Choosing USB interface to DI guitars

[Fagulhakc]

Hi guys, I am looking to buy an interface to record DI guitars (with EMG's 85).

I am pondering between (but other suggestions would be welcome):

1 - Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (has a 10db PAD), info of the instrument input:

Gain Range +10dB to +55dB (0dB to +45dB when pad is engaged)
Max Input Level +3dBu (+13dBu pad in)
(no impedance info available in website, sent them an email asking for this info)

2 - Presonus Audiobox 22vsl (no PAD), info of the instrument input:

Gain Control Range -30 dB to +50 dB
Input Max Headroom +15 dBu, < 0.5% THD
Input Impedance 1 M&#937;

3 - Steinberg UR22 (cheaper and has HI-Z, but read some bad reviews about noisy behavior), info of the instrument input:

Maximum Input Level +5.8 dBV
Input Impedance 1 MO
GAIN Range +0.8 dB to +44.8 dB

4 - M-audio M-Track (lacks info of maximum input level), info of the instrument input:

Input Impedance: 1 M&#937;
Gain Range: 55 dB


Well, it's hard for me to decide because I don't know what parameters I should take in consideration mostly (maximum input, impedance or gain range??) and I couldnt find good reviews searching in the internet or in this forum (for this specific kind of use).

Can someone help me? I am beginner and kind of lost.

Thank you

 

[deLuther]

Gain range is the last parameter to look for interface for DI recording, almost always you will be recording with gain closer to minimum gain (or at minimum gain with Pad), i.e. when input level is maximal.
For active pickups you can use volume on guitar to reduce level before interface (in case of interface clipping) without sacrificing your tone.
From specifications 22VSL can give you good maximum input level with gain at minimum, but I`m have some negative experience with 22VSL and 44VSL (I`m helped to setup to some guys), there is some problems with quality of preamps - noise and distortions, while line inputs of 44VSL have very good results (because of ADC), inputs with preamps were far from it. Just some bits of my experience.
2i4 has the same converters as in 22VSL (cs4272), +13 dbu input level (with Pad), which is fine for EMGs or Blackouts at 9 V.

 

[Fagulhakc]

Gain range is the last parameter to look for interface for DI recording, almost always you will be recording with gain closer to minimum gain (or at minimum gain with Pad), i.e. when input level is maximal.
For active pickups you can use volume on guitar to reduce level before interface (in case of interface clipping) without sacrificing your tone.
From specifications 22VSL can give you good maximum input level with gain at minimum, but I`m have some negative experience with 22VSL and 44VSL (I`m helped to setup to some guys), there is some problems with quality of preamps - noise and distortions, while line inputs of 44VSL have very good results (because of ADC), inputs with preamps were far from it. Just some bits of my experience.
2i4 has the same converters as in 22VSL (cs4272), +13 dbu input level
(with Pad), which is fine for EMGs or Blackouts at 9 V.

Thanks man. It's really helpful. The focusrite seems to have the best preamps between these interfaces. I just can't believe they don't put a HI-Z input on 2i2 and 2i4. It seems like they just forgot it. The 2i2 version lacks headroom and HI-Z input.

I sent an email to Focusrite support asking for the impedance value of the instrument input of the 2i4.

I read that 1 M ohm is a good impedance value for guitars and Presonus, M-audio and Steinberg got it. How important is this impedance value when looking for a interface to DI guitars?

What would be the minimum value of impedance to match with my guitar?

Sorry about the noob questions hehe

 

[deLuther]

It seems that 2i4 has 1 MOhm instrument input, as stated from some user asked Focusrite on our local forums.
1 MOhm is typical input impedance for tube amp. In case of lower impedance you get less level around passive pickup resonance peak and almost the same frequency response for active pickup. You can even plug guitar with active pickups straight to line input

 

[Fagulhakc]

It seems that 2i4 has 1 MOhm instrument input, as stated from some user asked Focusrite on our local forums.
1 MOhm is typical input impedance for tube amp. In case of lower impedance you get less level around passive pickup resonance peak and almost the same frequency response for active pickup. You can even plug guitar with active pickups straight to line input

You are about the impedance of the 2i4:

Hi,

Thank you for your email.

The output impedance of the 2i4 is 1M &#937;.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,--