Question / Help Using external device for audio (Focusrite Clarett 4Pre)

[GrahamMcG]

Hi, I'm new to this so please excuse my ignorance. I'm a musician and wish to do a live broadcast performing, in these awful times with the current Coronavirus situation. I play guitar and sing, and wish to connect microphone and guitar via Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre. Its a thunderbolt device I use for recording, and does show up on the audio capture options, however, no audio signal is showing in the metering at all. The meter does function when selecting the built in mic but I wish to use the audio interface.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Muso]

Hey Graham ... I actually managed to get a stream with audio using my Scarlett 2i2 ... only issue now is I get and echo, so in effect audio is being pushed out twice creating a slap back effect

the only way I managed to get audio out was to go to Advanced Settings by right clicking in the Mixer view, then selecting Monitor Only or Monitor and Output next to my incoming source ... if I have Monitor Off I get no audio output ... here's my problem, tutorials show that to remove echo you need to have Monitor Off, but that kills any audio going out

bit of a dilemma ...

 

[Muso]

I may have resolved both our issues ... I am going to do a test facebook stream and record at same time ... if it works I will post solution

 

[Chris Hanson 10]

I may have resolved both our issues ... I am going to do a test facebook stream and record at same time ... if it works I will post solution

Let us know. I'm interested as well. I was having the same issues yesterday with a Presonus VSL44.

 

[Muso]

I wrote a thread with pics, awaiting approval

 

[Muso]

MY SETUP AND SETTINGS FOR STREAMING LIVE GIG USING OBS

AUDIO INTERFACE: Focusrite Scarlett2i2

MIXER: Bose ToneMatch via Bose LS2 PA

LAPTOP: MSI GL72 7REX i7 with Windows 10

SOFTWARE: OBS Studio

WEBCAM: iPad Pro 12.9 inch

IOS APP: Camera for OBS Studio

I had terrible echo/doubling when I first tried streaming via facebook, and I also could only get any sound output if I had Monitoring and Output checked in the Advanced Audio Settings … a few days of trial and error finally led me to these settings to get a perfect stream … only issue I have now is volume settings to sort out distortion, but that’s because I want to play my guitar too loud

1. first, ensure your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) is connected and powered up … then in WINDOWS please open RUN (WINDOWS-R) and type in CONTROL to open CONTROL PANEL … click on SOUND then under PLAYBACK TAB set PLAYBACK device to SPEAKERS YOUR PC SOUNDCARD (mine is REALTEK) … don’t worry that it’s not your audio interface, I wasn’t sure either

2 now click on the RECORDING TAB and select STEREO MIX as your RECODRING DEVICE … right click on STEREO MIX and check the LISTEN TO THIS DEVICE box (yes, so many youtube vids as not to do this, but go ahead, we’re not streaming game sounds) … close Control Panel

3. next please open OBS STUDIO and leave it running in the background … then right click on your SPEAKER ICON and select OPEN SOUND SETTINGS … here you set your OUTPUT and INPUT to your AUDIO INTERFACE (mine is FOCUSRITE USB)

4. scroll down to ADVANCED SOUND OPTIONS and click on APP VOLUME AND DEVICE PREFERENCES where you will select your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) for both OUTPUT and INPUT channels (if it doesn’t automatically show) … underneath APP you will see OBS STUDIO running … for OBS please select your AUDIO INTERFACE for both OBS INPUT and OUTPUT … close Sound Settings

5. now go to SETTING in OBS and click on AUDIO … here DISABLE DESKTOP AUDIO … and for MIC/AUXILLIARY AUDIO pleas select your AUDIO INTERFACE … for MONITORING DEVICE please select your AUDIO INTERFACE … close Settings

6. now ADD A SCENE and name it (mine is TESTING ECHO) … here all I added for SOURCE were my WEBCAM (iPad) and an IMAGE (for background prior to go live) … in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … MUTE your WEBCAM and also DRAG THE VOLUME SLIDER all the way down to zero just to be extra safe … this means you only have ONE AUDIO SOURCE for your stream

