Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface. USB 2.0 Audio Interface, 2-in/2-out, 24-bit/192kHz, with 2 Mic/Line/Instrument Inputs, Switchable Air Mode, USB Bus Power, and Bundled Software - Mac/Win/iPad Pro. If you are facing “Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 driver issue” on PCs/Laptops while listening to music or even while using the computer, then you are in right place.Here, we are discussing about “Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 driver” issue and providing some recommended tips to fix this issue on Windows as well as on Mac OS based devices. Locate 'Focusrite Control' and 'Focusrite Control Server' in the list, then set these to 'Allow incoming connections' - Press OK. Configure Windows Firewall - Open Control Panel - Navigate to 'System and Security' - Select 'Windows Firewall' - Click 'Allow an app through Windows Firewall'. An in depth video on you using the Focusrite Control Software on your Focusrite Audio Interface. We first go into an overview of the software and then some prac.
Focusrite's Clarett marque crosses from Thunderbolt to USB models with the Clarett 2Pre USB and its siblings. Hollin Jones finds out what all the fuss is about.
Since the demise of FireWire, many pro audio interfaces have been adopting Thunderbolt as their protocol of choice for communicating with computers. And as good as it is, Thunderbolt does tend to be found only on higher end machines. Many computers are still reliant on USB and in the case of newer models, the very much higher-capacity USB-C format. Indeed, many of Apple’s laptops only have USB-C now.
So it is that Focusrite, that well-regarded developer of high end studio hardware, has brought its Clarett marque to the masses with the Clarett USB range. The name carries weight - until now, it had been restricted to the costlier Thunderbolt-equipped models only. The Clarett USB interfaces come in thee models - 2, 4 and 8, representing the number of individual physical inputs they have, although each model actually has rather more thanks to the availability of ADAT optical in.
Look And Feel
My review model was the Clarett 2Pre USB, a compact and portable model aimed at singer songwriters, laptop producers or those working in smaller spaces, due to its small footprint and light weight. It’s very solidly built of course and comes with a power supply although computers with a 15W USB-C port will be able to bus power the interface where available. If extreme portability (possibly at the cost of some fidelity) is a real issue for you, there are many other models out there that will do it, including some from Focusrite.
Externally, the 2Pre USB is really easy to understand, even for novices. On the front panel you will find two combo jacks for connecting XLR or jack plugs, a level control for each channel with Halo light readout to monitor levels, instrument / Air light and a Phantom Power on/off switch. A large monitor dial lets you set monitor level and theres a high powered headphone output with its own gain control.
On the rear panel is power and a lock port, as well as four individual line outputs and a USB port. Two USB cables are provided to cater for either conventional USB-A or the newer USB-C protocols. You also get MIDI in and out DIN plugs, which is a nice touch since smaller audio interfaces sometimes omit these. An optical input port allows you to expand the inputs with up to 8 more for a total of ten. All in all it’s pretty hard to go wrong with the way the unit is laid out. Everything is clear and straightforward and won’t confuse even a novice user.
Something In The Air
Internally is where the Clarett shows its pedigree however, with specs that go beyond what you might expect from a compact USB interface. The well-regarded Clarett mic preamps are capable of delivering plenty of gain without introducing any noticeable noise or distortion. They also include Focusrite’s “Air” circuit that “engages an analog model of the company’s classic transformer-based ISA mic pre” to give a boost to high frequencies, especially for vocals and acoustic instruments.
It’s capable of 192kHz/24-bit digital conversion and ultra-low round-trip latency, so you can use your DAW plug-ins for monitoring without having to risk pops and clicks from constantly fiddling with buffer settings. https://xgdqnrj.weebly.com/blog/how-to-unpin-app-from-tray-in-mac. Routing and monitor mixing can be controlled using the Focusrite Control app that runs on your Mac, PC, iPad or iPhone and gives you easy access to internal hardware parameters on the unit. Although software control panels for interfaces aren’t new, this one is especially user friendly and the fact it can run on an iOS device as well means no more going back to the computer to change settings - perfect for anyone recording themselves performing.
In Use
Setup and operation of the Clarett 2Pre USB were very straightforward, and the results excellent. The low roundtrip latency meant I could use decent quality reverbs on my vocal while recording without experiencing latency. Direct monitoring is possible using the Control app to set up a specific routing, and latency was very low with regular recording tasks. The clarity of the recordings was superb as well, especially with the Air feature engaged and adding sparkle to the top end of acoustic guitar and vocal takes. The mic pres have a dynamic range of 118dB which is impressive. The Focusrite Control software is also something of a breath of fresh air in a world where these apps can sometimes be a little opaque.
