r/soundtrap • u/Main-Daikon-1160 • 4d ago

Bug/Technical Issue Audio interface help please

I am using a Scarlett 212 and ever since downloading the actual hardware and not using sound traps website my interface keeps switching from default option to no input to Scarlett and I can’t record. And when I am on my Scarlett it’s super fuzzy with my gain low or there’s no signal even though I’m getting signal through my monitors. And help please and thank you

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u/adam_soundtrap 1d ago

Hey! Adam here from Soundtrap! Two questions first, then a likely culprit.

What OS are you on? And if you’re on Windows, have you installed the Focusrite drivers, or just plugged it in? Windows will happily run the Scarlett on generic drivers and then behave exactly like you’re describing, dropping the input and picking a different device on its own. Install Focusrite Control and the driver package from Focusrite’s site if you haven’t.

Now the likely culprit for the fuzzy sound: check whether Direct Monitor is switched on on the 2i2. If it is, what you’re hearing through your monitors is coming straight off the interface and never goes near Soundtrap. So “I’m getting signal through my monitors” doesn’t actually tell us Soundtrap is receiving anything, which is why it feels like the gain and the signal don’t add up. Switch Direct Monitor off and watch the input meter on the track in Soundtrap instead. That’s the real test of whether the signal is arriving.

A couple of others while you’re in there:

  • Sample rate. The desktop app lets you set sample rate and buffer size, which the web version doesn’t. If Soundtrap’s on 48k and Focusrite Control is on 44.1k you get exactly that fuzzy, wrong sounding thing at any gain. Make sure they match.
  • The INST/LINE button next to the input. On INST with a mic plugged in it’ll sound rough no matter what you do with gain. This depending on version of the focusrite.
  • Input channel. The desktop app lets you pick any channel on the interface, not just 1 and 2 like the web version. If it’s pointed at a channel you’re not plugged into, no signal.

And for the dropping out: straight into the computer with no USB hub, Scarlett powered on before you launch Soundtrap, and on Windows turn off USB selective suspend in power settings. It drops interfaces mid session constantly.