Recording: Speakers/Mic/Headphones Issues Recording: Speakers/Mic/Headphones Issues
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Recording: Speakers/Mic/Headphones Issues

Please note you can not use a Chromebook with our Focusrite recording interfaces — they only support Mac and Windows.

 

I’m not getting any sound out of the Speakers.

  • Are the speakers turned on and showing the power light?
  • Is the interface showing 3 green lights? If not, the USB cable is not fully plugged in at the back of the interface. Do not use a USB hub, plug the other end directly into your laptop.
  • Are the two yellow speaker cables connected to LINE OUTPUTS 1-2 at the back of the interface?
  • Still no luck? Reset the Focusrite Control software

I can’t get any sound out of the microphone?

  • Connect the mic directly into Channel 1 on the interface
  • Turn on the 48V button on the interface, next to Channel 1.
  • Choose Channel 1 as the input source on the mic track [not Channel 1-2 as that's Stereo!]
  • Check that all the switches on the mic are set to the middle position. Make sure the gain switch is on 0db (not -10 or -20db)
  • Arm a track/channel to record and monitor on your DAW. Eg. Logic Pro X: click on the red "R" and yellow "I". Ableton/FL Studio: click on the record red icon at the bottom of the mic track.

I’m not getting any sound out of the Headphones or only from one ear?

  • Plug them straight into your phone and test if they work. If they do, it's an extension cable or wall port issue. You can grab another extension cable from Spares and bypass the wall.
  • Get a new extension cable. Plug straight into the interface port. Bypass the wall.
  • Still no luck? Reset the Focusrite Control software

I'm still having issues!

RESET THE INTERFACE

99% of problems with equipment in the recording studios can be resolved by downloading Focusrite Control and resetting the interface to its factory defaults.

Download links

Download and install the Focusrite Control software and then restart your computer. Once installed open the software and go to file and then restore factory defaults (it also sometimes helps to go to presets and select system playback). 

If you open Focusrite Control and it shows No Hardware Detected please read this guide. If all of the above doesn't help, please double-check all steps shown in this guide.

 

Using Ableton and getting clicks/pops/glitches?

  • Go to Preferences --> Audio
  • If the Driver Type is set to "MME/DirectX" - change it to "CoreAudio" or "ASIO"
  • Then change Audio Input Device and Output Device to Focusrite.

 

Do you need more help with this?

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