Applies to Scarlett range with Loopback support
The following article applies to interfaces that feature Loopback. To check if your interface supports loopback, see this article.
Which Focusrite interfaces feature Loopback?
This guide shows you how to use your audio interface's Loopback feature to add multiple channels to a custom mix and create a mix minus, and send this to your application. This is useful for streaming and video calling.
Scarlett Solo and 2i2
Scarlett Solo and 2i2 (4th Generation) have Loopback modes for different applications. Select a tab for more information.
Audio Capture (default)
The Audio Capture Loopback mode is the default Loopback mode in your Scarlett. This sends Analogue inputs 1+2 to USB inputs 1-2, and a custom loopback mix is available for USB inputs 3-4. By default, Playback 1-2 is sent to USB inputs 3-4.
Stream
The Stream Loopback mode is designed for streaming. This sends Analogue inputs 1+2, and Playback 1-2 to USB inputs 1-2 on your computer, allowing your audience to hear your microphone, along with computer audio at the same time.
To enable this mode, open Focusrite Control 2, select three dots > Device > Under Loopback modes, select Stream.
Voice/Video Call
The Video Call Loopback mode is designed for calling. This sends only Analogue inputs 1+2 to USB inputs 1-2 on your computer. This ensures computer audio is not sent to your video call, which would cause the caller to hear themselves.
This also allows microphone input 2 to be used in your video calling application. Some software (such as Microsoft Teams) only allows for input 1 to be used with an audio interface.
To enable this mode, open Focusrite Control 2, select three dots > Device > Under Loopback modes, select Video call.
Selecting this input in your software
In this example, we are using OBS on macOS.
- Open OBS Studio.
- Select the + button under Sources.
- Select Audio Input Capture > + Add a new Audio Input Capture.
- Select the device you're using, for example Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen.
Your device now appears in OBS.
You can control levels for your stream or video call can be controlled from the Mixer > Loopback tab within Focusrite Control 2:
All other devices
Other devices use the Mixer in Focusrite Control 2 to set up a custom mix of inputs, to send to Loopback. Select a tab below depending on your application.
Setting up a Mix Minus for Video Calling
- Open Focusrite Control 2.
- Click the Mixer window.
- Select a Mix, in this example we're using Mix C.
-
To the right of Routed to →, select
the
pencil icon
, and tick Loopback.
-
Raise the fader on each input channel you would like to use for the Loopback Mix.
Do not raise the fader on Playback 1-2. This causes participants in the call to hear themselves.
For example, you could have multiple microphone inputs for multiple participants in the call, on one single
Setting up a Mix for Streaming
- Open Focusrite Control 2.
- Click the Mixer window.
- Select a Mix, in this example we're using Mix C.
-
To the right of Routed to →, select
the
pencil icon
-
Raise the fader on each channel you would like to use for the Loopback Mix.
Make sure to raise the Playback 1-2 fader, so the audience is able to hear computer audio.
Selecting this input in your software
Windows
In this example we'll be using OBS. If using an application with ASIO, all inputs are already available, and steps 1-3 can be skipped.
If using a WDM application, the Loopback input needs to be 'exposed' as a separate audio device. To do this:
- Right click the Focusrite Notifier icon in the Windows system tray.
- Select Expose/hide Windows channels.
-
Tick Loopback L + R.
The Loopback channel now appears as a separate input.
- Open OBS Studio.
- Select the + button under Sources.
- Select Audio Input Capture > + Add a new Audio Input Capture.
- Select Focusrite USB Audio (Loopback L + R).
Your Loopback mix now appears as an audio device within OBS.
Levels for your stream or video call can be controlled from the Mixer > Loopback tab within Focusrite Control 2:
macOS
In this example, we're using OBS on macOS.
Some applications on macOS only allow for input 1 to be selected as an audio input. In this instance, it isn't possible to select the Loopback mix in your streaming/calling software
- Open OBS Studio.
- Select the + button under Sources.
- Select Audio Input Capture > + Add a new Audio Input Capture.
- Select the device you're using, for example Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen.
- Untick Enable Downmixing.
- Select Loop 1 and Loop 2 under Channel 1 and Channel 2 in OBS.
Your Loopback mix now appears within OBS.
Levels for your stream or video call can be controlled from the Mixer > Loopback tab within Focusrite Control 2:
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