure I address as many as possible during the course of part 2. The Clarett 8Pre is a great unit - let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to see addressed.
Sorry, I forgot, I plan to post part 2 in January.
Thank you so much for posting this video. 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. 😁
Glad I could help out with this video. I intended it to be a reference that you can go back to with chapters when you need to set things up. It can get a bit long from start to finish...😄
Good to hear you have your 8i6 up and running. Windows updates can "break" things, but I find that often all that is needed is to change the default input and output sound devices in Windows Settings back to your Focusrite interface (Windows likes to reset them from time to time).
You will find I have a few other tutorials on Focusrite Control as well as hardware setup with the 8i6 (compressor, loopback, etc). As always, if you have a question, please ask. I try to answer as many as possible.
Thank God I found your channel! I've been confused as hell regarding Focusrite Control for my Clarett 4Pre and how to set up properly!
Thanks, I’m glad I could help out! Cheers!
I just bought an 18i20 and found that you have the most in depth tutorials on it. Thank you for the info sir!
Glad to help out! Enjoy your new 18i20!
I'm so glad that I found this video, thank you very much for taking the time to make it!
My pleasure, glad to help out!
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 channel was an explanation of how USB is routed thru the Scarlett. It seems like I should be able to always have a channel out to my speakers for the audio from my computer system to monitors. Thanks
Great info! Just got off work and watching this, loosing me a little bit, but kinda normal on a 12hr shift! Saving this for a rewatch! I just started into this whole venture and using the Scarlett 18i8 3rd gen... lots of stuff to learn!
Thanks and it’s great to hear you are getting started! The 18i8 3rd gen is a very good interface to get started with! Things can seem complicated when you get started and watching this video start to finish can make it seem that way. I like to think of this (and my other Focusrite Control tutorials) as more of a reference collection, use the time stamps and find the answers you need (at least I hope you do), and if not, you can always ask, chances are others have the same questions. Good luck as you get started, Cheers!
Thank you for this clear and concise tutorial. You've helped me understand Focusrite Control x
The best video ever on this subject.
Much appreciated and I hope you found the information you needed! I posted part 2 with advanced features and setup today. Thanks for checking out my tutorial.
Ok .. this thing is simpler than I thought. Great explanation.
I am in the process of purchasing an 18i16 (4th gen) for broadcast purposes, and I get the feeling your tutorials will help me set up my mix properly.
Great choice, the new 4th gen are very capable. Let me know if I can help out. Cheers!
@@askdrtk I actually think I'm okay. I have to get two splitters at Guitar Center for a gig next week to get more than two broadcast headsets out to the world, but I did my research ahead of time, so I should be set.
Good to hear! You may want to look at a headphone amp with four outputs so you can adjust the levels for each set. Doesn’t need to be expensive. Mackie HM-4 or similar comes to mind…
@@askdrtk I've got a Sterling amp at the ready, but I feel like it'd be too bulky.
Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is simple once you explained what it is doing. Thanks to you I now know and understand how it operates . Excellent video!!! Top shelf brother. Thank you.
Awesome and I'm glad it helped out!👍
Absolutely awesome I have had my 18i8 for sometime and now finally I can start to use it as it should be used thanks to your video(s). Many thanks.
That's great to hear! There are so many ways to be creative with the IO on your 18i8. It's my pleasure to help out!👍
Thanks so much for doing this video , 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
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed my tutorial and please do ask any questions that come up! As you said, planning is actually the most important step in any audio setup. The FC interface can be challenging until you get used to it. It is a departure from the familiar look of a console (at least that I am used to) but in the end FC is a mixer plus a controller for interface functions (sample rate, clock source, etc.) Enjoy your 18i20! Cheers, Todd
AWESOME! Absolutely awesome. So bloody helpful and clear.
Thanks and I'm glad to hear my tutorial helped out. Part 2 - Advanced functions is going live tomorrow - sync/clock, monitor control, digital io-ADAT/SPDIF, zero latency outboard effects, iPad control surface, and more...
Thank you for a clear explanation. I have had my 6i6 for a wile and have never been able to get it to work. Got a Mac and my main issue was monitoring with powered speakers, It never worked for me. I hope thing will get better after this.
Glad to help out. Focusrite Control should be the answer as it will let you configure the mix for both the Mac and onboard inputs to your powered monitors and headphones. Thanks for checking out my tutorial!
So around the 14:00 mark is this essentially the same thing as a blend knob that controls the PC and direct sounds? Like if I only want to hear the pre-recorded tracks on my DAW and NOT what I’m currently tracking, I can do that? Thanks
You Sir are the Yoda of audio interface engineering.
Much appreciated…Kind, you are…
This is the only video 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 video helped me so much, amazing!
