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Focusrite scarlett 2i2 2nd gen review12/28/2022 You even get a ‘time to install’ indication (some five minutes for Ableton, 25 for Pro Tools), rather like the time it takes to get to your gate at an airport. Essentially, this is the registration process on steroids, so you input your serial number and you get taken through a series of steps to allow you to download either the Lite version of Ableton Live or Pro Tools First that comes with the interface, with a handy instructional video about the installation. This is your first introduction to the interface, and interactive process ‘designed to help those who need it to get up and running quicker and easier than ever before’, although more seasoned users can skip it and jump straight to the software downloads, should they wish. One of the other big new features of the new Scarlett range is the incorporation of Focusrite’s new Quick Start process. I should also mention there’s a free software bundle with Live Lite and Pro Tools First, a Splice subscription, plus a good range of plug-ins from Softube, XLN Audio and Focusrite. The overall Gain Range has also been improved, from 50dB to 56dB, so it’s a promising set of specs. Conversely, the Total Harmonic Distortion figures (a measurement of distortion and noise, so the lower the better) is around half that of the previous generation, albeit from a pretty low starting point. That compares to anything between 106-109dB for the 2nd-Gens. The Dynamic Range figure – that is the difference between the output-level capability and the noise floor, so the bigger the better – is around 110dB across the new range for line, mic and instrument inputs. The technical specs have been improved, too. The top four models also boast Loopback functionality enabling you to capture any stereo feed from any hardware or software combo: useful for podcasters and those into flexible sampling. This emulates the famous AIR Studios lift in the high mids, which is a famous characteristic of the original Focusrite ISAs first used in that studio, and which were commissioned by late uber-producer George Martin for his mixer there. We’ll also be looking at the entry-level Solo as part of a new studio bundle, which comes with headphones and a microphone in a future mini review.Īll the models in this new generation boast the Focusrite Air feature that I last saw in the Clarett USB range last year. That’s a lot of new interfaces, but in this review we’ll be focusing on three models to cover the range: the entry-level Solo, the mid-range 8i6 and high-end 18i20. As you might expect, the range then steps up with more ins and outs, so you get the Scarlett 2i2 (two in, two out) the 4i4 (four in, four out and which replaces the old 2i4, adding two fixed-line inputs) the 8i6 (one of the units on test here, which replaces the old 6i6 but adds two line inputs) the 18i8 (18 ins, including eight ADAT ins and eight analogue outs) and 18i20 (18 ins and 20 outs, including ADAT I/O). The smallest is the Solo, one of the direct second-generation upgrades. There are six interfaces in the third generation of Scarletts, some direct replacements to models in the second generation, others replacements but with additional features like extra line-ins. With that cleared up, let’s get onto the new range. Finally, there are the Reds, a pro-end range of interfaces with masses of digital and analogue I/O with Dante, DigiLink connectivity and even better preamps. You might then be asking what the differences are between Scarlett USB and Clarett USB and this comes down to better mic pres and other audio specs on the Clarett range – more on these later. I say ‘would’, because Focusrite now has the Clarett USB range for super-low USB latency. It would seem, then, that the differences between Scarlett and Clarett would simply be down to Scarlett’s USB v the faster Clarett Thunderbolt interfacing standard. Clarett is Focusrite’s range of interfaces for Thunderbolt. The iTrack range is the lightning-cable-equipped range of interfaces specifically tailored for mobile iOS recording, featuring such models as the iTrack Dock and fabulous cuboid iTrack One Pre. The Scarlett range is the main USB entry point to Focusrite interfacing, boasting models for everyone from the beginner onwards.
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