Using an External Compressor with Focusrite Scarlett 4i4

[Keith Wilby]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes.

I have just got a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 and want to loop its output via a compressor (also a Focusrite, a rather old one) and then send the compressed output to Sonar via the 4i4. I've pretty much got it to do that but I want to be able to send the output of Sonar to the headphone jack along with the 4i4's input (a microphone) so that I can sing to what I've already recorded. I've looked at many different tutorials on YouTube but I don't really understand the logic of the "Focusrite Control" app.

If anyone reading this has any practical experience of doing this that they'd like to share then I'd be eternally grateful. Hope this makes sense 😳

[bmarlowe]

Your frustration does not surprise me. FWIW - I have a Focusrite 8i6 and I find the Focusrite control app confusing as hell. Keep in mind that I am a retired electronic engineer and experienced home recordist.

[Keith Wilby]

Snap! 40 years in electronics, 30 years experience in computing and their crappy app has me totally bamboozled.

[Bristol_Jonesey]

18 hours ago, Keith Wilby said:

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes.

I have just got a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 and want to loop its output via a compressor (also a Focusrite, a rather old one) and then send the compressed output to Sonar via the 4i4. I've pretty much got it to do that but I want to be able to send the output of Sonar to the headphone jack along with the 4i4's input (a microphone) so that I can sing to what I've already recorded. I've looked at many different tutorials on YouTube but I don't really understand the logic of the "Focusrite Control" app.

If anyone reading this has any practical experience of doing this that they'd like to share then I'd be eternally grateful. Hope this makes sense 😳

Unless it's a fairly decent compressor AND you're 100% confident in your ability to set it up, I'd be inclined to record dry and compress it in your DAW.

Once compression is baked into a track, you can't remove it

[Keith Wilby]

17 minutes ago, Bristol_Jonesey said:

Unless it's a fairly decent compressor AND you're 100% confident in your ability to set it up, I'd be inclined to record dry and compress it in your DAW.

That's a very good point. That said, it'd be nice to smooth out the dynamic range a little bit whilst recording my vocals to avoid "the needle going into the red". I don't think the 4i4 can take care of that ... or can it?

[Keith Wilby]

Actually I've given up with it now. The 4i4 keeps crashing and I'm on a pretty decent spec PC. Returning it for a refund.

[Bristol_Jonesey]

2 hours ago, Keith Wilby said:

That's a very good point. That said, it'd be nice to smooth out the dynamic range a little bit whilst recording my vocals to avoid "the needle going into the red". I don't think the 4i4 can take care of that ... or can it?

Assuming you're recording at 24 bit, there is absolutely no need to drive the needle anywhere near the red.

Adjust the input so you're peaking at anywhere between -9db & -12dB and you're golden.

Edited August 1 by Bristol_Jonesey