Interfacing Linux: Focusrite Scarlett Solo (Gen3)

The Scarlett Solo is a budget interface from Focusrite sporting USB connectivity and two preamps capable of delivering 56 dB of gain. Let’s see if it knows how to Linux. 

Where to buy:
Amazon US 
Amazon CA  
Amazon UK  

Drivers

---

Pulseaudio

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo will function like any other sound device in pavucontrol.

---

Jack

Select the ALSA driver to connect your Focusrite Scarlett Solo to the Jack server. 

---

Round-trip Latency

While many kinds of audio latency metrics exist, one useful and well-understood metric is round-trip latency; the time it takes for an audio signal to enter the input of a device, get processed, and exit the output.

---

Testing setup

CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 1700
RAM	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB
Motherboard	MSI B350 Tomahawk
GPU	Nvidia NVS 300
SSD	Samsung 840
PSU:	EVGA 600 B1
Firewire:	Syba SY-PEX30016
Network:	Intel i350-T4
OS:	Debian Bullseye
Kernel:	5.11-rt-amd64
Desktop:	NA

---

Focusrite Scarlett Solo: Round-trip latency @44100 Hz

---

Focusrite Scarlett Solo: Round-trip latency @48000HZ

---

Focusrite Scarlett Solo: Round-trip latency @96000HZ

---

Focusrite Scarlett Solo: Round-trip latency @192000HZ

---

Technical Specifications

• Connectivity: USB 2.0
• Simultaneous I/O: 2 x 2
• Preamps: 1 x mic, 1 x instrument 
• Gain Range: 56 dB
• Phantom Power: Yes
• A/D Resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
• Analog Inputs: 1 x XLR (mic), 1 x 1/4″ (Hi-Z)
• Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4″ TRS
• Headphones: 1 x 1/4″
• USB: 1 x Type USB-C
• Bus Powered: Yes
• Power Supply: USB bus powered

---

Verdict

The Scarlett Solo does everything it claims on the tin. It’s a perfectly serviceable budget USB interface. It’s only crime is costing more than the Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD.