Applies to Scarlett, Clarett, Saffire, and iTrack.
Latency is the delay between inputting a signal into your system, and hearing it played back. Direct monitoring allows you to listen to the input signal of the interface with near-zero latency.
It sends the signal from the input straight to the headphone or line outputs. The signal is still sent to your DAW software, so you can record the input at the same time.
If you find there is latency affecting the signal you're monitoring while recording, you can enable direct monitoring and then mute the audio track that you are recording to. This allows you to hear playback from your software — for example, a backing track — as well as your input signal at the same time, with near-zero latency.
If you'd like to learn how to direct monitor using your Focusrite interface, please refer to the appropriate link below:
- Scarlett 4th Gen: Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 16i16,18i16, and 18i20
- Scarlett 3rd Gen: Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, 18i8, and 18i20
- Scarlett 2nd Gen: Solo, 2i2, 2i4, 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20
- Scarlett 1st Gen: Solo, 2i2, 2i4, 6i6, 8i6, 18i6, 18i8, and 18i20
- Clarett, Clarett USB, and Clarett+: 2Pre, 4Pre, and 8Pre
- iTrack: Solo
- Saffire: all Saffires that use Mix Control