Applies to Scarlett 4i4 4th Generation
Focusrite Control 2 offers extensive support for screen readers.
This article provides a detailed description of the functions available to you when using your screen reader to control a Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen with Focusrite Control 2. For a general breakdown of the screen reader functions available across all 4th Generation Scarletts, refer to this article: Scarlett 4th Gen with Focusrite Control 2 and Screen Readers. For information on the use and purpose of the features mentioned, please refer to the User Guide for your interface available from Focusrite Downloads.
The following controls were tested on macOS Ventura 13 using VoiceOver and Windows 11 using Narrator, but they should apply similarly if you are using another version of macOS or Windows, or if you are using a different screen reader.
Use the table of contents below to skip to particular functions.
1. First connection, no connection and updates
1.1. 'Connect your interface to get started'
'Connect your interface to get started' appears if Focusrite Control 2 is unable to connect to your Scarlett 4i4. The 'Help me connect' link opens a support article to assist you with connecting your Scarlett 4i4 to Focusrite Control 2.
1.2. 'Update available for your Scarlett 4i4' — Firmware Update
When a firmware update is available for your Scarlett, 'Update available for your Scarlett 4i4' appears; you must install new firmware when it is available.
If the update fails, a message explaining the reason for this and what to do next appears, with options for you to go back or retry the update, and a link for you to get help.
1.3. Software Update
If a software update is available for your installation of Focusrite Control 2, the software update dialogue appears with a version number and release notes. This dialogue includes a tick box where you can opt to 'Automatically download and install updates in the future'. You can then choose from the following options: 'Skip This Version', 'Remind Me Later', and 'Install Update'.
While a download is in progress, use the Cancel button to stop it and return focus to the main Focusrite Control 2 window.
When a download is complete, use the button to install the update. This opens an installer outside of Focusrite Control 2 — a mandatory firmware update may then need to be installed next time you open Focusrite Control 2.
1.4. 'Get the Most Out of Your Scarlett' — Easy Start
If Focusrite Control 2 detects that this is the first time you've connected your Scarlett, it provides you with a link to our Easy Start guides to help you get started with the new Scarlett 4i4.
2. Inputs
The Inputs page contains controls you can use to adjust the input settings.
2.1. Analogue 1 and 2
When your cursor is on either the Analogue 1 or 2 group, the group indicates whether the 6.35mm (1/4" jack) for the corresponding channel is set to instrument level or to line level, and whether Analogue 1 and 2 are linked.
Analogue 1 and 2 contain the following controls and meters:
2.1.1. More Options
When you open 'More options', the channel options menu appears. This contains options for you to link or split Analogue 1 and 2.
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Link with Analogue 1 or 2
If you link the channels, the configuration of the controls for the selected channel are copied to the other. Subsequent changes you make to the controls for either channel affects Analogue 1 and 2 identically.
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Split channels
If you split Analogue 1 and 2, you can control both channels independently again.
2.1.2. Preamp Gain
Preamp gain tells you the gain level for the channel you've selected. You can set the preamp gain slider in steps from 0 to 70dB.
2.1.3. Auto Gain
If you enable Auto Gain, the Auto Gain process starts.
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'Auto Gain in progress'
When you start Auto Gain, 'Auto Gain in progress' appears for ten seconds, and the controls and meters for the channel are temporarily unavailable to you.
During the ten seconds, you can use the Cancel button to stop the process before it's complete; the controls and meters for the channel return with the gain reset to its previous value, and your cursor on the Auto Gain button again.
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'Auto Gain successful'
If the process is successful, 'Auto Gain successful' appears.
You can then use the Done button to close Auto Gain; the controls and meters for the channel return with your cursor on the Auto Gain button again.
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'Auto Gain failed'
If the process fails, 'Auto Gain failed' appears, and the gain is reset to its previous value.
You can use the Dismiss button to close Auto Gain; the controls and meters for the channel return with your cursor on the Auto Gain button again.
2.1.4. Peak Indicator
When you select the peak indicator, it indicates the current channel's peak signal level. While you keep the indicator selected, it provides updates to you whenever the signal level exceeds the previous peak.
If no signal is detected and the peak indicator remains at negative infinity, it instead reads 'we didn't detect any useable signal'. It also tells you if the signal has clipped.
Finally, the peak indicator is also a button; you can use it to clear the indicator until the next peak is detected.
2.1.5. +48V
When you select +48V, it indicates if 48 volt phantom power for the channel's XLR is on or off. You can toggle it to turn 48 volt phantom power on or off.
2.1.6. Inst
When you select Inst, it indicates of instrument level for the channel's 6.35mm (1/4") jack is on or off. You can toggle it to switch between instrument level when on, or line level when off.
2.1.7. Safe
When you select Safe, it indicatees if Clip Safe for the channel is on or off. You can toggle it to turn Clip Safe on or off.
2.1.8. Air
When you select Air, it indicates if the Air mode for the channel is set to 'Presence' or 'Presence & Drive', and whether Air for the channel is on or off. You can toggle it to turn Air on and off.
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Air mode
When you open Air mode, it indicates which mode is Air is set to. You can then switch between 'Presence' mode or 'Presence & Drive' mode — you must enable Air, for the Air mode to take effect.
2.2. Analogue 3 and 4
Analogue 3 and 4 are always line-level with fixed gain. You cannot change the signal and gain level. As a result, Analogue 3 and 4 contain only the peak indicator functions.
2.2.1 Peak Indicator
When you select the peak indicator, it indicates the current channel's peak signal level. While you keep the indicator selected, it provides updates to you whenever the signal level exceeds the previous peak.
