How to Set Up the Focusrite Scarlett Solo for Vocals

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is one of the most popular interfaces for recording vocals at home. Small, simple and enough for one mic. Here's how to set up the 4th gen Scarlett Solo properly. If you have an older version, some buttons look a bit different.

1. Connect it to your computer

Connect the Scarlett to your computer with the USB cable. On a Mac it works through Core Audio and shows up in your audio settings on its own. On Windows you need ASIO: install Focusrite's software and choose Focusrite USB ASIO as the audio driver in your DAW.

2. Mic in the right input

The Solo has an XLR input for your mic and a jack input for a guitar or other instrument. Your mic goes in the XLR input. That's also the only input that gets phantom power.

3. 48V on or off?

The 48V button sends phantom power to the XLR input. Whether you need it depends on your mic:

• Condenser mic, like a Rode NT1 or Audio-Technica AT2020: 48V on.
• Dynamic mic, like a Shure SM58 or SM7B: not needed.

Using an SM7B? It needs a lot of gain. According to Focusrite, the Solo gives 57 dB of gain, and Shure mentions around 60 dB for the SM7B. Read Shure SM7B too quiet? for what to do.

4. Set the gain with the ring around the knob

Around the gain knob there's a ring that changes color:

• Green: your level is good.
• Amber: you're close to the max. Any louder and it will distort.
• Red: your signal is clipping. Turn the gain down.

Rap or sing your loudest part and turn the gain up until you stay in the green on those loud parts. You can't fix a clipped recording afterwards.

5. Air: yes or no?

The Air button switches between three modes: off, Presence, and Presence with Harmonic Drive. Presence gives your voice an analog boost in the highs. Harmonic Drive adds extra harmonics on top. Keep in mind: Air comes before the recording, so whatever you pick ends up in your take. Not sure? Leave it off. You can still add brightness later in the mix.

6. Direct Monitor: hear yourself without delay

With Direct Monitor you hear your mic straight through the interface, without the signal going through your computer first. So no delay, but no effects either. If you turn Direct Monitor on, turn off monitoring on your track in your DAW. Otherwise you'll hear yourself twice.

Want to hear your effects while recording, like reverb or autotune? Then turn Direct Monitor off, listen through your DAW and set your buffer as low as your computer can handle.

7. Plug in your headphones

The headphone output has its own volume knob. Use closed-back headphones when you record, so the beat doesn't leak from your headphones into your mic.

8. Choose the input in your DAW

Create a mono audio track in your DAW and choose input 1, the mic input. Step-by-step guides:

• how to record vocals in Ableton Live
• how to record vocals in GarageBand on Mac

Still choosing an interface? Read Scarlett Solo vs 2i2, how to set up the Scarlett 2i2 and how to set up the Audient EVO 4. Other options: the MOTU M2, the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 and the Arturia MiniFuse 1. More tips in how to set up your mic for rap recording at home. Need a beat? Browse all beats.

FAQ

Why do I hear myself twice?

Direct Monitor is probably on on your Scarlett and you're also listening through your DAW. Turn one of them off.

Do I need 48V for my mic?

For a condenser mic, yes. A dynamic mic, like an SM58, doesn't need it.

What does the amber ring around the gain knob mean?

Your signal is close to the max. Turn the gain down a bit, so you stay in the green on your loudest parts.

Source: Focusrite's user guide and specifications for the Scarlett Solo 4th Gen, and Shure on the SM7B.