This article will demonstrate how to set up your Scarlett audio interface in Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) on both Mac and Windows.

We are aware of an issue on Mac with 4th Gen Scarlett Solo and 2i2, where OBS will also record the loopback channels on these devices, currently, there is no workaround for this, and it is being looked into.

Hardware

• Your Focusrite audio interface 
• Webcam

Steps

1. Setting up your Scarlett Interface with your machine
2. Downloading and setting up the OBS software for video 
3. Setting up OBS for audio from your Focusrite interface 
4. Setting up your microphone and instrument
5. Mixing within OBS and testing
6. Streaming 

Setting up your Scarlett with your Computer

We recommend using headphones so that no sound from your monitors is picked up by the microphone, inadvertently causing a feedback loop. 

1) Plug the included USB cable into the back of your Focusrite device.

2) Connect the other end of the USB cable to your machine. 

3) Insert the jack from your headphones into the front of the Scarlett interface. 

Downloading OBS

1) Navigate to the OBS website (OBSproject.com). You’ll land on a page where you’ll see options for Windows or Mac, and download the version compatible with your operating system. 

2) Once the download is complete, double-click the installer to run it, follow the instructions on the screen and open OBS. 

Setting up OBS for video

1) Start by setting up your webcam, at the bottom you’ll see ‘sources’. Select the plus button and select ‘video capture device’. 

2) Select 'create new', name your source, check the ‘make source visible’ box and select 'OK'. 

3)Select your camera within the ‘device properties’ window.

 

Above it is listed as 'HP HD Camera' because that's the name of the internal webcam on our HP machine. Yours may be named differently and in accordance with your machine. For Example, on a Mac, it will be named - 'FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)'.

Setting up OBS for audio

1) Go to the sources area, select the plus button and select ‘Audio Input Capture’. 

2) Select 'create new', name your source, check the ‘make source visible’ box and select 'OK'. 

 

3) Select your audio source within the ‘device properties’ window.

 

This will be named either ‘Focusrite USB (FOCUSRITE USB AUDIO)' or 'Analogue 1+2 Focusrite USB Audio’.

Setting up your Microphone and Instrument

1) Insert your chosen instruments.

 

2)  Adjust the levels of your instruments according to the gain halos. 

The gain halos which surround the gain knob for each input provide an easy way to know that the signal you're recording is at the right level.

- If it turns to red, like here, you know that the signal is too loud and is therefore clipping. 

- Reduce the gain.

- Until the halo returns to green.

 

Mixing within OBS and testing

1) Go to the Audio Mixer, select the gear icon for the audio source and select ‘advanced audio properties’. From the list. 

2) Locate the audio source from the left-hand side and untick tracks 3,4,5 and 6, underneath where it says tracks.

3)

a. Set the mix to mono by checking the mono box

b. Leave audio monitor set to 'Monitor Off' 

c. Select 'close' 

Testing your mix

The easiest way to monitor and mix your audio sources will be directly from your Scarlett Interface, select the direct monitoring button and mix your audio sources accordingly. 

1) Select the direct monitoring button on your Scarlett interface. 

 

2) Make sure the Audio Mixer within OBS is receiving an input signal. Just watch the audio meter, like here. 

Adjust any levels directly from your Scarlett interface. 

Setting up your live stream

1) Select File then settings

2) Select the streaming tab. 

3) Select the service you are getting the key from.

A stream key field will appear, as well as a 'Get Stream Key' button. Pressing that will take you to the live studio for your chosen platform. In this case, it will load up the Facebook Live Producer, where you can copy the key directly from the window.

4) Select get stream key 

5) On the platform you have selected to stream with, find the stream key. 

6) Paste the stream key back into the stream key field under the stream tab within OBS. 

7) Select 'Start Streaming' within the control panel of OBS. 

 

8) Your live stream feed from OBS should appear on your chosen platform. 

9) Select the option to 'Go Live' on your chosen platform, and you should be ready to start streaming!