Scarlett 8i6 Doubts!

[Liquid Shadow]

Ok first of all, if you are connecting a microphone to an interface, always use a balanced XLR cable. Line-ins don't go through the actual mic-preamp which is what you need to amplify the microphone. I don't know why you would ever want to connect a microphone like the SM58 to a 1/4 input. Instrument level is different from line-level, it's for electric guitars etc to put it in a nutshell, the level will be bumped up, acting as a DI

In order to correctly connect the monitor-out on the Scarlett to your speakers, you need 2 balanced TRS cables and 2 TS female to RCA male adapters. Because you are going from an impedance balanced source (the Scarlett) to an unbalanced device (your RCA-only monitors), you need disconnect the ring connection of the cable on the destination end, then plug that end into the TS to RCA adapter. I have modded a bunch of cables like this in my studio.

Hope this is clear.

[Manfrensengensen]

Use a regular mic cable xlr-xlr. Nothing is wrong with the unit.
Don't use a 1/4 -xlr for mics.............
interfaces are made with combo/dual jacks so that when you plug in a 1/4
it reduces the level on purpose.............so it can accept higher levels from
instruments or line level.

Because the speakers do not have balanced TRS or XLR inputs, there is no point in using a TRS to RCA cable. Just get 1/4 to RCA cables that are readily available at music stores, radio shack and probably best buy. no magic there.

google the following and read:
Mic level
instrument level
line level
balanced audio
unbalanced audio

[Liquid Shadow]

Well 1/4 to RCA cables can work when the entire setup is unbalanced. But since the output on the Scarlett is balanced, he'll need to take that into consideration, a TS to RCA cable won't be the ideal solution.

Here's an article worth reading on how to connect balanced outs to unbalanced ins and vice versa:

"Helpful How-To's": How to Properly Connect Balanced Outputs to Unbalanced Inputs, and Vice-Versa | Benchmark Interaction

[Karloff70]

To simplify it for you, since it has mostly been said, but a little confusingly:

Your interface has 3 ways of taking signal, the first being mic signal. This is what it expects when you plug into the XLR in, which is why your 58 is happy like that. XLR in = mic input.

The line/inst switch basically switches level and impedance of the JACK INPUT ONLY to accept respective type of signal. You won't make a mic signal any of the two just by putting an XLR to jack lead on the end of it, so hence the mismatch is want accounts for you having to turn the level up and getting mess. It will likely expect any instrument input in TS and line level in either TRS or TS.

So, if using a mic, go in XLR, if using DI, say a bass or synth, go inst = TS jack and anything line level TRS jack and switch to line.

[radicalgel]

Whoa, thanks so much guys! That was quick.. I'm glad there's nothing wrong with my interface. Ok, so I completely understand the inst/line/mic level stuff now, but I'm still a little confused about connecting my speakers. As you guys may have realized, I'm new to this stuff so please bear with me.

Firstly whats the difference between TS & TRS? I actually have 2 good guitar cables so if use 2 TS to RCA converters to connect it to my speakers, will that work?

Secondly, when would one use an unbalanced 1/4 to XLR cable? I'm only asking cause I spent quite a bit on a good cable. :P

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by radicalgel

Whoa, thanks so much guys! That was quick.. I'm glad there's nothing wrong with my interface. Ok, so I completely understand the inst/line/mic level stuff now, but I'm still a little confused about connecting my speakers. As you guys may have realized, I'm new to this stuff so please bear with me.

Firstly whats the difference between TS & TRS? I actually have 2 good guitar cables so if use 2 TS to RCA converters to connect it to my speakers, will that work?

Secondly, when would one use an unbalanced 1/4 to XLR cable? I'm only asking cause I spent quite a bit on a good cable. :P

TRS = Tip, Ring, Sleeve........TS= Tip, Sleeve.

Basically TRS implies balanced audio and TS unbalanced. I reckon your guitar leads with converters should do it. Ideally you could make leads with TRS jack on one end and phono/RCA on the other, just disconnecting the ground on the RCA side (=sleeve). But the converters should work fine.