Thanks and I'm glad to help out! Once you get comfortable with it, FC opens up a lot of options for multiple monitor mixes / outboard gear integration and Focusrite did some big upgrades to the converters in the Clarett + interfaces (due to a chip shortage during the pandemic). The new converters perform far above the price point.
@@askdrtk Nice, great to hear about the performance upgrade of the converters. In a review of the Clarett+ it said that the former AKM converters were replaced by Cirrus Logic.
Yes, C-5381 AD and C-43198 DA - nice converters. I struggle to hear any difference compared to my 828es (Sabre 32 converters) on my monitors (Genelec 8040s - decent monitors imo). Both are very transparent which is great if you need to print and rerecord.
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,
Thanks, I'm glad you are finding my tutorials helpful. I haven't tested the connections on the sx900, but the L/L+R makes me unsure if it is wired as balanced when the R output is in use and unbalanced when only one TRS cable it used with the L/L+R jack. I suspect both are unbalanced. If you are not experiencing any phase or ground loop issues you are likely ok to stay with TRS cables, but if either issue is present changing to TS may help out.
@askdrtk Thanks again. You are absolutely right. i contacted Yamaha, and they said the outputs are unbalenced, i am switching the connections to TS cables
Hey, is there a way I can individually control the level of my voice in my headphones, as I want to make my guitar lower than my voice in my headphones. How can I do this on the mixcontrol? Thank you
You'll have to lower the volume on your guitar track.
I'm trying to route a click track through my 2nd Headphone output, but I'm getting NOTHING!
I've got a 2nd 6i6. I've upgraded to the latest driver, but it doesn't show how to route the 2 front Headphones.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
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?
All this info made the use of my Clarett USB 4Pre possible. However, if you are using Cubase as your DAW make sure to turn off the monitor button on the recording channel.
Excellent work and tutorial! Very informative and well explained! Thank you for sharing! Subscription done!
Much appreciated! I am glad to help out!
Fabulous tutorial!! Much appreciated. 👍
Thanks! I'm glad to help out!
Hi finally after watching your videos 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
While you could connect your processor to inputs 1/2 using the line level option (your processor provides line level output), I would recommend connecting to the line inputs on the back of the 8i6. That way you still have the mic preamps available. I hope this helps out!
@askdrtk Thank you, i am so happy i came across this channel just one more thing as the line inputs in the back of the 8i6 are balenced will it make any difference if i insert unbalenced output coming from the guitar processor with two TS cables
AWESOME video...THANKS for that very helpful information (I LIKE)
Thanks! I'm glad to help out.
Great!!!!! if you adjust the analog input level of an instrument being recorded (drums), for monitoring: purposes, doesn't that reduce the signal level going in to the DAW. Thanks, great video!
Thanks and great question! The level adjustments only apply to the hardware and ADAT/SPDIF outputs. The levels to the DAW remain unchanged (unity gain). It is like having an audio interface and a monitor/headphone mix controller in one.
anybody figure out how to get software playback back to true center panning after panning to the side? seems so UN-exact!
Around 38:00 when you show the OBS Studio interface, I can see that in source tab on OBS you have Scarlett individuals inputs as different sources. How can I do that on OBS?
Great question! You need to install the OBS ASIO plugin. Then instead of adding an Audio Input Capture as a source you add and ASIO source. All individual channels will then be available from your interface as long as it supports ASIO. You can find the plugin here: github.com/Andersama/obs-asio
@@askdrtk Thank you for your attention! It means a lot. I've checked this plugin is only available for Windows. Sorry I forgot to mention I'm using a Scarlett 18i20 on Mac OS. Is there any plugins which would do the same for Mac?
Love the step-by-step setup guide. I own the 18i8. However, I do not see the buffer size setting in the MacOS version of the Focusrite control.
Glad you enjoyed my setup guide. On MacOS, buffer size is controlled in your DAW instead of in Focusrite Control. I really need to do a Mac specific version of this guide to cover the few minor differences. Cheers!
Thank you. So far I've only found your channel to be the most detail and slow enough for me to follow. Unfortunately, I don't run Windows. I have a MacBook Pro.
Fantastic video! My monitor volume knob on the front of my Clarett doesn’t affect the volume of the output to my speakers? I can see it moving the fader on the control software, but it doesn’t affect the sound. What am I doing wrong? Thank you so appreciate your help Andrew.
Hi Andrew, sorry I missed your question earlier. This usually happens with the "Monitor Controls" setting in the gear icon menu is set so that it doesn't control the outputs you have your monitors connected to. I hope this solves things, but if not let me know how you have the monitors connected and I will try to help out further. Cheers!
New viewer and I can't wait to dive deeper into some other videos 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
Welcome and thanks for checking out part one of my Focusrite Control guide.
