• Hardware
  • **SOLVED- Sort of -**Using more than 2 inputs on Scarlett 6i6
2018/03/13 14:50:08
fireberd
My main interface is installed a rack case for an on-site recording Thursday.  I have a Karaoke singer session today so I thought I'd use my backup unit, a Scarlett 6i6.  But, I needed three inputs.  I ran the two (stereo) karaoke tracks to the two analog mic/instrument front panel inputs and a mic, via a ISA One preamp, to channel 3 on the rear.  I find there is no way to control the rear channels 3 to 6 in the Focusrite control program.  And, the only way to hear the mic on channel 3 is to enable echo in Sonar.  I had to hook up my main unit so I can do the session today (and probably tomorrow). 
 
The 6i6 is for sale. PM me
 
2018/03/13 15:54:11
bitflipper
Does it use the same MixControl software as other Focusrite products? I don't have the 6i6, but do use its sibling (Saffire Pro 40), and the MixControl application supports pretty flexible routing, including direct monitoring of all channels. It is, however, rather obtuse in its UI, and it presents different features for different hardware (e.g. not all units support loopback). 
 
I run multiple keyboards through its back-panel line inputs, all of which automagically get mixed into the unit's "Mix1" and "Mix2" busses. Have you tried the "Low Latency Monitoring" routing preset?
 
Here's a MixControl tutorial that doesn't directly address your challenge, but does clearly show the voiceover coming in on channel 3.
 

2018/03/13 16:28:01
fireberd
Different control.  I used to have a Saffire Pro 40 but the 6i6 has a very basic/limited control.  Although it has 6 inputs, it only shows and has controls for the two mic/line preamp inputs.  The others are "line" in and there is nothing in the control program for them.  I even updated to the latest control program but nothing new.
2018/03/14 13:55:59
fireberd
I'm marking this solved.  I decided to put the 6i6 up for sale.  PM me if someone is interested. 
 
I'll get one with at least 4 mic/instrument preamps.  That should suffice for a backup unit.
 
2018/03/14 17:43:53
Cactus Music
Your using the 6i6 a little bit different than what I would be doing.
I have never had to use Mix control for anything other than setting my buffers and toggling the line/instrument settings. 
 
First the rear 3/4 inputs are for line level so this is where the backing tracks would go.
Because they are line level they are not a problem for 90% of the things you would interface, like a synth, drum machine, DI or even a mike pre amp.
Reason is these devices all have there own level control so this is where you set the input level. There's no need for a second level control and this is standard for most interfaces as far as rear line inputs go. 
 
I have mine set for the input #3 receive signal from my Joe Meek pre amp and the #4 from my Radial Tone Bone acoustic guitar pre amp. I set Sonars record level by adjusting the output levels of those devices. 
The #1 input I use for other mikes, like my snare or guitar amp. The #2 is an XLR send from my Bass amp built in DI. 
 
I don't do large sessions any more but I also have the option of using the SPDIF 5/6 inputs via my Yamaha 01V. 
 
If I record my band I use my Tascam which has more inputs. 
 
 
2018/03/14 18:13:39
fireberd
I can had the level up, that's no problem as I was feeding it from an ISA One preamp.  But, to hear it I had to enable echo on that track, no direct monitoring of those inputs.  
 
 
2018/03/14 18:31:50
Cactus Music
I'll have to test that as I don't use the Scarlet's headphone system I use a small mixer. 
Both the Joe Meek and the Tone bone have extra outputs so those run to the mixer. The Guitar and bass amp I hear plenty loud enough from the amps. I do use a second mike on the amp to the mixer sometimes. 
I run the 3/4 output of the 6i6 to the mixer and I can dial in any cue mix this way. I also have a Lexicon effects unit on the loop of the mixer from the days of recording other people. I prefer dry.  
 
I found this set up is faster to dial in any balance. I think the Mix Control would do all this but I gave up after an hour the day I first hooked it up and have never returned to that idea. 
I would imagine your not hearing 3/4 using direct monitoring is 100% a Mix Control issue. 
 
As I understand it you can set up 4 different cue mixes with mix control, all would be direct monitoring. 
If I was recording clients still I guess I would have had to figure it out. 
2018/03/15 10:20:26
fireberd
I tried the different options in the Focusrite control program and none enabled direct monitoring for the 3 to 6 inputs. 
The control program lacks quite a bit compared to the control program that I had with a Saffire Pro 40.  
 
Its my fault for buying something I can't use, at least the way I want to use it.  It has "6" inputs but........    I have it boxed up in the original Focusrite box and have it advertised for sale on another forum.
2018/03/15 16:05:41
Cactus Music
Certainly a wise choice as myself I have no use for gear that doesn't work for me. 
I took back 2 Voice harmonizers before settling on the Voice live acoustic for that very reasons. 
I guess I'm just a grumpy old fart but if gear needs me to read a manual more than once it's down the road. And the Scarlett mix control qualifies as such. I will not be buying another Focusrite interface. I have actually gone back to using my Tascam us1641 right now on my main DAW and the 6i6 is teamed up with my Laptop. 
 
My Tascam has the Computer/Input mix control right on the front panel so does not suffer the need for a GUI mixer. I like hardware control of my gear as it's bad enough needing 2 monitors just for Sonar. Needing a 3rd just to have a mixer is stupid.  So my little Mackie mixer solved the problem of mix control for me. I have real knobs that I 100% understand what happens when you turn them and they are right there inches from my finger tips at all times.
And I can swap out my 2 interfaces with no difference to how Sonar see's things other than input 3/4 become 11/12 with the Tascam. My monitoring doesn't change. 
And not only that... There is way more headroom so therefore a cleaner sound overall... It can be LOUD if you need it to be. Interface headphone pre amps are wimpy at best. 
2018/03/15 22:44:03
fireberd
I have my MOTU 896 Mk3 Hybrid that is my "normal" interface unit.  The 6i6 was bought for a backup.  I had my MOTU and 8 channel headphone distribution amp in a rack case for an "on site" recording session (completed this afternoon) and I had need for interface for a Karaoke singer session.  So, I thought I would use the 6i6 since the MOTU was cased but it didn't work out and I had to open the rack case and reconnect the MOTU for the sessions Tuesday and Wednesday.  It's been feast or famine in my home studio.  "Feast this week and next" (I have more Karaoke sessions next week) and then probably back to "famine".
 
I requested my registration be deactivated at Focusrite and they did that so that the new owner can register it and get all the free software including Ableton Live and a intro version of Pro Tools.
 
 
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