Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

I just bought a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, got it installed, everything sounded good... until I hit record and I get Audio Dropout. I'm using Windows 7, 64-bit. A brief scanning of related posts and it appears that I'm not going to have a plug-and-play experience. I don't even know where to start troubleshooting on Audio Dropout, so any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks! I'll start with LatencyMon.

One thing I can't adjust is "Buffers in Playback Queue". It's set at 2. Any ideas how to get that to increase?

I was able to get it to record without locking up by changing the output to None. Then, I played it back and while it did record the direct guitar it sounded really choppy - cutting out/clipping... one small step.

ugh the recorded track is choppy? :( I haven't tried a USB device for recording... maybe try a different USB slot? Sorry if that's stupid...

What latency setting would you suggest? I just got this new laptop. I haven't had to configure anything for the past few years. I coming over for Sonar 8.

Here is a quick guide from Focusrite that covers a few things you may want to try to optimise your system for audio:
http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase/en/article.php?id=1071

Also, make sure you have the latest drivers for your 2i2:
http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/scarlett_2i2/downloads/

I have my Focusrite 2i2 set to 1ms in the Focusrite control panel. ASIO mode set in Sonar. I've put it through the paces from 44.1khz up to 96khz without dropouts.

A couple things about my system, I have disabled my onboard sound, I have my 2i2 plugged into a dedicated PCI USB 2.0 card. I've had trouble in the past with usb interfaces plugged into various onboard usb ports.

Cool, hopefully audiyo's links can help you out. i am really out of my depth with laptops and USB devices. Hope you get it working!

Also, lowered the Focusrite to 1ms. Can't get any audio now, it's back to Audio Dropout Error. What do you have your track in & out set to?

At the moment I have the Focusrite driver set to 1ms

For reference, here is my configuration in Sonar:

*Viewing preferences menu in advanced mode*

Preferences-->Playback and Recording: 
  Driver Mode = ASIO


Preferences-->Audio Data:
  Record Bit Depth = 24


Preferences-->Driver Settings:  

  Playback Timing Master: 1: Focusrite USB 2.0 Audio Driver Output 1
  Record Timing Master: 1: Focusrite USB 2.0 Audio Driver Input 1
 
  Sampling Rate = 44100
  ASIO Reported Latencies:
    Input: 5.0ms, 222 samples
    Output: 6.1ms, 267 samples
    Total Roundtrip: 11.1ms, 489 samples 


If you are having drop outs/crackling and such, try quitting out of Sonar and upping the latency in the Focusrite panel from 1ms to 2ms and so forth until you reach a setting that works ok for you.

As far as the clipping sound is concerned. You may be clipping your inputs. Are the led indicators on the 2i2 turning an amber/red color a lot? They should stay in the green.

One thing to note about the 2i2 is that if you're recording an electric guitar or bass with active pickups (and even some with passive) with the 2i2 channel set to inst, even if you have the gain all the way down on the 2i2 you'll still get a pretty hot signal. So be careful of that. It's easy to clip this thing. There are some who complain of this on various forums. For me personally, with the gain set as low as possible, it's pretty much a perfect level for recording with my particular guitar.

Anyway, Good luck. Let me know how things go.

Zo


I'm pretty sure he's using wdm ..not asio .....

Yep, my thoughts as well. 


50w: Make sure you set your driver mode to ASIO in the Sonar preferences under Playback and Recording.
 

I agree with Zo and Audiyo that it sounds like you are not using ASIO as the Driver mode in Sonar.  Please check this and if you continue to have problems, please contact Focusrite support via this link:
 
http://us.focusrite.com/answerbase/contact