Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio — A Mix Real-World Review

Initially launched in 2011, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 has undergone a number of revisions, first in 2016 (2nd Gen), then in 2019 (third Gen) and now a revision to 4th Gen.

The 2i2 is Focusrite’s best-selling interface, and will presumably be the best-selling audio interface ever produced, with the corporate reporting that greater than six million Scarlett-series interfaces have been bought up to now. The 2i2’s reputation has been fueled by ease of use, a compact kind issue, high-quality audio, and an affordable worth. The newest iteration continues these traditions, this time incorporating converters from Focusrite’s flagship RedNet sequence to realize a dynamic vary of 120 dB, whereas supporting resolutions as much as 192 kHz/24-bit.

The 2i2 4th Gen has quite a few revisions over its predecessor.The microphone preamp has been redesigned to offer 69 dB of achieve—a 13 dB improve over the earlier preamp. The preamps could also be remote-controlled utilizing the Management 2 app, and have Auto Acquire, Clip Secure and two completely different “Air” modes (extra on that in a second). A brand new headphone amp reduces distortion, improves dynamic vary and delivers sufficient energy to drive high-impedance headphones to comfy listening ranges. In the meantime, the 2i2 4th Gen line outputs additionally acquired a facelift, and now boast lowered distortion (-112 dB) and a most output stage of 16 dBu.

The oldsters at Focusrite despatched Combine the Scarlett 2i2 Studio bundle, which features a Scarlett 2i2 interface, SH-450 headphones, CM25 MkIII condenser microphone, microphone cable, USB Sort C-to-A cable, and a cardboard microphone stand that’s built-in into the packaging. The elements make an important introductory bundle for the novice, however for the needs of this evaluation, we’ll think about the Scarlett 2i2.

UP-FRONT

The entrance panel of the 2i2 is neatly organized with enter controls on the left and output controls on the precise. Two rotary encoders with halo meters set enter stage for the front-panel 1/4-inch inputs or rear-panel XLR microphone inputs (plugging a cable right into a 1/4-inch jack disables the respective XLR enter). A set of six buttons management preamp capabilities, beginning with Choose, which toggles management between the 2 channels. The remaining controls are 48V (which applies to each channels), Inst (toggles the 1/4-inch enter between instrument and line stage), Auto (begins the Auto Acquire course of), Secure (activates Clip Secure), and Air, which cycles by means of three settings: Off, Air Presence, or Air Presence + Drive. The suitable facet of the unit options a big output stage knob with halo meter, a USB standing LED, Direct Monitor (Off/ Mono/Stereo), and a 1/4-inch headphone jack with devoted quantity management.

The rear panel options the XLR microphone inputs, a pair of 1/4-inch speaker outputs, a USB-C port for connection to a pc, a second USB-C port for energy, and a port for a Kensington lock. The 2i2 attracts a good quantity of present (900 mA) by way of the USB bus, so within the occasion that your pc can not present ample energy, the secondary USB port can be utilized for a devoted USB energy provide. The secondary port can be useful when utilizing the 2i2 in Standalone mode.

The primary time you join the 2i2 to your pc, you’ll be prompted to undergo the Straightforward Begin course of whereby you possibly can register the unit with Focusrite, and obtain and set up the Management 2 app. Registering the 2i2 ensures you possibly can entry license codes for the software program bundled with the 2i2—and there’s a whole lot of helpful stuff, together with an assortment of plug-ins from Focusrite, Ableton Reside Lite, and three-month trials of Auto-Tune Limitless and Professional Instruments Artist.

IN THE STUDIO

I began my assessments by connecting the 2i2 4th Gen to my laptop computer and listening to some mixes. Since I’ve a 2i2 third Gen, I used to be in a position to evaluate it with the newer unit, and it was instantly obvious that the headphone amp within the 4th Gen unit is extra clear than third Gen, although it’s robust to say if that is an attribute of the amp, the D/A circuitry or each. The 2i2 4th Gen is smoother within the upper-mids, has a extra prolonged backside finish and resolves low-level element higher than 2i2 third Gen. The 2i2 4th Gen headphone amp has the power to drive my historical AKG K240s to greater ranges than the 2i2 third Gen, and 4th Gen may drive my displays to barely louder ranges than the third Gen unit as nicely.