Since you are getting signal from the 18i20 through the outputs on your OctoPre, sync should be ok (note that ADAT only functions at 96 kHz and below on the 18i20 and you need to use either 44.1 or 48 to take advantage of all eight input channels with one cable or you two cables for 8 input channels at 88.2 or 96 kHz). Also, if you are trying to use the 18i20 as the clock source, you will need a BNC cable from clock out on the 18i20 to clock in on the OctoPre (plus set the OctoPre sync to Word.) Using the OctoPre as the clock source, optical from the OctoPre out to the 18i20 will carry the clock, as the18i20 does not accept word clock in via BNC.
If all of the above is configured correctly, the first thing I would check is the optical cable(s) from your Octopre out to your 18i20 in. Given that output from the 18i20 to the Octopre is working, you could swap the optical cable(s) going from your Octopre out to your 18i20 in with the one(s) you are using from the 18i20 out to the Octopre in. This can help determine if you have any bad optical cables. I have had bad optical cables before...very frustrating.
Let me know if this was the issue. If not, I will attempt to assist further + I will be explaining ADAT and sync in part two of the FC series. Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk I never saw your reply until now. You're right, everything was set up right but the brand new optical cable was faulty. Thank you! 🙌
Glad to hear you you found the issue. It is amazing how often faulty (even brand new) cables cause problems.
Thanks for the rundown, sir.
Glad to help out!
Great video. I have the claret 4pre usb and I can’t figure out how to record zoom calls since my unit does not have loop option. Any suggestions. Thank you
Much appreciated. Setting aside recording in zoom itself which is highly inflexible, it would depend if you are using a Windows or Mac PC. For Mac, the most popular option is Audio Hijack. This allows you to record the audio from any application, including Zoom. There are a number of options for Windows, but the most popular free option is Voicemeeter. This allows you to mix application audio into two outputs so you can set one up including all Zoom audio for recording that is separate from your speaker/headphone mix. You can also capture all Zoom application audio within OBS studio using the Application Audio Capture plugin. You would setup a scene in OBS with the any source being the Zoom application and let it record while you are on a Zoom call. Hope these few options help out!
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 video.
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"
Hi Antonios and thanks for the question. Your headphones should be ok, but I haven't tested Max's. The Scarlett Solo does not support output routing as stereo playback from your Mac is automatically routed to the two outputs by the interface. You can of course select which audio output device is being used to output sound from your Mac, but again if the Solo is selected on the Mac, the sound will automatically play through the two outputs. Instead of output routing, the Solo only uses the direct monitor button on the front, but does not allow you to control the level in Focusrite Control. If you have no sound from your bass when the Direct Monitoring and INST buttons are selected and you have signal showing, I would suggest trying another set of headphones. (Both the Solo and 2i2 work the same way.) Output routing in Focusrite Control only works for Scarletts and Claretts with four our more outputs. Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Thanks alot for your answer. Yes, while playing bass right now, I can see that the input is received (I can see sound bar, even in the Ableton Live software), and while I see that there is Output, I cannot get the Output from Scarlett Solo on my headphones using Direct Monitor as I used to while in Windows PC. I am in communication with Focusrite support team, so to see what it can be done. I will try and borrow another set of wired headphones from work, since I do not own any other at the moment, and test it. I will let you know :-)
@@askdrtk Yes, the other headphones work - as Direct Monitor.
Therefore the "issue" is with the AirPods Max. And my question now is, should I contact Apple customer support service, to guide me how to use the headphones through a sound card (Focusrite Scarlett Solo) ?
I can of course go for some studio headphones, but that has extra cost. What headphones would you suggest in that case ?
OK, now that we know it is the Max's, let's try this. Restart the Max's by Pressing and holding both the Digital Crown and Noise Control buttons on the Max's (about 12 seconds until the light beside the charging port flashes amber) - don't hold the buttons longer as that will cause a full factory reset. Now try the Max's with the Scarlett. If this doesn't work, you should probably contact Apple support as there may be something wrong with the headphones.
If you want to go with studio headphones, I generally prefer a more neutral frequency response for mixing purposes, monitoring is not as critical. While many like the DT 770s (I have a set as well), they are not particularly neutral. I like the DT 880 pro's far more for mixing as their frequency profile is far more neutral. I have a review on the DT 880's coming soon. More affordable options for good neutral studio headphones include the AKG ATH-M40X's (review here: ruclips.net/video/jjkDInbbC2c/видео.html ) and AKG K361's (review on K361's coming soon as well). You can of course go higher end vs these options, let me know if you would like some further recommendations...
Let me know how you make out with the restart on the the Max's.
