Applies to: Scarlett 2nd gen (6i6, 18i8, 18i20), All Clarett interfaces.

Our higher I/O-capacity interfaces come with an added feature called Standalone Mode.  This enables the user to set these units up to work as an ADAT connected unit, similar to one of our Octopre units or any other ADAT connected set of Mic Pres.

The following units can be set up to send their analogue Inputs over their ADAT Outputs:

Clarett 8PreX

Clarett 8Pre / Clarett 8Pre USB

Scarlett 18i20

The following units do not have ADAT Outputs, but can be set up to send their analogue inputs to their analogue outputs (i.e. Direct Monitoring) or to send either two channels or a Mix of channels over a SPDIF Output (if the interface has SPDIF):

Clarett 4Pre / Clarett 4Pre USB

Clarett 2pre / Clarett 2Pre USB (Does not have SPDIF)

Scarlett 18i8

Scarlett 6i6

In the case of units with ADAT or SPDIF Inputs you can use these to return individual channels or a Mix of Channels to this interface for further D/A conversion for uses such as Monitoring or additional outputs to a Mixer.

To set up any A/D Conversion for Standalone Mode you will be using the Mixing & Routing tab of Focusrite Control to route the channels to the ADAT Outputs (or your choice.)

Here is an example of 18i20/8Pre/8PreX Standalone Mode Routing:

Analogue Input 1 > ADAT Output 1

Analogue Input 2 > ADAT Output 2

Analogue Input 3 > ADAT Output 3

Analogue Input 4 > ADAT Output 4

Analogue Input 5 > ADAT Output 5

Analogue Input 6 > ADAT Output 6

Analogue Input 7 > ADAT Output 7

Analogue Input 8 > ADAT Output 8

To set up D/A Conversion for Standalone Mode you will be using the Mixing & Routing tab of Focusrite Control to route individual channels to the analogue Outputs of the device.

Here is an example of 18i20/8Pre/8PreX D/A Standalone Mode Routing:

ADAT In 1 > Line Output 1

ADAT In 2 > Line Output 2

ADAT In 3 > Line Output 3

ADAT In 4 > Line Output 4

ADAT In 5 > Line Output 5

ADAT In 6 > Line Output 6

ADAT In 7 > Line Output 7

ADAT In 8 > Line Output 8

For D/A make sure you go to Device Settings in Focusrite Control > Set Monitor Controls to 'None', so that your Line Outputs will send a full Line Level Signal.

Note:  On interfaces where the Monitor Knob is an analogue pot rather than a digital encoder you will need to make sure the Monitor Knob is turned up all the way for a full Line Level Signal.  On interfaces where the Monitor Knob is a digital encoder (18i20, Claretts) turning off the Monitor controls button will disengage those Line Outputs from the Monitor Knob, sending full Line Level Signal regardless of the Monitor Knob setting.

After setting up your Routing make sure to check that you are using the intended Sample Rate of your Session and appropriate Sync Source!

Then after a few seconds, the settings will be retained by the hardware.

You can now turn off and disconnect the device and then turn it on without the Thunderbolt or USB cable connected to enter Standalone Mode.

The first screenshot below details a setup of a Scarlett 18i20 for A/D Conversion (8 Analog Inputs > ADAT Output) and the second screenshot D/A Conversion (ADAT Input to 8 Line Outputs). To use this setup, you would need 2 optical cables - one connected to the optical input of the Standalone unit and one connected to the optical output of the Standalone unit. These would be connected to the optical output and optical input of your other interface respectively.

The screenshot below details a simpler setup of a Scarlett 18i20 for A/D Conversion (8 Analog Inputs > ADAT Output), this is the same as the preset 'Standalone Preamp'. To use this setup, you would need 1 optical cable - connected to the optical output of the Standalone unit. This would be connected to the input of your other interface. Note the unit needs to be set to internal sync for this setup in the Device Settings tab. Your interface would need to be set to sync over ADAT.

All of these concepts are the same for the Clarett 8Pre and 8PreX.

The 8PreX, however, gives you the option of a second ADAT output, with this you can use sample rates of up to 96kHz and still get 8 channels. To do this you can assign inputs 1-4 to ADAT out 1 and inputs 5-8 to ADAT 2.