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Hi, everyone. I've been trying to get my computer to record me while I play along with Band in a Box so I thought I'd ask for help. I live in an apartment so I have to use headphones for all of my stuff, which sucks. I bought a Scarlett 2i2 so I could play along with BB on both my Yamaha P200 and my electric guitar. I've gotten the Yamaha to be recognized and record without lag, but only if I connect to my laptop directly through the line-in port with a cable. This is how I've done it: 1. Yamaha dual line outs to BB via cable to line in on laptop 2. Laptop outputs to line on Yamaha 3. Headphones outputting from Yamaha. This way I can hear the keyboard at the same time I hear BB, and I can record without lag. This doesn't use the Scarlett and it took me forever to figure this out. When I tried hooking up my Scarlett to my laptop, I either couldn't hear the keyboard, couldn't hear BB, got crazy lag, or when I played back a file after hitting record it was blank except for BB accompaniment. I was thinking that if I wanted to record my electric guitar I could unplug the keyboard to laptop connection and just plug my guitar into the laptop line in, but this doesn't seem to work and I'm not sure why. Do I even need the Scarlett or should I just return it? I have 29 days left. 
Last edited by doogiet; 06/19/16 05:54 PM. Reason: Rewriting for clarity
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This has to do with the different output levels from an electric guitar and the keyboard. You will need a pre-amp (or the line out from an amp) for the guitar.
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It's not an impedance mismatch issue IMHO.
Install and use the ASIO driver for the 2i2. You might need to adjust the latency setting and the buffers.
Audio is not usually an issue for latency (lags in the sound) on playback. So you can plug into the audio line in and things work OK. Not hearing something at all is generally an indication that you don't have things set up properly. An impedance mismatch is generally indicated by low levels that are impossible to raise and or distorted audio from the device in question.
Do NOT return the 2i2. Install the ASIO driver. Then, take the time to learn how to use it and get the signals routed properly.
Be patient. It took me almost 2 full weeks to get my Focusrite set up and working properly. In the meantime, I had no sound from the devices in question either. Once you get the routing correct, you will be able to work with audio and midi with synths at the same time with no delay from the synths.
Monitor your signals from the INTERFACE.... not the keyboard.
Plug the Interface in with a USB cable to the laptop. Plug the headphones into the INTERFACE. Plug the yamaha synth into the laptop if it's a USB capable keyboard. Audio stuff like guitar goes into the INTERFACE audio in, and for it, you might want to have a preamp or some sort of guitar processor like a POD 2.
The interface will be the soundcard when you are working on music. Make it the default in/out for the BB/RB programs and for a DAW if you're using one of those.
Set your rig up in that manner and then work on getting the routing correct and the settings adjusted so it works properly. That is the correct way to do things.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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"I was thinking that if I wanted to record my electric guitar I could unplug the keyboard to laptop connection and just plug my guitar into the laptop line in, but this doesn't seem to work and I'm not sure why."“The output from most electronic devices in an audio system will be of low impedance in nature, usually 150 Ohms or less. However, the output from many passive devices, such as a high impedance microphone or passive guitar pickup can have much greater output impedance. What's the difference and why is it important to know how to deal with these signals in an audio system?” http://whirlwindusa.com/support/tech-articles/high-and-low-impedance-signals/
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If you google/bing can I record my guitar in my scarlet 2i2 you will find that every guitarist is having a problem with it. Mostly it is clipping, again do to an impedance mismatch. If I were in your shoes I would return the unit and get one that has true HiZ inputs. HiZ inputs will allow you to record your guitar directly. For around $100 USD more you can get this Focusrite unit: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet6i6G2I think that would be better than getting a DI box or amp line out. I say keep it as simple as possible but YMMV.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
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The 6i6 has mo insandouts too. Much mo betta. 
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I think part of the problem is that I haven't got it set up right. There are monitor jacks on the back of the Scarlett that I haven't been using. Would they output the signal of both my instrument AND BB? If I could hook my headphones up to that it would probably solve everything, but I don't have the right cable. I'd need two monos that go into a jack for my headphones...
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I think part of the problem is that I haven't got it set up right. There are monitor jacks on the back of the Scarlett that I haven't been using. Would they output the signal of both my instrument AND BB? If I could hook my headphones up to that it would probably solve everything, but I don't have the right cable. I'd need two monos that go into a jack for my headphones... Have you read the user guide carefully? https://d3se566zfvnmhf.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/focusrite/downloads/7317/scarlett-2i2-user-guide-v2.pdf
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Hey, 90 db. I've got it all set up now and it's working perfectly. Yeah, I read the user's guide but I didn't think (and this is silly) that the computer was outputting the signal it was making back through the USB cable to the Scarlett. I didn't even think that was possible (silly old school thinking about one-way directional cables).
I'm using my guitar amp as my monitor speakers but I'm going to replace them with headphones connected into the back of the Scarlett. For some reason when I use the headphone jack on the front of the Scarlett I hear my guitar but not BB.
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Okay, so this isn't true now either. Everything works great. I think it's possibly because I had the wrong drivers installed. Yay, Scarlett! Yay, BB! 