@@askdrtk My AirPods Max don't work at all with this third party lightning to aux cable I am using. All the problem so far is on the headphones, while connected with cable. I tried to reboot, didn't help. Wireless they are simply amazing ! Thank you for all the headphones you suggested so far. I will consider them all, in order to select the best one. :-)
I watched many times your full detailed video. I got many things to know. I followed your video 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.
This helps out a lot. Thanks!
Thanks! Glad I could help out!
What about using the outputs as discreete channels for a 5.1 Surround system. Wold you be able to calibrate the volume of each channel coming out?
thanks
Sorry for the late reply. Yes, using an 18i20 as an example, you can calibrate each output using the output faders as long as you set the Monitor Control to None. Listening level would then be controlled from your DAW or with a software-based monitor controller such as the Ginger Audio Ground Control Sphere.
I have Scarlett 18i20 2nd using PT 12. When I engage Low latency I lose sound but I can see that the channel is receiving the signal
This should be part of the focusrite "get started" guide...
Much appreciated, I'm glad to help out!
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
I appreciate you making the video! 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?
It took a while, but I did see your question lol... Yes, you can configure the analog inputs on the 18i20 to be sent to ADAT Out which would connect to ADAT Input on the MBox and then configure the ADAT input on the 18i20 to be sent to the analog outputs. This will give you an additional 8x8 IO from the MBox. You will also need to set the clock source on the 18i20 to ADAT and ensure the 18i20's sample rate is also set to the what you are using on the MBox. I hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Yes! It definitely does! Thank you! Google wasn't giving the answers I needed lol Thanks a lot!
@@askdrtk also, don't feel like you took too long. Much faster than Avid 😂😂😂 You definitely live up to the "ask" in your name
Awesome content! Thank you!
Thanks, I'm glad to help out!
Hi , question?
At the beginning of the video, you randomly pulled up the “device Settings”. You did not show how you did that? Is it your daw settings ? Or your interface settings? Can you clarify?
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. 😕
i wish every tutorial was like this one, awesome work!
Thanks for checking out my tutorial - Much appreciated and I'm glad to help out! I have added part 2 with digital IO, iPad as a remote control surface, etc... Let me know if you run into any questions.
What is very confusing for newbies in output mapping is : actually not showing the physical inputs and outputs on the scarlet device to what is shown in the software. It would then makes more sense to what is happening with mapping.
Thanks for your comment! I hear you and will be posting a few specific tutorials showing complete routing through DAW, physical IO, and Focusrite Control. I have already posted one very specific video about how to connect (I show physical connections) and use a compressor while tracking through a Scarlett interface using Focusrite Control. As always, if there is anything specific you are interested in, please ask and I will try to help out!
Great content!
Perhaps I missed it, but is Focusrite Control only for Gen 2 and newer interfaces? I can't seem to find out whether it will work with my Gen 1 device.
Thanks!
Thanks, I'm glad to help out! Yes, FC is for Gen 2 and 3, Gen 1 uses Mix Control. Depending on who you ask, some prefer Mix Control and some Focusrite Control. In the end, both accomplish the same thing although for those experienced with analog mixers, Mix Control looks more "familiar" imo. Cheers!
OBS for mac doesnt allow ASIO. So I cant see audio on SPDIF.
Is there a way to record SPDIF coming in from another source (Denon Mixer into Focusrite 18i20)on OBS ?
what do i do if it says (output routing is not supported on this device) when i go to output?
Interfaces without additional IO for mixing have the main output and headphone output tied together (including the Solo and 2i2) and therefore do not support routing in Focusrite Control but rather provide a direct monitoring control on the interface itself. If your interface has a direct monitoring button it will not duplicate that function in FC.
Thanks for your work.
My pleasure, glad to help out!
Great Video. 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 ?
Glad you enjoyed the video. Setting this up requires both. Assuming you have all of the 18i20's outputs setup in S1, you need to decide which output(s) you want the click on and which ones you don't. Then from the left-hand side of the console display open "outputs." You will then see all of the outputs you have setup in S1 displayed. Most likely you will see a blue box with a triangle (the "click" symbol) on the master output. The same box will be gray on all of the other outputs. Here you can select which outputs will have the click. Once you have done this, go into FC and setup the "DAW Playback" inputs you want sent to each output (main monitor 1-2, headphone outputs 7-8 and/or 9-10).
As an example, lets say you have you main output going to outputs 1-2 and the click playing on outputs 9-10 from Studio One. To have the master bus play through Monitors 1-2 and Headphones 7-8 with the master and click played through Headphones 9-10, in Focusrite Control add DAW Playback 1-2 to Monitor Output 1-2 and Headphone Output 7-8. Then add DAW Playback 1-2 and and 9-10 to Headphone Output 9-10. This is a common setup for recording where the musician hears the click and master bus in their headphones (9-10) and the engineer hears only the master bus in their headphones (7-8) or monitors (1-2). It is also possible to setup a different mix in S1 for the musician to hear with the click on one of the outputs. You would then use this output as the DAW Playback selection for Headphone Output 9-10 in Focusrite Control.
