Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

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aaronpfoltzer
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Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

Post by aaronpfoltzer »

I am using a Debian installation. Linux kernel 4.19.0-5-amd64.

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4.19.0-5-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.19.37-5+deb10u2 (2019-08-08) x86_64 GNU/Linux
I am able to get working my Cambridge DAC Magic 100 no problem. It works with ALSA and Jack and everything. But the Scarlett 2i4 does not work. I can get it to work on a windows machine if i reinstall the driver and reboot, however when i bring it back to the Linux machine, it has no sound even though the lights are on.

Jack says:

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Could not connect to JACK server as client. - Overall operation failed. - Server communication error. Please check the messages window for more info.
Alsa mixer says

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This sound device does not have any controls.
I have tried numerous USB ports on the computer, disabled Fastboot. Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!
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Michael Willis
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

Post by Michael Willis »

Which generation is the Scarlett device? How are you starting JACK? What is the output of lsusb?

I'm using a first-generation Scarlett 2i4. It shows up as a USB device in qjackctl and cadence, either of which can successfully start JACK. When I run lsusb, I see the following line in the output:

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Bus 002 Device 004: ID 1235:800a Focusrite-Novation Scarlett 2i4
I don't think that alsamixer will do anything for you, since the Scarlett 2i4 doesn't have any software controlled parameters. I also see "This sound device does not have any controls" when I select mine in alsamixer.
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

Post by bluebell »

Is it a 3rd gen model? If yes then see the manual to switch it to Class Compliant mode.

aplay -l
will list it.

Since it has no software controllable mixer you can't and you don't need to use alsamixer. Turn the big volumne knob to the max and be sure that the smaller direct monitor knob isn't turned to left/min.

Linux – MOTU UltraLite AVB – Qtractor – http://suedwestlicht.saar.de/

aaronpfoltzer
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

Post by aaronpfoltzer »

Hi thanks for the response. I am using the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Second Generation. The output of lsusb is

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Bus 002 Device 002: ID 1235:8200 Focusrite-Novation 
I am using Jack the same way as I used it for my DAC. I select it as the default device, and set my sample rate. No sample rates work. Also pulse audio does not play sound on this device either. I see the monitor moving to the music under KDE Volume Control. However there is no sound.

aplay -l says

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**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 3: HDMI 0 [HDMI 0]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 7: HDMI 1 [HDMI 1]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 8: HDMI 2 [HDMI 2]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 9: HDMI 3 [HDMI 3]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: USB [Scarlett 2i4 USB], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Subdevices: 0/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 2: C2 [Cambridge Audio DAC100 USB 2], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Subdevices: 0/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Thanks.
aaronpfoltzer
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

Post by aaronpfoltzer »

Just an update. It's been about a week of trying things and still no success. I am keeping my Debian Installation but have dual booted into my Hackintosh. It works without a hitch in MacOS. (just had to replug it back in). I suppose I will have to settle for this solution until something comes my way.

Thanks.
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

Post by finotti »

It should not be hard to make it work... The

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This sound device does not have any controls.
message is normal, BTW.

The first thing I'd try is to disconnect the DAC100 and try again. If no sound, in alsamxier check for the "master" channel. (Try F6 and then choose DEFAULT, no the 2i4.)

Try to make it work without jack first. If you are using pulseaudio, check the controls in pavucontrol.
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Doesn't work

Post by aaronpfoltzer »

Thank you. It magically started working! It seems disconnecting the device and reconnecting to my MacOS (Hackintosh) reset something in the Focusrite and now dual booting back to Debian, it works!. I bet something got corrupted in the device somewhere from something I did or did not do directly from Linux.

I will keep you posted if it stops working again, but thanks for the help.

I mostly love Linux and would love to make it my primary OS.
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