About the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (Second Generation)
Plug in a mic and a guitar and lay down tracks
Plug in a mic and a guitar and lay down tracks
Focusrite's Scarlett Solo is designed to make recording music on your PC as simple as possible. That doesn't mean it skimps on sound quality. Plug in a decent vocal microphone, and this interface's newly redesigned mic preamp can capture fine details in your recordings. A separate instrument input lets you plug in a guitar to strum chords while you sing. The interface is powered by your computer, and it's compact enough so you can bring it along with a laptop and record wherever and whenever inspiration strikes you. Even if you've never done home recording on your computer before, Focusrite includes helpful intuitive software to get you started quickly.
Faster, better performance
This interface's super-low latency makes it easy to use software effects like vocal reverb or guitar amp simulation in real time. Or, select "Direct Monitor" on the front panel to hear dry input signals with zero latency while you're doing a take. The mic preamp in this second-generation Scarlett interface has more evenly distributed gain than the previous version. Plus, Focusrite has improved the headroom of the direct instrument input to cleanly capture stronger signals, like really high-output electric guitar pickups.
Connections for your recording gear
One XLR input on the front panel accepts cables from dynamic or condenser microphones. The instrument input can accept line-level signals from keyboards or drum machines. When directly connecting of an electric guitar or bass, just switch the input into high-Z "instrument" mode. Select phantom power for the mic input using the front-panel 48-volt selector. Plug your favorite headphones into the Scarlett Solo — its headphone amplifier is powerful enough to drive just about any pair to high volume levels.
An impressive list of bundled software
Focusrite's Scarlett interfaces are designed to work flawlessly with all major DAW software, but if you're just getting started, you'll appreciate that this one comes bundled with Avid Pro Tools® First as well as Ableton Live Lite. You also get newly designed Focusrite Control software for intuitive control of your mixing and monitoring setups. The bundled software package also includes the Focusrite Red Plug-In Suite, Novation's Bass Station Virtual synthesizer, and 2GB of Loopmasters samples.
Product highlights:
- computer audio interface with 2 input and 2 output channels
- 1 newly redesigned Focusrite mic preamp offers low noise, high headroom, and evenly distributed gain
- redesigned direct instrument input signal path offers improved headroom, so it can handle seriously hot electric guitar pickups
- super-low latency lets you record and monitor with software effects in real time
- roundtrip latency as low as 2.74ms
- new, intuitive Focusrite Control software for configuring your mixing and monitoring setups
- bundled software includes Avid Pro Tools First, Ableton Live Lite, Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, and more
- supports sample rates up to 192kHz
- analog circuitry protects inputs and outputs from common mishaps, like shorting a mic input when phantom power is engaged
- sleek, durable metal chassis
- powered by your computer via USB
Connections:
- 1 front-panel XLR input for use with dynamic or condenser mics
- 1/4" TRS instrument/line input for use with electric guitars and basses, keyboards and drum machines
- line-level analog stereo RCA output
- 1/4" headphone output
- USB 2.0 port for connection to a computer
General Features:
- 24-bit analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog conversion with sampling rates of 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz
- Direct Monitor switch lets you listen to dry, zero-latency input signals
- illuminated halos around gain knobs indicate signal clipping
- USB cable included
- supported operating systems: Windows® 7 (64-bit), Windows 8.1, and Windows 10; Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) and 10.11 (El Capitan)
- 5-5/16"W x 1-13/16"H x 3-15/16"D
- warranty: 1 year
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # Scarlett Solo 2G
What's in the box:
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (Second Generation) owner's manual
- Two-channel audio interface
- 44" USB cable (Type A USB on one end and Type B USB on other end)
- Important Safety Instructions
Reviews
Customer reviews
Loading reviews...