XLR by default is used for balanced audio, hence the three pins. You're saying you have female XLR to TS jack lead? Not sure what I'd use that for.....if it was TRS jack you could use it to come out of gear that has XLR line outputs and to other line jack inputs.

[radicalgel]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

TRS = Tip, Ring, Sleeve........TS= Tip, Sleeve.

Basically TRS implies balanced audio and TS unbalanced. I reckon your guitar leads with converters should do it. Ideally you could make leads with TRS jack on one end and phono/RCA on the other, just disconnecting the ground on the RCA side (=sleeve). But the converters should work fine.

XLR by default is used for balanced audio, hence the three pins. You're saying you have female XLR to TS jack lead? Not sure what I'd use that for.....if it was TRS jack you could use it to come out of gear that has XLR line outputs and to other line jack inputs.

Cool gotit! Thanks Karloff.

One last tiny confusion so please bear with me. Liquid Shadow mentioned that "Line-ins don't go through the actual mic-preamp which is what you need to amplify the microphone". Does this mean that, if I connect my electric guitar/mic to one of the XLR combo inputs on the front, using a 1/4 jack cable, that the preamp will not be used? I.e. the focusrite pres are only used for mics that are connected via balanced XLR cables.

[Liquid Shadow]

Originally Posted by radicalgel

Cool gotit! Thanks Karloff.

One last tiny confusion so please bear with me. Liquid Shadow mentioned that "Line-ins don't go through the actual mic-preamp which is what you need to amplify the microphone". Does this mean that, if I connect my electric guitar/mic to one of the XLR combo inputs on the front, using a 1/4 jack cable, that the preamp will not be used? I.e. the focusrite pres are only used for mics that are connected via balanced XLR cables.

To simplify what I said earlier: the main inputs on the interface are XLR/TRS combo inputs. If XLR is used, it goes through the mic preamp. If TRS (or 1/4) is used, it goes through a leveling amplifier.

XLR = use it with microphones
TRS = use it with any line level source or instruments (make sure to switch it to instrument level of course)

[radicalgel]

Originally Posted by Liquid Shadow

To simplify what I said earlier: the main inputs on the interface are XLR/TRS combo inputs. If XLR is used, it goes through the mic preamp. If TRS (or 1/4) is used, it goes through a leveling amplifier.

XLR = use it with microphones
TRS = use it with any line level source or instruments (make sure to switch it to instrument level of course)

Cool got it.
1) So is this why the noise floor (sorry if im using the wrong term) is higher when using a 1/4 jack with 'inst level'. I.e. the noise/hiss that becomes apparent as one increases the gain is higher with 1/4 jack + 'inst level' than it is with XLR + 'mic level'. Is this normal?

2) Also, will a TRS cable have lower noise than a TS cable?

3) Regarding drivers, I'm a little confused whether the scarlett mixcontrol 1.1.dmg includes the focusrite USB 2.0 drivers or is it the other way around and the Focusrite USB 2.0 drivers.dmg contains mixcontrol. I just uninstalled all drivers and installed only mixcontrol and it seems to have installed the 2.0 drivers too as everything is working fine. Is this enough or do I have to install the drivers too?

4) And finally, is there a proper way to unplug/disconnect the scarlett 8i6, considering it doesn't have a power on/off button. I usually pullout the USB cable first, then turn off the AC power. Is this ok?

Thanks so much for being patient with me and answering all my Qs. Just that I'm new to this stuff and I really want to learn.

Machine Specs:
MBP i7 2.6
OSX 10.7.4

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by radicalgel

Cool got it.
1) So is this why the noise floor (sorry if im using the wrong term) is higher when using a 1/4 jack with 'inst level'. I.e. the noise/hiss that becomes apparent as one increases the gain is higher with 1/4 jack + 'inst level' than it is with XLR + 'mic level'. Is this normal?

2) Also, will a TRS cable have lower noise than a TS cable?