7. finally, please right click on your MIC/AUX in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL and select ADVANCED AUDIO SETTINGS … here you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … ensure that under AUDIO MONITOR you are set to MONITOR OFF (you will still hear your headphones/speakers through you AUDIO INTERFACE) … for your WEBCAM please UNCHECK ALL TRACKS … for MIC/AUX please ONLY LEAVE TRACK 1 CHECKED (this means everything plays through channel one) … I also checked MONO to simplify sound

that’s all folks … these settings go against the grain according to the stacks of youtube videos I’ve watched, but none were playing guitar and singing via an audio interface … my Scarlett 2i2 is a superb interface, I use it with Cubase and ProTools and I was truly struggling trying to stream via OBS … I really hope this helps you, and if you have a Mac the OBS settings should still apply … have a go, finger crossed this fixes your issue as it fixed mine

 

[Chris Hanson 10]

Nice work. I'll give this a shot today. Thank you!

 

[angelog272]

Thanks for these detailed instructions. I'm on a Mac and followed this as closely as possible (no step 4) - I'm still having an impossible time getting audio from a usb source into OBS. Have tried with Helix (which is what I'd really like to use, a Zoom H4n, and a Yeti Stereo Mic. It's sending me over the edge!

 

[Muso]

Thanks for these detailed instructions. I'm on a Mac and followed this as closely as possible (no step 4) - I'm still having an impossible time getting audio from a usb source into OBS. Have tried with Helix (which is what I'd really like to use, a Zoom H4n, and a Yeti Stereo Mic. It's sending me over the edge!

that's harsh man, I feel your frustration ... step 4 was critical for me, it told OBS to use my Focusrite for its I/O ... there must be a way you can do this on a Mac? I also couldn't get a USB source to show in OBS until I set it up in this way ... previously I only got audio if I set Monitor in step 7 to either Monitor Only or Monitor and Output, but this caused the echo/doubling issue ... by doing all the steps I can get USB audio and can leave Monitor Off ... I'm rooting for you, will also search around some Mac forums to see if I can find anything

 

[Muso]

from a Mac user to fix step 4 on Mac ... Go to securities and permissions. In permissions tick obs

 

[Mazzdaddy]

MY SETUP AND SETTINGS FOR STREAMING LIVE GIG USING OBS

AUDIO INTERFACE: Focusrite Scarlett2i2

MIXER: Bose ToneMatch via Bose LS2 PA

LAPTOP: MSI GL72 7REX i7 with Windows 10

SOFTWARE: OBS Studio

WEBCAM: iPad Pro 12.9 inch

IOS APP: Camera for OBS Studio

I had terrible echo/doubling when I first tried streaming via facebook, and I also could only get any sound output if I had Monitoring and Output checked in the Advanced Audio Settings … a few days of trial and error finally led me to these settings to get a perfect stream … only issue I have now is volume settings to sort out distortion, but that’s because I want to play my guitar too loud

1. first, ensure your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) is connected and powered up … then in WINDOWS please open RUN (WINDOWS-R) and type in CONTROL to open CONTROL PANEL … click on SOUND then under PLAYBACK TAB set PLAYBACK device to SPEAKERS YOUR PC SOUNDCARD (mine is REALTEK) … don’t worry that it’s not your audio interface, I wasn’t sure either
View attachment 53262

2 now click on the RECORDING TAB and select STEREO MIX as your RECODRING DEVICE … right click on STEREO MIX and check the LISTEN TO THIS DEVICE box (yes, so many youtube vids as not to do this, but go ahead, we’re not streaming game sounds) … close Control Panel
View attachment 53263

3. next please open OBS STUDIO and leave it running in the background … then right click on your SPEAKER ICON and select OPEN SOUND SETTINGS … here you set your OUTPUT and INPUT to your AUDIO INTERFACE (mine is FOCUSRITE USB)
View attachment 53264

4. scroll down to ADVANCED SOUND OPTIONS and click on APP VOLUME AND DEVICE PREFERENCES where you will select your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) for both OUTPUT and INPUT channels (if it doesn’t automatically show) … underneath APP you will see OBS STUDIO running … for OBS please select your AUDIO INTERFACE for both OBS INPUT and OUTPUT … close Sound Settings
View attachment 53265