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For the purpose of helping those who come after, please tell us exactly how you have everything set up, now that it works for you.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I am glad you got this working. I was going to repeat everything Herb said, but apparently now there is no need. Glad you got it!!
I never had a problem with the Scarlett from first launch. I guess I got lucky with the driver install.
I use a Behringer preamp that I route out to the Scarlett, and run my midi keyboard into the Focucrite as well. (Thus I turn off the phantom power on Focurite. Don't need it twice.) Everything works great and I don't think I did a lot to get it working.
For electric guitar I usually mic a tube amp and run it into the Focusrite by way of passing it though the Behringer preamp first and the sound is crisp and warm if I record into Real Band.
As I have stated numerous times, RB is my DAW of choice for recording audio. Once I have all the audio I need, I eventually mix it down in Sonar.
Glad you have it working!!!
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Okay, so this isn't true now either. Everything works great. I think it's possibly because I had the wrong drivers installed. Yay, Scarlett! Yay, BB! Glad to hear you got it working! My first answer this morning, while I think it is correct, was certainly incomplete. I should have also advised that, yes, you can do this with the Scarlett unit. I've got the 18i8 and am happy as can be with it!
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It's amazing.... when you connect it the way it's supposed to be connected, it works perfectly..... wow!!!! OK sarcasm off....
The USB connection between the interface and the computer isn't an audio cable. It's a data cable.... a high speed data cable. It's conveying data in both directions in digital form so yeah, you only need that one cable to get it done.
Yeah, the focusrite products ROCK and do a fantastic job... from the smallest to the biggest and everything in between. I've been a fan since the start of my foray into digital music the second time. I've got a Saffire and love it.
If the headphone jack doesn't give you the volume you need.... mine didn't, and I understand that can be an issue with the focusrite various models, the simple solution is to runt he signal out and use a stereo receiver amp or do what I did.... I bought a 4 channel stereo headphone amp from Behringer. I can crank the volume as high as I need and I also have a total of 4 headphone channels with individual volume controls for anyone else working in the studio with me.
Hey... I'm glad you got the interface working.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hey, everyone. I know now exactly what the issue was. It was the driver setup. I assumed (foolishly) that BB would automatically use the driver that was installed when the Scarlett was installed, but instead it continued to use the MME driver. Once I switched it over, everything worked the way it should. Note to self for future tech upgrades: READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL. On that happy note, I'm going to download the BB and RB manuals and read them!  D
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Thanks for letting us know it's resolved, and how it was resolved. This can help others further down the line.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Having the same problem with my Scarlett 4i2. Sort of have it figured out if I plug my strat directly into interface. But I have a rather expensive POD HD500 that I'd like to process my guitar signal. Everytime I try to use it via usb into my desktop and record into my DAW Power Tracks it sounds like crap. I think you're saying even though my HD500 is plugged via usb into desktop All my settings for devices should list the Scarlett 4i2 as botht he recording device and the playback device???? totally lost . . . .
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Having the same problem with my Scarlett 4i2. Sort of have it figured out if I plug my strat directly into interface. But I have a rather expensive POD HD500 that I'd like to process my guitar signal. Everytime I try to use it via usb into my desktop and record into my DAW Power Tracks it sounds like crap. I think you're saying even though my HD500 is plugged via usb into desktop All my settings for devices should list the Scarlett 4i2 as botht he recording device and the playback device???? totally lost . . . .
I have a POD XT here and also use The Scarlett 4i2. If you want to plug your guitar directly into the POD you then have two connection options. The 4i2 will always be the playback device. 1) If you want to use the PODs USB to computer interface, you need to have that USB interface selected as the input device in your DAW, assuming your DAW allows that option, not all do. If not: 2) You can also use the line out audio connections from your POD, so line out from the POD to the line in of the 4i2. Make sure you set the input switches on the 4i2 to be line level (not instrument level) In this case you would select the 4i2 as the input device in your DAW.
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Hey zekester, I would definitely recommend running the outputs of your POD to the line inputs on the Scarlett. Use the POD for all your effects since that's what it does best, and leave all the audio input and output to the Scarlett. It has nicer preamps and generally I find Focusrite to be a step above most companies (including Line 6) in terms of writing device drivers. Make sure you have your driver type set to ASIO in Options | Preferences | Audio and pick the Scarlett as your ASIO devic so you're using the Scarlett to its full capacity.
As a side note I've found with some multi-effects units that running them direct into an audio interface changes the way many of the effects sound. I had a Zoom unit that sounded great running into my amp (Fender Reverb Deluxe '65) but when I ran direct into my DAW all the effects sounded awful. It was most noticeable on the distortion effects. Eventually I figured out that adding an amp/cabinet emulation at the end of the signal chain made a massive difference, honestly it was like night and day. Not sure if your POD will have the same problem or if it has amp emulation but it's something to watch out for. You could also try adding amp emulation on the software side with a program like Amplitube or BiasFX which are great options for those of us who favour one physical amp (Fender for life) but would like more options in production.
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