Soniclear HA2 User manual

HA2 Hybrid Audio Kit
with the Focusrite 4i4
OPERATION GUIDE

About This Manual
This manual covers the installation and usage of the SoniClear Hybrid 4
Audio Kit, based on the Focusrite 4i4. This kit is designed for use with all
SoniClear digital recording software products.
Revision Date: 12/11/21
Printed in the United States.
Based on Focusrite Presets file: HA2Kit_Focusrite_4i4_RevD.ff
©Copyright 2021 Trio Systems LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher.
SoniClear is a registered trademark of Trio Systems LLC. Meeting
Recorder, Gov Recorder, Interview Recorder, Court Recorder, and
Transcriber Live are trademarks of Trio Systems LLC.
Focusrite 4i4 is a trademark or registered trademark of Focusrite
Audio Engineering Limited in England, USA and/or other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contents
HA2 Operation..............................................................................................................................................5
Overview...............................................................................................................................................5
Using Microphones...............................................................................................................................6
Adjusting Windows App Playback Volume.........................................................................................6
Adjusting Remote Participant Volume .................................................................................................6
Listening using Headphones.................................................................................................................7
Listening using Speakers ......................................................................................................................8
Using a Backup Recorder .....................................................................................................................8
Playback from Windows Software .......................................................................................................8
Additional Usage Notes........................................................................................................................8
Resetting All Controls...........................................................................................................................9
Focusrite 4i4 Loopback Kit Installation......................................................................................................11
Hardware Installation..............................................................................................................................11
Overview.............................................................................................................................................11
USB Interface......................................................................................................................................11
Power Connection...............................................................................................................................11
Microphone Connections....................................................................................................................11
Speaker Connection............................................................................................................................12
Backup Recorder Connection .............................................................................................................12
Hardware Loopback Connections.......................................................................................................12
Focusrite 4i4 Software Installation.........................................................................................................18
Drivers.................................................................................................................................................18
Loading Presets...................................................................................................................................18
Saving Presets.....................................................................................................................................20
Focusrite 4i4 Manual Configuration...........................................................................................................21
Overview.................................................................................................................................................21
How to Open Focusrite Control Panels...................................................................................................21
Mixer Settings.........................................................................................................................................22
Monitor Outputs 1-2 ...........................................................................................................................23
Analogue Outputs 3-4.........................................................................................................................24
Loopback.............................................................................................................................................25
Hardware Input Settings .........................................................................................................................26
Additional Settings..................................................................................................................................27
Focusrite Driver Settings ........................................................................................................................28
Streaming Settings..............................................................................................................................28

Expose Windows Channels.................................................................................................................29
Windows Sound Settings........................................................................................................................30
Default Playback Device.....................................................................................................................30
Default Recording Device...................................................................................................................31
SoniClear Software Preferences..............................................................................................................32
Overview.............................................................................................................................................32
Recording Options Tab - Sound Quality.............................................................................................32
Hardware Tab –Audio Device Selection............................................................................................34
Transcriber Live Software Preferences...................................................................................................38
Hardware Tab –Audio Device Selection............................................................................................39
Playback Device Selection..................................................................................................................39
Zoom Conferencing Software Configuration..........................................................................................40
GoToMeeting Conferencing Software Configuration ............................................................................41
Teams Conferencing Software Configuration ........................................................................................42
WebEx Conferencing Software Configuration.......................................................................................43
Other Communication Software Configuration......................................................................................44
Windows App Software Playback Configuration...................................................................................44

5
HA2 Operation
Overview
The SoniClear HA2 Hybrid Audio Kit uses the Focusrite 4i4 USB audio interface to make it easy to
record in-person meetings, computer-based teleconferences, and hybrid meetings with high audio quality.
It will work with any conferencing software, such as Zoom, Cisco WebEx, or Microsoft Teams. It also
works with softphone programs, such as 8x8 Work, Vonage, and Avaya.
The kit can be customized to include the following components
•Focusrite 4i4 USB audio interface and cables kit
•1 or 2 microphones
•Headphones or speaker
•Backup recorder
The Focusrite 4i4 must be installed correctly before use. See the section below, “Focusrite 4i4 Loopback
Kit Installation”. After installation, the Focusrite driver and control software will be ready to use when the
computer is started, making it immediately ready for teleconferencing and for recording in SoniClear.

