Focusrite Scarlett Solo 1st Gen USB Audio Interface
- One XLR mic preamp, one instrument/line input
- 24-bit, up to 96kHz recording
- +48V phantom power on the mic input
- Over 105dB dynamic range
- USB connection, cable supplied, Mac or PC
- Headphone and speaker outputs, direct monitor switch
- Aluminium chassis, 1.4 pounds
- Ableton Live Lite, 1GB Loopmasters samples, plug-in suite
Last refreshed Sep 7, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.
A one-mic, one-guitar USB interface for recording a voice and an instrument at home on a Mac or PC. With only a single mic preamp, it cannot record two microphones at once.
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ASIN: B00MTXU2DGCategory: Audio Interfaces
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Overview
Focusrite built the Scarlett Solo as a compact USB interface that takes one microphone and one guitar, bass or synth, converts them to digital and sends them to a Mac or PC. Gain halos around the knobs glow green at a good level and red when too hot, and a direct monitor switch lets you hear yourself without latency.
Recording a singer-songwriter setup comes down to one clean mic channel and one instrument channel, and the Solo covers exactly that with phantom power and a bundled software kit to start mixing. Two microphones at once, a drum kit or a band in one take are beyond what a single preamp can handle.
Who it's for
Solo musicians and singers recording demos on a computer get the essential inputs with gain metering built into the knobs. Duo podcasts and drum recording need an interface with more mic inputs.
Pros and cons
- Gain halos show level at a glance
- Direct monitor switch for latency-free listening
- Phantom power on the mic input
- Aluminium chassis built for travel
- Single mic preamp only
- Channel count field disagrees with input list
- Item dimensions not listed
Performance notes
Recording quality is set by the preamp and the converters, and gain staging with the halos decides whether the signal arrives clean or clips. Direct monitoring lets the performer hear the input without the delay of the computer round trip. Noise floor and headroom follow from the dynamic range of the converters.
Specifications
| Brand | Focusrite |
|---|---|
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Bit depth | 24-bit |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Dynamic range | Over 105 dB |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Phantom power | +48V |
| Construction & materials | |
| Chassis material | Aluminium |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 2 years |
| Other details | |
| Number of Channels | 4 (as listed) |
| Audio Input | XLR Mic, Instrument |
| Operating System | Mac, PC |
| Maximum Sample Rate | 96 KHz |
Frequently asked questions
How do I set the gain correctly on the Focusrite Scarlett Solo?
Watch the halos around the gain knobs. They stay green when the level is right and turn red when the input is too loud, so turn the knob down until red no longer shows on your loudest parts.
Can the Focusrite Scarlett Solo record two microphones at once?
No. It has one mic preamp and one instrument input, so only one microphone can be recorded through it.
Does the Scarlett Solo work with microphones that need phantom power?
Yes. It provides +48V phantom power on the mic input, which the description says lets you use any microphone you like.
What software comes with the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (1st Gen)?
Ableton Live Lite, 1GB of Loopmasters sample content, the Novation Bass Station virtual synth and the Focusrite Scarlett Plug-in Suite. Pro Tools First and the Focusrite Creative Pack are also listed as supported software.