Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface for Recording, Songwriting, Streaming and Podcasting — High-Fidelity, Studio Quality Recording, and All the Software You Need to Record

I have an x370 asus crosshair vi hero motherboard with onboard sound and its supposed to have upgraded sound. I got new creative gigaworks t20 series II speakers and i could never turn my bass up near halfway because it would sound awful. I thought the speakers just couldn't handle the bass, i tried movies, games, many different songs, cds, the speakers just seemed like they couldn't handle the bass. with the new focusrite sound mixer, i plugged these up and the sound was 100% better. I could max out the bass if i wanted to, and it was clear and smooth. It sounded great at any settings i changed on the speakers, just like if you liked that setting. it sounded like it was working. there is no lag or any problems with this compared to a regular like pci card soundcard. its awesome and i plugged up a microphone and it sounds 100x better than my old onboard made my mic sound. people said it sounded basically before like a robot, very low quality with no real lifelike sounding to it. it made it sound way better. i got a new mic and it sounds very good for the quality of the cheap microphone that i did get. this is the best sound mixer/card ive ever got. great price to performance ratio. Update 4yrs later: The mixer has started to have audio crackles and starts to fritz out on me occassionally now after having it about 4 years. I have to unplug and plug it back up to get it to work again. Beyond any warranty period and a bit high for this length of working time. I've heard other comments but I can't confirm anything but have found a few other same results on focusrite. I dont know what else to pick, maybe should have picked something else. Should have done some research before I picked this up. I dont know if the newer versions would be any better. The sound was much better than my other motherboards "upgraded" sound compared to it, though.

Review: The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface is an absolute game-changer for anyone involved in recording, songwriting, streaming, or podcasting. As an owner of this remarkable device, I can confidently say that it has revolutionized my creative process and elevated the quality of my audio productions. First and foremost, the audio fidelity delivered by the Scarlett 2i2 is unparalleled. The pristine sound reproduction, powered by Focusrite's renowned preamps, captures every nuance and detail with remarkable clarity. Whether you're a vocalist, musician, or podcaster, this audio interface ensures that your recordings are professional-grade and sonically pleasing. Setting up the Scarlett 2i2 is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design. The intuitive controls and clear LED indicators make it easy to navigate and adjust settings on the fly. The inclusion of two XLR/TRS combo inputs allows for simultaneous recording of vocals and instruments, accommodating versatile recording scenarios with ease. One standout feature of the Scarlett 2i2 is its exceptional compatibility. With USB connectivity, it seamlessly integrates with your preferred digital audio workstation (DAW) and is compatible with both Mac and PC systems. This versatility ensures that you can unleash your creativity without any limitations. Furthermore, the Scarlett 2i2's rugged and robust build quality inspires confidence for both studio and on-the-go use. Its compact size makes it highly portable, allowing you to take your recording studio wherever inspiration strikes. Whether you're an aspiring musician, established artist, or content creator, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface is an indispensable tool. It empowers you to capture professional-grade audio with ease, elevating your recordings, songwriting sessions, streaming performances, and podcast episodes to new heights. Investing in the Scarlett 2i2 is a decision you won't regret. It's a reliable and versatile audio interface that unlocks your creative potential, making it an essential addition to any studio setup. Get ready to experience audio excellence like never before with the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface!

Updating my review as I now own both the 3rd and 4th Gen versions of the 2i2. I've been using the 3rd Gen for months and recently acquired the 4th Gen. 3rd Gen: The device is great. I prefer the analog knobs for gain adjustment, unlike the new system where you rely on software to fine-tune the precise dB you want. Occasionally, on my Windows 10 machine, I experienced hiccups requiring a reboot or device refresh to resolve scrambled and choppy audio during gameplay while recording. However, I didn't encounter this issue with my Apple Mac Studio. I use a straight USB-C to USB-C cable with the Mac Studio, and it has been flawless. The AIR mode enhances the sound of my Shure SM7B mic. PROS: --Volume knobs don't require software. CONS: --XLR input in front. 4th Gen: I was initially confused about how auto-gain and clip-safe functioned, so I decided to test them out. Autogain analyzes your voice briefly and recommends a dB level, in my case, 22dB with a Shure SM7B with an inline booster. I also tested the new AIR+Drive mode. While I appreciate AIR, I found the drive mode less favorable, especially with vocals, as it resulted in over-processed distortion. Adjusting the notices on my SM7B mic for different frequencies, combined with AIR mode, yields optimal results. The recording quality of my voice sounds slightly better with the 4th Gen over the 3rd, likely because I can keep the volume knob lower, minimizing background noise. PROS: --XLR input in the back. --Auto-gain assists in setting the ideal dB level. --Better gain, allowing for lower volume knobs and reduced background noise. CONS: --Digital volume knobs require software for precise dB adjustments.

