Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

irrelevant.
There are no USB3 audio interfaces.
Firewire 800 has been out for even longer and there still are no interfaces using it.

My FF800 begs to differ haha

And yes USB 3.0 is relevant as it's already included in most new boards, 10x faster than USB 2, and backwards compatible.

About how much late interface manufacturers will take to make use of it, dunno, though.
 
Fireface 800 works at Firewire 400 specs though. IIRC the port is for convenience only.
Do you get better performance depending on the port connected?


USB 3 won't be used on Apple computers so I don't think we'll see many audio interfaces as companies don't like to do PC only hardware.
 
Fireface 800 works at Firewire 400 specs though.

USB 3 won't be used on Apple computers so I don't think we'll see many audio interfaces as companies don't like to do PC only hardware.

I vaguely remember reading something similar. Can't find it atm

And by that logic Thunderbolt won't ever be used either, and USB 2 interfaces shouldn't exist let alone abound haha ;)
 
I think (and hope) Thunderbolt will catch on. There will soon be Thunderbolt to PCIe boxes which means Pro Tools HD (or any other high-end converter) on laptops and iMacs. Apple is discontinuing the Mac Pro so this is the only option for Pro users.
As well as Expressport card adapters
http://sonnettech.com/product/thunderbolt/index.html
http://magma.com/thunderbolt.asp

Hopefully some companies have the balls to take advantage of the new technology


and USB 2 interfaces shouldn't exist let alone abound haha

I'm not sure what you mean. USB2 has been on every computer built in the last 10? years (I don't know how long but seems like forever). Good audio interfaces using USB2 only started coming out in the past 3. They just figured out how to write good drivers for it.
 
Just came out...looks sweet too. Could be a great alternative to the Saffire 6 (for those only recording DI guitars/bass). Does not have a pad switch, but I read the Saffire 6's pad didn't prevent clipping anyways.

Only $150! Also, has USB 2.0, which might not be necessary, but can't hurt, right?

Opinions? First impressions?

Thinking about finally upgrading my crappy M-audio fast track when I return to the States this month.

Hi guys, I have a very noob question, it may sound stupid but I really want to know.
The Sapphire 6 has the Mixer knob on the front whereas the Scarlett 2i2 doesn't, so on the Scarlett can I control this from the computer?
I'm going to use one microphone but I will also use the interface for music listening so I thought the knob on the sapphire 6 would be nice.

Also in terms of specs, which of the two would you recommend for recording vocals but also regular pc sound card use (music, films etc.)?

Thanks
 
If you are referring to blend of input and PC mix for monitoring input there is only a switch on the front panel. I bought the 2i2 for cost alone and belief that nothing can be more horrible than my fastrack pro which luckily I was right. I only use it for practicing guitar using amp sims so I would go with the saffire if planning to work on larger projects and need extra outputs for things such as reamping. The 2i2 is very basic but so far the quality is there. I've been using it for a week. It puts out one hell of a thump on startup so be sure to turn your monitors off before shutting down and on after the system has booted. The plug-ins that come with it are decent if not a bit kiddie.
 
Thanks for the info!
So i'll be going for the Sapphire 6, i like it the best and from what i've read so far it's got a slight edge on the scarlett 2i2.
One more question though:
Do you guys think that the usb 1.1 and the 24-bit/48kHz quality of the Sapphire 6 (compared to the usb 2.0 and 24-bit/96kHz of the Scarlet 2i2) would pose a problem at any point, keeping in mind that I'll only be using it for vocals (one mic for now, maybe 2 in the future)?
 
I bought the scarlett 8i6 a few weeks ago and the guitar input clips like a mofo. I had to turn down the volume pot of my guitar almost to zero to avoid clipping. I returned it to the store and got a Roland quad-capture instead. Really glad I did

How's the Roland quad-capture working for you? I'm thinking about buying it.. but I see the input impedance for it's instrument inputs are a little low(?), only 15kOhm .. My M-Audio Firewire Solo's instrument input is about 270kOhm ..
 
