Applies to all Focusrite interfaces without Loopback
Most of our interfaces support Loopback, which allows you to record any audio mix back into your DAW/recording app.
To check if your interface does support Loopback, see the article below:
Which Focusrite interfaces feature Loopback?
If your interface doesn't support Loopback, follow below to create a 'manual loopback' with unused I/O on your interface.
This method only works on interfaces which support S/PDIF, or have 4 or more analogue inputs.
Connect the cables
S/PDIF
If your interface features a S/PDIF connection, connect an optical S/PDIF cable from the S/PDIF Out to the S/PDIF In port on your device.
This will create a stereo Loopback Mix, which we can configure in the Control Software.
Analogue I/O
To create a mono loopback, connect a 1/4 inch jack cable from an unused analogue output, to an unused analogue input on your interface.
To create a stereo loopback, connect a second jack cable from another unused analogue output on your interface, to another unused analogue input on your interface.
Configure the routing
Focusrite Control 2
S/PDIF
- Open Focusrite Control 2.
- Select Routing.
- Under Digital outputs, set S/PDIF 1-2 to the source in which you would like to loop back. In this instance, we'll use Playback 1-2.
- Open your DAW.
- Set the input of your DAW to the S/PDIF input on your interface. If you are unsure of this, please see the User Guide for your interface.
Audio should now be looped back into your DAW.
Analogue I/O
- Open Focusrite Control 2.
- Select Routing.
- Under Analogue outputs, set the analogue output in which your 1/4 inch jack cables are connected to, to the source in which you would like to loop back. In this instance, we'll be sending Playback 1-2 to Output 5-6.
- Open your DAW.
- Set the input of your DAW to the analogue inputs in which your Loopback jack cables are connected to.
Audio should now be looped back into your DAW.
Focusrite Control
S/PDIF
- Open Focusrite Control.
- Under Outputs, scroll down to find the S/PDIF outputs.
- Set this to the source in which you would like to loop back. In this instance, we'll use Playback 1-2.
- Open your DAW.
- Set the input of your DAW to the S/PDIF input on your interface. If you are unsure of this, please see the User Guide for your interface.
Audio should now be looped back into your DAW.
Analogue I/O
- Open Focusrite Control.
- Under Outputs, scroll down to find the analogue output in which your 1/4 inch jack cables are connected to.
- Set this to the source in which you would like to loop back. In this instance, we'll use Playback 1-2.
- Open your DAW.
- Set the input of your DAW to the analogue inputs in which your Loopback jack cables are connected to.
Audio should now be looped back into your DAW.
If this article hasn't helped you, please feel free to search again at the top of this page or, to contact support, please click here.