FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 6I6 treble/bass control

[adydeejay]

Hello,

I have a FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 6I6 attached to a PC using Windows 7/64bit.

I simply can't find any treble/bass audio settings using Windows audio control interface, or Scarlett MixControl, or any other enhancements tools. At this moment, I have no control over tonality when I do listening music. This would be a matter strictly related to Windows drivers and it seems that Focusrite offers plugins only. I've tried DFX and Breakaway audio enhancers without (or with partial) success; all I need is a simple bass/treble control (one time setup).

Any advice and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[RichieWitch]

Very true. There are no tone controls on the Focusrite interfaces or the Mix Control software, or Windows sound parameters with the Scarlett plugged in. You could try a stand-alone vst host of some kind with a third-party EQ plugin. Is that the kind of solution you're looking for?

Focusrite provides a few plugins with their interfaces, including a simple EQ, but you still need a vst host to use it.

[Winstontaneous]

Welcome to KVR, adydeejay!

My Windows 7 work computer has a built-in EQ called "DTS Sound" in the start menu.
No idea if it's installed on all Windows 7 machines, and whether it works with soundcards other than the builtin.

What media player do you use - does that have any EQ?
If listening to music on the web, some browsers (at least Chrome) have EQ extensions available.

[simon.a.billington]

Very true. There are no tone controls on the Focusrite interfaces or the Mix Control software, or Windows sound parameters with the Scarlett plugged in. You could try a stand-alone vst host of some kind with a third-party EQ plugin. Is that the kind of solution you're looking for?

Focusrite provides a few plugins with their interfaces, including a simple EQ, but you still need a vst host to use it.

Focusrite interfaces do come in with free plugins, with an eq amoung them. If you haven't already downloaded it you can go to their website, register your hardware if you haven't already, and this will enable you to download the plugins.

You then need to install it and run it inside a compatible DAW.

There is also the Plugin Collective which offers you free monthly plugins and discounts. While the free plugins are pretty basic, they certainly can be helpful if you're just starting out.

[adydeejay]

Hello again and thank you for your answers!

@simon.a.billington
I already have all the Focusrite plugins installed. Unfortunately, the plugins can be used inside a compatible DAW only.

@Winstontaneous
I have no "DTS Sound" on my system. Besides, I never used EQ on Winamp or any other media player. I'm using only the tonality parameters of the sound card (Creative, for example), as one time setup for room and speakers caracteristics and positioning, using several reference songs - my ears have never disappointed me.

@RichieWitch
Thanks for your suggestion. I just found a basic tutorial for Hermann's VST Host setup and I will try it asap.

According to Focusrite Technical Support, "it is not possible to make EQ adjustments to the audio on the outputs of the Scarlett from windows audio controls or mix control. The only way you would be able to do this would be from within the software that you are playing audio back from. Alternatively you could use an external EQ between the outputs of the 6i6 and your speakers."

So, this is what I'm looking for: a simple bass/treble control at windows level, something like a driver hack/add-on, with minimum latency - the main and only reason I bought a Focusrite, but I never thought that it has no tone control.

[BertKoor]

I guess you finally found out what exactly the difference is between a humble Sound Card and a posh Audio Interface: you pay substantially more and in return get No Tone Controls

[adydeejay]

I guess you finally found out what exactly the difference is between a humble Sound Card and a posh Audio Interface: you pay substantially more and in return get No Tone Controls

We found too many bugs, pops and blips on this equipment for considering it as a "posh" audio interface, this being the reason why a second edition has been launched, but I'm not going to discuss them here, as I refuse to get into a debate on choosing Focusrite 6i6 for low latency, but lack of tone control in drivers that might be a good add-on. As for the Creative sound cards, you consider them as "humble", after so many years with no issues or complains, I'm a little bit shocked by your attitude, but you can easily check the quality of my "very low budget" previous releases ... As for my new promos using Focusrite, as far I can see/hear differences, I'm obliged to correct them asap. That's why I'm here. Maybe I entered the wrong forum ... (?)

So, right now, all we need is a simple bass/treble control. Any advice and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. No more innuendo. Thank you.

PS: @RichieWitch
Still trying to set up properly the VST Host. I'll get back to you soon with any update. Again, many thanks for this suggestion.

[BertKoor]

all we need is a simple bass/treble control

Sorry to say, but while I was being sarcastic it also is the truth.

Consumer-targeted sound cards have all sorts of controls in their drivers built in you won't find in any professional-market targeted audio interfaces. The presumtion is that consumers use multimedia speakers or even worse: the builtin speakers of their laptop (both need some serious corrections before sounding less than half decent) while the pro's use studio nearfield monitoring speakers with a flat frequency response in an acoustically treated room.

This is all about focussing on the right responsibility of each component in the chain. The responsibility of any "pro" audio component is to deliver the audio as accurate as possible, without coloration of any kind. This goes not only for the interface, but also for the amplifier and speakers. These too should deliver the sound completely uncoloured. If all your components in the chain inbetween DAW and your ears are up to par, you won't need any tone controls.

But since budget is limited for most of us, we have to make compromises. I personally use rather cheap passive monitors hooked up to an old hifi amp. And the amp has bass-treble controls plus a "tone bypass" knob for the purists that don't trust the zero position really doesn't affect the tone. (note: it does not affect tone significantly but does affect the phase somewhat.) The idea here is that the last component in the chain is responsible for doing any corrections. No matter what you throw in, it comes out the same. Otherwise you're relying on anything you connect at it to have tone controls. You won't find that on a CD player or FM tuner.

Oh, I also do sound engineering for small bands. Whenever I go on a gig I always carry a Behringer GEQ 3102 with me. Usually it stays in the car, but sometimes I need to insert it inbetween the master out of the mixer and the amp's inputs, or more often inserted on the stage monitors. Great to kill some annoying feedback or adjust for poor acoustics. You can get a simple 15-band GEQ for a bit less than $100, but I do understand your frustration.

you can easily check the quality of my "very low budget" previous releases

I'm not questioning that. My first PC based home studio setup consisted of two soundblasters which allowed me to record or play back four channels. Great fun, had no issues with that at the time.

[simon.a.billington]

Hello again and thank you for your answers!

@simon.a.billington
I already have all the Focusrite plugins installed. Unfortunately, the plugins can be used inside a compatible DAW only.

@Winstontaneous
I have no "DTS Sound" on my system. Besides, I never used EQ on Winamp or any other media player. I'm using only the tonality parameters of the sound card (Creative, for example), as one time setup for room and speakers caracteristics and positioning, using several reference songs - my ears have never disappointed me.

@RichieWitch
Thanks for your suggestion. I just found a basic tutorial for Hermann's VST Host setup and I will try it asap.

According to Focusrite Technical Support, "it is not possible to make EQ adjustments to the audio on the outputs of the Scarlett from windows audio controls or mix control. The only way you would be able to do this would be from within the software that you are playing audio back from. Alternatively you could use an external EQ between the outputs of the 6i6 and your speakers."

So, this is what I'm looking for: a simple bass/treble control at windows level, something like a driver hack/add-on, with minimum latency - the main and only reason I bought a Focusrite, but I never thought that it has no tone control.

Yeah these interfaces are all designed for musicians and engineers, hobbyist, pro-enthusiast, and professionals alike. If you buy one of these things it's because you either want to record or mix music, or even do post-production work.

It's low latency, so you can play music, process effects with it and listen back to the results in real time as you record with minimal delay. If the latency was too great, you couldn't do it, it would throw off your sense of timing with the instrument. There are no built in tone controls, because it is WAY more flexible to do that inside the DAW as you work with it.

They're not really designed for basic listener experience, sadly. So unless you find some third party app, and its possible, there is no way of doing what you want it to do. Audio interfaces just don't do that sort of thing. Even the really expensive Antelope, RME or Apogee ones. They're designed for a different market.

It does beg the question, what do you do with your interface if not use it to mix and record??

[RichieWitch]

Reminds me of a situation I find myself in from time to time.... a friend comes over, sees my studio setup, and wants to hear their favorite music on my system. I try to explain "these are monitor speakers..." but they're never dissuaded.