I was pretty much set on getting a Saffire Pro 14 for my 'office' space but after re-reading this thread, I may have to start looking all over again for some good 'guitar DIs' budget model :(
 
How's the Roland quad-capture working for you? I'm thinking about buying it.. but I see the input impedance for it's instrument inputs are a little low(?), only 15kOhm .. My M-Audio Firewire Solo's instrument input is about 270kOhm ..

I don't know about all the Ohm thing but so far I haven't got any trouble with it. I really like the auto-sens funtion, it sets the maximum input level automatically without clipping. I have to admit that the DI's aren't as good as the saffire pro 24 I used to own but on the other hand the Roland drivers are much more stable then the focusrite.

I personally think its a great little box that gets the job done without giving you grey hair with stability issues. Oh and it looks awesome on my desktop:Smokedev:
 
I just wanted to follow up by saying I bought the Mackie Onyx Blackjack and am very happy with it! I use an EMG 85 and didn't experience any clipping.

For $150, it's a great bargain. Don't let the negative reviews that complain about software compatibility scare you away either - I'm using Windows 7 64 bit (Reaper) and had no problems.
 
What I'm getting from all this is that both the 2i2 and the 14 clip w/actives, but the 24 may not?

Can someone please confirm?

I don't have any guitars with actives so I can't really say. Still I've heard that the Pro24 has less problems than the other units.
 
What I'm getting from all this is that both the 2i2 and the 14 clip w/actives, but the 24 may not?

Can someone please confirm?

From specifications Pro 24 have "Maximum Input Level min gain no pad +8dBu", but no Pad button present, nor some switch in drivers, according to manual, so +8 dbu is maximum and this is only 1 db better than USB 6...
Another level is Pro 40 "Mic and instrument maximum input level +7dBu (+16dBu with pad on inputs 1 and 2). ".
 
Hey DeLuther, I am not tech savvy kinda guy as far as pickup specs go. So, could you tell me what are max outputs of EMG/active pickups and the most hot passive pickups?
 
I`m not measure pickups especially, so I`m limited to pickups that I have, but EMG claims that theirs pickups have 4.5 Vpp (http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wiringdiagrams/PowerTips_Tricks_0230-0190C.pdf) i.e. +9.25 dbu (20*log10(4.5/2/.775)). I`m also have similar level when my preamp is set to unity gain. SD AHB-1 is around 3 db hotter, maybe SD using more efficient operational amplifier (opamp output is limited to fraction of supply voltage, depending on model). Passive pickups are not limited by internal opamps, so even PAF-type pickup can have larger peak output. At least I`m always have larger peak level with my passive pickups than with actives and my passives not very hot.
Values at DiMarzio site are, most probably, RMS, so peak levels can be several time greater.
 
So there's no way I'm gonna know if they'll clip input of my interface or not without trying it out first? (especially the passive pickups)
 
I think something close to +20 dbu or so will be fine :)
Maybe less, but +14 dbu not always can be enough, at least I have such reports supported by samples :)
Depends on pickup, pickup height and picking style.
 
Hi, sorry if this is a pretty dead thread, but just stumbled upon it -

I got this setup going:
Emg81 (18v mod) > TS808 > Decimator G-string > 6505+ 112 > Koch Loadbox 120ii > Scarlett 2i2 (set to line level) > DAW (impulses)

The koch loadbox got a DI out, but then i'd be running through an annoying speaker sim which is pretty useless - So instead I'm using the Direct out.

Now I'm really new to all this, but would it be optimal to acquire some DI box between the direct out and the scarlett to make use of the mic pres, instead of the line level? - or just to get the correct impedance match with the Direct out and Line in on the Scarlett? - Or even worse, should I be looking for a better audio interface, since I really only need those 2 mic pres and that's all...

Anyway... I'm having a really hard time getting a good sound from my 6505+, and I'm expecting this to be the problem (or one of them).
Also I'm thinking of replacing those Emg 81/85s with some Bare knuckle Ceramic Nailbomb / Cold sweat pickups - Will that have any reasonable impact on the sound quality?

Sorry for hi-jacking
Kind regards - Christian