75 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
75 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
# FAQ for the Scarlett2 Mixer Driver and `alsa-scarlett-gui`
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## What is this?
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The Scarlett2 Protocol Driver (also known as the Scarlett2 Mixer
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Driver) is a part of the Linux kernel, enhancing the ALSA kernel
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driver with additional controls for Focusrite Scarlett and Clarett
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interfaces.
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To check your current version or for upgrade instructions, see the
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[Control Panel Installation Prerequisites — Linux
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Kernel](https://github.com/geoffreybennett/alsa-scarlett-gui/blob/master/INSTALL.md).
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`alsa-scarlett-gui` is an easy-to-use application to adjust those
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controls.
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## Do I need the driver for my Focusrite interface?
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In order to get audio working? No. Focusrite USB interfaces are
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“plug-and-play” — they are USB Audio Class Compliant, meaning they
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work out-of-the-box with the standard ALSA USB audio driver[^1].
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[^1]: To get full functionality on Scarlett 3rd/4th Gen interfaces,
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first deactivate MSD mode for by holding down the 48V button while
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powering it on (MSD is the virtual disk on the Scarlett that has a
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link to the Focusrite product registration page; until you turn that
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off not all features will be available).
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## What is the purpose of the driver then?
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This driver is for users who want more control over their interface.
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It allows for detailed manipulation of internal audio routing and
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settings specific to Scarlett devices, beyond the basic audio I/O
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functionality. Also, being able to monitor the audio levels seen by
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interface is really useful.
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## What interfaces are supported?
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- All Scarlett 2nd Gen interfaces with software controls (there are no
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software controls on the 2nd Gen Solo and 2i2, so the mixer driver
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is irrelevant).
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- All Scarlett 3rd Gen interfaces.
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- All Clarett USB and Clarett+ interfaces.
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## Where are the options to set the sample rate and buffer size?
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It’s important to note that the Scarlett2 driver and
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`alsa-scarlett-gui` have nothing to do with audio input/output to and
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from the device. This task is managed by the generic part of the ALSA
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USB soundcard driver.
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Audio settings like the sample rate and buffer size are chosen by the
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application which is using the soundcard. In most cases, that is a
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sound server such as PulseAudio, JACK, or PipeWire.
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Note that not all features are available at higher sample rates; refer
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to the user manual of your interface for more information.
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## Scarlett Gen 4? Vocaster?
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Support coming soon. Email me if you want to help test.
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## Help?!
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For help with the driver:
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https://github.com/geoffreybennett/scarlett-gen2/issues
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For help with `alsa-scarlett-gui`:
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https://github.com/geoffreybennett/alsa-scarlett-gui/issues
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For general Linux audio help:
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https://linuxmusicians.com
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