Scarlett 2i4 Clipping

[Mister Revenant]

So I was gifted this interface from Christmas and was excited to work with it. But it then started to go south. I had a lot of fuzz going on but that was mediated with a noise gate so I got past that. But the clipping is in issue. Even having the pad turned low, chugs and such still reach very high levels. They don't clip 3/4 of the time but it's basically just a hair away. Can this is be worked with or should I try to get the levels to a safer level?
I'm using Reaper and an Ibanez guitar with EMG's.
Apologies if the question has been beaten on you guys, i'm pretty new to this forum but made an account due to the quality of responses I usually see.

 

[wishtheend]

If with the pad engaged and input gain at 0 you are still getting close to clipping, look for something with a better pad. The Scarlett I think is only -10db but you could find a standalone DI with something stronger. Countryman has a -30db option.

 

[Mister Revenant]

If with the pad engaged and input gain at 0 you are still getting close to clipping, look for something with a better pad. The Scarlett I think is only -10db but you could find a standalone DI with something stronger. Countryman has a -30db option.

Damn. And here I was getting ready to start recording again. What a bummer.

 

[deLuther]

If with the pad engaged and input gain at 0 you are still getting close to clipping, look for something with a better pad. The Scarlett I think is only -10db but you could find a standalone DI with something stronger. Countryman has a -30db option.

Yes, it have... but!!! check impedance, 10 MOhm only in Pickup mode on Type 85/10, they just don`t specify impedance with Pad engaged, but it, probably, is significantly lower than even 1 MOhm, like on most other active DI boxes.
Typical active DI box have maximum input level (in instrument mode, i.e. 1 MOhm and so on) on par with 2i4 (with Pad engaged). Some interfaces have even larger maximum input levels.
2i4 has +13 dbu with Pad engaged or 3.4 Vp/6.8 Vpp, while Type 85 has only 5 Vpp or around +10 dbu (in Pickup mode).

 

[Star Ark]

I have a scarlette and yes they clip with pretty much any high gain pickup. Mine seems to be too hot overall because even with master pot down to 0 I can still hear audio coming from my speakers or headphones. On the soundcard interface I have to pull down the master another 15db or so to get silence. You need a DI to use any decent rock metal pickup which makes you question to inclusion of high z and high and low inputs. If you can't really use the thing why have a bunch of other features? Plus the problem has been around a couple of years now with no attempt to fix it. I'm hoping mine dies so I feel good about replacing the POS. Sorry to be a buzz kill but if you could return it I would.

 

[He's Dead, Jim]

I find it hard to believe the 2i4 is clipping with the pad turned on AND the gain knob turned down to as low as it will go without making the guitar silent. I guess it's possible, but I've had two guitars from different brands with EMG actives and neither have gotten anywhere near that level on three different interfaces. Also, there's no need to have a gate on a dry DI, and I'd make doubly sure you aren't adding any gain with the gate, since ReaGate has a volume control iirc.

 

[Andrasia]

Hi,
I have the same problems with the Steinberg UR22!
Some guy seems to have a solution: sold two resistance directly to the jack! (No need to open the interface and lose warranty) here is the link: https://www.gearslutz.com/board/new...23126-guitar-recording-sounds-very-muddy.html

Not try yet ,

 

[Rygar91]

It is clipping on the interface or in Reaper, cuz those are very different things. I dont see how you would be clipping the interface as I use the exact setup as you. I have the knob turned up at about 10 or 11 o'clock before i get any clipping. If its clipping in Reaper just simply turn the track down, if its clipping on the Scarlett (red light around the gain knob) then you'll have to invest in a DI box as suggested above.

 

[Mister Revenant]

I might try the DI Box but I tried my brothers Schecter C-1 and it was way better so I might just record with that instead. I had the pad button pressed and turned the gain knob down a bit and the levels in the recording meter were still reaching pretty high up. Or am I just reading it wrong? If so then i'd feel like an idiot.

 

[Star Ark]

This Scarlette range has been discussed here many times and it is always a problem with clipping.

 

[deLuther]

+13 dbu with Pad should be better than most active DI boxes out there.
Just have in mind, Countryman Type 85/10, Radial J48 all have around +10/+11 dbu, BSS AR-133 has +9 dbu, and so on, in Hi-Z mode.
Others just does not publish detailed specifications.
It seems that Focusrite improved situation in later Scarletts (after 2i2).
Also EMGs only have +10 dbu at maximum with 9 V power supply, not more, independent on how hard you strike the strings, signal just clips internally.

 

[He's Dead, Jim]

I might try the DI Box but I tried my brothers Schecter C-1 and it was way better so I might just record with that instead. I had the pad button pressed and turned the gain knob down a bit and the levels in the recording meter were still reaching pretty high up. Or am I just reading it wrong? If so then i'd feel like an idiot.

That's what I was saying before- if you're getting clipping, turning the gain knob on the scarlett down as far as it will go while still getting a signal should be the absolute first thing you do. If you turn it down all the way AND the pad is on and you're STILL getting clipping, then yes, you need a DI box. And remember, hard chugs should register about -18 db rms (yellow meters) and -6ish peak (blue meters) on the master bus. If you're a little higher that's fine, but that's the ballpark.

 

[guitarfishbay]

I have to have the pad on, and gain knob at zero to not clip my 2i4 when playing aggressively.

 

[deLuther]

If you turn it down all the way AND the pad is on and you're STILL getting clipping, then yes, you need a DI box.

And you can get even worse clipping with DI box in Hi-Z mode, because most active DI boxes are weak, not enough power supply. Just try to find some active DI box (not in speaker, i.e. low impedance, mode) with high maximum input level, it will be tough enough quest
For active pickups passive DI boxes should do the job, but output of actives already limited by power supply conditions, so there should be no problem with interface clipping.

 

[Mister Revenant]

That's what I was saying before- if you're getting clipping, turning the gain knob on the scarlett down as far as it will go while still getting a signal should be the absolute first thing you do. If you turn it down all the way AND the pad is on and you're STILL getting clipping, then yes, you need a DI box. And remember, hard chugs should register about -18 db rms (yellow meters) and -6ish peak (blue meters) on the master bus. If you're a little higher that's fine, but that's the ballpark.

I might have to do that. Thanks. I have been having to remedy it with lowering the volume fader on the track, which I know I shouldn't do.

 

[Metal Overload]

I have the 2i4, hellraiser with emg's and it clips around 11 0'clock, a little bit more with passive pickups...

 

[deLuther]

11 o`clock is high enough gain, so no problems on interface side.

 

[Mister Revenant]

Just did another check and the peak meter is hitting around 0-6 db and the RMS is passing -12db. Ill just go shop around for some passive DI Box's then. Thanks everybody. You've been a great help.

 

[deLuther]

Mister Revenant, at minimum gain with Pad engaged?
If you have active pickup just try line input of 2i4, it has larger maximum input level.

 

[Mister Revenant]

I tried that too with no help. It seems my guitars just enjoy clipping. And I find the line setting alters the tone as well. I found a Radial Passive DI Box/XLR cable bundle online with a 15 db pad.