8
Software Installation
Mac OS
No additional drivers are required when using the Scarlett Solo with a Mac. You should therefore
be able to connect Scarlett Solo to your Mac and the computer’s default audio outputs should
automatically switch to the USB port to which the Scarlett Solo is connected. To verify this, go to
System Preferences > Sound, and check that the input and output are set to Scarlett Solo. For
more detailed setup options on a Mac, open Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
Windows
1. Locate the file Focusrite USB drivers; double-click its icon to begin the installation.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
3. When the installation is complete, restart your computer.
4. After restart, connect the Scarlett Solo to your computer.
Your OS should automatically switch the computer’s default audio outputs to be the USB port to
which the Scarlett Solo is connected. To verify this, go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and
Sound > Sound > Manage Audio Devices and confirm that ‘Default Playback’ and ‘Recording’
are set to ‘Scarlett Solo USB’.
Powering the Scarlett Solo
The Scarlett Solo is an active device, and needs a DC power source to operate. This will be supplied
by the Mac or PC to which it is connected, via the single USB connection. Note that an external power
supply is not required.
You should experience no problems in powering the Scarlett Solo from the USB ports on any
compatible Mac or PC. However, please be aware that USB ports on some laptops may not be able
to deliver the same current to externally-connected devices when they are running off their internal
batteries, compared to their current capability when running from AC mains. We therefore strongly
recommend that if you are using Scarlett Solo with a laptop, please power the laptop from the mains
with its supplied AC adaptor.
