➡SPECS & COMPARISON CHART: edthorne.com/exclusive-content ⬅ 🔥Get your tracks mixed by Ed: edthorne.com/mixing 🔥 🎬 Best Interface For Mixing! This HP Amp is Insane!: ua-cam.com/video/n0fyFRl2R24/v-deo.html 🎬 Scarlett 4th Generation vs 3rd Gen: ua-cam.com/video/_LDDzsxp1a0/v-deo.html
In 2022 sound quality is basically a wash. The preamps and converters on these things are 95% identical from a utility standpoint. Write and record great music and don't spend any energy on which sounds marginally better. Your listeners certainly won't care.
I'm listening on studio monitors, and I have to say that the Scarlett "Air Mode" was my favorite, and I really couldn't hear a difference between the two "dry" modes". The "vintage" mode actually sounded a little dull. These are obviously just my opinions.
@@spikesguitarcamp his point is .. if you have a daw then you can simply eq it in to sound like air for free. So it's a trashy gimmick of no real value.
What amazes me is how good everything in this video sounds on my iPhone 11 Pro at 4 inches from my face! I have the Scarlett and am happy with it for my simple needs. Nice vid!
The volt has a separate power supply which is necessary when connecting to an I pad since the I pad doesn’t have enough power to run the Volt 2. That was the deciding factor for me in purchasing another brand. Being a novice recorder I’m starting with Garage Band as a DAW.
It depends on the use, for portability, a USB powered interface seems better to me, and the converters nowadays are much less the weak link in your chain than a decade or two ago, plus all of them come with nice software. and External DSP importance is falling two with the newer Ryzen and M1 chips anyway, depending on the price difference I can really relate on buying a UAD device, so for low budget I'd go for Focusrite, for mid a UAD Volt, for small device but better budget, an RME most likely.
I have both and I noticed right away that the Line Out from the Volt 2 to my Neumann KH120 monitors had a different sound. Mostly rounder, with the highs less crispy than what I heard from the Scarlett. I also really love the premium feel to the Volt 2 knobs and the lights that indicate the audio output peaking/loudness.
I have always read very good feedback on the Roland audio interfaces, in particular the Quad and Octa-Capture. It would be nice to have a review of them.
I have used the octa-capture it is very good, it has a very balanced sound with good definition, but after a while the buttons began to fail, I ended up selling it
The biggest difference for me when I upgraded my 2i2 1st gen to the Apollo X Twin was the mic pre. My scarlet couldn’t really preamp my sm57 that well. Then I’d have to run it thru an eq and compressor, etc With the Apollo, I run the compressor on the unison preamp, eq to the mix and done.
I just purchased a volt interface on a whim. I figured "I can finally afford a universal audio product" seems like it might have been a good choice. Hopefully when the Sweetwater delivery gets here I'll have a similar experience
@@ItsTheMajorScalebro works great I use a 16 ch tascam for tracking. For some reason it seems like overdubs periodically get out of sync. I think the 16 channels has just got the processor too busy. So I use the UA for overdubs, and it sounds better than the tascam's pre's. Definitely the best mic preamps I have used aboard an inexpensive interface.
I've owned the scarlett 2i2 for 10 years now, 1st gen. Believe me, I've ran that thing through its paces, gotten to know if very well, and beat this crap out of it, taking it everywhere with me. It still works perfectly fine, and I still use it from time to time in a crunch and as a traveling interface. That thing is reliable. On the contrary a few years ago I upgraded to the Audient ID44. I now run my home studio with that hooked up to 2 asp800's. I remember the day I swapped out the scarlett for that interface, my jaw dropped. My speakers sounded better (I still have my speakers, krk gen 3 rokit 5's, I know them like the scarlett), the inputs are insanely clean, noise floor super low, headphones sound better, and my sub pac went from feeling fluffy to tight like a sub woofer. As nice as those things are, I can still work with the scarlett anywhere and feel confident working. Universal Audio is a great company and I love their products, but I thought there was some value to be said about the longevity of those scarlett's.
