Using Direct Monitoring; Connecting Scarlett 4I4 To Loudspeakers - Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 User Manual

simply plug it in. If it is a "condenser" (or "capacitor") microphone, you will need to turn on the 48 volt
phantom power for it to work. Most modern microphones of other types, e.g., dynamic or ribbon, will
not be damaged by the inadvertent application of phantom power, but note that some older mics may
be; if you have any doubt, please check the specification of your mic to ensure that it is safe to use.
The Scarlett 4i4 has no "Mic/line" switches – the Focusrite preamplifier stages are automatically
configured for a microphone when you plug an XLR into an input, and for a line or instrument when you
connect a jack plug. Select INST from Focusrite Control ('INST' illuminates red) if you are connecting
musical instrument, e.g., a guitar in the example, via an ordinary 2-pole guitar jack. Deselect INST
if you are connecting a line level source such as a keyboard, synthesiser or the balanced output of
an external audio mixer via a 3-pole (TRS) jack. Note the Combo connectors accept both TRS and TS
types of jack plug.
Input channels 1 and 2 of the Scarlett 4i4 each have a PAD function: when selected from Focusrite
Control (PAD illuminates green when active), the signal level fed to your DAW is reduced by 10 dB.
You will find this useful if you need to feed the input from a source whose output level is particularly
"hot", when you might notice clipping or the gain halo turning red, even at minimum gain.

Using Direct Monitoring

You will probably have heard the term "latency" used in connection with digital audio systems. In the
case of the simple DAW recording application described above, latency is the time it takes for your
input signals to pass through your computer and audio software, and back to you. While not an issue
for most simple recording situations, under some circumstances, latency can be a problem for a
performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals. This might be the case if you
need to increase the size of your DAW's recording buffer, which could be necessary when you record
overdubs on a particularly large project using many DAW tracks, software instruments and FX plug-
ins. Common symptoms of a buffer setting that is too low could be glitching audio (clicks and pops),
or a particularly high CPU load within your DAW (most DAWs have CPU readouts). If you experience
this on a Mac, you can raise the buffer size from the DAW application itself but on a Windows PC you
will most likely need to change this from the ASIO Control Panel which can usually be accessed from
your DAW Setup Preferences*.
The Scarlett 4i4, in conjunction with Focusrite Control, allows "zero latency monitoring", which
overcomes this problem. By using Focusrite Control to monitor your input signals, you will hear
yourself in real time along with the computer playback, even with very high buffer sizes. The input
signals to the computer are not affected in any way by this setting. However, note that the effect of
any plug-ins instantiated in the DAW will not be heard whilst recording because by monitoring in this
way you are hearing the signal before it reaches the software. Also, remember to mute the channel
you are recording to in your DAW otherwise you will hear both the signal you are monitoring and then
the echo effect of the signal coming back from the DAW.
* Typical name. Terminology may differ slightly between DAWs.

Connecting Scarlett 4i4 to loudspeakers

Any of the Scarlett 4i4's outputs may be used to connect monitoring speakers. All outputs are
electronically balanced, and available on the rear panel on ¼" (6.35 mm) 3-pole (TRS) jacks.
If LINE OUTPUTS 1 and 2 are used for primary monitoring, LINE OUTPUTS 3 and 4 are free to be
used for another purpose, such as connecting to an additional recording device or an additional pair
13