6
Using Microphones
When working in-person, plug in one or two microphones and locate them in the meeting room to pick up
all the participants. When working remotely, use one microphone and place it close to where you are
sitting without being in the way of your work.
The Samson C02 microphone option has a very directional pickup pattern, so it does not need to be right
in front of your mouth. You will be heard clearly without needing to lean into the microphone. The Audio
Technica Pro44 microphone has a broad pickup from in front of the microphone, with rejection behind. It
is suitable for recording several people sitting at a desk, or on one side of a conference table. Other
microphone options are available as well.
Microphone levels are adjusted using the “GAIN” knobs on the front of the Focusrite 4i4: If the
participants in the teleconference have trouble hearing you because the volume is too low or too high, the
microphone level can be adjusted using these knobs.
A typical microphone and participant will require the level to be set between 12 and 3 O’clock on
the GAIN knob. When there is a signal, the light around the knob will light up green. When the
signal is too high, the light will turn to red. The best recording will be achieved when the ring
lights up green and sometimes yellow (but not red), when participants are speaking at a normal
level.
When no microphone is connected, the GAIN should be set to minimum (fully counterclockwise).
Note that when the gain on the 4i4 has been turned all the way down, it does not mute the sound entirely.
To have complete silence on a channel, it is necessary to add a external XLR microphone mute switch,
such as the inexpensive Hosa GMS-274 in-line switch.
Adjusting Windows App Playback Volume
There are no controls on the Focusrite 4i4 for adjusting the playback level of Windows apps. You can
adjust the volume for playback using the speaker control in the in the application involved, the speaker
volume control for Windows.
Adjusting Remote Participant Volume
There are no controls on the Focusrite 4i4 for adjusting the playback level of remote callers on Zoom or
softphones. To adjust the volume of playback or remote callers, use the speaker control in the in the
conferencing software (such as Zoom), or use the Windows Volume Mixer control panel using the
following instructions.
Right click on the Speaker icon in the lower right corner of the screen (next to the Time and Date):

7
Then left click on Open Volume Mixer to display the mixer that controls playback levels:
Select the Device “Playback 3 + 4” and use the Volume Mixer sliders to adjust levels of the remoted
participants as needed.
Listening using Headphones
There is a headphone jack on the front of the 4i4 interface for listening to participants and monitoring
audio from SoniClear. Plug the monitor headphone into the Headphone jack. A ¼” to 3.5mm adapter is

8
included for headphones that use a 3.5mm plug. Adjust the headphone loudness using the level knob
above the jack.
Listening using Speakers
If you want to listen to remote participants without headphones. a speaker can be attached to the
Focusrite. The large “MONITOR” knob is provided for controlling the level of the speaker.
Using a Backup Recorder
You can use a backup recorder placed in front of the monitor speaker so that it picks up the local and
remote participants from the built-in recorder microphone. This will result in lower audio quality than a
direct connection (including room noises and typing), but it simpler to set up and monitor, since you hear
in the room will be captured on the backup.
You can also use a backup recorder that has a Line-In input. It can be connected using the included Y
adapter to split the headphone output between the headphone and the backup recorder. The mix on the
headphone output includes both microphones, the audio from the online participants, any readback or
audio playback heard by the online participants, and any monitoring heard only on the headphones.
To set up a backup recorder with a direct connection, follow these steps:
•Plug in the included ¼” to 3.5mm headphone adapter.
•Connect the Y cable and then connect the headphone to the Y cable.
•Connect a 3.5mm to 3.5mm stereo cable to the second Y cable jack, and plug other end into the
backup recorder Line-In jack.
•Set the volume for the headphone to the desired level.
•Adjust the backup recorder input to get the correct recording level.
•Check the audio quality being captured by the backup recorder after setting it up, to ensure a good
backup.
Playback from Windows Software
You can play audio from any Windows program for remote participants to hear. For example,
presentations that contain video can play back directly into the conference feed.
Additional Usage Notes
1. The INST, AIR, and PAD lights should be off. If they appear lit on the front panel, the settings
must be changed in the Focusrite control panel. See the section “Resetting All Control” below for
instructions.
2. The button marked “48V” near the microphone jacks should always be on (illuminated red).
Turning off the 48-volt phantom power will result in the microphone audio turning off.
3. Any type of monitoring headphone that you prefer can be used for listening to the Focusrite.

9
Resetting All Controls
If any of the required Focusrite 4i4 settings are accidentally changed, the default settings can be restored
with the following steps:
Left click on in the “Windows System Tray”. This is the little up-arrow icon in the lower right corner of
the computer screen (next to the Time and Date):
Then left click on the Focusrite control icon :
This will display the list of options for controlling the Focusrite interface.
Select “Mixing / Routing” to display the Focusrite control panel:

10
Click on the File pulldown menu and select “Load Snapshot” to open the preset selection dialog. Select
the file HA2Kit_Focusrite_4i4_RevD.ff (or preset file saved specifically for your preferred
configuration). This may be stored in the SoniClear program directory (C:\Program Files
(x86)\SoniClear97) or some other location where it has been saved when setting up the HA2 kit.

