Button (Phantom Power); Inst (Instrument) Button And Line Level Inputs - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen User Manual

48V Button (Phantom Power)
48V, also commonly referred to as 'Phantom Power', sends 48 Volts from your interface's XLR
connector to devices needing power to work. The most common use is sending power to
condenser microphones, but you may also need 48V for inline mic preamps, active dynamic
microphones and active DI boxes.
To turn on 48V:
1. Connect your microphone, or another powered device, to an XLR input on your
interface using an XLR cable. 48V is not sent to the 6.35mm (1/4") jack inputs.
2. Turn down that preamp's gain control to avoid any unwanted pops and clicks.
3. Press the 48V button (or the corresponding software button)
The 48V icon lights green to show it is enabled.
48V phantom power is now being sent to both XLR inputs on your Scarlett 2i2 and to any devices
connected to the XLR inputs.
48V (Phantom Power) Software Control
To enable 48V (Phantom Power) from Focusrite Control 2 click the +48V button. This is the same
as pressing the 48V button on the Scarlett 2i2 hardware.
+48V Phantom Power off
Important
If you accidentally send 48V phantom power to the wrong input, most modern
microphones of other types, e.g., dynamic or ribbon, will not be damaged, but some
older microphones may be. If you're unsure, please check your microphone's user guide
to ensure it is safe to use with 48V phantom power.
Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen Studio Pack User Guide
+48V Phantom Power on
15

Inst (Instrument) Button and Line Level Inputs

The Inst (Instrument) button only affects the 6.35mm (1/4") line input for the selected channel.
It changes it from an input suitable for line-level devices to an input better suited for instrument-
level devices.
To enable, or disable, instrument mode for the 6.35mm (1/4") jack input, press the Inst button
once. Green shows Inst is enabled, and white shows Inst is disabled. When you enable Inst and
connect a jack to your Scarlett, the minimum gain for the input is changed to +7dB.
Note
When the Inst light is white, the 6.35mm jack input is at line level.
When Inst is enabled (green) you can connect instrument-level devices to the 1/4" inputs such as,
but not limited to:
• Electric or electro-acoustic guitars directly and via effects pedals.
• Electric basses
• Acoustic instruments with pick-ups such as violins, double-basses etc.
When Inst is disabled (white) you can connect line-level devices to the 6.35mm (1/4") inputs such
as, but not limited to:
• Synthesisers
• Keyboards
• Drum Machines
• External Microphone Preamps
Instrument/Line Software Control
To change between instrument and line from Focusrite Control 2 click the Inst button once.
Line
Note
When you switch between Inst and Line, the gain remains at the last level you set.
Instrument