@@Pavelkozhin By no means do I live or die by any company, just sharing my experience. I'm not familiar with any of these companies making durability a main marketing tool of their products - which was my main point.
@@ORACLEBALL I mean, our perception of the sound of any equipment is influenced by too many parameters - design, price, even the name, which can be more pleasant or more harsh. All this deceives our senses. If you test the audio paths of your sound cards, the frequency response will be plus or minus 1 dB or less at the ends of the range, which our ears almost never hear.
Thanks for your clear direct and honest review. You ran it down very well. Only Focusrite set back for me was the old usb female input which has finally completely stopped working. Even with Focusrite changing to gen 3 usb c input , I want to try the Volt now .
the scarlett is a stellar dac though, even outshining some of the actual dedicated dacs in the audiophile world, how does the volt hold up as a dac when just listening to music through it? because quality out will let you also have quality in.
The Scarlett uses the same mass produced converter chips as every other budget interface in the world. Those are every bit as good as most top-of-the-line DACs from 20 years ago, so it's nothing to complain about, but I wouldn't call it a meaningful difference.
I would like to see the Volt compared to the more expensive Apogee Symphony Desktop in quality of sound. I have an older Apogee that might not be compatible with the MacBook M1 Max I’m getting, so I’m interested in a really good interface.
They’re in very different price leagues. An Apogee/Apollo might be a fairer comparison. I’ve reached out to Apogee’s distributors a few times about reviews to no avail…
@@EdThorne They know that you will tell the truth about their products. That Volt might be good in sound as my older Apogee interface. I’ll be able to find out this summer. I already heard the Scarlet 2i2 yesterday. My Apogee sounds better, but not $1,000.00 better. Good mixing skills would make them equal. My Apogee just sounds bigger in frequency.
I have been very happy with my behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD which cost half as much money as these 2 and so quiet and much better than the Presonas Firestudio which I had before - it was very noisy
I have the Scarlett 2i2, and honestly considering switching to the UA Volt 2, I'm dealing with a ground loop buzz issue with the Scarlett going into my THR30ii amp, I'm hoping with the Volt 2, having its own 5vDC power port, ordered a Ground Loop Noise Isolator, but I'm worried it'll some how color the audio some how so I'm thinking about being sure and just making the switch, that is, if having a power source that isn't through the same cable the audio source is coming through, would fix that.
I personally had a weird experience with the Volt - and it’s intermittent… but my tempo when playing back various audio through either Spotify, Music (iTunes), or even Ableton. The interface will actually slow the tempo down when playing back audio as normal… I had never actually had this problem before // haven’t seen anyone else post about it with the Volt - previously had the Motu M4 and never had an issue like this.
What never seems to earn a mention are the drivers. I always perfect stability and zero problems with Focusrite - which I can't say about any other interface I tried.
I’m a Mac guy, so all interfaces are class complaint and work without drivers - so I can’t comment on PC drivers. I’ve only ever had monitor software issues with one brand (neither of these).
@@EdThorne Class compliant is only a fancy name for the equivalent to Windows standard drivers. I doesn't mean they work which a quick search will reveal.
@@poulwinther I’ve never had a problem with an audio interface on my Mac - and I’ve used A LOT. They ALL just work. Literally, the only people I hear complaints from about comparability are PC users. Which interface are you considering anyway?
@@EdThorne I know you test a lot but it's not the same as heavy use. I had M-audio in the past and it was the worst junk ever to get connected to my system. I've been using Scarlett 2i2 since gen. 2 and never had a glitch. Since it now in a suitcase that the airline cannot even register after three days I need a new one. I was starting to lean strongly towards Audient iD4 or iD14 because of all the positive reviews but just found on Reddit that a lot of people have terrible problems with them. So the slight advantages over the Focusrite are not worth the issues and I think I will stick with them. The UA is fine too but it's unknown territory for me and they are well known for terrible software support. Besides I find it almost criminal that the interface doesn't allow use of UA plug-ins.
