Recording: Focusrite Setup

🔌 Laptop to interface to speakers

1. Make sure the power cable is plugged into the back of the interface, then turn on the power. The front lights should turn on.

2. Plug the USB-C end of the cable into the USB port, and the other end into your laptop. 
Connect the two yellow speaker cables into the LINE OUTPUTS 1-2 ports. Make sure the speakers are switched on and showing the power light.

Important: only LINE OUTPUTS 1-2 will work.

3. You should now see 3 green lights on the front of the interface. If only 2 lights show and the middle one is off, it's likely a USB connection issue — the cable may not be fully plugged in, the wrong cable may be in use, or the cable could be faulty. 
Check the USB-C cable at the back is fully inserted and runs directly to your laptop; if it doesn't, connect the interface straight to your laptop instead.

4. Open your Mac or Windows audio settings and choose the Clarett 4 Pre USB as both your Input and Output device. 
Repeat the same for your recording software — for example, Logic Pro X > Preferences > Audio > Device.

🎤 Mic and headphones to interface

5. Make sure the red XLR cable plugged into the microphone is properly connected to the wall port, and that on the other side of the wall it runs into Channel 1 on the interface (the first one on the left).

6. Engage the small 48V button next to Channel 1 — it'll turn solid red. Increase the gain knob to at least the 12 o'clock position. Test the mic by speaking into it; the gain knob should flash green as you speak.

7. Turn the monitor dial up to the desired level while playing audio — sound should now come through the speakers.

8. Monitoring via headphones? Check they're plugged into the correct inputs on the front right of the interface — control room headphones in the left port, booth headphones in the right port (via the booth extension cable). Adjust the volume as needed.

⚠️ Any issues?

Followed all the steps and still can't hear through the headphones?

• Try bypassing the wall and plugging the headphones directly into the interface, or try a new extension cable.
• Reset the Clarett 4 Pre USB using the latest Focusrite Control — here's how.

Followed all the steps and still can't hear audio through the speakers?

• Make sure they're both showing the power light — if not, switch them on at the back.
• Make sure they're plugged into the LINE OUTPUTS 1-2 ports at the back of the interface — only these ports will work.

🖥️ Windows only — crashing/blue screen issue

"Your PC ran into a problem" — if Focusrite keeps causing a Windows computer to crash when plugged in, check whether McAfee Antivirus is installed. That's usually the cause; uninstalling McAfee resolves it. See the full guide here.