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

Our higher I/O-capacity interfaces can use a mode called 'Standalone Mode'. This enables you to set these devices up to work as an expansion to another interface via ADAT. Standalone mode is similar to the function of our Octopre devices or any other ADAT set of Mic Pres.

These devices can be set up to send their analogue Inputs over their ADAT Outputs:

• Clarett 8PreX
• Clarett 8Pre / Clarett 8Pre USB
• Scarlett 18i20

These devices 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 devices with ADAT or S/PDIF Inputs, you can use these inputs to return individual channels or a Mix of Channels to your 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 use the Output 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 use the Output 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 turn the Monitor Knob to maximum to send out a full Line-Level Signal. On interfaces where the Monitor Knob is a digital encoder, turn off the 'Monitor controls' button in Focusrite Control. Disabling 'Monitor Controls' will stop the Monitor knob control over those Line Outputs and send full Line-Level Signal, regardless of the Monitor Knob setting.

In Focusrite Control, check the Sample Rate matches your Session and you select the appropriate Sync Source.

A few seconds later, the hardware will retain these settings.

You can now turn off and disconnect the device and then turn it on without the Thunderbolt or USB cable 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 device and one connected to the optical output of the standalone devoce. 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 device. This ADAT cable would be connected to the input of your other interface. Note, the device needs to be set to internal sync in the Device Settings tab. Your interface needs to be set to sync to ADAT.

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

The 8PreX, however, has a second ADAT output. With the second output, 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.