They're the same. They both sound the same. The difference seems to be with the Air - Vintage modes. Something about the Vintage made me think of LedZep III. Maybe it's the term vintage that brought me there but there you go
Interesting video. Absolute beginner. Hoping to use to record demo ideas to take to the band. Using a dynamic mic. Going for a refurb scarlet simply on cost. Dont need high quality
I just bought the Focusrite 2i2 3 gen , and I see this 😭💀, but I love the interface , I been using the Apollo twin and it’s almost the same thing , the Apollo just dont have any latenci and that’s it
@@EdThorne I understand. Although included plug ins won't be a nuance for me. As I am currently using Logic Pro and own no vsts. I am in the market for a better audio interface. And if I can get some great compressors an eqs into the bargain that will be significant.
I've heard some people had problems with the volt 2 glitching/popping/cracking. Is this a common problem? I'm considering to buy one, but it's holding me back.
The likely cause for this is A) PC drivers, and/or B) un-synced sample rates between computer and device (again, usually only on PCs). I’ve not had a problem on my MAC.
I bought a Scarlett 2i4 First gen back when I wanted to get into making music maybe 6-7 years ago, but I have not really started yet since other life stuff got in the way. Now I feel very excited and motivated to finally learn about music production et.c. In todays standards, does my old 2i4 1st gen "hold up" to todays interfaces or do I need to upgrade to something like these ones? Its obviously for budget home studio use and mostly used to record D.I guitars+bass and some vocals I suppose.
You probably wouldn’t notice a difference. The converters are slightly better on these newer models but you’d be hard pushed to hear it. Good luck with your new music journey.
So, essesntially, your biggest "real" argument between the two is "headphone output?" Everything else was purely subjective! Sorry, mate! I will take Focusrite at this price point ANY day of the week! Sorry, this was just my take on the video. No disrespect intended! And to just clarify, I mention the headphone comparison from a mixing point of view. Sure, you can use headphones to get a feel, but you truly cannot easily "if at all" get a good mix with headphones alone. Which is why 95% of all mixers use monitors! Again, not tryig to come of as negative. Just expressing my thoughts! Regardless, great video, nonetheless! Please keep them coming!
Why does the Scarlett 2i2 gen 3 have such different latency? I have the Scarlet 18i8 gen2 and by Cubace > 48Khz these are my latency: 16 > 4.8ms 32 > 5.4ms 64 > 7.8ms 128 > 14.5ms 254 > 25.8ms
I need high loudness What sound card do you suggest for very high loudness?? I do not need sound card for record!! And I mostly need a sound card that is good for mixing and mastering Especially for loudness Please guide me to buy a suitable sound card thank you❤❤
For mastering you probably want the best conversion possible. Loudness isn’t really an issue, all interfaces have loud line-outputs. It’s the dynamic range of the converters that’s important. The Black Lion Audio Revolution and Antelope Zen series have great converters. Or go for a specialist DAC unit.
I like my Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen but it has a crackling problem. It comes and goes. Focusrite says it's my computer. It's brand new. I followed EVERY step in their directions on their website that support sent me a link to. Same. Comes and goes. Lots of people are happy with it but I have just been disappointed in it. When it works, it works really well. Sorry Focusrite, this problem is ALL OVER the internet. Need to figure out what is wrong whith YOUR product and stop blaming the computer.
@@LukrativeTheMan I think your comment is well intended but you missed the part about my following all the steps provided by Focusrite and many others on the internet and that the problem was intermittent and not constant. Which means that something other than the computer is going on. Please do comment but please do read the post. Thank you.
Mentioning the midi connection at the end really seems like burying the lede! If you're a hobbyest getting into some simple production, I the differences in audio quality are sooo minor, but having that extra input/output is the difference between buying an entire other device or not!!
