jpetersen
What happens if you disconnect the mic and cable from the interface, start Sonar recording and turn up the input volume slowly from zero to all the way open?

OK so i tried this (no mic plugged in, turned gain down to zero, armed track)... at the 3rd measure I start to increase the gain from 0 to 100, there is a slight 7db noise bump at about the 4th measure, not sure why, but I am not hearing any sub bass (then again, I didn't before either).  However, as I turned the gain knob up past say around the 75%, SPAN is showing some activity on the phase correlation meter, which you can see here:
 

 
 
so I am not sure what this test proves really, what should I be looking for?
Thank you,
Adam

WOAH!!!  ***BREAKING NEWS UPDATE***
 
so I just went ahead and went to start the next test, which was to now plug in the mic, not sing, just to see what gets recorded, so here is what I did:
 
1.   Plugged mic XLR input into the Scarlett 2i2 interface
2.  Pushed the Phantom Power button in... and POOF!!....   
 
I hear all this static in my cans, and the audio interface is now FRIED!  doesnt work AT ALL!!!!
 
So I wonder if all this was a dying Scarlett 2i2?   It's about 5 years old now, so maybe.
 
Only thing I am worrying now is - is it possible that the bad audio interface might have sent some sort of damaging signal to my microphone?

Will my microphone still be healthy and sounding as it should if it's been plugged into a bad audio interface?   This could just be my paranoia here. lol
 
I will run out tomorrow to get a new audio interface and update here with new vocal take screenshots, any suggestions of what to buy?
 
Thank you everyone!!

Adam

I generally hear good things about the Scarlett series so I would be tempted to try another - especially as you are already used to the drivers/mixer etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if your dying Scarlett was the cause. It's certainly a hard to explain problem by any other normal means. I would expect your mic to be fine. But it'll be pretty easy to hear if it's damaged. It won't sound "slightly worse" if it's damaged, it'll just sound like crap if it even works at all.

EDIT:
I also hear good things about the Scarletts, though I haven't used them myself. However, if you have to buy something again it's always good to reevaluate your needs. Consider
- budget
- required number of mic preamps
- required number of (analog) ins and out
- digital expansion options (adat i/o?)
- Mac and Windows compatible
- company reputation/driver support
- on-board features like FX or a mixing utility
- hardware controls such as faders/display

If you have a good idea about all these points and how import they are to you it'll be easy to pick an interface.

I have had several different preamps/interfaces and have been happy with most.  A big consideration for me is gain.  60-70 db of gain is great.  With only 40-50 db of gain, you might be frustrated.

Thanks everyone,

I ended up ordering a TASCAM UH-7000, seems like a better interface then the Scarlet.
 
It will be here Jan 7th, so I will update then!
 
Thanks Everyone!!

Good luck!
 
Don't forget to report back when you've got it installed.

I see some high latency reports with that device, which may or may not be an issue for you. It's a preamp first and an audio interface second. Also, apparently it performs well using WDM drivers so it may be worth comparing WDM performance to ASIO performance on your systems.

Sanderxpander
I see some high latency reports with that device, which may or may not be an issue for you. It's a preamp first and an audio interface second. Also, apparently it performs well using WDM drivers so it may be worth comparing WDM performance to ASIO performance on your systems.

oh damn, i didn't know.  maybe i should cancel the order and just go get another Scarlett... which also means - I CAN GET ONE TODAY 

It supposedly sounds really good though and it has direct monitoring. Here's an example of what I read:
https://www.gearslutz.com...hat-about-latency.html

It's only really an issue for playing anything live with fx from Sonar. Including guitar with ampsim and midi to softsynth. And even so that kind of latency may be ok for you (though honestly for me it would not be).

I personally just got an RME UCX which I'm very happy with. Different price bracket though. But ridiculously low latency.