Connect your Scarlett Solo in three steps

A Scarlett Solo is a small audio interface that lets you plug a microphone or instrument directly into your computer and record into GarageBand. To use it, you plug the Scarlett into a USB port, select it as your input device in GarageBand's settings, and then create a new track. The Scarlett will appear in GarageBand's input menu once it's connected and powered on.

The whole process takes about five minutes the first time. After that, GarageBand will remember your Scarlett and switch to it automatically when you plug it in.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug your Scarlett Solo into a USB port on your Mac or Windows computer, then turn it on using the power button on the back.
  • In GarageBand, go to Preferences (on Mac) or Settings (on Windows), click Audio/MIDI, and select Scarlett Solo from the Input Device menu.
  • Create a new track in GarageBand and choose the input source — the Scarlett will appear as an option once it's selected in Preferences.
  • Test your audio by speaking or playing into the microphone or instrument plugged into the Scarlett; you should see the input meter move in GarageBand.

What you need before you start

You need a Mac running macOS 10.11 or later, or a Windows PC running Windows 10 or later. GarageBand is only available on Mac, so if you're on Windows you'll need a different recording app like Audacity or Reaper — but the Scarlett connection steps are the same.

You also need a USB cable. Most Scarlett Solo units come with a USB-B to USB-A cable in the box. If yours didn't, you can use any standard USB-B cable (the square-shaped connector plugs into the Scarlett, and the flat connector plugs into your computer).

Make sure your microphone or instrument is plugged into the Scarlett's input jack before you start recording. The Scarlett has one combo jack that accepts both XLR microphone cables and 1/4-inch instrument cables.

Plug in the Scarlett and install drivers if needed

Connect the Scarlett Solo to an open USB port on your computer using the USB cable. Then press the power button on the back of the Scarlett — you'll see a small LED light up on the front.

On a Mac, the Scarlett usually works right away without any extra software. On Windows, you may see a notification asking you to install drivers. If you do, download the Scarlett drivers from Focusrite's website (focusrite.com/support), run the installer, and restart your computer. After restart, plug the Scarlett back in.

You can check if the Scarlett is recognized by opening System Preferences on Mac (Apple menu > System Preferences > Sound) or Settings on Windows (Settings > System > Sound). The Scarlett Solo should appear in the input devices list.

Select the Scarlett as your input in GarageBand

Open GarageBand. At the top of the screen, click GarageBand (on Mac) or File (on Windows), then select Preferences or Settings.

Click the Audio/MIDI tab. Under "Input Device," you'll see a dropdown menu. Click it and select "Scarlett Solo" from the list. Leave the output device set to your computer's built-in speakers or headphones for now.

Close the Preferences window. GarageBand will remember this choice, so you won't have to change it again unless you want to use a different input device.

Create a track and test your audio

Click File > New to create a new GarageBand project. Choose a project type — "Empty Project" works for any kind of recording. Click Create.

In the track list on the left, click the plus button (+) to add a new track. A window will appear asking what kind of track you want. Select "Audio" and then click Create. In the next screen, make sure the input source is set to "Scarlett Solo" (it should be, since you selected it in Preferences).

Speak or play into your microphone or instrument. You should see the input meter in GarageBand move in response to the sound. If the meter doesn't move, go back to Preferences and double-check that Scarlett Solo is selected as the input device.

Adjust input levels on the Scarlett

The Scarlett Solo has a large knob on the front labeled "Gain." This controls how loud the signal is coming into your computer. Turn it slowly while speaking or playing into your microphone or instrument.

Watch the input meter in GarageBand. You want the meter to reach about three-quarters of the way up when you're playing at normal volume. If it's too quiet, turn the Gain knob clockwise. If the meter is hitting the top and turning red, turn the Gain knob counterclockwise — that's clipping, which means the signal is too loud and will sound distorted.

The Scarlett also has a headphone output jack on the front with its own volume knob. You can plug headphones in there to monitor your recording in real time while you play.

Troubleshoot if the Scarlett doesn't appear

If the Scarlett Solo doesn't show up in GarageBand's input menu, first make sure it's actually plugged in and powered on — the LED on the front should be lit. Try unplugging it and plugging it into a different USB port.

On Mac, restart your computer with the Scarlett plugged in. On Windows, open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select Device Manager), look for "Scarlett Solo" under "Sound, video and game controllers," and check that there's no yellow warning icon next to it. If there is, right-click it and select "Update driver."

If GarageBand still doesn't see it, quit GarageBand completely, unplug the Scarlett, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in, and reopen GarageBand. Sometimes the app needs to detect the device fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software on my Mac?

No. The Scarlett Solo works with macOS without any driver software. Just plug it in, turn it on, and select it in GarageBand's Preferences. On Windows, you do need to download and install the Focusrite drivers from their support page before the Scarlett will work.

Can I use the Scarlett Solo with headphones plugged in?

Yes. The Scarlett has a headphone jack on the front with its own volume knob. You can monitor your recording through headphones while you play, which is useful for staying in time or hearing yourself clearly. The headphone output is separate from the main audio output.

What if my input level keeps clipping no matter how low I turn the Gain knob?

Your microphone or instrument signal is too hot. Try moving the microphone farther away from the sound source, or if you're using an instrument, turn down the volume on the instrument itself. Some microphones also have a pad switch (usually labeled -10dB or -20dB) that you can flip to reduce the signal before it reaches the Scarlett.

Will the Scarlett work with other recording apps besides GarageBand?

Yes. Once the Scarlett is connected and set as your input device in your computer's system settings, any recording app can use it — Audacity, Logic Pro, Adobe Audition, and others will all see it in their input menus.

Can I record multiple instruments at once into the Scarlett Solo?

No. The Scarlett Solo has only one input jack, so you can only record one microphone or instrument at a time. If you need to record multiple sources simultaneously, you'd need a larger interface like the Scarlett 2i2 or 4i4.