Focusrite Scarlett free software/ do I have to download it to the first computer I plug it into?

I have been wondering the same thing myself......

 

It depends on the version of OS X on your old Mac. Focusrite says a 2i2 (g3) is compatible with OS X Sierra (10.12) and later, for instance.

https://resource.focusrite.com/downloads/os?

 

Your computer won't recognize it until the drivers are installed. But most of the DAW software is optional. You can use any DAW you want to.

 

The OP said it was to use with GarageBand, so I read that as a Mac, which has built-in driver support for these. Don't know about the 2nd poster!

 

This. Most of the time the software might not be as good as what you got already, or prefer to use. You need the drivers - the software will recognize the device as long as the drivers install. And they should install as soon as you plug the usb in.

I love the scarlett focusrite thingymajyger.

 

I got one a month or two ago and thought I had to download/install all that crap--it seemed invasive, wasteful, and creepy, but I did it. But I also sent an email to Focusrite asking if it was really necessary, because I wanted to use the interface with more than one computer and blah blah license blah blah ... Their response wasn't that helpful, but I'm pretty sure that if you just want to use it as the hardware interface, you can do as you like, and skip the crapware. The crapware probably lets them track your usage ... If you will use Audacity or GarageBand or whatever, just plug it in, hit up your control panel to point your system at it, and have fun. If you want to use the software they provide, it could be trickier.

Oh yeah I haven't used it yet, but my wife has, she say's its a breeze.

 

For an older Mac, just plug it in and go.

 

No drivers needed for a Scarlett into a Mac using GB.

 

On my PC I had to sign into Focusrite/create an account then was able to download any software included as many times as required.

There's more software there - not only drivers. I downloaded everything to a stik and put it on my basement PC which is for recording only/no internet so doesn't get polluted with updates and other garbage.

 

I used the Scarlett solo with a Chromebook, so obviously no drivers necessary. Although, some options would require the software.

 

Most software vendors will allow you to transfer a licence between machines, if you don’t have a serial, especially in the case of upgrading to a newer machine.
Same thing with the various plug-ins specific to the interface.
That said, the Lite versions bundled with the hardware are not always useful.
GarageBand is pretty good nowadays so worth sticking with that until you’re ready to move to Logic Pro.

 

You can download whatever you want from the bundled software, whenever you want, once you have registered the Scarlett online.

 

I have read there is driver issues with Focusrite running on windows 10 enough to put me off replacing my NI komplete audio 6 with one

 

There are no driver issues.

 

The current 3rd gen kit is as close to plug and play as you can get with no driver issues.

The original 1st gen kit, could have driver issues. But as is usual on the internet, issues with old gear often gets repeated as applying to the current kit.

 

I have a Focusrite Solo and run it on various Win 10 machines with no issues

 

^This^