Hi,
I have been using the Roland Quad-Capture for a few years now.
Overall, I'm very satisfied, my biggest gripe is that there is no separate physical level control for the headphone.
 
Because I'm using an old but very powerful Yamaha subwoofer (rca only) with my Adam Audio A7 monitors (unfortunately no budget for a new Adam Audio sub), I have the main output copied to the digital coax output 3/4. It goes to a DA converter, then to the subwoofer.
 
The problem is that the output 3/4 jacks cannot be used when using the 192 KHz sampling rate.
 
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 second generation seems to fit the bill as a replacement, since TRS output 1 & 2 signals are automatically replicated to RCA Output 1 & 2, according to the user guide.
So I should be able to use my subwoofer directly, without external DA converter.
 
- Can you confirm it should work ?
- Is the Scarlett 2i4 second generation a good audio interface ?
- Any other audio interface recommendation ?
 
Thanks,
Cedric
 
 

I always say make sure the interface you buy meets your present and future needs. Make a wish list of features and stick to it while shopping. 
I have a blurb with a list of all the common features to look for and think about. 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/Articles/Johns%20Audio%20Interface%20blurb.rtf
 
Why would you worry about 192-- that topic has be gone over a million times with the same conclusion. There's no point in using that high a rate.
And I recommend the Tascam us2x2 over the Scarlet for the BIG reason it has the option of using an A/C adaptor. Having buss power only is a bad design.  But you still need to make you list and compare. As example the Tascam does have a master level on the front.  But if you list includes having more than 2 outputs then you will be looking at the Scarlett 6i6 and the Tascam us4x4. The good news is the 6i6 does use AC. 

Thanks for the answer!
 
While it's true that I don't need 192 KHz, I might as well use it since my whole digital chain works well with it (Windows 10, Sonar, processor, storage, ...) and who knows, may be in the future new software may be able to better use the sampling resolution, and I'm sure speakers and headphones will progress tremendously.
 
It's like in photography, I don't regret for a moment to have always shot in 16 bit RAW with my digital back on MF camera. Since then, algorithms improved, and printer and screen color rendering hugely improved. So I'm getting now, with photos shot years ago, what was next to impossible to get 5 years ago for 10x the price, and technology improves all the time (HDR screens).
 
Also, I will change audio interface anyway for one which has separate volume knobs for monitors and headphones, as long as the price is reasonable.
 
I agree with you, I prefer an audio interface having its own power supply, I'll look the Tascam 4x4 & the Scarlett 6x6.

I've just today swapped my Quad-Capture for a Scarlett 18i20 because I needed more inputs.
 
Have only had a little test for half an hour so far but installation went fine.
 
Focusrite control said the unit needed a firmware update and it would not update until I turned the unit off and on again...update then went ahead with no problems.
 
Latency is a least as good as the Roland, won't be able to do any serious testing until Thursday morning.

Though not a lower cost solution, I'd point you toward RME or MOTU USB audio interfaces.

• Low round-trip latency
• Rock-solid drivers
• Good sound

I would also highly recommend RME interfaces. I switched from a Roland interface to a RME Babyface fairly recently, and for me the difference in performance has been pretty significant. It's great sounding hardware with some seriously robust and efficient drivers, and outstanding support. 
 
Rob

i can highly recommend the new RME Babyface Pro.
 
i got mine for only $600 with a musicians' friend discount
 
i didn't even break out the manual, and had it up and running with an older win XP setup.
 
very neutral preamps, which is what i wanted.
 
internal FX can be added, for either tracking and/or printing.

Thanks for the inputs.
 
I'll check the RME interfaces, which have been a reference for so many years, but I fear they're out of my league. 
 
Shambler, looking for your feedback on the  Scarlett 18i20 - 2nd gen ? According to whatever marketing material I watched or read, the 2nd gen is supposed to have outstanding low latency values.
 
 

Nice blurb indeed, Johnny V !

What's the current state of USB 3?  If you do a search some people say it's only necessary for a bigger pipe rather than flow, and others say it makes a big difference on latency.  Like what's the story on the zoom uac-2?