Helpful ReplyFocusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not?

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MrBansaw
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2016/12/22 09:50:11 (permalink)

Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not?

I'm looking to get a new audio interface.
The Focusrite Scarlett seem to be highly thought of, and perhaps good value for money.
 
I am looking for an USB audio interface (I have a Win10 laptop) that gives me decent latency.
 
Any comments?

Sonar Home 6XL 64bit (and Reaper), i7-770k 16GB Win10,  & Toshiba Sat L500 INTEL I5-430M 2.26-2.53GHZ, Win7, 4GB, 1TB, Albion One, Avenger, Motu Ethno, Studiologic 990Xp 88-key
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Atsuko
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/22 10:01:49 (permalink)
I'm very happy with mine!!

Desktop Intel I7 12GB RAM Win 10 64bit - Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 2nd gen - Roland A-300 PRO - Yamaha HS50M speakers - Sonar Platinum/CbB - Samplitude Pro X3 - Studio One 4 - Melodyne 4 Studio - Ozone 8 Adv - Neutron 2 Adv - RX7 Adv - ARC2 // Notebook Dell I7 8GB RAM Win 10 64bit
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Sam4246
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/22 10:07:36 (permalink)
I have the Focusrite Scarlet 18i20 and the preamps are good quality. I have nothing negative to say about it.
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Slugbaby
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/22 10:08:01 (permalink)
I've got the Scarlett 2i2, and am very happy with it.
My only issue was that I THOUGHT I had bought the 2i4 and didn't notice until I went to plug in a MIDI cable...

http://www.MattSwiftMusic.com
 
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Dave76
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/22 12:38:02 (permalink)
I have a 1st generation 18i20 that I absolutely hate.  One of the worst musical equipment purchases I've ever made in my life.  Completely unreliable.  Crashes frequently, gets in a state over time where it starts dropping samples (i.e. clicking sounds), etc., etc..  I couldn't even begin to estimate the lost hours trying to get the thing to work not to mention all of the lost takes from it crashing.  I've gone through countless audio interfaces from various manufacturers over the years and have never encountered any as bad as this one.  Do some searching and you'll find others with similar experiences.  Worst part is that they completely abandoned releasing officials drivers for like two years prior to introducing the 2nd gen.  Obviously, quite a few people think their stuff is great and don't seem to have these issues but I'm assuming they are doing different things than I am so, as with anything, your mileage may vary.  
 
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MrBansaw
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/22 12:43:16 (permalink)
Has anyone got any comment on the Beringher UPHORIA (UMC202HD)?
I am actually not going to use it much for vocals/guitars.  What I am looking for is a good latency playback when I use my heavy symphonic VSTs.  
 
This is what I read, don't know how true it is ,
*This uses the same Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters as the Focsurite 2i4

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Beagle
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/22 13:40:08 (permalink)
Dave76
I have a 1st generation 18i20 that I absolutely hate.  One of the worst musical equipment purchases I've ever made in my life.  Completely unreliable.  Crashes frequently, gets in a state over time where it starts dropping samples (i.e. clicking sounds), etc., etc..  I couldn't even begin to estimate the lost hours trying to get the thing to work not to mention all of the lost takes from it crashing.  I've gone through countless audio interfaces from various manufacturers over the years and have never encountered any as bad as this one.  Do some searching and you'll find others with similar experiences.  Worst part is that they completely abandoned releasing officials drivers for like two years prior to introducing the 2nd gen.  Obviously, quite a few people think their stuff is great and don't seem to have these issues but I'm assuming they are doing different things than I am so, as with anything, your mileage may vary.  
 


I bought a first gen 2i4 and promptly took it back as "defective" but later learned that's the way it was designed.  I hated the way the gains worked on the preamps.  I had to turn them almost all the way up to get any gain and then it seemed like it "crossed over" to a different gain stage so the result was that there was one small sweet spot on the pot that worked, but anything else was way too little gain or way too much gain.  on either channel.
 
got a Roland Duo and have loved it ever since! preamps are pretty clean for a low end audio device and the gain pots are smooth and linear.  bonus:  it doesn't come with a power supply, but you can use one with it instead of using the USB bus power!
 
the 2nd gen are supposed to be completely redesigned on the gain staging.  I have no experience with the new ones.

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BobF
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/22 15:34:08 (permalink)
MrBansaw
Has anyone got any comment on the Beringher UPHORIA (UMC202HD)?
I am actually not going to use it much for vocals/guitars.  What I am looking for is a good latency playback when I use my heavy symphonic VSTs.  
 