@@EdThorne Thanks for responding! Some background: I was fresh off of dealing with a very frustrating situation where I was excited to play with a new midi device that had 5-DIN out connection. I have a 2nd gen scarlett 2i2. I was really annoyed that I had no way to connect it, and that I had to buy a midi-to-usb connection. I was very annoyed I had to buy an additional thing. I was considering my purchase options. (Ultimately deciding to sell the scarlett 2i2 and pick the Volt2 instead of getting a separate dedicated midi-to-usb interface) I'm fairly new to audio production, so I'm not very confident in how everything works, and I didn't want to make another mistake. I had seen in pictures (and in the B-Roll), the 5-din connectors, but was, in retrospect, looking for reassurance in some way that the presence of them would truly unlock me in using my fun new controller. Hearing then, early in the video, that they were virtually identical with subtle differences, I thought "Oh no! Maybe I'm crazy about the I/O - maybe it's basically the same and I actually need a different type of device". I'm sharing all this, really, for two reasons: 1. Hopefully, no one else will have to go through what I did! If you're just setting up your home studio, get the Volt!! I think it's a way better buy purely because it has the Midi connectors!! If you get a midi device with only 5-DIN connections, you won't have to buy a whole other piece of hardware!! 2. I thought it might be useful feedback for you making videos, as a small reminder that some things that are pretty obvious to experts are useful to hear (if even just a very short mention) for new folks. Thanks for posting your vids to youtube. It's much appreciated!
I had a question i recently bought the volt audio interface 1, but the the usb cable is to short. Do you have any other recommendation on which usb could go good with the interface any usb c to a?.
@@EdThorne Agree. Too bad it only has USB-C and not USB-2. Just discovered it. I can't afford a new PC and don't wanna mess around with cable format converters. Seems impracticable and potentially degrading to audio quality.
Hi, I have my first GEN 2i2 since ages now, primarly so I can use a couple of balanced Yamaha Monitors as an everyday audio system. Sometimes I've recorded stuff, but so far it's just a hooby. My question is: does the Scarlett third GEN, or some new Interfaces like MOTU2 or this VOLT be a substantial upgrade?...I kind of like the MIDI port, the USB C connection and just to slightly upgrade, the thing is down here in Argentina even budget interfaces can get pretty expensive, thanxs in advance!
Incoming! ...Constructive feedback: It's ironic that there is always a lot of sibilance in Eds voice, irrespective of the fact that this channel pertains to audio quality! Please consider EQ'ing the narration; it's imperative to listen to this kind of content with good monitoring, so I do, and it grates to have such sibilance. One might reply defensively, if I don't like your voice go somewhere else, but I respect your content irrespective of said sibilance.
Still waiting for a third gen Scarlett 2i4 That particular configuration is awesome. Guess it was just the least utilized of the second gen. Scarletts will always be a good value.
It's not really a good comparison. He should have use a Scarett of equal amenities. And honestly it really just dog specs, as the human ear can't really hear the differences where they are on the frequency band.
The differences in price is minimal at this entry point level. But, if you go down the path of UA into the future with upgrades to your studio with equipment and plug-ins, the cost will be vastly more expensive with UA. Not only that but there plug-ins are proprietary to them unlike Focusrite whereby the plug-ins used are industry standard.
The Volts will never get DSP - it requires a completely different design from the ground up - and then it would simply be an Apollo. This is partly why UA have released native plugins with Spark👌
The 2i2 makes a gargantuan bunch of clicking noise on my Windows Laptop, and even the latest drivers have not resolved this issue. My next audio purchase will NOT be an Scarlett.
Hola te cuento tengo una Scarlett 2i2 y anda full impecable sabes te cuento lo que me pasó a mí si tenés celular alejalo del estudio parece broma pero no lo es lo otro son los cables que conectas y por último el cable a tierra si tenés fallas en uno de esos puntos el ruido te seguira de por vida y no es broma 😂😂😂😂😂haz todo lo que he dicho sino funciona entonces si es otro el tema pero creo que cualquier otro artefacto puede hacerte como interferencia hay que tener mucho cuidado es más cuando uses la portátil usala desenchufada vete para otra pieza y prueba solo el portátil con la 2i2 y sin celulares ponle los auriculares y prueba sin enchufar a la corriente el portátil y ahí sacarás todas las dudas 👍👌😉
Después tendrás que ir probando a ver qué es lo que hace que haga ruido 👍sabes un día me vuelvo casi loco 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂digo que puede ser si estaba todo bien y era el celular 😂😂😂😂👍
@@ariel4238 Parece que el problema solo pasa con Windows. Si uso mi MacBook Pro, funciona bien, sin ruido. Quiere decir que tiene que ser un problema con los drivers.
