Focusrite USB audio interfaces are class compliant, meaning they work “out of the box” on Linux as audio and MIDI interfaces*.
However, to access device-specific features (like direct monitoring, hardware mixing, custom routing, and level meters), most models need additional driver support.
This repository provides two drivers that extend the Linux kernel’s audio subsystem (ALSA), adding controls to make those features available:
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Scarlett2: A mature kernel driver supporting nearly every Focusrite USB device from the 2nd Gen Scarlett range onwards.
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FCP: A new hybrid kernel/user-space driver with support for the new big 4th Gen Scarlett models (16i16, 18i16, and 18i20).
Note:
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Scarlett 1st Gen devices are supported by the Scarlett driver which has been in the Linux kernel since 2014.
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Scarlett 2nd Gen Solo, 2i2, and 2i4 have no software-accessible controls, so no need for any special driver. All device-specific functionality is accessible from the front panel.
* Scarlett 3rd and 4th Gen and Vocaster interfaces need MSD (Mass Storage Device/“Easy Start”) mode disabled for full functionality. This will be done automatically when you do a firmware update.
Scarlett Series:
- 2nd Gen: 6i6, 18i8, 18i20
- 3rd Gen: Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, 18i8, 18i20
- 4th Gen: Solo, 2i2, 4i4
Clarett USB and Clarett+ Series:
- 2Pre, 4Pre, 8Pre
Vocaster Series:
- One, Two
Scarlett 4th Gen:
- 16i16, 18i16, 18i20
If your device is supported by the Scarlett2 driver and your Linux kernel meets the minimum version listed below, you don’t need to install this driver as you already have it; jump ahead to the Setup Instructions.
The scarlett2 driver is already included in the Linux kernel:
- Scarlett 2nd Gen: Since Linux 5.4 (bug fixes in 5.14 and 6.7)
- Scarlett 3rd Gen: Since Linux 5.14 (bug fixes in 6.7)
- Clarett+ 8Pre: Since Linux 6.1 (bug fixes in 6.7)
- Clarett USB and Clarett+ (2Pre/4Pre/8Pre): Since Linux 6.7
- Scarlett 4th Gen (Solo/2i2/4i4): Since Linux 6.8
- Vocaster: Since Linux 6.10
The fcp driver is currently only available in this repository.
This repository is a fork of the Linux kernel, used for:
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Sharing development code before it arrives in the mainstream kernel
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Sharing backports of the
scarlett2andfcpdrivers so you don’t have to wait for your distribution to update to the kernel version you need.
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Module Installation (recommended):
- Download from Releases
- Build and install the
snd_usb_audiomodule following the instructions in the enclosedREADME.md.
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Full Kernel Build:
- Check out the
fcpbranch - Build the kernel normally
- Check out the
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Install the firmware.
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Install and run ALSA Scarlett GUI to update your firmware and configure your device.
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Install the firmware.
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Install the
fcp-serveruser-space driver and thefcp-firmwarefirmware update utility from the fcp-support repo. -
Update your firmware with
fcp-firmware. -
Install and run ALSA Scarlett GUI to configure your device.
Please report any issues here:
- Author: Geoffrey D. Bennett
- Email: [email protected]
- GitHub: https://github.com/geoffreybennett
This software, including the driver, tools, and GUI is Free Software that I’ve independently developed using my own resources. It represents hundreds of hours of development work.
If you find this software valuable, please consider making a donation. Your show of appreciation, more than the amount itself, motivates me to continue improving these tools.
You can donate via:
- LiberaPay: https://liberapay.com/gdb
- PayPal: https://paypal.me/gdbau
- Zelle: [email protected]
Focusrite, Scarlett, Clarett, and Vocaster are trademarks or registered trademarks of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited in England, USA, and/or other countries. Use of these trademarks does not imply any affiliation or endorsement of this software.