Focusrite Scarlett Solo

Overview

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a USB audio interface engineered for recording a single microphone and a single instrument simultaneously. As part of Focusrite's popular Scarlett series, it targets solo artists, podcasters, and home studio users who require a compact, reliable, and high-fidelity solution for capturing audio. Its design prioritizes ease of use, making it accessible for beginners while offering audio quality suitable for professional applications. The interface connects to a computer via USB, drawing power directly from the connection, which eliminates the need for an external power supply and enhances portability.

The Scarlett Solo features a single Focusrite-designed microphone preamp, known for its low-noise performance and transparent sound reproduction, which is critical for vocal and acoustic instrument recordings. This preamp includes switchable 48V phantom power, enabling compatibility with condenser microphones. Alongside the XLR input, a dedicated 1/4-inch instrument input is provided for direct connection of guitars, basses, or keyboards, featuring a high-headroom design to prevent clipping. Outputs include balanced 1/4-inch TRS jacks for connecting studio monitors and a front-panel headphone output with independent level control for monitoring during recording and mixing sessions.

When used in a home studio, the Scarlett Solo serves as the central hub for audio input and output, bridging analog microphones and instruments with digital audio workstations (DAWs). Its low-latency performance allows for real-time monitoring of inputs without noticeable delay, which is essential for performers. The latest 4th generation models incorporate enhanced AD/DA converters, operating at up to 24-bit/192 kHz, providing improved dynamic range and clarity over previous iterations. This makes the Scarlett Solo a suitable choice for creating high-quality demos, recording podcasts, or producing tracks in a personal studio environment.

Developers and technical buyers integrating the Scarlett Solo into a larger setup will appreciate Focusrite's consistent driver support for Windows and macOS, alongside the Focusrite Control software for managing device settings. The inclusion of a comprehensive software bundle, often featuring Lite versions of DAWs like Ableton Live Lite and Pro Tools Artist, along with various plugins, provides an immediate toolkit for users to begin recording and producing. This makes the Scarlett Solo a complete package for those entering audio production or expanding an existing setup with a dedicated single-channel interface.

Key features

• High-performance Preamps: Features one Focusrite Scarlett microphone preamp with switchable Air mode, designed to emulate the sound of Focusrite's original ISA preamps, adding clarity and presence to vocals and acoustic instruments.
• High-impedance Instrument Input: A dedicated 1/4-inch instrument input allows direct connection of guitars and basses without requiring additional DI boxes, optimized for high-headroom recording.
• Studio-grade Converters: Equipped with 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA converters, providing a dynamic range for capturing and playing back audio with detail and clarity.
• Low-latency Monitoring: Direct monitoring feature allows users to listen to their input signal without any noticeable delay, crucial for comfortable recording sessions.
• USB Bus-powered: Draws power directly from the USB connection, eliminating the need for an external power supply and enhancing portability for mobile recording.
• Balanced Outputs: Two balanced 1/4-inch TRS outputs for connecting to studio monitors, ensuring clean audio signal transmission with reduced noise.
• Headphone Output: A dedicated 1/4-inch headphone output with independent level control for private monitoring.
• Bundled Software: Includes a suite of recording software and plugins, such as Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Artist (with a 3-month subscription), and the Hitmaker Expansion bundle, providing tools for production and mixing.

Pricing

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is available as a one-time hardware purchase. Pricing varies by generation and retailer.

Common integrations

• Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs): Seamless integration with major DAWs such as Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, and FL Studio. Drivers ensure compatibility and low-latency performance across these platforms.
• Microphones: Compatible with a wide range of XLR microphones, including condenser microphones requiring 48V phantom power (e.g., Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 for dynamic mic gain boosting).
• Instruments: Direct connection for electric guitars, basses, and keyboards via the 1/4-inch instrument input.
• Studio Monitors: Connects to active studio monitors via balanced 1/4-inch TRS outputs for accurate audio playback.
• Headphones: Standard 1/4-inch headphone jack for monitoring with studio headphones (e.g., Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones).

Alternatives

• Universal Audio Volt 1: Offers a similar 1-in/2-out configuration with vintage preamp mode.
• PreSonus AudioBox GO: A highly portable and compact 2-in/2-out interface with basic functionality.
• Behringer UMC22: An entry-level 2-in/2-out interface, providing a cost-effective option for basic recording needs.

Getting started

To begin using the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, users typically follow a setup process that involves driver installation and basic configuration within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). The following steps outline a common initial setup for recording audio:

# 1. Download and install drivers and Focusrite Control software
# Visit the Focusrite support page for your specific Scarlett Solo model
# Example for 4th Gen:
# Navigate to: https://focusrite.com/en/support/downloads?product=18018
# Download the latest driver for your operating system (Windows/macOS)
# Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
# Install Focusrite Control for managing device settings (e.g., sample rate, buffer size).

# 2. Connect the Scarlett Solo to your computer
# Use a USB-C to USB-A/C cable to connect the interface to an available USB port.
# The interface should power on automatically (bus-powered).

# 3. Connect your microphone and/or instrument
# For a microphone: Plug an XLR cable into the "Mic" input on the front panel.
# Enable 48V phantom power if using a condenser microphone (button on front panel).
# For an instrument: Plug a 1/4-inch TS cable into the "Inst" input on the front panel.
# Ensure the "Inst" button is engaged for instrument-level signals.

# 4. Connect headphones or studio monitors
# For headphones: Plug 1/4-inch headphones into the front panel headphone jack.
# For studio monitors: Connect balanced 1/4-inch TRS cables from the "Line Output L" and "Line Output R" on the rear to your active monitors.

# 5. Configure your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
# Open your preferred DAW (e.g., Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro).
# Go to your DAW's Audio Preferences/Settings.
# Select "Focusrite Scarlett Solo" as your audio input and output device.
# Set your desired sample rate (e.g., 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz) and buffer size (lower for less latency).

# 6. Create a new track and arm for recording
# In your DAW, create a new audio track.
# Set the input for the track to "Scarlett Solo Input 1" (for mic) or "Scarlett Solo Input 2" (for instrument).
# Arm the track for recording and enable input monitoring to hear your signal.
# Adjust the gain knob on the Scarlett Solo until you see healthy input levels in your DAW (avoiding clipping).
# You are now ready to record.