5. now go to SETTING in OBS and click on AUDIO … here DISABLE DESKTOP AUDIO … and for MIC/AUXILLIARY AUDIO pleas select your AUDIO INTERFACE … for MONITORING DEVICE please select your AUDIO INTERFACE … close Settings
View attachment 53266

6. now ADD A SCENE and name it (mine is TESTING ECHO) … here all I added for SOURCE were my WEBCAM (iPad) and an IMAGE (for background prior to go live) … in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … MUTE your WEBCAM and also DRAG THE VOLUME SLIDER all the way down to zero just to be extra safe … this means you only have ONE AUDIO SOURCE for your stream
View attachment 53267

7. finally, please right click on your MIC/AUX in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL and select ADVANCED AUDIO SETTINGS … here you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … ensure that under AUDIO MONITOR you are set to MONITOR OFF (you will still hear your headphones/speakers through you AUDIO INTERFACE) … for your WEBCAM please UNCHECK ALL TRACKS … for MIC/AUX please ONLY LEAVE TRACK 1 CHECKED (this means everything plays through channel one) … I also checked MONO to simplify sound
View attachment 53268

that’s all folks … these settings go against the grain according to the stacks of youtube videos I’ve watched, but none were playing guitar and singing via an audio interface … my Scarlett 2i2 is a superb interface, I use it with Cubase and ProTools and I was truly struggling trying to stream via OBS … I really hope this helps you, and if you have a Mac the OBS settings should still apply … have a go, finger crossed this fixes your issue as it fixed mine

I don't know how you figured that out, but I love you.

 

[Josh_zoom]

Thanks for these detailed instructions. I'm on a Mac and followed this as closely as possible (no step 4) - I'm still having an impossible time getting audio from a usb source into OBS. Have tried with Helix (which is what I'd really like to use, a Zoom H4n, and a Yeti Stereo Mic. It's sending me over the edge!

I had the same problem as you. I'm on Mac too. Took me a while to figure this out but this is what worked for me: I went to my Settings. Security and Privacy. Under Privacy I went to the microphone option. Apparently I had unchecked OBS to have access to my mic so just check it. This allowed me to use my M-Audio interface as a source. Hope this helps!

 

[Mazzdaddy]

MY SETUP AND SETTINGS FOR STREAMING LIVE GIG USING OBS

AUDIO INTERFACE: Focusrite Scarlett2i2

MIXER: Bose ToneMatch via Bose LS2 PA

LAPTOP: MSI GL72 7REX i7 with Windows 10

SOFTWARE: OBS Studio

WEBCAM: iPad Pro 12.9 inch

IOS APP: Camera for OBS Studio

I had terrible echo/doubling when I first tried streaming via facebook, and I also could only get any sound output if I had Monitoring and Output checked in the Advanced Audio Settings … a few days of trial and error finally led me to these settings to get a perfect stream … only issue I have now is volume settings to sort out distortion, but that’s because I want to play my guitar too loud

1. first, ensure your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) is connected and powered up … then in WINDOWS please open RUN (WINDOWS-R) and type in CONTROL to open CONTROL PANEL … click on SOUND then under PLAYBACK TAB set PLAYBACK device to SPEAKERS YOUR PC SOUNDCARD (mine is REALTEK) … don’t worry that it’s not your audio interface, I wasn’t sure either
View attachment 53262

2 now click on the RECORDING TAB and select STEREO MIX as your RECODRING DEVICE … right click on STEREO MIX and check the LISTEN TO THIS DEVICE box (yes, so many youtube vids as not to do this, but go ahead, we’re not streaming game sounds) … close Control Panel
View attachment 53263

3. next please open OBS STUDIO and leave it running in the background … then right click on your SPEAKER ICON and select OPEN SOUND SETTINGS … here you set your OUTPUT and INPUT to your AUDIO INTERFACE (mine is FOCUSRITE USB)
View attachment 53264