There are other ways to configure this with and without a separate click output. I hope this helps out, but if you need further assistance I do book live video sessions through my website where I can go through a customized setup with you.
@@askdrtk DUDE!!! Thanks so much for the detailed response. I'll try this in my studio when I get back!! Very exciting. Now how do I book a live session with you because I have LOTS of other questions. If its not to much to ask. Thanks again hope your friday is awesome!
Where did you find the general device tab? Clarett 4pre. Can you reference a link? Thank you 3:04
It can be opened by right-clicking the Focusrite icon in the taskbar (usually with the other hidden icons) and then selecting "Clarett 4pre settings." Focusrite has an article showing where to find the icon and what is looks like here: support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360013505620-Why-can-t-I-see-the-Focusrite-Notifier-icon-in-my-taskbar-on-Windows- Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk cool thanks so much. I'll get right on it when I'm done with my coffee!
great guide, quick question! i might have missed it, but how do i sync line outputs 3-4 playback 1-2. Output 3 is being used for subwoofer.. but i want to control it with the monitor gain. when i turn down the monitor knob, i can still hear the subwoofer. i want the 2 to be linked.
Thanks and great question! You can setup the monitor knob to control both sets of outputs by clicking on the gear icon in Focusrite Control and then clicking "Monitor Controls" 1-4. Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk this helped a lot. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Heloo.
I jave problem with output, a cannot control my headphone or mic
Its say no output detected. What i should do? Thanks you? I have 2in2 scarlet.
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
Glad to help out! For impedance match, connect the output from the 2290p to the instrument input on the 18i20. A reamp box is required to connect the line output from the 18i20 to the input on the 2290p. This will match both level and impedance through the pedal. You can also use an effect reamper such as the Radial EXTC. It provides both DI and reamp allowing you to use line in and out on the back of your 18i20. (This is very convenient if you plan to use pedals in effect loops with the 18i20 often). I hope this helps out, Cheers!
@@askdrtk Thank you so much. Your tutorials are a blessing.
@@quocpham8738 Do yourself a favor and record a dry track from a DI box. That way you can add effects later! :)
Great video, I’m still having trouble with the monitor output volume being much lower than when I use my monitors through the Mac mini’s headphone out. Is there anyway to boost the monitor output on my 18i20?
Thanks! I will give you a few ideas but it depends on the type of connection you are using to your monitors.
Without getting into the weeds, headphone output is more powerful than line level and the monitor output from an audio interface such as the 18i20 is line level at maximum assuming you haven't reduced the gain on inputs being monitored in Focusrite Control. Normally to match your Mac's headphone and 18i20 monitor line outs I would recommend reducing the headphone level until it is similar to the monitor output level from the 18i20 when listening through your monitors. Then I would increase the gain controls on your monitors so that you can achieve the maximum level you are looking for leaving enough room for adjustment on both the Mac and 18i20 output level controls.
It is possible to "boost" the monitor output from your 18i20 by using a line level booster between the 18i20 and your monitors. The downside of this arrangement is in the potential loss of quality depending on the booster being used. Also, most line boosters are unbalanced (intended for home audio) and therefore not ideal.
One final point is in the cable you are using. The18i20 has balanced monitor outputs as do most monitors (I would need to know which monitors you have). If you use unbalanced cables (TS) between the balanced output from the 18i20 and balanced inputs on your monitors, the level will be lower than if you use balanced (TRS) cables.
I hope this gives you some ideas to get started with. I may be able to assist further if you let me know which monitors and cables you are using.
@@askdrtk Thanks for your reply. I am using 1/4 Inch TRS Balanced Instrument Cables with Yamaha HS5 speakers. I tried your suggestion of increasing the gain control on my monitors while working in Logic, but even when maxed out it still doesn't reach the volume levels that I can get from headphone out of my mini to monitors. I may just be missing something obvious here. Cables?
Excessively love volumes really sounds like a cable issue to me. This generally happens when TS instrument cables are used for balanced connections, but it wouldn't hurt to try a different set of cables. For connecting the 18i20 to the HS5s I would use 1/4" TRS to XLR cables, although 1/4" TRS to 1/4" TRS should also work. In any case though, a headphone output will have more power vs the monitor (line level) outputs on any interface so the headphone output will produce louder sound from your monitors.
Hi I have a solo gen 3 and it saus output routing not supported on this device. Can you advise on what to do. Thanks mas
Can you connect multiple phones or computers remotely to the Focusrite control PC hub?
