Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface

People has always asked me about the equipment I use on my streams. On my first stream, I needed no interface as I would plug directly into the line input jack in my old trustworthy 2009 27″ imac. After adding other cameras and more plugins to my OBS, I noticed that my imac started to become a little sluggish. With that said, I purchased a 2020 M1 Macbook Pro. There was no input jack and my only option was to use an USB interface. I wanted to go cheap so my first purchase was M-Audio. It didn’t quite work out for me. Wouldn’t work out of the box and just was not providing any output sound. Might have been a defective unit. After much research, I ended up getting a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface. Worked perfectly right out the box and have been using it for a year without any problems.

The instrument input has very high impedance and headroom essential for direct connection of guitars and bass guitars. A highly responsive gain halo feature allows for easy adjustments to avoid clipping, resulting in overall clear and accurate recordings without unwanted distortion. It has the option to connect XLR or instrument jacks to both inputs, with individual gain controls for each input and his 48V phantom power for microphones that need it.

Also, the recording mode can be selected from “Instrument” and “Air”. The Air feature emulates Focusrite’s original ISA preamp, perfect for miking instruments and recording vocals. This tends to sound much brighter and more open, which is especially useful for vocals. However, as with the new interface, finding the right settings for your needs can be a bit of a hassle – adjust the monitor and headphone volumes independently and you’re ready to record. The 2i2 offers independent recording and playback for both channels. For new artists who want to fully explore their musical talents, or for those who want to explore new levels of in-the-box music production, the 2i2 interface also includes all kinds of recording software, sounds and plugins. This includes starter versions of both industry-standard Ableton Live and Avid Pro Tools, plus a 3-month subscription to Splice Sounds. Our growing bank of royalty-free one-shots, loops and presets already includes millions of high-quality releases. Finally, you’ll have access to the Softube Time and Tone Bundle and a range of Focusrite plugins packed with mixing and mastering tools.

However, these can be overwhelming at times. Companies love to give consumers ridiculous lists of add-ons and extras, and it’s easy for consumers to waste a lot of time sorting through them to figure out what’s right for you. It often comes at the expense of creativity. If you’re tech-savvy and enthusiastic, Focusrite continues to release free downloads every few months, so you never know what you’ll come across.
Key players will also notice the lack of dual instrument inputs and MIDI I/O (although larger models have these features). If you want to split your instrument left and right while recording, you’ll need to use both inputs and pans in your DAW. This can be frustrating when recording multiple instruments or performing with others. However, Scarlett always tends to attract solo artists and producers to her, so we don’t think she’ll make too much of a fuss.

All in all, the third generation of Focusrite’s iconic user interface still proves these guys are the rightful rulers of the market. The Scarlett 2i2 is perfect for home studio artists looking for an easy way to record songs and tinker with their digital workstation. After all, you can’t knock 2i2 on possible limits. For the price you pay, you get the best sound quality possible on the market. When it comes to USB interfaces, there aren’t many brands preferred over Focusrite.

About This Item

• Pro performance with the finest pre-amps – Achieve a brighter and a more open recording thanks to the best performing mic pre-amps the Scarlett range has ever seen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Scarlett 2i2.
• Get the perfect guitar and vocal take – There’s no need to sacrifice your tone with two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice with clarity and your instruments in all their glory without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos.
• Low-noise for crystal clear listening – Two low-noise balanced outputs provide clean audio playback. Hear all the details and nuances of your own track or music from Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Plug-in your own headphones via the output for private listening in high-fidelity.
• Studio quality recording for your music and podcasts – You can achieve professional sounding recordings with Scarlett’s high-performance converters which enable you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities so that you can sound like the artists you admire.
• Easy Start – It’s easier than ever to get up and running with your Scarlett with our online tool, Easy Start. Whether you’re looking to record or playback audio, we will help you get started.
• All the tools you need to start recording right, now – We’ve partnered with our favourite industry partners to provide you with plenty of sound content and software so that you can create and record music right away.
• Enjoy three years of warranty – Wherever you happen to be in the world, you can rely on a three-year warranty if any Focusrite hardware needs repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault.