89 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
89 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
# FAQ for the Scarlett2 Mixer Driver and `alsa-scarlett-gui`
|
||
|
||
## What is this?
|
||
|
||
The Scarlett2 Protocol Driver (also known as the Scarlett2 Mixer
|
||
Driver) is a part of the Linux kernel, enhancing the ALSA kernel
|
||
driver with additional controls for Focusrite Scarlett, Clarett, and
|
||
Vocaster interfaces.
|
||
|
||
To check if your kernel is already up-to-date, and how to upgrade if
|
||
not, see the [Control Panel Installation Prerequisites — Linux
|
||
Kernel](https://github.com/geoffreybennett/alsa-scarlett-gui/blob/master/INSTALL.md).
|
||
|
||
`alsa-scarlett-gui` is an easy-to-use application to adjust those
|
||
controls.
|
||
|
||
## Do I need the driver for my Focusrite interface?
|
||
|
||
In order to get audio working? No. Focusrite USB interfaces are
|
||
“plug-and-play” — they are USB Audio Class Compliant, meaning they
|
||
work out-of-the-box with the standard ALSA USB audio driver (to get
|
||
full functionality on Scarlett 3rd/4th Gen/Vocaster interfaces, first
|
||
deactivate MSD mode by holding down the 48V button while powering it
|
||
on).
|
||
|
||
## MSD Mode?
|
||
|
||
“MSD Mode” is the “Mass Storage Device Mode” that the Scarlett 3rd and
|
||
4th Gen interfaces ship in.
|
||
|
||
If MSD Mode is enabled, you need to disable it and restart your
|
||
interface to get access to its full functionality.
|
||
|
||
When you plug the interface in, there’ll be a tiny read-only virtual
|
||
disk that has a link to the Focusrite product registration page; until
|
||
you turn off MSD Mode not all features of the interface will be
|
||
available.
|
||
|
||
You can turn off MSD Mode by holding down the 48V button while
|
||
powering on the interface, or by clicking the button in
|
||
`alsa-scarlett-gui` and rebooting it.
|
||
|
||
## What is the purpose of the driver if it’s not needed for audio?
|
||
|
||
This driver is for users who want more control over their interface.
|
||
It allows for detailed manipulation of internal audio routing and
|
||
settings specific to Scarlett, Clarett, and Vocaster devices, beyond
|
||
the basic audio I/O functionality. Also, being able to monitor the
|
||
audio levels seen by the interface is really useful.
|
||
|
||
## What interfaces are supported?
|
||
|
||
- All Scarlett 2nd Gen interfaces with software controls (there are no
|
||
software controls on the 2nd Gen Solo and 2i2, so the mixer driver
|
||
is irrelevant).
|
||
|
||
- All Scarlett 3rd Gen interfaces.
|
||
|
||
- Scarlett 4th Gen Solo, 2i2, and 4i4.
|
||
|
||
- All Clarett USB and Clarett+ interfaces.
|
||
|
||
- Vocaster One and Vocaster Two.
|
||
|
||
## Where are the options to set the sample rate and buffer size?
|
||
|
||
It’s important to note that the Scarlett2 driver and
|
||
`alsa-scarlett-gui` have nothing to do with audio input/output to and
|
||
from the device. This task is managed by the generic part of the ALSA
|
||
USB soundcard driver.
|
||
|
||
Audio settings like the sample rate and buffer size are chosen by the
|
||
application which is using the soundcard. In most cases, that is a
|
||
sound server such as PulseAudio, JACK, or PipeWire.
|
||
|
||
Note that not all features are available at higher sample rates; refer
|
||
to the user manual of your interface for more information.
|
||
|
||
## Help?!
|
||
|
||
For help with the driver:
|
||
https://github.com/geoffreybennett/scarlett-gen2/issues
|
||
|
||
For help with `alsa-scarlett-gui`:
|
||
https://github.com/geoffreybennett/alsa-scarlett-gui/issues
|
||
|
||
For general Linux audio help:
|
||
https://linuxmusicians.com
|