This is what I read, don't know how true it is ,
*This uses the same Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters as the Focsurite 2i4




I just ordered a UMC404HD.  I'll let you know in a week or so

Bob  --
Angels are crying because truth has died ...
Illegitimi non carborundum
--
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#8
Sycraft
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 11:43:49 (permalink)
I am fairly pissed at Focusrite. I have a 6i6 which has worked ok, but does have a few issues. The reason I'm mad is they dropped support for their first gen interfaces. Some of the issues would be fixed with a proper WDM driver, which they were working on in their 1.9 beta series. Driver was in beta forever, like over a year, which is pretty unbelievably slow development. Then we found out why: New generation of the interfaces come out with new drivers. While they haven't said anything about stopping development on the old ones, there is pretty clearly no action happening.
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jamesg1213
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 12:12:09 (permalink)
Beagle
 

I bought a first gen 2i4 and promptly took it back as "defective" but later learned that's the way it was designed.  I hated the way the gains worked on the preamps.  I had to turn them almost all the way up to get any gain and then it seemed like it "crossed over" to a different gain stage so the result was that there was one small sweet spot on the pot that worked, but anything else was way too little gain or way too much gain.  on either channel.
 
 




I have a 2i4, and none of the above problems. Apart from it very occasionally getting 'missed' on boot up (I have fast boot on the PC), it's been just fine.

 
Jyemz
 
 
 



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#10
RSMCGUITAR
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 13:00:51 (permalink)
I have the 1st generation 2i4... when it works, it's pretty good. There has been some driver issues with windows ten but it seems to have stabilized. My issue is that Focusrite will have drivers in beta for YEARS. Leaves you wondering if there will EVER be an update. From what I can tell, once the product hits the shelf, Focusrite stops driver development.
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Cactus Music
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 15:15:36 (permalink)
I bought the Scarlett 6i6 about 3 years ago because my Tascam us1641 had sloppy drivers that caused me grief from time to time.
The 6i6 has great drivers but the  pre amps are totally not acceptable to me. Either to cold or too hot. There's no happy medium. I solved the problem by getting a Joe Meek 3Q pre amp as well as I can use my Yamaha 01v via SPDIF. I have no clue why people claim the Focusrite pre amps are good?
I've used a lot of gear in my life and I'd rate them near the bottom of my list.
Then Tascam released updated drivers for my us1641 and now it almost outperforms the 6i6. RTL is a hair better and it has 100% usable pre amps... and 8 of them to boot. My next interface will be another Tascam ( UH 7000 ) or if I get rich, an RME or Motu.
If your needing good latency performance you will be looking at those 2 brands as well.
 
Tascams us 2x2 is the best bang for the buck at the $150 price point. Has midi and optional wall power and good pre's.

Johnny V  
Cakelab  
Focusrite 6i61st - Tascam us1641. 
3 Desktops and 3 Laptops W7 and W10
 http://www.cactusmusic.ca/
 
 
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Beagle
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 15:33:02 (permalink)
jamesg1213
Beagle
 

I bought a first gen 2i4 and promptly took it back as "defective" but later learned that's the way it was designed.  I hated the way the gains worked on the preamps.  I had to turn them almost all the way up to get any gain and then it seemed like it "crossed over" to a different gain stage so the result was that there was one small sweet spot on the pot that worked, but anything else was way too little gain or way too much gain.  on either channel.
 
 




I have a 2i4, and none of the above problems. Apart from it very occasionally getting 'missed' on boot up (I have fast boot on the PC), it's been just fine.


James - some people I've talked to have said the same thing you have, but others have said they had the same problem I described.  it sounds to me like it is a crap shoot whether you get a good one or not.
 
glad yours works for you!

http://soundcloud.com/beaglesound/sets/featured-songs-1
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Beagle
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 15:34:45 (permalink)
Cactus Music
I bought the Scarlett 6i6 about 3 years ago because my Tascam us1641 had sloppy drivers that caused me grief from time to time.
The 6i6 has great drivers but the  pre amps are totally not acceptable to me. Either to cold or too hot. There's no happy medium. I solved the problem by getting a Joe Meek 3Q pre amp as well as I can use my Yamaha 01v via SPDIF. I have no clue why people claim the Focusrite pre amps are good?
I've used a lot of gear in my life and I'd rate them near the bottom of my list.
Then Tascam released updated drivers for my us1641 and now it almost outperforms the 6i6. RTL is a hair better and it has 100% usable pre amps... and 8 of them to boot. My next interface will be another Tascam ( UH 7000 ) or if I get rich, an RME or Motu.
If your needing good latency performance you will be looking at those 2 brands as well.
 
