Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface Bundle for the Songwriter with Condenser Microphone and Headphones for Recording, Streaming and Podcasting

Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB - I love it. I am using a long line of multiple 2i2 devices from Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3 for years. I am happy with all of them. Very good built quality, plain, low noise, low distortion. They all meet manufacturer specifications. No inflated claims like some manufacturers do. Each model had some tiny glitches that did not affect my experience. So my expectations are high on 4th Gen. A box arrived quickly. I opened it and realized a box has no protecting layer to soften shocks, blows during transportation. Just over box inside of almost identical, only slightly larger box! This experience was not a good welcome to me. I believe such packaging of any electronics reduces product reliability. Didn't you see how sometimes drivers drop packages on concrete floor? So I almost feel like getting used product, am I too sensitive about it? Alone in my opinion such product should have some shock absorbing layer of foam material or air bubbles sheet?After opening a box I see a piece of paper printed with miniature characters. Microscope could help... But no guidance here how to get the first steps. Only warnings in very many languages. As I would need all this, very high priority to manufacturer but not to me! I think this excellent product has new functions that a purchaser is not familiar with. It would be highly beneficial if a a small hard card size like 2-3 business cards shows briefly what happens when each of new controls used. OK, I can find it in pdf user manual, but I don't want to print user manual for one of 15 models audio interfaces I have. So I will work with audio recordings while scrolling through pdf file, at least till I am familiar with all this product offers. After such observations I wish to get to recording... And pdf file does not tell clearly up front that utility program is actually a driver. I have to spend time to learn it. This is the very first item to perform after purchase, but info is written among other content, not up front. I want to install utility program but no info provided if 2i2 Gen 4 should be connected or not, during installation. I learn here I should go to the internet, manufacturer' webpage and get information how to proceed. A suggestion is strong - identify yourself first! So you can get audio recording software. But I don't use the internet on sacred computers. I don't wish to be exposed to Spyware and threats from Microsoft like this one: You paid for our Office Suite, but we make it stop at our convenience under pretense we check if you are the correct user???? So I will to install a driver only, no suspicious activities and forced "updates", no spyware on my precious computer. How do I proceed considering above? I loaded needed file on another computer, copied it to one working with 2i2 Gen 4. It works fine that way. The utility is just sampling rate changing program combined with a driver, at least on my computer. Nothing else. A device works well, nothing wrong. I enjoy it from that moment. I don't need extra programs for musicians.Now most enjoyable part - distortion and noise testing. Both are excellent low, exactly as shown on specifications. I really enjoy low noise that is closer now to that of higher grade Clarett+ noise. Regarding distortion, Clarett+ has specs about 0.0003% while Scarlett 2i2 spec is around 0.001% for all generations 1, 2, 3, 4. Truly excellent product here, amazing performance for $200 and this product is far ahead of other USB audio interfaces I used before. Important to me is the fact it can work with no AC/DC power adapter. Through my career I experienced scenarios that noise reading was lowest if USB audio device was powered through USB cable. Then noise reading was even slightly better if power supply disconnected from laptop. The noise reading was consistently worse if given USB audio interface AND laptop used both AC/DC adapters. The difference could be a few dB but sometimes noise spikes were 10dB and more above noise floor, depending how clean was power line, individual wall outlets. I will check later 2i2 Gen 4 on that noise immunity and will update my review.In terms of reliability, all earlier Scarlett 2i2 I used full time worked a minimum of 5 years. If something wrong happened, it would be in the "abuse" category like frequent plugging, unplugging in, out cables with ESD damage maybe. Or connecting to multiple other devices powered with AC/DC adapters and no isolating transformers between. I am a laboratory user, not a musician, so different considerations, scenarios. Scarlett 2i2 Gen 4 is a great tool now for my audio experiments, audio test fixtures, audio signal measuring / analyzing setups.5 stars, but no 5+ due to less perfect packaging with less perfect protection against abuse in transit.

