How to Connect a Scarlett Solo Audio Interface to Logic Pro

Connect your Scarlett Solo in four steps

A Scarlett Solo is a small audio interface — a box that sits between your microphone or instrument and your computer, converting sound into digital signal that recording software can use. Logic Pro is Apple's recording and editing software. To use them together, you plug the Scarlett into your Mac with a USB cable, install the driver software, then tell Logic Pro to use the Scarlett as its input and output device.

The whole process takes about 10 minutes the first time. After that, the Scarlett and Logic Pro will recognize each other automatically when you plug it in.

Key Takeaways

The Scarlett Solo connects to your Mac via a single USB cable; no separate power adapter is needed because the USB port supplies power.
You must read and install Focusrite Control (the driver software) from Focusrite's website before Logic Pro will see the Scarlett.
In Logic Pro, you set the Scarlett as your input device in Preferences under Audio/MIDI, then create a new track and select Scarlett as the input source.
Test your connection by speaking into your microphone or playing an instrument while watching the input meter in Logic Pro to confirm sound is reaching the software.

What you need before you start

You need a Mac running macOS 10.11 or newer (check by clicking the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac). You need the Scarlett Solo itself, a USB-A to USB-B cable (the kind with a square connector on one end), and a microphone or instrument cable plugged into the Scarlett's input jack.

You do not need a separate power supply — the Scarlett draws power from the USB port. If you are using a microphone that requires phantom power (most condenser mics do), the Scarlett has a button labeled 48V that turns this on.

Install the Focusrite driver software

Go to focusrite.com/en/support and search for "Scarlett Solo." read the Focusrite Control software for Mac. Open the installer and follow the prompts — it will ask you to restart your Mac when finished. This is normal and necessary.

After the restart, plug the Scarlett into your Mac using the USB cable. The Scarlett's LED should light up red, then turn blue after a few seconds. If it stays red or does not light at all, try a different USB port on your Mac, or try a different USB cable — some cables are power-only and do not carry data.

Set the Scarlett as your input device in Logic Pro

Open Logic Pro. Click Logic Pro in the menu bar at the top, then select Preferences. Click Audio/MIDI. Under the Devices tab, find the Input Device dropdown and select Scarlett Solo USB. Do the same for Output Device. Close the Preferences window.

If you do not see Scarlett Solo USB in either dropdown, the driver did not install correctly. Restart your Mac again and check that the Scarlett is plugged in and lit blue before opening Logic Pro.

Create a track and test the connection

In Logic Pro, press Command+N to create a new track. Select Audio and click Create. In the track header on the left, click the input dropdown (it may say "No Input" or show a different device) and select Scarlett Solo USB. Make sure the track is armed for recording — you should see a red circle or record button light up on the track.

Speak into your microphone or play your instrument. Watch the input meter at the top of the Logic Pro window — you should see green bars moving in time with the sound. If you see nothing, check that the Scarlett's input level knob (the large dial on the front) is turned up, and that your microphone or cable is actually plugged into the Scarlett's input jack, not the headphone output.

Adjust input levels and monitor your sound

The Scarlett Solo has a large knob on the front labeled Input. Turn this knob while speaking or playing — you want the input meter in Logic Pro to reach the yellow zone but not turn red. Red means the signal is clipping (distorting). If the meter barely moves even with the knob all the way up, your microphone may not be plugged in correctly, or it may need phantom power turned on.

To hear yourself while recording, click the headphone icon next to the input dropdown on your track. This lets you monitor the incoming signal through your headphones without adding delay. The Scarlett has its own headphone output jack on the front; plug headphones in there and use the headphone volume knob to control the level.

Troubleshoot if the Scarlett does not appear

If Logic Pro still does not show Scarlett Solo USB as an option, try unplugging the Scarlett, waiting 10 seconds, and plugging it back in. Then restart Logic Pro. If that does not work, restart your entire Mac.

If the Scarlett LED does not light up at all when plugged in, the USB cable may be faulty. Try a different cable, or try plugging the Scarlett into a different USB port. Some USB hubs do not supply enough power — plug directly into your Mac instead. If you have recently updated macOS, visit focusrite.com again and read the latest version of Focusrite Control, because driver updates sometimes lag behind macOS releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use Focusrite Control software, or can I just plug in the Scarlett?

You must install Focusrite Control at least once. After installation, you do not need to open the software every time you use the Scarlett — Logic Pro will communicate with it directly. But the driver software has to be installed first, or Logic Pro will not recognize the device.

Can I use the Scarlett Solo with an iPad or iPhone?

No. The Scarlett Solo requires a Mac or Windows computer. Focusrite makes other interfaces designed for iPad, but the Scarlett Solo is not one of them.

Why does my recording sound quiet even though the input meter shows green?

Check the output level on your track — there is a fader on the right side of the track header. Make sure it is not turned all the way down. Also check the master fader at the far right of the mixer window. If both are up and the recording still sounds quiet, the problem is likely your input level was too low when you recorded. Re-record with the input knob turned higher.

Can I use the Scarlett Solo with other recording software besides Logic Pro?

Yes. Once the Focusrite driver is installed, any recording software on your Mac — GarageBand, Audacity, Adobe Audition, Ableton Live — will see the Scarlett Solo as an input and output device. The setup process is the same: select it in the software's audio preferences.

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