If no signal is detected and the peak indicator remains at negative infinity, it instead reads 'we didn't detect any useable signal'. It also informs you if the signal has clipped.
Finally, the peak indicator is also a button; you can use it to clear the indicator until the next peak is detected.
3. Navigation Bar
The navigation bar contains buttons you can use to navigate between the Inputs page, Mixer page, and Presets group.
3.1. Inputs, Mixer and Presets
You can toggle the corresponding button to open either the Inputs page, Mixer page, or Presets group. When you select the preset button, it indicates the name of the current preset if there is a preset loaded.
4. Mixer
The Mixer page contains controls you can use to adjust the output Mixes.
4.1. Mix Navigation Bar
The Mix navigation bar contains buttons you can use to navigate between the Mixes.
4.1.1. Mix A, B, and C
You can toggle the corresponding button to open Mix A, B, or C.
4.2. Mix Routings
Mix routings contains a combination of the following buttons, which are available to you depending on the current routing:
4.2.1. Outputs
Outputs 1–2, Outputs 3–4, Headphones, and Loopback will be available to you depending on which the outputs are routed to the current mix you have opened. You can use these buttons to open the Mix destinations dialogue for this Mix, and selects the corresponding output.
4.2.2. Edit Mix Destinations
You can use 'Edit Mix destinations' to open the Mix destinations dialogue for the current Mix.
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Mix Destinations
The Mix destinations dialogue lists all the available outputs. As you cycle through the list, each output indicates whether it is on — routing the current Mix to that output — or off. Text appears to the right of an output if another Mix is routed to it.
You can use the toggle buttons to turn the outputs on, routing the current Mix to the corresponding output and disconnecting that output from any other Mix. If you toggle them off, this disconnects the current Mix from the corresponding output.You can use the exit button to close the Mix destinations dialogue.
4.3. Analogue 1 to 4 and Playback 1 to 4
Each Mix has a Mixer containing all the analogue input and software playback channels. You can use the following controls to configure these channels for each Mix:
4.3.1. Pan
When you select Pan, it indicates the pan position of the channel. You can adjust the pan slider in steps from -100% (left), to 0 (centre), and 100% (right).
4.3.2. Level
When you select level, it indicates the level the channel fader is set to. You can set the level in steps from -128dB to 6dB.
4.3.3. Mute
When you select Mute, it indicates whether the channel is muted. You can toggle it to mute and unmute the channel.
4.3.4. Solo
When you select Solo, it indicates whether the channel is soloed. You can toggle it to enable and disable Solo.
4.3.5. Mute and Solo
If you enable both Mute and Solo, whichever you enabled last is prioritised.
5. Presets
5.1. Get Started With Presets
When you open the Presets group, if you do not have any saved Presets, 'Get Started with Presets' appears with some text explaining presets. You can use the Cancel and Exit buttons to close the Presets group, or the 'New Preset' button to open the 'Save a new Preset' dialogue.
5.2. Your Saved Presets
When you open the Presets group, if you do have saved presets, your saved presets appear in a list along with an adjacent 'More options' button for each. You can use the Cancel button to close the Presets group, the Load button to load the selected preset, or the 'New Preset' button to open 'Save a new Preset'.
5.2.1 List of Presets
As you cycle through the list of presets, each preset will indicate if it is on or off. Toggle a preset on to select it.
5.2.2 More Options
When you open 'More options', the following additional options for the corresponding preset appears:
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Overwrite...
With overwrite, you can replace the selected preset with your current settings in Focusrite Control 2. The first time you use overwrite, an 'Are you sure?' dialogue appears. You can toggle 'Don't indicate this again' on to prevent this dialogue appearing in future, use the Cancel button to close the diagloue, or use the Overwrite button to proceed with overwriting the preset.
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Rename...
When you open rename, a dialogue appears enabling you to type a new name for the selected preset. You can use the Cancel button to close the dialogue without renaming the preset, or use the Rename button to apply the new name to the preset.
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Delete...
With delete, you can delete the selected preset. The first time you use overwrite, an 'Are you sure?' dialogue appears. You can toggle 'Don't indicate this again' on to prevent this dialogue appearing in future, use the Cancel button to close the diagloue, or use the Delete button to proceed with deleting the preset.
5.3. Save A New Preset
When you opt to create a new preset, Save a new Preset opens, with a box for you to type the name of the preset. You can use the Back or Exit buttons to return to the list of presets without saving, or use the Save Preset button to save the new preset.
6. More Options
You can use the 'More options' menu to access the options below along with links to get the bundled software, access our Help Centre, and to provide feedback:
6.1. About Focusrite Control 2
In 'About Focusrite Control 2' you can find the app version of Focusrite Control 2, the firmware version and serial number of your Scarlett 4i4, and a link to view acknowledgements on the Focusrite website.
6.2. Preferences
Through the preferences window, you can access the following device, sample rate and application settings:
6.2.1. Device
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Device Reset
You can use the 'Reset to Default Settings' button to restore all the settings on your Scarlett 4i4 in Focusrite Control 2 to their default state.
6.2.2. Sample Rate
You can set the sample rate to 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, or 192kHz. Settings in other audio applications may force the Scarlett to use a particular sample rate, even if you set the sample rate in Focusrite Control 2.
6.2.3. Application
In Application, you can access other miscellaneous application settings.
6.3. Check for updates
You can use the Check for updates to open the 'Updating Focusrite Control 2' dialogue; this checks for updates to Focusrite Control 2. For more information on the update process, please refer to the Software Update in the First Connection, No Connection and Updates section earlier in this article.
If this article hasn't helped you, please feel free to search again at the top of this page or, to contact support, please click here.