Applies to Scarlett Solo 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 Solo 4th Gen with Focusrite Control 2. For a general breakdown of the screen reader functions available across all 4th Generation Scarletts, please 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 Solo. The 'Help me connect' link opens a support article to assist you with connecting your Scarlett Solo to Focusrite Control 2.
1.2. 'Update available for your Scarlett Solo' — Firmware Update
When a firmware update is available for your Scarlett, 'Update available for your Scarlett Solo' 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 will include 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 Solo.
2. Inputs
The Inputs page contains controls you can use to adjust the input settings.
2.1. Analogue 1
When your cursor is on the Analogue 1 group, it shows whether the 6.35mm (1/4") jack is set to instrument level or to line level.
Analogue 1 contains the following controls and meters:
2.1.1. Peak Indicator
When you select the peak indicator, it shows the current channel's peak signal level. While you keep the indicator selected, it gives 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 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.
2.1.2. Inst
When you select Inst, it shows whether instrument level for the 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.
2.2. Analogue 2
Analogue 2 contains the following controls and meters:
2.2.1. Peak Indicator
When you select the peak indicator, it shows the current channel's peak signal level. While you keep the indicator selected, it gives you updates 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.
2.2.2. +48V
When you select +48V, it shows if 48 volt phantom power for the XLR is on or off. You can toggle it to turn 48 volt phantom power on or off.
2.2.3. Air
When you select Air, it shows if the Air mode for the XLR is set to 'Presence' or 'Presence & Drive', and if Air for the XLR 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 shows which mode is Air is set to. You can then switch between 'Presence' mode or 'Presence & Drive' mode — you must enable Air in order for the Air mode to take effect.
3. Navigation Bar
The navigation bar contains buttons you can use to navigate between the Inputs page, Mixer page, and Presets dialogue.
3.1. Inputs and Direct
You can toggle the corresponding button to open either the Inputs page, Mixer page, or Presets group. When you select the preset button, it shows the name of the current preset if there is a preset loaded.
4. Direct
The Direct page contains controls you can use to adjust the Direct Monitor mix.
4.1. Direct Monitor
When you select Direct Monitor, it shows if Direct Monitor is on or off. You can toggle it to enable and disable Direct Monitor.
4.2. Analogue 1 and 2, and Playback 1 and 2
Direct Monitor has a mixer containing the analogue input and the software playback channels. You can use the following controls to configure these channels in the Direct Monitor mix.
4.2.1. Level
When you select level, it shows the level the channel fader is set to. You can set the level in steps from -128dB to 6dB.
4.2.2. Mute
When you select Mute, it shows if the channel is muted. You can toggle it to mute and unmute the channel.
4.2.3. Solo
When you select Solo, it shows if the channel is soloed. You can toggle it to enable and disable Solo.
4.2.4. 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' shows 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 shows 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 appear:
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Overwrite...
With overwrite, you can l 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 show 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 show 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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Combine Input 1 and Input 2
When you select 'Combine Input 1 and Input 2', it shows if it is on or off. You can toggle it on or off to combine or separate inputs 1 and 2. For more information on this feature, please refer to this article: Scarlett Solo 4th Gen one or two input app compatibility.
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Send Direct Monitor mix to Loopback
When you select 'Send Direct Monitor Mix to Loopback', it shows if it is on or off. You can toggle the button to turn 'Send Direct Monitor Mix to Loopback' on or off. For more information on using Loopback, please refer to this article: Scarlett 4th Gen using Loopback.
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Device Reset
You can use the 'Reset to Default Settings' button to restore all the settings on your Scarlett Solo 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.
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