Applies to Scarlett, Clarett+, Clarett USB and Vocaster.
Select from our ranges below to find the relevant information for your audio interface. The three main USB connectors used by our interfaces are USB-A, USB-B (for older products), and USB-C.
Scarlett 4th Gen
Solo and 2i2 4th Gen
Scarlett Solo and 2i2 4th Gen come with a USB-C to USB-A cable. Use this cable to connect your Scarlett to computers with USB-A ports.
Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen has two USB-C ports. Connect your computer to the port labelled USB. If more power is needed, it can be provided via the 5V DC USB-C port: What USB Charger Can I Use to Power My Scarlett 4th Gen?
If your computer has a USB-C port, you can use a USB-C to USB-C cable (not supplied) to connect the Scarlett. Please refer to the specification and examples in this article to ensure you use a suitable cable: Scarlett 3rd and 4th Gen | 'USB-C' to 'USB-C' connectivity.
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
4i4 4th Gen
Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen comes accompanied with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-A to USB-C adaptor. This allows you to connect your 4i4 4th Gen directly to computers with USB-A and USB-C ports.
Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen has two USB-C ports. Connect your computer to the port labelled USB. If more power is needed, it can be provided via the 5V DC port, using the supplied power adaptor or a similar charger: What USB Charger Can I Use to Power My Scarlett 4th Gen?
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
Additionally, we advise against using third-party USB adaptors. If the supplied adaptor needs to be replaced, use a USB-C to USB-A cable (not supplied) to connect the Scarlett to a computer with USB-A ports instead.
16i16 and 18i16 4th Gen
Scarlett 16i16 and 18i16 4th Gen come with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-A to USB-C adaptor. This allows you to connect your Scarlett directly to computers with USB-A and USB-C ports.
Scarlett 16i16 and 18i16 4th Gen have two USB-C ports. Connect your computer to the port labelled USB. If more power is needed, it can be provided via the 5V DC port, using the supplied power adaptor or a similar charger: What USB Charger Can I Use to Power My Scarlett 4th Gen?
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
Additionally, we advise against using third-party USB adaptors. If the supplied adaptor needs to be replaced, use a USB-C to USB-A cable (not supplied) to connect the Scarlett to a computer with USB-A ports instead.
You can power 16i16 and 18i16 via the USB connection alone, but you'll need the correct specification of cable and USB port. See this article for more information: Scarlett 16i16 and 18i16 4th Gen USB-C bus power requirements.
18i20 4th Gen
Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen comes accompanied with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-A to USB-C adaptor. This allows you to connect your Scarlett directly to computers with USB-A and USB-C ports. 18i20 4th Gen is powered via a standard IEC cable (supplied), not the USB connection.
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
Additionally, we advise against using third-party USB adaptors. If the supplied adaptor needs to be replaced, use a USB-C to USB-A cable (not supplied) to connect the Scarlett to a computer with USB-A ports instead.
Scarlett 3rd Gen
Scarlett 3rd Gen interfaces come with a USB-C to USB-A cable. Use this cable to connect your Scarlett 3rd Gen to computers with USB-A ports.
If your computer has a USB-C port, you can use a USB-C to USB-C cable (not supplied) to connect the Scarlett. Please refer to the specification and examples in this article to ensure you use a suitable cable: Scarlett 3rd and 4th Gen | 'USB-C' to 'USB-C' connectivity.
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
Scarlett 1st and 2nd Gen
Scarlett 1st and 2nd Gen interfaces come with a USB-B to USB-A cable. Use this cable to connect your Scarlett to computers with USB-A ports.
If your computer has a USB-C port, you can use a USB-B to USB-C cable (not supplied) to connect the Scarlett. It will need to be two meters (six feet) or shorter and compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
Alternatively, if you must use an adaptor, we recommend the Apple USB to USB-C adaptor, as they are generally reliable.
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
ISA C8X
ISA C8X comes accompanied with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-A to USB-C adaptor. This allows you to connect your ISA C8X directly to computers with USB-A and USB-C ports. ISA C8X is powered via a standard IEC cable (supplied), not the USB connection.
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
Additionally, we advise against using third-party USB adaptors. If the supplied adaptor needs to be replaced, use a USB-C to USB-A cable (not supplied) to connect the ISA C8X to a computer with USB-A ports instead.
Clarett USB and Clarett+
The original Clarett interfaces use Thunderbolt; they must be connected to a Thunderbolt port. For information on Clarett Thunderbolt connectivity, please refer to this article: What type of Thunderbolt do the Clarett Interfaces Use?
Clarett+ and USB interfaces come with a USB-C to USB-A cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable. This allows you to connect the interface to computers with USB-A and USB-C ports.
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps), and USB-C to USB-C cables ideally need to be USB 'IF' certified.
Vocaster
Vocaster interfaces come with a USB-C to USB-A cable. Use this cable to connect the unit to computers with USB-A ports.
If your computer has a USB-C port, you can use a USB-C to USB-C cable (not supplied) to connect the Vocaster. Please refer to the specification and examples in this article to ensure you use a suitable cable: Scarlett 3rd and 4th Gen | 'USB-C' to 'USB-C' connectivity (also applies to Vocaster).
We recommend any replacement USB cable is two meters (six feet) or shorter — longer cables can have an adverse effect on audio quality and connectivity with your computer. It will also need to be compatible with USB 2.0 (480mbps).
Can I use USB extensions, repeaters, hubs, or adaptors?
USB extensions and repeaters
We advise against using USB extension cables and repeaters. Like longer USB cables, these can cause issues with your audio. If you use an extension cable or repeater, your interface may experience glitches, dropouts, or simply not connect.
USB hubs
We also recommend you connect your audio interface directly to your computer where possible, because hubs can cause the same issues.
However, USB Hubs are often necessary due to computers not having enough ports. Therefore, if you require a USB hub to connect your interface, we recommend using a powered USB hub — a hub that has its own power supply separate of the computer. If you experience issues, we advise testing different USB hubs to find which works best for your computer and USB devices.
USB adaptors
Finally, other than adaptors supplied with our interfaces, we also recommend against using USB adaptors for similar reasons to extensions, repeaters, and hubs. Wherever possible, use a cable that has a USB connector of the same type as your interface, and another of the same type as your computer. Please refer to the information earlier in this article for the connectors required.
Besides our own, the only adaptor we currently understand to be generally reliable is the Apple USB to USB-C adaptor; we recommend trying this if you must use an adaptor. Otherwise, as with powered USB hubs, it will be a process of testing adaptors to find one which works best for your computer and USB devices.