But wait! Your purchase also gets you a bundle of other goodies as well. Everything you need, in fact, to get up and running recording and producing music. There’s Ableton Live Lite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples, XLN Audio’s Addictive Keys, Focusrite’s Red plugin suite and Softube’s Time and Tone bundle.
Conclusion
The high quality of the design and great results from the Clarett USB make it an excellent choice for anyone needing just a couple of inputs at a time - or who occasionally needs to add more via the ADAT input. The larger models sell for $600 (4Pre USB) and $800 (8Pre USB) respectively, if you need more physical inputs to be used at the same time. In a marketplace that’s crowded with small format USB audio interfaces, this one stands out in a couple of ways. The electronics are first class, it’s easy to use and the results are excellent. The addition of MIDI ports is nice too, meaning there’s no need to add a second interface to bring MIDI hardware into your recording setup. For many users then, this is a great choice for high quality recording with a small footprint.
Price: £369 / $399.99 for the reviewed Clarett 2Pre USB
Pros: Great design and build. Very portable. USB A and C supplied. Easy to use. Excellent recording results. Very low latency and noise. Surprisingly expandable. Air function. Clarett quality over USB.
Focusrite Control App Mac Desktop
Cons: No USB power over USB-A. Should work with iOS thanks to class compliance, but not officially supported.
Web: https://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/clarett-2pre-usb Slidepad app for mac.
Related Videos
You can create Aggregate Device to increase the number audio inputs and outputs available at the same time. You can also use an Aggregate Device if your application doesn't support separate input and output devices.
Focusrite Control Software
With Logic Pro, GarageBand, and MainStage, you can use a separate device for input and output. For example, you can use a USB microphone for input and the headphone jack of your Mac for output. Some applications not manufactured by Apple don't support separate input and output devices.
Set up an Aggregate Device
When you create an Aggregate Device, make sure to connect all external audio interfaces first.
- From the Finder, choose Go > Utilities. Open the Audio MIDI Setup application.
- Click the Add (+) button on the bottom-left corner in the Audio Devices window and chose Create Aggregate Device.
- A new Aggregate Device appears in the list on the left side of the window. To rename the device, double-click it.
- With the new Aggregate Device selected, enable the checkbox labeled 'Use' on the left side of the Audio Devices window. Do this for each device you want to include in the Aggregate Device. The order in which you check the boxes determines the order of the inputs and outputs in applications like Logic Pro and MainStage. For example, the first box you checked will be inputs one and two, the second box checked will be three and four, and so on.The list on the right shows the currently connected audio devices and the number of input and output channels for each one.
- To use the clock of a device as the master clock for all the combined devices, choose the device from the Clock Source menu of the Aggregate Device. Choose the device with the most reliable clock.
- If your audio devices all work with word clock, connect them together using a word clock cable. Connect the cable from the device you designated as Clock Source to the input of each other device. Refer to your audio device product documentation for specific details.
- If any of your devices don't work with word clock, select the Drift Correction checkbox for any devices not designated clock master.
Use an Aggregate Device with Apple music creation software
- Open your application.
- Do the following depending on the application you're using:
- For Logic Pro, choose Logic Pro > Preferences > Audio, then select Devices.
- For GarageBand, choose GarageBand > Preferences > Audio.
- For MainStage, choose MainStage > Preferences > Audio.
- Choose the Aggregate Device from the Output Device pop-up menu. Logic Pro and GarageBand automatically set the Input Device to the match the selected output device, which you can change if you want to use a different input device. In MainStage, you must manually select the input device.
- In Logic Pro and MainStage, click Apply Changes.
GarageBand automatically switches to the new input device.
Use the Aggregate Device as the sound output of your Mac
When you set the Aggregate Device as the sound output for your Mac, sounds from other apps on your Mac play through the Aggregate Device. The Aggregate Device also becomes the System Setting option in the Output and Input Device menus of your Apple music creation apps.
- From the Finder, choose Go > Utilities. Open Audio MIDI Setup.
- Control-click the Aggregate Device in the left column, then choose 'Use this device for sound output' or 'Use this device for sound input.'