Best preamp

Hay esfuerzos encomiables en las tarjetas de sonido e interfaces USB, pero en cuanto te pones un poco en serio no hay otro modelo al que acudir: durante tres generaciones las interfaces Scarlett de Focusrite son recomendaciones de referencia para músicos en un estudio casero o hacer un podcast serio. Este modelo 2i2 cuenta, como su nombre indica, con 2 entradas XLR y soporta alimentación Phantom P48 de 48 V. Normalmente los micrófonos de calidad como el Rode Procaster (enlace) funcionan sin averiarse si conectas la alimentación, pero en lo posible mejor quítala si no la vas a usar. La preamplificación de esta interfaz es legendaria, como lo es la confianza que ofrece: es uno de esos productos que, sencillamente, hacen lo que dicen y no dan problemas. Que se conecte con un solo USB y su reducido tamaño la hacen ideal para meter interfaz y cables en una mochila e ir a grabar a cualquier sitio, además de la extrema sencillez de uso del panel de control de Focusrite y el valor añadido del software que obtienes con la compra. Para los que ya conozcan las Scarlett, en esta 3ª generación Focusrite ha ampliado las ya excelentes cualidades técnicas de la interfaz, pero la mayor novedad reside en que ahora se conecta con un puerto USB tipo C, más opciones de configuración de E/S y un "Air Mode" que potencia las pistas de voz emulando la amplificación de un amplificador analógico. Además, las ruedas de ajuste de ganancia se iluminan con un código semáforo: verde cuando la ganancia está bien configurada, ámbar cuando nos estamos pasando y roja si la estamos saturando. Todas estas características más la sencillez de uso la hacen ideal para auténticos principiantes pero con la posibilidad de obtener un resultado profesional con poco tiempo de aprendizaje. Instalar la interfaz es trivialmente sencillo: la conectas por primera vez y ya arranca la instalación, que te guía para registrar el número de serie en la web de Focusrite y obtener el software añadido. Este software permite hacer de todo y tiene la ventaja de que te ayuda a familiarizarte con herramientas que son estándar de la industria incluyendo una versión personalizada de Avid ProTools First. Si ves que estás un poco perdido con tu nueva interfaz, échale un vistazo a los vídeos de la guía rápida, que explican todo muy detalladamente con guías paso a paso que imprimir - eso sí, en inglés. Sin ninguna duda, la 3ª generación de interfaces Scarlett es la mejor que haya producido Focusrite y, a su vez, son posiblemente las mejores interfaces que pueda comprar un usuario doméstico que se ponga en serio. Tal vez si ya tienes una el cambio no merezca la pena salvo para pasar a un modelo con más E/S pero es un producto intachable, con cambios que mejoran la vida al usuario y que no estropean ninguna de las características a las que deben su éxito. Recomendadísimo.

this was connected to my pc for a year low intensive use, some guitar. mostly pc uses a few hours a dy. Started lowering and raising volume out of the blue one day. Died the day after... very disappointing

I’m using this to record mediations using an audiotechnica mic with FL studio, it works well and I’ve had no problems , although sometimes it needs to be restarted but I’m not sure if that’s fl studio glitching or the device

La Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 è un’interfaccia audio davvero eccezionale. Appena collegata si nota subito la qualità costruttiva: solida, compatta e curata nei dettagli. Ma il vero punto forte è il suono — pulito, bilanciato e con una resa professionale anche usando microfoni di fascia alta. I preamp sono silenziosi e potenti, e la latenza è praticamente assente. L’installazione è semplicissima: basta collegarla e in pochi minuti è pronta all’uso. Perfetta per chi registra voce, strumenti o vuole migliorare la qualità audio del proprio setup da streaming o home studio. Un prodotto affidabile e versatile, che giustifica ogni euro speso. Super consigliata!