11
Focusrite 4i4 Loopback Kit Installation
Hardware Installation
Overview
The Focusrite 4i4 Loopback Kit includes the parts needed for recording Windows communication
software, such as a Zoom online conference, or VOIP (“softphone”) call. Included in the kit are:
-Focusrite 4i4 USB audio interface mixer (2 microphone channels)
-Short ¼” TRS audio loopback cables (2)
-Speaker Y cable, ¼” TRS to 3.5mm mini stereo jack (Hosa Y-MFS-2SP)
-Headphone adapter, 3.5mm to ¼” stereo plug
-Headphone Y adapter for connecting backup recorder
Options:
-Samson C02 microphone and desk stand
-Audio Technica Pro44 conference style microphone
-Noise Cancelling Headset with Rode VXLR+ Adapter
-Fostex Powered Speaker for medium-sized rooms
USB Interface
The Focusrite 4i4 interface requires a USB 3.0 connection on the computer using the included USB C to
USB A cable. The 4i4 should only be connected directly to a port on the computer, a manufacturer
supplied docking station, or a SoniClear approved USB Hub. Connecting it to a generic USB hub may
result in unreliable operation. If the computer has a USB C port, a user supplied USB C to USB C cable
can be used instead of the USB C to USB A cable.
Power Connection
The Focusrite 4i4 is powered from the USB connection.
Microphone Connections
The HA2 Hybrid Kit can be configured with one or two microphones, or with a noise cancelling headset.
Connect at least one microphone or a headset to the 4i4 microphone input. This microphone or headset is
used to record the local participant in the SoniClear software and is also used as the microphone for the

12
online conferencing software, such as Zoom.
Any professional microphone with an XLR connector can be used with the 4i4.
Speaker Connection
A speaker can be plugged into Monitor outputs (Outputs 1-2) on the back of the 4i4, using the supplied Y
cable. The Y cable plugs into the ¼” TRS “Line Outputs 1 and 2 jacks on the back of the 4i4.
Backup Recorder Connection
A user-supplied backup recorder can be connected to the Headphone jack through a 3.5mm Y cable
included in the kit. The recorder must have an input for line-in audio. For recorders with a 3.5mm line-in
input, connect a 3.5mm cable to it from the second Y cable jack. If the recorder uses an XLR or ¼” TRS
type of line-in input, a user-supplied adapter or cable will need to connect from the headphone jack to the
recorder.
Hardware Loopback Connections
An audio loopback circuit is set up using ¼” TRS cables. The microphones, readback audio, and playback
audio, are sent to the headphones and SoniClear for recording from the Line Inputs on the back of the 4i4.
Connect the two analog ¼” TRS cables on the back of the 4i4 interface:
-Line Output 3 to the Line Input 3
-Line Output 4 and the Line Input 4

13

14
Loopback Cables

15
Close up of ¼” TRS Loopback Cables

16
Close up of XLR Microphone and Headphone Connection

17
Close up of Noise Cancelling Headset Kit Option

18
Focusrite 4i4 Software Installation
Drivers
The Focusrite 4i4 requires manual installation of product-specific Windows drivers. This provides custom
control panel software for configuring the device. As of the last update to this manual, the download link
for the driver installer was:
https://customer.focusrite.com/en/support/downloads?brand=Focusrite&product_by_type=1363&downlo
ad_type=all
Only install software downloaded from the official Focusrite website. Do not install software from a
third-party service.
The currently available driver does not provide any method to automatically update the driver or scan for
updates. It is recommended that you periodically check the Focusrite support site to see if any updates
have been made to the software.
Loading Presets
The Focusrite 4i4 requires configuration for compatibility with SoniClear. A default set of presets for use
with SoniClear may be located in the SoniClear program directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\SoniClear97).
If the presets are not available in the program directory, they can be downloaded from the SoniClear
website:
https://download.soniclear.com/ha2/
(HA2Kit_Focusrite_4i4_RevD.ff)
After downloading and extracting the presets file, load those presets into the Focusrite 4i4 using the
following steps.
Left click on in the “Windows System Tray”. This is the little up-arrow icon in the lower right corner of
the computer screen:

19
Then left click on the Focusrite control icon :
This will display the list of options for controlling the Focusrite 4i4.
Select “Mixing / Routing” to display the Focusrite control panel:

20
Click on the File pulldown menu and select “Load Snapshot” to open the preset selection dialog. Select
the file HA2Kit_Focusrite_4i4_RevD.ff (or preset file saved specifically for your preferred
configuration). This will usually be stored in the SoniClear program directory, C:\Program Files
(x86)\SoniClear97, or a location where it has been saved.
Saving Presets
After loading the presets, adjust the microphone and headphone levels to work optimally with the
microphones and teleconference software. Then save these customized settings in a custom preset file for
future use. It is important to save these customized presets so that the SoniClear user can restore the
correct settings, in case they press one of the setting buttons by accident.
Select File/Save Snapshot from the pulldown menu in the control panel. It is recommended to save the
presets file in the SoniClear Program directory (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\SoniClear97) to make it
easier to find.