@@EdThorne the whole thing..i am just the one on the fence overthinking things..I already have a baby Behringer and a Wami 24,so it's time for a new interface, because I am getting a PC workstation and keyboard workstation..
@@michaels5166 Personally I think the Volt is better all round! Everything about it sounds better and Vintage mode introduces actual warm harmonics rather than just top end EQ like Air mode.
@@EdThorne I have a special set of needs..I have two actual setups, one for live DJ sets/mix projects, and one just for sound design /production... So live is the turntables/records/ digital CDJs/ Serato..PolyEnd TRacker/Ensoniq ASR10,Roland HS 60, Quadrasynth Plus, for example..the other side is Fender Strat Ibanez bass, probably a Fantom, E-Mu E6400, Roland MV8800, E-Mu Darwin, Yamaha QY700, Reaper, ACID, VCV, C Sound Pure DATA, BUzz Machines, and I have DJ and board mixers..I need to figure out which is better for what medium priced interface with MIDI would be best...that's not even half the gear but I am only keeping what I need..the rest I give away
@@michaels5166 Check out the SSL2+. That has RCA outputs and MIDI I/O. Sounds like you just need lots of I/O though. Scarlett 18i20 could be a good bet.
Over the years ive bought 3 or 4 interfaces, a couple cheap ones and a couple pricey ones. Ive never used them for my intended purpose of multitrack recording because of "Latency" (the fancy word for Lagging) usually a half second to a full second. They dont tell you that and even use some odd scale for refering to the lag, its just "9000 nanoseconds". Do ya kno how long that is? Im guessing its a half of a second. Now they all advertise "Zero-Direct-Latency" which sounds good but only means it makes a good headphone amplifier. Ive heard it said that a cheap windows pc can record 140 tracks at the same time then play back 140 as well but no normal pc can record 1 track while playing back 1 track. Unless your audio track is recorded in a video then you can record many videos while recording from many camera's, you wont have any Lag but will have to buffer the video. How long have we had this problem, 30 years? And nobody is gonna fix it. If ya try to I guess The recording industry will pay you "Shut Up" money and continue to lie to thier customers
Hi Richie, have you had a look at things like Avid’s HDX (AND i think now, Carbon)? I believe there are other interfaces that achieve the same result … almost no latency in the way you would expect a mixing console and tape machine to deliver. It’s a lot more money than the interfaces in this video though.
Your comparison's irrelevant to me as I have the Steinberg UR-44. It's a great unit! 192kHz is pretty much pointless seeing as even DVD Quality is only 48kHz. Similar story with Bit Rate, or Bit Depth - anything over 24 is, again, pretty much pointless. 😂 What I 😍 about the UR series Interfaces is the 5 Pin DIN MIDI In & Out/Thru ports on the rear panel, a feature the Focusrites do not possess. I connect my Alesis e-kit via the MIDI In to retain an extra USB Port on my MSI Gaming Laptop. 😘 TRY doing THAT with a Focusrite Scarlett!! 🤔 Do a shootout between a Scarlett & Steinberg UR Series if you haven't done already. Thanks!
@@EdThorne Thanks for pointing out the flaws in crapitalism. I understand you need to make money to pay to live. I'm just not happy that I have to watch commericals that manipulate people which seems to be the real root of what I'm trying to discuss. I do appreciate the video as I'm trying to decide between the two & am still undecided.