Tascams us 2x2 is the best bang for the buck at the $150 price point. Has midi and optional wall power and good pre's.


"too hot or too cold" sounds like you had the same problem I had with the 2i4.
 
I'm glad the tascams are good - I hope their drivers are good, I know they didn't used to be.
 
my MOTU is still the best piece of equipment I've ever owned, but of course they aren't cheap.  the roland Duo is really nice, actually for the price.  it's my back up unit. 

http://soundcloud.com/beaglesound/sets/featured-songs-1
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tagruvto
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 16:27:15 (permalink)
I have a first gen 18i20 and still really like it.  It's been reliable and flexible interface.
I don't see myself growing out of it any time soon.
My only (minor) complaint is that the preamps could not adequately drive a ribbon microphone.  This is a fairly common issue.
I ended up purchasing a cloudlifter and that solved the problem.

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Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
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pentimentosound
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 17:02:28 (permalink)
Like Johnny V/Cactus I have the us1641 and a Scarlett, though I got the 18i20(version 1), for the same reasons. Both of mine have worked well, sound good.  I haven't really thought the Scarlett's pre's are inferior. I have been thinking of "trading up", but since my desktop doesn't have usb 3.1 nor TB, I figure I'll take my time on it and aim for "moving up" to better preamps and RTL.
 
Michael
post edited by pentimentosound - 2016/12/23 17:41:19
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pentimentosound
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/23 17:41:08 (permalink)
I'd like to append/amend my comments. It dawned on me, I only use the Scarlett pre's for DI guitars/bass/keyboards (actually those are all routed through the OctoPre MKII Lightpiped to the 18i20). I don't think I've actually used a vocal through it, as I usually route them through my other preamps into the line ins on the Scarlett. It's my habit to use external pre's into it, so I actually don't have anything to compare.
     I have done bunches of vocals through the us1641 and I do think they do fine job. I imagine the newer Tascams are way better.

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#17
jadonx
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/24 06:38:58 (permalink)
Buying now you would get the 2n generation which is excellent. It has a large input range covering from low to high output levels of microphone and instruments(if too hot after de-selecting instrument, the Pad switch will knock down -10db). Low latency and good mixer options via Focusrite control. I have the 6i6 which has a separate power supply so not drawing from the laptop usb. The software seems robust always connects even when laptop woke from sleep and I turn power supply back on(couldn't do that with old FastTrack one).The build quality looks and feels excellent too and sits solid on desktop.
BTY- there was a good review of the range in the November 16  Sound on Sound magazine.
John

Windows 10 64bit
Sonar platinum(rolling updates..latest version)
Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2nd gen
Yamaha HS5 monitors
Laptop Intel i7 12GB ram
Guitars(elec/acoustic 6/12 string),keyboards(Yamaha p115,oxygen49),harmonica,bass hobbyist
 
#18
henkejs
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/24 11:20:25 (permalink)
I got a 2nd generation 6i6 this summer and it has worked flawlessly since the moment I installed it. I can't say it's the best interface for the money, but I have no regrets.

A few of my songs
 
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paulf707
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/28 13:59:20 (permalink)
I've just got a 2nd Gen Solo - very pleased so far, apart from the fact it doesn't seem to 'play nicely' with Sonar BitBridge.
If I insert a 32bit VST instrument using Solo I get rhythmic pops/clicks in the audio. All 64bit VSTs are fine.
(I've done all the usual troubleshooting / fixes to try and clear these). Also, if I use the 3rd party 'JBridge' wrapper for a 32bit VST then this appears to sound OK - so I can only assume it is an incompatibility between the Focusrite drivers and Sonar BitBridge.
32bit Effects are fine, only 32bit VST instruments seem to be affected.
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Joe_A
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/28 15:14:35 (permalink)
I've got the 2nd gen 18i20, it's worked great so far.

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lawajava
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Re: Focusrite Scarlett - best audio interface for the price, or not? 2016/12/28 20:27:19 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby pentimentosound 2016/12/28 20:44:05
I recently posted this in the Sonar section. It's about getting out of a jam if you happen to fall into one.

But the net message is that the Focusrite Scarlett really performs great with Sonar and has plenty of capability in addition to pristine sound. The price is excellent for the capability - which is high. I would recommend the line highly.

Nevertheless, I had a recent issue, and I navigated through it as described here:
http://forum.cakewalk.com...-Hazards-m3535408.aspx

Two internal 2TB SSDs laptop stuffed with Larry's deals and awesome tools. Studio One is the cat's meow as a DAW now that I've migrated off of Sonar. Using BandLab Cakewalk just to grab old files when migrating songs.
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