Applies to: Scarlett 4th Gen (2i2, 4i4, 16i16, 18i16 & 18i20)
Scarlett 4th Gen feature Multichannel Auto Gain - this is useful for quickly setting levels for situations where you are using multiple channels simultaneously, as the preamp channels will be affected at once.
You can activate Multichannel Auto Gain from Focusrite Control 2 (the control app for the Scarlett), or directly from the hardware (i.e. on the front panel of your interface).
Focusrite Control 2 setup
To activate Multichannel Auto Gain from Focusrite Control 2:
- Open Focusrite Control 2 and go to the 'Inputs' tab.
- Click the dropdown arrow next to one of the Auto Gain buttons.
- Select Auto Gain all or Auto Gain multiple (18i20 only).
- If you select Auto Gain multiple (18i20 only), tick the channels you want to be affected and select Start Auto Gain:
- Once Auto Gain has finished, Focusrite Control 2 shows the channels that have been set and their new gain level.
Manual setup
Scarlett 18i20 (4th Gen)
To manually enable Multichannel Auto Gain on Scarlett 18i20 (4th Gen):
- Hold down the Auto button on the front panel of your Scarlett 18i20 for 2/3 seconds - the Input Select LEDs (1-8) will flash.
- Select the Inputs you want to be affected by Auto Gain using the dedicated Input Select buttons (1-8).
- Press the Auto button again to begin the Auto Gain process for the selected Inputs.
Scarlett 2i2, 4i4, 16i16 & 18i16 (4th Gen)
To manually enable Multichannel Auto Gain on Scarlett 2i2, 4i4, 16i16 & 18i16 (4th Gen):
- Hold down the Auto button on the front of your Scarlett for 2/3 seconds.
- The Auto Gain process will start for Inputs 1-2 (Inputs 1-4 for Scarlett 18i16).
When Auto Gain is active, each input channel analyses the signal it receives over the next few seconds - its gain will be automatically set so that the input level reaches an average of -18 dBFS in your DAW/recording application.
You can still manually adjust each input gain if you need a louder/quieter signal in your DAW/recording application.
If the signal going into the input is too quiet to be detected, or nothing is connected to the input, you will see this message:
Please check the troubleshooting steps in this article to check your levels and input settings: Auto Gain failed - didn't detect usable any signal
You can also find our Auto Gain video tutorials below for reference.
Auto Gain - Scarlett 18i20 (4th Gen):
Auto Gain - Scarlett 18i16 (4th Gen):
Auto Gain - Scarlett 16i16 (4th Gen):
Auto Gain - Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen):
Auto Gain - Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen):
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