We use multiple Scarlett 2i2 for audio editing at multiple locations. We record with several 8-channel RME, Focusrite and Presonus. There isn't a big difference.
you are right, i have also tried several including rme, apollo, ssl and focusrite never failed me in terms of software and durability, it has gotten me out of trouble many times.
yes , i sold my apollo 8 quad , for a scarlett focusrite and i have been able to get better sound out of the scarlett than before when it works with other top interfaces on the market , i have learned through 30 years of producing career that sometimes one as a producer is it limits a lot in musical productions or in post-production for audiovisuals, when using a certain piece of equipment in an ecosystem as closed as that of apollo and I cannot exploit the full potential of a musical production, for my focusrite it has not failed me in compatibility, software , resistance to take it wherever you want without worrying about damaging it , for my focusrite very reliable.
To me, the midi-interface on the Volt makes it a much more attractive option than the Scarlett 2i2. I don't get why so many budget interfaces have dropped midi these days. There are plenty of musicians out there still using synthesizers without USB, so not having midi on the audio interface means having to spend extra money on a dedicated midi-interface. That's like a €60 added value if we go by the price of a Roland USB midi interface.
All Interfacers are great.. I've been in many studios and seen the top and best Producers use the cheapest interfaces and make hits.. It's mostly about the Mics, the Plugin and the hardware they have connected to it. i use the Presonus Studio One and also the Apollo..
@@andysixxlett2632 not entirely true. ive been in sessions where the artist has layed down some terrible songs come back the next day and somehow the engineer made it into a banger. people dont give engineers anywhere near enough credit for what comes out today. 90% of the top artists have fairly terrible vocals, the amount of live performances ive been to that just sound so bad compared to the studio mix is crazy. its almost like all the talent these days is in the mix and mastering side not the actual performance of it.
@@JohannesLabusch dont ever think that being part of an older generation means there is no merit to your wisdom. there is no such thing as a grumpy old man, only ignorant young people have made that a term. as a fresh 30 yr old i see it from both sides and can say with confidence that i want someone older sitting in my sessions. not only for their expertise but also their life wisdom. ive been in recording sessions with a lot of dudes coming into their 50s and 60s and its such a good experience. they are patient and genuinely show more love for the art no matter what. ive sat there with young producers and engineers who refused to do what i want/ask because they have this weird chip on their shoulder. the older guys didnt care, they listened to my bulshit for 8 hours and a complete album was the bi product of being made comfortable. much love to you. sorry for the tangent.
Alot of these budget sound interfaces contain similar chip sets. The main difference is in features and build quality. My point is they are all good at this budget end.
I am a very basic user, and I love my Scarlet 2i2 and I never really did a research to see whether there were other brands for available. It seems to work really well for my vocals, guitar and speakers.
for most users, I believe the scarlett line is perfectly fine. As an audio engineer though, I've had my share of problems with their interfaces from the old sapphire to the scarletts. I actually own a scarlett 4i4 that lives in my backpack as a backup. There are a lot of other brands available and quite a few quality "entry level" products like the scarlett. Audient is an excellent option, in my opinion
➡SPECS & COMPARISON CHART: edthorne.com/exclusive-content ⬅
🔥Get your tracks mixed by Ed: edthorne.com/mixing 🔥
🎬 Best Interface For Mixing! This HP Amp is Insane!: ua-cam.com/video/n0fyFRl2R24/v-deo.html
🎬 Scarlett 4th Generation vs 3rd Gen: ua-cam.com/video/_LDDzsxp1a0/v-deo.html
What's with the "Don't buy one these in the title"? For click bait? Sounds like you gave them both a good review.
In 2022 sound quality is basically a wash. The preamps and converters on these things are 95% identical from a utility standpoint. Write and record great music and don't spend any energy on which sounds marginally better. Your listeners certainly won't care.
Can’t argue with that. Music listeners won’t but UA-cam viewers definitely will 😜🤘
@@EdThorne Ha, fair enough.
Too true Hermy
To be honest with you…. I think music sounds better when it feels/sounds a bit antiquated.
The Focusrite is better because my favourite color is red
I'm listening on studio monitors, and I have to say that the Scarlett "Air Mode" was my favorite, and I really couldn't hear a difference between the two "dry" modes". The "vintage" mode actually sounded a little dull. These are obviously just my opinions.