EDIT: I wound up getting the Scarlet 2i2 3rd gen, and it's wonderful! Just recorded and the sound is crisp, clear and clean!When I received my unit, it was damaged. The rear USB-C port was very loose, so the device could not be powered and dectected by my computer, which is a real shame since I've heard many good things about this family of products. I understand that the gen 3 Focusrites are older and being sold as refurbished, but this isolated incident feels like an oversight in quality control. Be that as it may, because of the good faith I have in the pdcasting communnity and their insights on the products they reccomend, I may be inclined to purchase a 2i2 model for more (though not until the refund is issued)

I needed an audio interface to record a wind instrument while working with a Surface Pro tablet, which I generally prefer using. After some research, I discovered documentation from Focusrite stating that their devices are compatible with generic Windows drivers on ARM64 and that they are aiming for full support with Windows 11 by 2025. To my surprise, all I had to do was plug in the interface, and it worked seamlessly.That said, Focusrite Control application and the official Focusrite drivers are still incompatible at this time. While the core functionality of the interface is fully operational, the additional software features provided by Focusrite have not yet been released.

This is my third Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 (it's a long story), but I prefer this brand, because with A/D D/A conversions, you really do get what you pay for. It works with my Dell Inspiron running Reaper DAW, has two ultra quiet preamps (XLR on back), and a HOT monitor output. I won't use any other brand of audio interface for my home practice studio!

I've been using focusrite interaces since the 1st gen. I've had the 2i2's and 4i4's, and now we're at the 4th gen and I decided to get the "simple" one. Having the XLR on the back is nice, it keeps the bulky cable out of the way and allows you to see the front meter easier, and with the 4th gen, that front level meter is all the better to see.Yes, this interface lacks some features of the 2i2, 4i4, etc. but if you just need simplicity, this is the one to get. Less fiddling with the software and easer to just set your settings with the front panel dial and buttons, and focus on your music and not the computer screen. There are 3 main things you miss out on with the "solo" model: Auto level setting, "safe" mode, and a bit of extra headroom in the preamp. Additionally, the "solo" model does not have a light ring around the output dial.If you just need a simple ASIO interface for your DAW to connect your monitor speakers or headphones to, with the occasional need to connect a mic or instrument for input, this will work well. Note that while there are two inputs, only one is an XLR for a mic and one is a quarter inch for an instrument. If you want to connect a stereo instrument such as a synch, or some other stereo source, this model will not allow you to do that.There are lots of different reviews of audio interfaces, and everybody has their own preference. Many reviewers will compare the nitty-gritty specs, which in the long run, I don't think make all that much difference. What is most important is for an interface that you can easily use, and not get distracted with so t hat you can focus on the task of being creative and making music. While I've purchased the more sophisticated interfaces in the past, I've also gone down the rabbit hole of trying to get them to work as I need with the software. When I just need something simple, I think this will be a good choice. If I need more inputs or flexibility down the road, then I would probably consider getting a 4i4 at that time, but for now all I need is "the simple one".PROS:* Simple to use, can operate with just the buttons and knobs on front; although you need to install the software, you don't need to actually use it to change settings* Small size* Good build quality* Manufacturer with a good reputationCONS:* Only 1 mic, and 1 instrument/line input - can't record a stereo sourc* Mic preamp doesn't have as much headroom (cheaper preamp?)* Missing a few features of it's siblings: Auto gain, "safe mode" (limiter) and light ring on output dialConclusion: Some may argue that for only a bit more, you can get a 2i2 and get the extra features -- I argue that if you don't need those extra features, why deal with the complexity? Auto-gain and "safe mode" are really just gimmicks, and you really don't *need* them. The only benefit of the higher end models is the extra inputs, which, if you need them, you need them. I think this is a great interface for beginners or small studios to get their feet wet, and make some music rather than get distracted with complex software settings.