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (Second Generation) reviews
Average review:
Thanks for submitting your review
Customer photos
This review was collected as part of a promotion
Pros:
Cons:
More details on the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (Second Generation)
Product Research
Features
2nd Generation Overview: The Focusrite Scarlett line of USB audio interfaces is the best selling in the world. The second generation Scarlett products are still housed in a red anodized aluminum chassis, and feature upgrades to make your recordings sound even better. The new interfaces feature super-low latency to let you record and monitor your performance with software effects in real time. Scarlett 2nd Gen products have new metal volume controls, and now operate at sample rates of up to 192 kHz. The new Scarlett mic preamps have more gain structure to let you more accurately set your levels. At the same time, the redesigned instrument inputs have more head room to make it easier to record electric guitar without clipping. The new generation interfaces also have new analog protection circuitry across the inputs and outputs to guard against unwanted power surges.
Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen): The Scarlett Solo (2nd gen) is a 2-in/2-out USB recording interface, which allows you to record audio onto a Windows or Macintosh computer. The Scarlett Solo is recommended for soloists and singer/songwriters. It has 1 microphone input, 1 line/instrument input, 2 unbalanced RCA outputs, USB output, and a headphone output. The Scarlett Solo comes with a USB cable and free software via download.
Mic Preamp: The Scarlet Solo 2nd gen features one high-quality Focusrite mic preamp with an XLR connector. The rotary input level control has a unique gain "halo" indicator that changes color to let you know if you have a good signal (green) or clipping (red). The award-winning Focusrite microphone preamp features plenty of headroom and 48V phantom power when using a condenser microphone.
Line/Instrument Input: You can connect a line-level or instrument-level source via an 1/4" plug. The Scarlett Solo (2nd gen) features a "Line/Inst" switch for selecting the type of device you have connected. Like the Mic input, the Line/Instrument input also has the "halo" gain indicator to help you determine the best level. The line/instrument input will accept balanced or unbalanced input.
Direct Monitor: The Scarlett Solo (2nd gen) features a Direct Monitor switch on the front panel. This allows you to route the input signals directly to the headphones and main monitor outputs. Although the 2nd generation Scarlett interfaces have super low latency, you may still want to monitor yourself with zero latency, or in "real time." The input signal to your computer is not affected by the Direct Monitor switch setting.
Computer Interface: The Scarlett Solo (2nd gen) connects to your Windows or Macintosh computer via a USB 2.0 or 3.0-compliant USB port. The interface is compatible with the following operating systems:
- Windows 7 (64-bit)
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 10
- Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite)
- Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)
Included Software: Focusrite Scarlett interfaces come with Pro Tools/First recording software, which features the main features of Pro Tools 12 in an entry level package. All of the bundled software is available via free download with the code key included in the box. An Internet connection is required for downloading the software. The Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) includes the following software:
- Pro Tools/First
- Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite
- Softube Time and Tone bundle
- Ableton Live Lite
- LoopMasters sample library
- Novation Bass station
- Solo USB Drivers for Windows
- Multi-language User Guides
Specifications
Supported Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
Inputs: 1 x XLR and 1 x 1/4" jacks (Line/Instrument switch: manual)
- Microphone Input:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.1dB)
- Dynamic Range: 106 dB (A-weighted)
- Gain Range: 50dB (-4dB to +46dB)
- THD+N: <0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Noise EIN: -128dBu (A-weighted)
- Maximum Input Level: +4 dBu
- Line Input:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.1dB)
- Dynamic Range: 106 dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: <0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Gain Range: 50dB (-21dB to +29dB)
- Maximum Input Level: +22 dBu
- Instrument Input:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.1dB)
- Dynamic Range: 106 dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: <0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Gain Range: 50dB (-4dB to +46dB)
- Maximum Input Level: +13dB
Line Outputs: 2 x RCA (unbalanced)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.2dB)
- Dynamic Range: 106 dB (A-weighted)
- Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS): > +10 dBu
- THD+N: <0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Headphone Output: 1 x 1/4"
- Dynamic Range: 107 dB (A-weighted)
- Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS): > +10 dBu
- THD+N: <0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Dimensions: Width 5.656", Height 1.756", Depth 4.512"
Weight: 15.6 ounces
Loading accessories...
Customer Q&A
Loading articles...
Works really well. Very intuitive. My mac recognized it easily and garageband knew exactly what to do. It is very low latency as advertised and the sound quality is a huge step up from my previous usb mic setup. I've had zero problems with it and have been using it for the past 6 months.
Ryan from Cambridge, MA