4. scroll down to ADVANCED SOUND OPTIONS and click on APP VOLUME AND DEVICE PREFERENCES where you will select your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) for both OUTPUT and INPUT channels (if it doesn’t automatically show) … underneath APP you will see OBS STUDIO running … for OBS please select your AUDIO INTERFACE for both OBS INPUT and OUTPUT … close Sound Settings
View attachment 53265

5. now go to SETTING in OBS and click on AUDIO … here DISABLE DESKTOP AUDIO … and for MIC/AUXILLIARY AUDIO pleas select your AUDIO INTERFACE … for MONITORING DEVICE please select your AUDIO INTERFACE … close Settings
View attachment 53266

6. now ADD A SCENE and name it (mine is TESTING ECHO) … here all I added for SOURCE were my WEBCAM (iPad) and an IMAGE (for background prior to go live) … in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … MUTE your WEBCAM and also DRAG THE VOLUME SLIDER all the way down to zero just to be extra safe … this means you only have ONE AUDIO SOURCE for your stream
View attachment 53267

7. finally, please right click on your MIC/AUX in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL and select ADVANCED AUDIO SETTINGS … here you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … ensure that under AUDIO MONITOR you are set to MONITOR OFF (you will still hear your headphones/speakers through you AUDIO INTERFACE) … for your WEBCAM please UNCHECK ALL TRACKS … for MIC/AUX please ONLY LEAVE TRACK 1 CHECKED (this means everything plays through channel one) … I also checked MONO to simplify sound
View attachment 53268

that’s all folks … these settings go against the grain according to the stacks of youtube videos I’ve watched, but none were playing guitar and singing via an audio interface … my Scarlett 2i2 is a superb interface, I use it with Cubase and ProTools and I was truly struggling trying to stream via OBS … I really hope this helps you, and if you have a Mac the OBS settings should still apply … have a go, finger crossed this fixes your issue as it fixed mine

Do you know of a work around for this issue I'm having?--I'm using Elgato Stream Deck to insert videos and gifs into my live performances, but the audio from the video files I'm showing can only be heard in the live feed, not in my ear monitors.

Also, I think my Elgato Stream Deck is crashing OBS sometimes, but I'm not sure. Not good during a live performance.

TIA

 

[Odaddy]

I had the same problem as you. I'm on Mac too. Took me a while to figure this out but this is what worked for me: I went to my Settings. Security and Privacy. Under Privacy I went to the microphone option. Apparently I had unchecked OBS to have access to my mic so just check it. This allowed me to use my M-Audio interface as a source. Hope this helps!

Josh, I do not see Security and Privacy in Settings. OBS Studio 25.0.7. Not sure if I'm just blind or what.

 

[Cesarc]

Good day . I just fixed my problem with Focusrite and OBS !! Please refer to this article in Focusrite official page :

How to create a Mix suitable for Video Calls, Conferencing and Lesson Calls for Scarlett or Clarett interfaces

Applies to: Scarlett 2nd/3rd Generation 4i4, 6i6, 8i6, 18i8, 18i20 + Clarett Many users want to use their interface for Live streaming or video call programs like Skype, Teams, Zoom, Messenger or o...

support.focusrite.com

And if you have Scarlet 6i6 :

How to create a Mix suitable for Video Calls, Conferencing, and Lesson Calls using Scarlett (1st Gen) or Saffire interfaces

Applies to: Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, 18i20 + Saffire range. Many users want to use their Scarlett or Saffire for live streaming programs like Skype or other VOIP programs. Most VOIP programs are only ab...

support.focusrite.com

Hope it works for you too

 

[maybefamous]

MY SETUP AND SETTINGS FOR STREAMING LIVE GIG USING OBS

AUDIO INTERFACE: Focusrite Scarlett2i2

MIXER: Bose ToneMatch via Bose LS2 PA

LAPTOP: MSI GL72 7REX i7 with Windows 10

SOFTWARE: OBS Studio

WEBCAM: iPad Pro 12.9 inch

IOS APP: Camera for OBS Studio

I had terrible echo/doubling when I first tried streaming via facebook, and I also could only get any sound output if I had Monitoring and Output checked in the Advanced Audio Settings … a few days of trial and error finally led me to these settings to get a perfect stream … only issue I have now is volume settings to sort out distortion, but that’s because I want to play my guitar too loud