Great question! You can use multiple phones or iPads to control FC, but not remote computers at this point. I can have FC open on my iPhone, iPad, and computer at the same time and everything stays in sync when adjustments are made from any of the devices. This is great if you want to give musicians control of their own mixes.
Hey thanks for all this! Question - I have a 18i20 and it works great with control. I just bought a clarett+ octopre and connected it via ADAT to the 18i20, but the octopre is not showing up in the control app, nor in my DAW. What am I doing wrong? I can't find any info about this...
Glad you enjoyed it! You will need two ADAT cable 18i20 in to Octopre out and 18i20 out to Octopre in. The Octopre is controlled by ADAT inputs and outputs in FC. If you don’t see them you may need to add them using the “+” sign in the output and input sections of FC. Also, make sure the clocks are synced between the 18i20 and Octopre or you will not have sound. I also have an advanced version of this video focussing on ADAT that may help out further.
@askdrtk thanks for the info! I'll give this a try
Thanks for this videos. Definitively subscribing. ONE QUESTION, can we use Focusrite Control with two or more interfaces conected vía usb in the same Mac?
Glad to help out and welcome! 😄Focusrite does not support multiple Scarlett or Clarett interfaces over usb conection, so only one will be recognized by Focusrite Control. Some have attempted to create an aggregate device, however I have never had any success with this. When I need to use the IO from more than one Scarlett or Clarett interface, I set one up in stand alone mode (not available on usb powered models) and connect the two interfaces with ADAT or SPDIF. The only down side is that if you need to reconfigure the interface set up as stand alone, you need to disconnect the other interface and then connect the stand alone interface to reconfigure it in Focusrite Control. Hope this helps out!
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 glad to be back! The 18i20 will work with Mac (both Intel and Apple silicon) and it will be recognized by core audio. Focusrite control acts as the hardware output mixer as on PC, however loopback is not supported on Mac. All IO will be available in your DAW. Beyond that, USB C to C and A to C cables are both supported.
@@askdrtk Hello sir, ok i understand pretty much everything you are saying in response, but what i wanted to know is if my scarlett 18i20 can be connected to two computers although it only has one usb port and notthing else other the other available connections on the back of my scarlett 18i20 such as spidif port, word clock out, optical in and out, and midi in and out. I have just my desktop 2010 mac pro 5,1 connected to the scarlett 18i20 and say a friend brings his laptop to playback his project on his daw with my scarlett 18i20, while ithe scarlett 18i20 is connected to my mac pro 5,1 can this be possible to do?
amazingly helpful
Glad to hear and thanks for checking out my FC guide!
I have a 1st Gen 6i6. Can I still make use of Focusrite Control? More importantly can I use my SPDIF to add another focusrite soundcard like a 2i2?
Sorry I missed your question earlier. The 6i6 uses Scarlett Mix Control and will not work with FC. Unfortunately, the 2i2 does not have SPDIF. SPDIF jacks start at the 8i6 on 3rd gen Scarletts. If you were looking for inputs only you could add something like an ART Digital MPA ii which is a two channel mic preamp with SPDIF output, but in that price range you could go with an 18i20 and then use the 6i6 as an additional pair of analog inputs and outputs by connecting it to the 18i20 with SPDIF. Just a few ideas but I hope they help out.
I have a 4i4. What I need to know is how to tell which inputs/outputs are stereo left or right. The inputs/outputs have numbers, not channel labels.
Two stereo pairs: 1-left, 2-right, and 3-left, 4-right as defaults when setup in most DAWs. Windows audio will also default to this arrangement. Hope this helps out!
Is there a way to use the main volume knob on the front panel tò control all the linked 10 line outputs? I would use It in a 5.1.4 setup, if It would be possibile I could go from audio interfacce to the monitors without an additional hardware monitor control.... Thanks in Advance. Best.
Great question and yes there is! In Focusrite Control, go into the setup (gear) menu and at the bottom where it says "Monitor Controls" choose "All." You should be good to go...
@@askdrtk good! 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 channel, and mute the last channel which is in use.. It’s becoming annoying and I know I’m doing something wrong..
If i wanted to record a stereo signal from my keyboard how is one supposed to set inputs on the interface? Do I have to match levels L+R or one gain control overrides the stereo pair of inputs?
You will need to use a pair on inputs on your interface. If you keyboard as individual L and R outputs connect L to input 3 and R to input 4 for example. Focusrite Control would be used to setup real time monitoring on the pair of inputs (speakers or headphones). Turn up the faders in FC to unity gain for the output(s) you would like to monitor through. For recording, you will need to go into your DAW, ensure the inputs from the interface are setup (process varies by DAW), and then created a stereo track to record (again varies by DAW). As long as the physical gain controls are set the same on the interface (depends on the output level from your keyboard) and both faders in FC are at unity gain, your levels should match for monitoring and and recording as long as you don't pan L or R on your DAW track. Hope this helps out!