To avoid the "well... that doesn't sound as good as my cheap home stereo" conversation, I've learned to crank the bass on the mixer and add a touch of plate-style reverb.

It makes them happy.

[simon.a.billington]

Haha!!! Too true.

What is it with dudes and cranked basses that effectively muffles and overpowers the rest of the mix?!?

[adydeejay]

Thank you for all your answers!

@RichieWitch
Unfortunately, I'm not able to setup the VST Host for the master signal; it works for the mic or instruments inputs only.

... a friend comes over, sees my studio setup, and wants to hear their favorite music on my system. I try to explain "these are monitor speakers..." but they're never dissuaded.

Same happened here! But, along with many other activities (see below), my kids are taking piano lessons also. Cannot describe the sound from my MOX8 through 6i6 ... Awful! Also, when using MOX8, the signal must be always "Hi Gain" boosted using this buggy-popping Scarlett MixControl. If I let the "Hi Gain" up, during a recording session or mixing, right after the MOX8 is turned off, a strange continuously whizzing sound starts and it stops when the input is muted only, or I switch back to "Lo Gain"; even so, it can be heard in the records(!). So, it's kinda painful, trust me.


@BertKoor

You can get a simple 15-band GEQ for a bit less than $100, but I do understand your frustration.

Of course you do, since you seems to have overlooked one important fact, talking about an external solution (additional costs), while I'm looking for an "internal" common solution which would works for composing, recording, editing, mastering, playing, listening, mixing, live performance, using active speakers and two separate headphones connected to the 6i6, capturing the final master audio from the same output source - which should be Focusrite's control interface.

So, theoretically, you've right in all that you said and buying an EQ could be a solution, but what about the headphones? They act very different for each of the situations, and I need to use them (me and/or the singer).

Also, making corrections using enhancers is again a big compromise since, for example, Breakaway audio enhancer is acting strictly on the output signal coming from the Focusrite, bypassing all the external inputs (mics or instruments), so I need to set up, patch and re-patch the entire audio circuit for each of needs, which is very annoying. Using a VST host, is the opposite; it's acting over the inputs only (mics and instruments).


@simon.a.billington

It does beg the question, what do you do with your interface if not use it to mix and record??

I hope it's more clear for you after reading this post. Thank you for your interest.


@To anyone reading this topic
This is my first experience with a Focusrite equipment, which I definitely cannot consider it as "professional/posh", since it pops and blips in the middle of the mix or during recording sessions. I'm still trying to fix all these issues for more than a year ... The 6i6 is already 3 years old and, since one year ago, it was never attached to a computer, meaning more issues ...

I see that nobody can point me a simple tone corrector for the master output. Thus, I see no other solution than to develop one or to try to modify/hack the current drivers.

[simon.a.billington]

The possible reason for clicks and pops though can be if the I/O Buffer on the interface is too low. Of course increasing it adds latency though.

It also might be something external, like fridges, freezers washing machines. A washing machine can be notorious when its on, because it can send a click through the power every time it changes rotation direction.

[adydeejay]

@simon.a.billington
Latency is fine, it works perfect; on external, I already checked/tested everything. According to Focusrite Support, the reason for these pops and blips is, unlike other Scarlett interfaces, the 6i6 utilizes a single rail power supply. So, during the mix or recording session, connecting an instrument or the headphones, or just open Scarlett MixControl or any another application, the entire audio is compromised. Even so, just easy listening, I can hear blips time to time, like a condenser is suddenly discharged. But the most annoying thing is this continuous whizzing sound when using "Hi Gain" option on MOX8 input.

Single rail, improper drivers ... I see no fix for all these issues yet. Seeing how many have problems with the 1st edition of 6i6, it's hard to believe I've just got a defective device. In fact, thinking deeply to what options I have, I guess it's time for a different USB audio solution ...

PS: I apologize, I didn't wanted to get into the details about 6i6 issues in this forum. All these have already been discussed with Focusrite Support with no success ...

[simon.a.billington]

Right, I get ya.i get clicks and pops at times. But it doesn't seem to get preserved when recording audio. So it would appear that it just affects my monitoring.