Linux ALSA Focusrite Scarlett2 USB Protocol Mixer Driver

Overview

The Focusrite USB audio interfaces are class compliant, meaning that they work “out of the box” on Linux as audio and MIDI interfaces (although on Gen 3/4/Vocaster you need to disable MSD mode first for full functionality). However, except for some of the smallest models, this kernel driver is required to access the full range of features of these interfaces.

This driver is an extension to ALSA, specifically to the snd_usb_audio module.

Supported Interfaces

The interfaces currently supported are:

• Scarlett 2nd Gen 6i6, 18i8, 18i20
• Scarlett 3rd Gen Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, 18i8, 18i20
• Scarlett 4th Gen Solo, 2i2, 4i4
• Clarett 2Pre, 4Pre, 8Pre USB
• Clarett+ 2Pre, 4Pre, 8Pre
• Vocaster One and Vocaster Two

Minimum Kernel Version Required

This driver is already a part of the mainstream Linux kernel since Linux kernel version 5.4. Depending on the particular interface you have, you might have the driver for your interface already installed:

• Scarlett Gen 2: Supported since Linux 5.4 (bug fixes in Linux 5.14)
• Scarlett Gen 3: Supported since Linux 5.14
• Clarett+ 8Pre: Supported since Linux 6.1
• Clarett 2Pre/4Pre/8Pre USB, Clarett+ 2Pre/4Pre: Supported since Linux 6.7
• Scarlett Gen 4: Supported since Linux 6.8
• Vocaster: Submitted upstream, should appear in Linux 6.10

Note: From Linux 6.7 onwards, the driver is enabled by default and this is the first version where the level meters work.

It's recommended that you use at least 6.7, or install the backported driver (see below).

Repository Purpose

This repository is a fork of the Linux kernel, used for:

1. Sharing the development code before it arrives in the mainstream kernel.

2. Sharing backports for the snd_usb_audio module so that you don't have to wait for Linux 6.8 to access the Scarlett Gen 4 support or Linux 6.10 to access the Vocaster support.

Building the Driver

If you want to build an entire kernel from source, check the scarlett2 branch. Otherwise, visit the Releases page to download a backport of just the snd_usb_audio module, which can be built against your running kernel.

Usage Instructions

To use the controls introduced by this driver, please refer to the dedicated GUI application repository: ALSA Scarlett GUI.