Hi Cian,

First time I installed the driver from the CD and then the one from the web over it. I was also getting BSODs then, but I am not sure what was the cause of it.

The second installation I did, was from the web - downloaded the MixControl driver, which includes USB driver and everything has been working well since then.

What was the message on the BSODs? I am running Win7 x64 Pro and was getting BSODs saying something about "USB" drivers... 
Try this http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed to investigate the BSOD.

If you are running Win7, go to Power Options / Advanced settings and DISABLE "USB selective suspend setting". This should do the trick.

  As of the preamp level, I cannot help you with this as I have not used Microphones with my Scarlett yet. But when I do, I will let you know how it performed. 

  Scarlett plugin suit is x86, so make sure Sonar is scanning for VST plugins also in x86 folders (in case you are running x64 Sonar). My Scarlett plugins showed in X1 just OK. 

Good luck

I just ordered an 18i6, but I haven't received it yet.  (Not looking forward to it from your review.)   Anyway, I just noticed something.    I want to use 2 mics to record guitar - a dynamic and a condensor.    But the 18i6 has 1 knob for phantom power for both mic inputs.  How would that work?

Thanks for the lenghty post marek, I have not got this blue screen since and everything seems to be working ok so far again.
Although I do notice quite a delay during input echo through my headphones when recording vocal,suppose a little adjusting is needed. Can I clarify the second time you installed the drivers (from the web) did you first uninstall the CD drivers??

I have added the x86 folder to the vst folders tab in Edit >>Preferences, although they still do not show in the plug-in pane in X1. Hey look I probably wont use them but its always nice to have them there!

Please report back with preamp level for instrument 1 when you get a chance, thanks.

Hi Greg, Dont sweat yet, all these things need different tweaking for different machines plus everything is ok at the moment! In relation to your question, I havnt tried it yet but in the mix control software there is a button that selects between line and instrument for ports one and two at the front,so Im guessing that is where it differentiates between the two!

Cian

When I was installing Scarlett first time, I installed everything from the CD and installed drivers from the web over it, without un-installing the CD drivers. Maybe as a result of that, I started getting BSODs. So I did a complete reinstall of the whole PC (formated the HDD...) and then I installed only the web drivers and this configuration have been running since then pretty well. 

Have you re-scanned the plugin folders after you pointed Sonar to x86 folder? Go to Plugin manager and press Re-scan, then you should see Scarlett plugins in the window showing all plugins, in the plugin manager.

Most probably, I will be recording something next weekend, so I will use Scarlett and will let you know about the preamp behavior.
I will also try recording vocals while monitoring using headphones and will let you know about the latency. But I think we cannot expect zero latency monitoring from it, because it is based on DSP mixer (monitoring). The input sound goes to the PC, through the DSP mixer, out to the headphones. There must be a latency. But how big, that is the question :).

 "a complete reinstall of the whole PC"......annoying or what?!


Got the plug ins to work, clicked "manage plug-in" and then dragged them over form the folder source to the plug in section.


Cool,


Thanks

Man Im getting hardship with these drivers, Mix control just does not seem to open sometimes. When I only  just install the web drivers I get the blue screen.



Marek, if your about maybe you could check this file for me which I ran off your recommended crash sofware;


http://www.cmcgmusic.com/driver-issue.htm

So annoying when all you wanna do is make music and you end up arsin around with this s**t!

Cian

I am sorry you're having such problems, Cian.

I am not a PC expert so unfortunately I am not able to help you with the BSODs.

But from my experience, check the power management setting, if you haven't already. Go to Power Options / Advanced settings and DISABLE "USB selective suspend setting. Also, make sure you plug Scarlett to SUB 2.0 port, not 3.0. I have read somewhere it doesn't work in USB 3.0 ports.

You can also try to uninstall the drivers, restart the PC, and run the installation again and make sure you will Run it as administrator (right click on the Setup file and choose Run as admin). Turn off any anti/virus, firewall or other security apps before the installation.

Common recommendation is to perform MemTest 86, so you can try that as well, but since you're getting BSODs only with this particular device, I would be surprised if your RAM was the culprit.  

In either case, you should contact Focusrite tech support. I am sure they will help you in solving the issue.

I believe once you resolve this annoyance, you will enjoy using Scarlett.

Good luck and let me know if I can help you any more.

Marek

whack

So annoying when all you wanna do is make music and you end up arsin around with this s**t!

Cian

I was just saying that to someone the other day.   I just want to record some music.  I don't want to have to deal with all this technical stuff that never seems to go right...
 
Greg

thanks for your help marek, I thought you might have more a slight bit more knowledge than I do.

Awaiting email reponse from focusrite,guess it will take a few days.

Have carried out most of the those things too,I lll try one more clean installation see how that goes.

Stop greg,sometimes I wonder why I even go this route,should get someone else to do the technical stuff,slows everything down for me really.

Thanks men,

Cian

Here's my report:

I got my Scarlett 18i6 delivered today from Sweetwater.

Before installing it, I disabled my existing sound card and went on line to the Focusrite Website and downloaded the latest software.

I connected everything up, except the USB into my computer.

From there, I installed the software,  then I plugged in the unit.  Windows 7 instantly loaded the drivers and the device was ready to use.

I tested it with both Sonar 8.5 Producer and X1 Producer.  Everything seems to work on it and the sound was pristine.  I need to toy around with the input levels to get it set up to my liking, but so far everything has been working like it should be working.

One other quick note, the Scarlett VST plug-ins look cool.  I gave them a quick test and they look like they may be useful. 

I have not had a BSOD or error messages or drop outs.  Granted, I have not done any official recording with it yet - but I am encouraged that it's working.   I am psyched to be able to get back to recording after a 3 week hiatus. 

I will update the thread if anything happens - and I will look for other posts too.  I hope everyone gets their issues solved so they too can get back to recording!