1. first, ensure your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) is connected and powered up … then in WINDOWS please open RUN (WINDOWS-R) and type in CONTROL to open CONTROL PANEL … click on SOUND then under PLAYBACK TAB set PLAYBACK device to SPEAKERS YOUR PC SOUNDCARD (mine is REALTEK) … don’t worry that it’s not your audio interface, I wasn’t sure either
View attachment 53262

2 now click on the RECORDING TAB and select STEREO MIX as your RECODRING DEVICE … right click on STEREO MIX and check the LISTEN TO THIS DEVICE box (yes, so many youtube vids as not to do this, but go ahead, we’re not streaming game sounds) … close Control Panel
View attachment 53263

3. next please open OBS STUDIO and leave it running in the background … then right click on your SPEAKER ICON and select OPEN SOUND SETTINGS … here you set your OUTPUT and INPUT to your AUDIO INTERFACE (mine is FOCUSRITE USB)
View attachment 53264

4. scroll down to ADVANCED SOUND OPTIONS and click on APP VOLUME AND DEVICE PREFERENCES where you will select your AUDIO INTERFACE (e.g. FOCUSRITE) for both OUTPUT and INPUT channels (if it doesn’t automatically show) … underneath APP you will see OBS STUDIO running … for OBS please select your AUDIO INTERFACE for both OBS INPUT and OUTPUT … close Sound Settings
View attachment 53265

5. now go to SETTING in OBS and click on AUDIO … here DISABLE DESKTOP AUDIO … and for MIC/AUXILLIARY AUDIO pleas select your AUDIO INTERFACE … for MONITORING DEVICE please select your AUDIO INTERFACE … close Settings
View attachment 53266

6. now ADD A SCENE and name it (mine is TESTING ECHO) … here all I added for SOURCE were my WEBCAM (iPad) and an IMAGE (for background prior to go live) … in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … MUTE your WEBCAM and also DRAG THE VOLUME SLIDER all the way down to zero just to be extra safe … this means you only have ONE AUDIO SOURCE for your stream
View attachment 53267

7. finally, please right click on your MIC/AUX in the AUDIO MIXER PANEL and select ADVANCED AUDIO SETTINGS … here you should see only MIC/AUX and your WEBCAM … ensure that under AUDIO MONITOR you are set to MONITOR OFF (you will still hear your headphones/speakers through you AUDIO INTERFACE) … for your WEBCAM please UNCHECK ALL TRACKS … for MIC/AUX please ONLY LEAVE TRACK 1 CHECKED (this means everything plays through channel one) … I also checked MONO to simplify sound
View attachment 53268

that’s all folks … these settings go against the grain according to the stacks of youtube videos I’ve watched, but none were playing guitar and singing via an audio interface … my Scarlett 2i2 is a superb interface, I use it with Cubase and ProTools and I was truly struggling trying to stream via OBS … I really hope this helps you, and if you have a Mac the OBS settings should still apply … have a go, finger crossed this fixes your issue as it fixed mine

I am wondering if you can extend this to include audio desktop coming through as well?

 

[edumwas]

The

Thanks for these detailed instructions. I'm on a Mac and followed this as closely as possible (no step 4) - I'm still having an impossible time getting audio from a usb source into OBS. Have tried with Helix (which is what I'd really like to use, a Zoom H4n, and a Yeti Stereo Mic. It's sending me over the edge!

The problem is the buffer size and the sample rate on your USB Audio source. I have had the same problem and I figured the issue was not in OBS. It's the sync speed from the audio interface you might be using. I have the Focusrite 2i4 and had the same issue until I figured it is mostly the sample rate. Just have a play around with the sample rate on your audio interface and see if it fixes the issue with OBS not receiving audio from the interface.