Hi there, great tutorial video. 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?
Hello and Thanks! The digi 003 was some nice gear and I'm not surprised you had it all this time. That said, converters have really improved in the past five years and the 18i20 will provide some great audio, nice choice.
For your sampler, configure the inputs to line level in FC. While the output from the Rhythm (also nice by the way) will not overload either line or instrument input on your18i20, the impedance will be a better match with line input. You may also want to use two inputs on the 18i20 so you can bring in the left and right channels from your sampler individually rather then sending only the mono downmix from the left output. That way you can take advantage of the panning effects the Rhythm has. One other tip is that the outputs on the Rhythm are TS unbalanced, so try to avoid long cable runs if possible. Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Thanks for your respnse. Yes I'm surprised the digi 003 lasted this long and still sounds great but was having issues with the inputs on the digi 003.
On the Focusrite Scarlett, it sounds great. I'm getting used to the FC settings. I was able to connect the sampler and getting it to sound through Focusrite Scarlett.
Glad to hear everything is working. Enjoy that new gear!
@@askdrtk one question. I am noticing the output monitors level is clipping. Im trying everything to lower it. Wouldd you know how I could control that so it doesn't clip?
If output levels are clipping ensure that gains within Focusrite Control are set no higher than unity. You can double click on the faders to set them to unity.
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 🙂
If your monitors connected to outputs 1-2 and headphones are both being controlled by the monitor control knob and you want to separate them, go into Focusrite Control, select the “gear” icon, and make sure “monitor controls” is set to 1-2 only. In this configuration the monitor control knob adjusts only your studio monitors connected to outputs 1-2 and the headphone knob will control only your headphones. This isn’t specific to M1 but should get your 2pre setup the way you are wanting it. Hope this helps out!
Can anybody help with this question?
I do tracks for live gigs. Now i have the music sent to pa speakers on my board. Through my scarlet. 4i4. Now how do i send a click to my drummer only for him to hear not my board?
I have 4i4 and use input 1 and 2 for my guitar and 3 and 4 for drum machine. How can I get the drum machine to play through same output as my guitar, without headphones?
If you are using outputs 1 and 2 for your monitors, go into the output routing tab in Focusrite Control and click on "Monitor Outputs 1-2." Then make sure you have inputs 1-4 showing on the "Hardware Inputs" pane with the levels on each turned up. Make sure you see signal on the four level meters when you are playing and adjust the levels to balance the sound as you like. You can do the same with outputs 3 and 4 if you want to have an additional set of monitors. Hope this helps out!
Got an 8i6 been here nearly 2 hours trying to figure out why its not panning, any ideas
Focusrite control can be used for all Scarletts interfaces? or just specific ones?
It works with all 3rd gen and the 2nd gen 6i6, 18i8, 18i20, as well as Clarett interfaces. The available functions depend on which interface you have (number of inputs / outputs and other internal features).
Does it work with GEN-1 interfrace ?
amazing vid thanks
Thanks and I hope it helped out!
Hi i have a clarette 8 pre but everytime i go on youtube to watch videos i get pops and stutters.I got the latest (FC) software download on win 11 but nothing seems to work.. any fixes for this ??
Make sure both windows audio and the clarett sample rates are set to 48KHz and I would recommend a buffer size of 256 for reliable windows audio. If this doesn’t correct it, try disabling usb power control (don’t let windows power down usb ports). I did a video on setting up a pc for music production that may also help.
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
This is a great use case for EQ APO as an active crossover. First you need to expose channels 3/4 from your 4i4 to Windows by right-clicking on the Focusrite icon in the taskbar. Then the key is in EQ APO you need to setup channels 1/2 and copy them to output on 3/4. You would then assign a high pass filter (and other EQ if you like) to outputs 1/2 for your monitors and a low pas filter (and other eq if you like) to outputs 3/4 for your subwoofer. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but I hope this helps out.
@@askdrtk Thank you for taking time to answer me. I tried eveything but I can't copy channels correctly, can't setup things, I guess a little to hard for my knowledge. I will go with a dsp to make things easier. Thanks anyway
I hear you. EQ APO is not the most user-friendly to configure. I personally like an external DSP as I find it more comfortable for me to listen while I make adjustments instead of looking at a screen. I am planning to get a couple of DSPs in for review. Let me know if there are any in particular you have looked at.
@@askdrtk I went for a DSP availabile here in Italy at a good price, since the miniDSP is really expensive. I got the Omnitronic SMARD-24RCA. It's really complete and perfect for my needs. I set all up and my setup now sounds really good with all EQ set.