I made a couple of transient recordings of an acoustic guitar utilizing a Neumann U87, first with the 2i2 Gen3 unit after which utilizing the 2i2 4th Gen.

Recordings made with the 2i2 4th Gen sounded pure and well-balanced, and I observed that the highest finish was extra open and prolonged than that of the third Gen.

I then used the 2i2 4th Gen to file a voiceover utilizing a Shure SM7B, which has a notoriously low output stage. Utilizing this mic with the 2i2 third Gen, I used to be solely in a position to obtain file ranges that I’d contemplate barely acceptable even with most achieve. Utilizing the 2i2 4th Gen, nonetheless, I used to be in a position to file the microphone at wholesome ranges with no sacrifice within the noise ground.

The additional achieve supplied by the 4th Gen preamps was additionally welcome after I recorded acoustic guitar and vocal tracks utilizing a Royer R10 ribbon microphone. On this utility, the 2i2’s Air Presence mode was excellent for including a little bit of sparkle to the acoustic guitar, or some presence to a lead vocal. I attempted Air Presence + Drive on a couple of completely different devices, however discovered it most helpful on a DI’d electrical guitar the place it breathed some life into the instrument, and a male lead vocal for an alt rock observe the place it simply pushed the vocal to the entrance of the combo.

Turning on Auto Acquire initiates a pay attention mode whereby the 2i2 analyzes roughly 10 seconds of audio and units preamp achieve based mostly upon the enter sign. I constantly discovered the preamp settings utilizing Auto Acquire to be on the conservative facet (i.e., ranges had been decrease than I’d like), nevertheless it was simple sufficient to tweak settings a couple of dB greater afterward to get within the ballpark.

Pushing the Secure button engages the 2i2’s Clip Secure mode, whereby the unit displays enter stage and robotically adjusts the achieve to keep away from clipping. Secure labored higher on indicators with a gradual assault than it did on transients, and I didn’t like the truth that turning it on all the time instantly lowered the achieve setting, no matter whether or not there was enter sign or not. It ought to be talked about that Air and Secure modes are disabled at pattern charges of 176.4 and 192 kHz.

CONTROL 2

Focusrite Management 2 is the free app that allows pc management over pattern price and preamp parameters. It’s a easy however elegant UI that ought to be self-explanatory to inexperienced customers, and the enter metering is a pleasant complement to the meters on the 2i2 chassis. Grabbing a achieve knob adjusts enter stage, and a numeric readout above the multicolored stage meter signifies headroom dBFS—very helpful data, particularly when recording alone. Software program controls mirror these on the 2i2, a pleasant addition being Management 2’s drop-down menu for the Air settings.

THE 2I2 STANDS ALONE

The 2i2 could be run in Standalone mode, which permits audio to cross even when the 2i2 isn’t related to a pc. This may very well be helpful for monitoring a synth or electrical guitar with no need as well up a pc. It additionally permits the 2i2 for use as a traditional mic preamp. Standalone requires energy by way of one of many USB-C ports, and the 2i2 should be switched to Direct Monitor mode.

There’s rather a lot to love in regards to the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen. It’s simple to arrange and use, it sounds actually good, and has sufficient achieve to cope with low-output microphones. Direct Monitor permits latency-free monitoring on the push of a button. Although it solely has two {hardware} inputs, the 2i2 4th Gen additionally supplies a pair of loopback inputs that facilitate capturing audio output out of your pc (although you’ll must mute the channels in your DAW to keep away from making a suggestions loop). It’s very reasonably priced, and the noise ground of the monitor outputs is considerably decrease than that of the 2i2 third Gen. Whether or not you’re searching for your first interface, or want an interface that you would be able to toss in a backpack and use for distant recordings, the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is a no brainer.