The air mode is just an eq. U can put it manually. It isnt equal to isa one preamp
@@dr34m-r20 And your point is?
@@spikesguitarcamp his point is .. if you have a daw then you can simply eq it in to sound like air for free. So it's a trashy gimmick of no real value.
Great video, but this comment section is gold in terms of thoughts on the interfaces, really informative
I chose to get the Volt over the Scarlett because of the MIDI jacks and on/off switch. Those extra features determined my choice.
What amazes me is how good everything in this video sounds on my iPhone 11 Pro at 4 inches from my face! I have the Scarlett and am happy with it for my simple needs. Nice vid!
I use some Yamaha studio monitors and the sound is much better than when it comes from a tiny speaker.
The volt has a separate power supply which is necessary when connecting to an I pad since the I pad doesn’t have enough power to run the Volt 2. That was the deciding factor for me in purchasing another brand. Being a novice recorder I’m starting with Garage Band as a DAW.
Good shout. This is a detail to forgot to mention in the video. I believe the iPad Pro is powerful enough to power both devices though.
That sucks.
UA put out bus-powered interfaces in the past (Arrow, Apollo Solo).
@@gaborkiss1425 This is bus powered….
You can use a powered usb hub to power both the iPad and audio interface
It depends on the use, for portability, a USB powered interface seems better to me, and the converters nowadays are much less the weak link in your chain than a decade or two ago, plus all of them come with nice software. and External DSP importance is falling two with the newer Ryzen and M1 chips anyway, depending on the price difference I can really relate on buying a UAD device, so for low budget I'd go for Focusrite, for mid a UAD Volt, for small device but better budget, an RME most likely.
I have both and I noticed right away that the Line Out from the Volt 2 to my Neumann KH120 monitors had a different sound. Mostly rounder, with the highs less crispy than what I heard from the Scarlett. I also really love the premium feel to the Volt 2 knobs and the lights that indicate the audio output peaking/loudness.
Any differences between the volt 2 and volt 276?
@PNWGuitar The compressor…
I have always read very good feedback on the Roland audio interfaces, in particular the Quad and Octa-Capture. It would be nice to have a review of them.
I have used the octa-capture it is very good, it has a very balanced sound with good definition, but after a while the buttons began to fail, I ended up selling it
I did not like it, and it is true the buttons are of poor quality
Switched from focustite to volt hella better now I got no problems at all
The biggest difference for me when I upgraded my 2i2 1st gen to the Apollo X Twin was the mic pre. My scarlet couldn’t really preamp my sm57 that well. Then I’d have to run it thru an eq and compressor, etc
With the Apollo, I run the compressor on the unison preamp, eq to the mix and done.
Yeh man. The Apollos are so powerful if you use them like you are!
Use mine the same way, absolutely love it. Won't be looking back for sure.
Sorry can someone explain more what makes the Apollo X Twin so much better for 5x the price? Thanks!
Using budget studio headphones, I turned my head to not know which of the two were being used under a dry signal. The volt sounded better to my ears.
I just purchased a volt interface on a whim. I figured "I can finally afford a universal audio product" seems like it might have been a good choice. Hopefully when the Sweetwater delivery gets here I'll have a similar experience
How is it?
@@ItsTheMajorScalebro works great I use a 16 ch tascam for tracking. For some reason it seems like overdubs periodically get out of sync. I think the 16 channels has just got the processor too busy. So I use the UA for overdubs, and it sounds better than the tascam's pre's. Definitely the best mic preamps I have used aboard an inexpensive interface.
Cheers Ed, finally sat down and had a watch. I gotta do something about that double-chin! Nice to catch up and hang out mate :)
Ha. I didn’t even notice, I was too mesmerised by your playing 😘 Thanks again for playing in the video!
I've owned the scarlett 2i2 for 10 years now, 1st gen. Believe me, I've ran that thing through its paces, gotten to know if very well, and beat this crap out of it, taking it everywhere with me. It still works perfectly fine, and I still use it from time to time in a crunch and as a traveling interface. That thing is reliable.
