[LAD] Linux Support for Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Generation

[Lloyd Dickman]

I am trying to make a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (2nd Generation) work as
a USB audio capture device with Linux. Using the most current Linux
kernel without change (v4.12-rc6), Mic inputs 1 and 2 are successfully
captured. However, no other inputs are heard. The Scarlett device also
presents a very limited set of ALSA controls.

***@exxothermic-BFC:~$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1235:8201 Focusrite-Novation
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
***@exxothermic-BFC:~$ amixer -c 1 contents
numid=3,iface=MIXER,name='ADAT Validity'
; type=BOOLEAN,access=rw------,values=1
: values=on
numid=4,iface=MIXER,name='Clock Source'
; type=ENUMERATED,access=rw------,values=1,items=3
; Item #0 'Internal'
; Item #1 'S/PDIF'
; Item #2 'ADAT'
: values=0
numid=1,iface=MIXER,name='Internal Validity'
; type=BOOLEAN,access=rw------,values=1
: values=on
numid=2,iface=MIXER,name='S/PDIF Validity'
; type=BOOLEAN,access=rw------,values=1
: values=on

I modified sound/usb driver files mixer_quirks.c and mixer_scarlett.c to
treat the Scarlett 2nd generation device the same way it handles the
Scarlett 1st generation

0x1235:0x800c 1st Generation
0x1235:0x8201 2nd Generation

When checking with amixer, 228 controls are now listed, along with
errors that prevent alsamixer from being used. I have no information
about how to properly configure these controls.

I am interested in any pointer to or information about how to configure
and use this Scarlett 2nd Generation device.

Thank you,

Lloyd Dickman
***@audioeverywhere.com

[Peter]

Dear Lloyd,

I have Scarlett 18i20, and it audio works works using Alsa, Jack and pulseaudio provided
I use 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. Higher rates do not work, also the mixer can not be accessed.
Nevertheless I managed to record using the 8 analog input while monitoring the output.

I'm using kubuntu 16.10, Linux 4.8.0-54-generic .
Sadly I'm not a ALSA expert.

I am interested in any pointer to or information about how to configure and use this Scarlett 2nd Generation device.

I actually configured nothing, it just worked (using 44.1 and 48 kHz). Still, it's annoying that the higher sampling rates do not work,
and access to the mixer would also be nice.

Best regards,
Peter

P.S. My private request at Focusrite only resulted in a response, saying hat they are not
supporting Linux.

I am trying to make a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (2nd Generation) work as a USB audio capture device with Linux. Using the most current Linux kernel without change (v4.12-rc6), Mic inputs 1 and 2 are successfully captured.
However, no other inputs are heard. The Scarlett device also presents a very limited set of ALSA controls.
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1235:8201 Focusrite-Novation
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
numid=3,iface=MIXER,name='ADAT Validity'
; type=BOOLEAN,access=rw------,values=1
: values=on
numid=4,iface=MIXER,name='Clock Source'
; type=ENUMERATED,access=rw------,values=1,items=3
; Item #0 'Internal'
; Item #1 'S/PDIF'
; Item #2 'ADAT'
: values=0
numid=1,iface=MIXER,name='Internal Validity'
; type=BOOLEAN,access=rw------,values=1
: values=on
numid=2,iface=MIXER,name='S/PDIF Validity'
; type=BOOLEAN,access=rw------,values=1
: values=on
I modified sound/usb driver files mixer_quirks.c and mixer_scarlett.c to treat the Scarlett 2nd generation device the same way it handles the Scarlett 1st generation
0x1235:0x800c 1st Generation
0x1235:0x8201 2nd Generation
When checking with amixer, 228 controls are now listed, along with errors that prevent alsamixer from being used. I have no information about how to properly configure these controls.
I am interested in any pointer to or information about how to configure and use this Scarlett 2nd Generation device.
Thank you,
Lloyd Dickman
_______________________________________________
Linux-audio-dev mailing list
http://lists.linuxaudio.org/listinfo/linux-audio-dev

[Len Ovens]

Post by Peter
P.S. My private request at Focusrite only resulted in a response, saying hat they are not
supporting Linux.

Perhaps a note to them that you are returning their non-working in Linux
box and buying a competitor's working interface would have more effect. I
hear MOTU's AVB range of interfaces works with Linux and allows complete
control of it's inner parameters.

--
Len Ovens
www.ovenwerks.net

[Will Godfrey]

On Wed, 21 Jun 2017 14:56:41 -0700 (PDT)

Post by Len Ovens

Post by Peter
P.S. My private request at Focusrite only resulted in a response, saying hat
they are not
supporting Linux.

Perhaps a note to them that you are returning their non-working in Linux
box and buying a competitor's working interface would have more effect. I
hear MOTU's AVB range of interfaces works with Linux and allows complete
control of it's inner parameters.
--
Len Ovens
www.ovenwerks.net

Just had a browse on the MOTU website. That is some serious kit they have!

[Ralf Mardorf]

Post by Lloyd Dickman
I am trying to make a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (2nd Generation) work
as a USB audio capture device with Linux.

Hi,

last time I used my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (2nd Generation) with Linux
all digital and analog outs worked without issues. I don't remember if
all inputs work as well. IIRC all inputs also did their job, however, I
need to check this, but at the moment I have got no time to do so.

Post by Lloyd Dickman
I actually configured nothing, it just worked (using 44.1 and 48 kHz).
Still, it's annoying that the higher sampling rates do not work,
and access to the mixer would also be nice.

I didn't test useless sample rates, so I don't know if other sample
rates work as well. The mixer doesn't work, since it's used in class
compliant mode. We know this before we buy the device, so actually I
don't need the mixer. For hardware monitoring I would use a mixing
console, let alone that latency is very low, so even software monitoring
might be possible.

The only drawback of the Focusrite IMO is the sound quality. It can't
compare to professional audio devices, OTOH my RME card was much more
expensive by providing less IOs, let alone that my RME HDSPe AIO doesn't
work correctly with Linux, e.g. just 2 ADAT channels are accessible by
jackd and the latency is not very good. Ardour can't access the RME card
without jackd at all, so I must use jackd.

Résumé:

If the Focusrite doesn't work, much likely something is fishy with your
Linux setup and/or the Focusrite. However, I never touched the mixer
settings, I'm using it with the default mixer settings, less often with
Linux, more often with iOS and usually I'm using the ADAT outputs and
one of the weak lofi headphone outputs only.

Regards,
Ralf

[Peter]

Dear Ralf and Lloyd,
,

Post by Ralf Mardorf

Post by Ralf Mardorf
all digital and analog outs worked without issues. I don't remember if

all inputs work as well. IIRC all inputs also did their job, however, I

I recorded a rehearsal with 8 mics for several hours with ardour & jackd without
any problem.

Post by Ralf Mardorf
I didn't test useless sample rates, so I don't know if other sample
rates work as well. The mixer doesn't work, since it's used in class
compliant mode. We know this before we buy the device, so actually I
don't need the mixer. For hardware monitoring I would use a mixing
console, let alone that latency is very low, so even software monitoring
might be possible.

I'm aware of your opinion, that the higher sampling rates are useless.
However I disagree, not every application of an audio-interface deals
with music recording. There's lots of fun stuff one can do, e.g. creating
patterns on a water surface, using the device as a multi-channel oscilloscope, ...,
(or trying to proof to your friends that it doesn't make a difference for music recording :) ).

And the hardware monitors are nice if your recording during a rehearsal weekend
and you want to be able to disconnect your laptop, still allowing rehearsal
without having to change the wiring. I agree, that it's not necessary, however
it is convenient in that situation. Latency is low enough to allow for software monitoring.

Post by Ralf Mardorf
The only drawback of the Focusrite IMO is the sound quality. It can't
compare to professional audio devices,

For me it's sufficient, however, if I'm going to extend my hardware I won't go with Focusrite,
at the current level of support. In one of these post-sale polls I noted that I can't recommend
it for Linux users and the response was simply that it's my fault, as the web page clearly says, that
they are not supporting Linux. They don't want me as a customer, no problem for me.


Best regards,
Peter