If you’re a Logic Pro X user, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the Focusrite Scarlett, one of the most popular audio interfaces on the market.
Unfortunately for some, specific issues can crop up when using your Focusrite Scarlett with Logic Pro X, which can be incredibly frustrating and take precious time to solve.
That is, until now! In this article, I’ll jump into 4 common issues you may encounter with Logic Pro X and your Focusrite Scarlett and get you back on track to creating your next big hit!
You’re Not Getting Any Signal From Your Focusrite Scarlett to Logic
If you’re using your Focusrite Scarlett to record instruments or vocals into Logic Pro X, this is the section for you.
The Focusrite range is generally regarded as an affordable, albeit powerful, and reliable set of audio interfaces, making them a very popular choice worldwide.
Unfortunately, things don’t always go according to plan. Audio signal sometimes doesn’t send or get received, and connections can be faulty.
One common reason for this issue is selecting the wrong physical input in Logic. To troubleshoot this, try selecting all available inputs on your Scarlett one by one until you hear the incoming audio.
This may seem like an overly simple solution, but it’s always best to cover all your bases, starting with the simplest possible solutions.
Before we dive into more troubleshooting steps, it’s always good practice to figure out:
- What generation your Scarlett device is (as different Focusrite models differ in specifications) and,
- What type of audio signal source you’re trying to record (mic or line/instrument).
Check to see if any of these are the cause of your issue:
- If you’re using a condenser mic, you may need to switch on phantom power to boost its signal. However, please be EXTRA careful if you’re using a dynamic mic, as these don’t work well with phantom power.
- If you have a recent Scarlett interface (gen 2 and 3), no driver is necessary as they are class-compliant. However, if you have the very first generation, it may require drivers to work properly.
- If you have the Focusrite Control app installed, there’s a chance that some settings in the app might have muted the inputs. To solve this, simply open the app and unmute the inputs.
If you’re still at a loss, it’s always a good idea to refer to your device’s instruction manual or get in touch with Focusrite support.
You’re Getting a Sample Rate Conflict Message in Logic Pro X
Let’s set the scene: Your Focusrite Scarlett and Logic Pro X have been working smoothly and seamlessly, up until now. All of a sudden, a Sample Rate Conflict Error is showing up, asking you to “Check conflict between Logic Pro X and external device”.
How frustrating! Don’t fret though, all you have to do is run your computer in class-compliant mode.
What’s that you ask?
Follow these simple steps to solve this annoying issue and run your computer in class-compliant mode:
- Unplug your Focusrite Scarlett interface from the USB port.
- Navigate to your Mac HD > System > Library > Extensions and locate the file “FocusriteUsb2Audio.kext”.
- Delete this file and empty your trash can.
- Shut down your computer completely.
- Plug in your Focusrite Scarlett.
- Boot up your computer and you should now be running in class-compliant mode.
Another possible reason for your Sample Rate Conflicts might be related to CPU overload.
This Sample Rate Error can occur when a virtual instrument (likely a 3rd party one) is overtaxing your CPU. To keep up, the instrument may drop a few samples, causing the “recognized” sample rate to be lower than your project settings.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to deal with this issue.
First, you’ll need to identify the culprit. The easiest way to do this is by turning off tracks one at a time to see which one is causing the issue.
Once you’ve pinpointed the problematic track, there are a few solutions you can try:
- Reduce the maximum number of voices on the synth.
- Turn off onboard effects.
- Freeze the track or bounce it in place.
- This should help you get to the bottom of your conflicting sample rates, and get you back on track to creating the music you love!
You Can’t Hear Playback from Your Focusrite Scarlett when Record is Enabled in Logic
If you’re able to record into Logic Pro X with your Focusrite Scarlett, but can’t hear what you’ve just recorded without having to un-click the record button, it can be a very frustrating problem to have.
One of the keys to good production is being able to work quickly and efficiently, so problems like this can really get in the way of progress and make recording and producing music rather tedious.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution to this problem! All you have to do is follow these steps:
- Open Logic Pro X and select Preferences from the Logic Pro X menu.
