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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.

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