Great to hear! Thanks for the tip on the Omnitronic, I'll check it out!
Excellent! thanks..
My pleasure - glad to help out!
Very helpful but when I install Forcusrite control and go to open the control center it says no hardware detected . I have a Scarlett solo and she's plugged in. please help. THANK YOU!
Thanks! I will try to help out, but I need some additional information. Which generation is your Solo? (Focusrite Control only works with 3rd gen Solos) If it is a 3rd gen, is is connected directly to your computer or through a hub? Are you using the original cable and if not, what length is it and are your inputs and outputs working in your DAW or other recording software (OBS...)?
I just want to (probably) turn down the bass a little and turn up the higher frequencies as the sound is a little "dark" through my monitors when listening to music online. What to do? Can it be done in this software?
Focusrite Control is for mixing and interface configuration only, no EQ functions. Since the Focusrite interfaces use ASIO, assuming you are running Windows, built-in Windows 10 EQ options do not apply either. While you could insert a hardware EQ between your computer and your monitors, as a free option it is possible to use Voicemeeter as a virtual input for online music (set Spotify, etc. to output to the virtual input) and then add an EQ in Voicemeeter to adjust playback. As a paid option, Sonarworks also allows you to set multiple EQ profiles for system wide audio through ASIO devices. Hope this helps out!
On the scarlett 18i20 , how do u make 10 outputs 1-10 playing on Daw? Tia
To output DAW outputs 1-10 through your monitors through the 18i20, go into FC, select the "Monitor Outputs 1-2" on the lefthand side, then add "Software (DAW) Playback" channels1-10 on the lower righthand side. This will monitor all ouputs 1-10 out of your main monitors connected to the 18i20. If you want to individually output DAW 1-10 through the analog line outputs 1-10 on the 18i20, select each set of outputs one at a time on the lefthand side in FC and add only the corresponding numbers "Software (DAW) Playback" channels on the the lower righthand side. This is most useful if you want to output to an analog mixer. I hope this helps out!
Why aren't there any EQ options for the individual inputs inside this Focusrite software?
Focusrite Control (FC) is designed to control mixing and IO capabilities of Scarlett and Clarett interfaces. These interfaces do not have built-in DSP for EQ, compression, reverb, etc. and so these functions are not available in FC. Effects such as EQ are applied to your audio in your computer using a DAW or other app such as OBS that host effect plugins (often VST). This happens after the audio is converted by the interface and sent to your computer (other than when using outboard hardware effects processors). This differs from some other interfaces such as the Presonus Revelator, UA Apollo, Motu 128es, and others that have the ability to run effects (DSP) within the interface. These interfaces include proprietary effect controls within their own software. Hope this helps out!
Please help...My DAW is ableton live i have the scarlett 8i6 interface. At one time my settings was working on 44100 some how i wasn't getting sound from there now my interface is working on 96000 is that good and if not. How can i get it back to having sound on 44100?
Loss of sound is usually caused by the clock going out of sync on your interface (often the sample rate in Ableton and Focusrite Control may have become set differently). A sample rate of 96000 is fine and provided extended frequency range vs 44100, however 44100 places less load on your CPU. If you prefer to use 44100, make sure both Ableton and Focusrite Control have sample rate set to 44100.
No matter what I do. I cannot figure it out .the 2i2. I got it set up. How do I record? My software messed my computer up. Windows 11 . I have been doing this for three weeks and I want to take it back.
I have a problem with my input being active all the time. when I use my guitar plugins I can still hear the clean guitar playing in the back ground. I'm using a Mac. have a solo 3rd gen. anyone have any suggestions?
On the Mac version I can't find how to set the buffer size. All the options are access from within the app, as there's no System Tray on Mac. But although it has sample rate, sync etc... no buffer size! I'll find it eventually I guess.
Buffer size on the Mac is generally set within your DAW instead of as a general ASIO driver setting as in Windows. In Logic Pro for example, you go into Preferences - Audio and click Devices. You can then set buffer size and see the corresponding latency. Other DAWs will have a similar setting. Hope this helps out!
@@askdrtk Yes, now that you've said that I think I remember. Thanks! It's been a while since I used my DAW so I've forgotten a few things :)
I also have an 8i6 and I can’t figure out how to link the ‘Monitor’ knob on the front to the volume of my monitors. I’ve done it before in the past but am stuck now. Pls help!
Fixed! - It seems like the monitor knob is hard wired to only control outputs 1-2. Either way thanks for the informative video and maybe someone having the same issue will stumble upon this comment!
Glad you sorted that out. Yes, the monitor control is digital on the 18i20, but the 8i6 and most others are analog hard-wired to 1-2. Thanks for sharing as this does come up...Cheers!