- Click on Audio, then choose Devices.
- Uncheck the option labeled “Input monitoring only for focused track and record-enabled tracks”.
By unchecking this option, you’ll enable input monitoring for all tracks in Logic Pro X. This means that you’ll be able to hear and monitor all inputs regardless of which track is selected or record-enabled.
If you’re still having issues with input monitoring in Logic Pro X after following these steps, there may be other settings or configurations that need to be adjusted.
Reach out to the Logic Pro X support team for additional assistance if your problem persists.
Please take a look at our article answering questions about problematic green lights on Focusrite Scarlett devices.
You’re Experiencing Crackling and Clicking Issues With Your Scarlett and Logic Pro
If you’re experiencing audio dropouts, clicks, crackles, and other annoying sound quality issues when using your Focusrite Scarlet with Logic Pro X, you’re in the right place.
First and foremost, we have to make sure it’s not something simple that’s causing these sound issues. So let’s jump into a few troubleshooting tips that might help:
Adjust the buffer size:
First, try adjusting the buffer size in Logic Pro’s audio preferences.
- A smaller buffer size can reduce latency but may cause clicks and pops.
- Increasing the buffer size can help with stability and reduce clicks and pops.
- Experiment with different buffer sizes until you find one that works well for your setup.
Check CPU usage:
High CPU usage can cause clicks and pops in your audio. Check your CPU usage in Activity Monitor or Task Manager and close any unnecessary applications or processes that are using significant CPU resources.
Update drivers and firmware:
Make sure you have the latest drivers and firmware installed for your Focusrite interface. Visit the Focusrite website for the latest downloads.
If these troubleshooting tips aren’t of any use, or you’ve already taken these steps, let’s move on to a different solution.
Certain users have found solutions by contacting Focusrite Support directly, who have, in turn, offered valuable advice on how to solve this annoying issue.
For those who may be experiencing similar issues, it seems that the solution involves deleting a file called “Focusrite USB” from your system library. Focusrite support can help directly in letting you know which specific file needs to be deleted.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open Finder on your Mac.
- Click on “Macintosh HD”, then Navigate to “System”
- Select “Library”
- Find and select the “Focusrite USB” file.
- Drag the file to the trash.
- Restart your Mac.
Please make sure to contact Focusrite support directly to ensure that the correct file is deleted when troubleshooting this specific issue.
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General Pros and Cons of Using Focusrite Scarlett and Logic Pro X
There are always going to be positives and negatives when working with specific gear and software, and using Focusrite Scarlett with Logic Pro X is no different.
Let’s jump into some simple Pros and Cons of working with these brands together.
Pros
If you’re looking for a high-quality audio interface for great affordability, the Focusrite Scarlett is a perfect choice.
Its performance is top-notch, with low latency and noise levels that ensure your recordings sound professional.
It’s also super easy to set up with Logic Pro X – just connect it to your Mac via USB and Logic will recognize it automatically.
The Focusrite Scarlett is also known for its versatility, so recording Vocals and other instruments into Logic Pro X will be a piece of cake.
The included Focusrite Control software also makes configuring settings quick and easy, so you can fine-tune your input levels, sample rates, and monitor mixes to your liking.
Cons
- Logic Pro X can sometimes struggle to get a signal from the Focusrite Scarlett.
- A sample rate conflict error message has been known to occur.
- Playback from the Focusrite Scarlett doesn’t work when record is enabled on Logic Pro X.
- Crackles and clicks from their Focusrite Scarlett when using Logic Pro X.
Final Thoughts
Using Logic Pro X with the Focusrite Scarlett is a great combination for producing high-quality audio recordings, as they are both suited for quick connection and both offer great affordability.
It’s important to note that there could be multiple reasons for your Scarlett and Logic Pro X having issues. A lot of the time, problems can occur due to different versions of the products, software being out of date, as well as simple wear and tear on the hardware.
As always, it’s always best to start with a clean install of Logic Pro X as well as make sure that your Focusrite software is up to date. It’s also important to keep your Mac OS up to date, to ensure that your machine is running to the best of its abilities.