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

Product Information

An audio interface can also be an external sound card which is used for recording sound or music. When your computer already has a sound card then what's the need for another one? There are certain limitations of a built-in sound card. It can't support all types of recordings and this is why you may require an external sound card or an audio interface. In a recording interface, there will be usually three types of input ports, a microphone (XLR cable to Preamplifier), an instrument (TS/TR cable bypassing preamp), and a midi (digital information about how an instrument is played).

Overall, the iD24 brings this unit in line with other 2nd generation iDs, offering an attractive balance of features, with a heavy focus on a genuinely audiophile front end – which we love. It has well-designed software for additional features like cue mixes and signal routing. All in all, it is a flexible interface delivering good value for money.The ADAT ports let you expand the total number of inputs and outputs by 16 (20 x in, 24 x out, hence 44) but part of us wishes there was more onboard analogue I/O. Still, at least there’s the provision for sizable expansion.

Basically, an XLR input will be powered by a preamplifier while the TRS/Hi-Z power will bypass it. The modern audio interface includes gain knobs for controlling your microphone volume. In many interfaces, you’ll find a +48v phantom power button which is a small electrical charge that will run up to your microphone through an XLR cable. In high-end or mid-range microphones you will probably find an external power supply. If it isn't available then you can use phantom power without worrying about over-powering or damaging your microphone. PCIE ports are usually found in professional audio boxes because it offers additional processing power and fast data transfer. The Scarlett 2i2 has a firewire interface so that speed is not compromised. A phantom power option is also included for microphones without an external power supply. In our experience, Focusrite’s Scarlett USB interfaces have traditionally combined excellent sonics and audio flexibility at affordable price points, and the third-generation units keep up the good work. On most audio interfaces you’ll typically find both XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, often combined into combo connectors so that you can plug mics, guitars, synths and the like into the same input. Many interfaces also offer a phantom power option, which is required if you want to use certain microphones.Universal Audio used to focus on the high-end market with interfaces that boasted both a quality signal flow and also acted as hosts and accelerators for the company’s very well-regarded plugin range. That changed with the Volt range, a set of four units that eschew the plugin hosting in favour of value and more standard features. The more expensive 176 and 276 are reviewed later in this buyer’s guide, but the Volt 1 and 2 offers most of what they deliver bar their extra 1176-style compression. Latency or delay is another factor that shatters your workflow. This audio interface completely revolutionizes the concept thanks to Scarlett’s unrivaled round-trip latency which is as low as 2.74ms.