3) Regarding drivers, I'm a little confused whether the scarlett mixcontrol 1.1.dmg includes the focusrite USB 2.0 drivers or is it the other way around and the Focusrite USB 2.0 drivers.dmg contains mixcontrol. I just uninstalled all drivers and installed only mixcontrol and it seems to have installed the 2.0 drivers too as everything is working fine. Is this enough or do I have to install the drivers too?

4) And finally, is there a proper way to unplug/disconnect the scarlett 8i6, considering it doesn't have a power on/off button. I usually pullout the USB cable first, then turn off the AC power. Is this ok?

Thanks so much for being patient with me and answering all my Qs. Just that I'm new to this stuff and I really want to learn.

Machine Specs:
MBP i7 2.6
OSX 10.7.4

1. It's not to do with the format, but the mismatch, as you're giving it mic level not instrument level which is what it expects (=wrong level/wrong impedance), although you're coming in with a jack. The signal and its type is independent of whatever plug is on the end of the lead.

2. A balanced lead will go better noise wise if long, if short, unbalanced is ok.

3. If everything is working fine it's working fine.

4. Leave the usb alone (i.e. plugged in) and switch its power off at the plug. But switch your speakers off before!! And the other way round (Scarlett on first, then speakers) when powering up, so you don't blow the cones.

[radicalgel]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

1. It's not to do with the format, but the mismatch, as you're giving it mic level not instrument level which is what it expects (=wrong level/wrong impedance), although you're coming in with a jack. The signal and its type is independent of whatever plug is on the end of the lead.

2. A balanced lead will go better noise wise if long, if short, unbalanced is ok.

3. If everything is working fine it's working fine.

4. Leave the usb alone (i.e. plugged in) and switch its power off at the plug. But switch your speakers off before!! And the other way round (Scarlett on first, then speakers) when powering up, so you don't blow the cones.

Thanks a ton! Time to go make some music. :-)

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[radicalgel]

You guys using the beta drivers or the standard ones?

[Karloff70]

Never used the thing.

[Liquid Shadow]

I'm a Saffire Pro 40 user (which is why I like every thread involving Focusrite interfaces :D) and I'm using their newest beta driver.

[radicalgel]

Originally Posted by Liquid Shadow

I'm a Saffire Pro 40 user (which is why I like every thread involving Focusrite interfaces :D) and I'm using their newest beta driver.

Awesome!

[SpaceAgeMarty]

The Preamps inside the scarlett 8i6 is simply amazing, better than a mbox.

[Papasean]

When tracking instruments (guitar) I use 1/4 to xlr into the front of the unit. When doing vocals I go xlr to xlr to the front end of unit (always use xlr to xlr with mics). Although I'm using the 2i2 it's the same unit as for as pres and functionality. Sometimes you may have to bump the gain up a little when recording instruments but there shouldn't be any unwanted noise unless your cable or connection isn't making full contact. Below is a link where we recorded guitar using 1/4 from the guitar to xlr on the front of the unit. Also xlr from the C3000B mic to xlr on the front of the unit.
Scarlett 2i2 & Saffire 6 Test - YouTube

[Liquid Shadow]

Originally Posted by Papasean

When tracking instruments (guitar) I use 1/4 to xlr into the front of the unit.

Why would you do that?

[Manfrensengensen]

Ditto, just use a TS instrument cable for an instrument and a mic cable for a mic.

[radicalgel]

Is it ok to put my MacBook Pro to sleep while the scarlett is connected and powered on? I am a little worried because, when I resume my mac from sleep, with scarlett mixcontrol still running, all the inputs meters (Anlg1, 2, 3, 4, SPDIF 1 & 2) peak and clip and then fall back down. In fact the Anlg 3 & 4 go up and down for like a second, as if some audio was playing, then fall back down. Is this normal? This is why I would like to know the proper procedure to turn off this device.

[loveofjazz]

If I'm not recording or playing back using the unit, I tend to unplug it.
Same with any other device I have.