On the contrary a few years ago I upgraded to the Audient ID44. I now run my home studio with that hooked up to 2 asp800's. I remember the day I swapped out the scarlett for that interface, my jaw dropped. My speakers sounded better (I still have my speakers, krk gen 3 rokit 5's, I know them like the scarlett), the inputs are insanely clean, noise floor super low, headphones sound better, and my sub pac went from feeling fluffy to tight like a sub woofer.
As nice as those things are, I can still work with the scarlett anywhere and feel confident working.
Universal Audio is a great company and I love their products, but I thought there was some value to be said about the longevity of those scarlett's.
As for your words, the difference in sound, it looks very
contrived
@@Pavelkozhin yes I'm sponsored by focusrite 😂
@@ORACLEBALL I get your joke, yes. I think marketing is doing its job, just
@@Pavelkozhin By no means do I live or die by any company, just sharing my experience. I'm not familiar with any of these companies making durability a main marketing tool of their products - which was my main point.
@@ORACLEBALL I mean, our perception of the sound of any equipment is influenced by too many parameters - design, price, even the name, which can be more pleasant or more harsh. All this deceives our senses. If you test the audio paths of your sound cards, the frequency response will be plus or minus 1 dB or less at the ends of the range, which our ears almost never hear.
Thanks for your clear direct and honest review. You ran it down very well. Only Focusrite set back for me was the old usb female input which has finally completely stopped working. Even with Focusrite changing to gen 3 usb c input , I want to try the Volt now .
Instead of these two, I just bought a MOTU M2 (v2 - after 2021 version) and I am SOOOO HAPPPYY with it
the scarlett is a stellar dac though, even outshining some of the actual dedicated dacs in the audiophile world, how does the volt hold up as a dac when just listening to music through it? because quality out will let you also have quality in.
The Scarlett uses the same mass produced converter chips as every other budget interface in the world. Those are every bit as good as most top-of-the-line DACs from 20 years ago, so it's nothing to complain about, but I wouldn't call it a meaningful difference.
All depends on how you use what you got. I've been using a 1st gen Scarlett solo for almost 10 years and still can get the sound I need
do you use it for electric guitar? if so, is it a good audio interface?
I would like to see the Volt compared to the more expensive Apogee Symphony Desktop in quality of sound. I have an older Apogee that might not be compatible with the MacBook M1 Max I’m getting, so I’m interested in a really good interface.
They’re in very different price leagues. An Apogee/Apollo might be a fairer comparison. I’ve reached out to Apogee’s distributors a few times about reviews to no avail…
@@EdThorne They know that you will tell the truth about their products. That Volt might be good in sound as my older Apogee interface. I’ll be able to find out this summer. I already heard the Scarlet 2i2 yesterday. My Apogee sounds better, but not $1,000.00 better. Good mixing skills would make them equal. My Apogee just sounds bigger in frequency.
I don’t get the title of the video.
I have been very happy with my behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD which cost half as much money as these 2 and so quiet and much better than the Presonas Firestudio which I had before - it was very noisy
I have the Scarlett 2i2, and honestly considering switching to the UA Volt 2, I'm dealing with a ground loop buzz issue with the Scarlett going into my THR30ii amp, I'm hoping with the Volt 2, having its own 5vDC power port, ordered a Ground Loop Noise Isolator, but I'm worried it'll some how color the audio some how so I'm thinking about being sure and just making the switch, that is, if having a power source that isn't through the same cable the audio source is coming through, would fix that.
Did it ever work?
@@alldayhiphop6537 Yes, the BESIGN Ground Loop Noise Isolator, surprisingly worked.
I personally had a weird experience with the Volt - and it’s intermittent… but my tempo when playing back various audio through either Spotify, Music (iTunes), or even Ableton. The interface will actually slow the tempo down when playing back audio as normal… I had never actually had this problem before // haven’t seen anyone else post about it with the Volt - previously had the Motu M4 and never had an issue like this.
Super old comment but I have this issue with my Scarlet all the time! It slows it down to almost comedic lengths so I have to restart spotify
What never seems to earn a mention are the drivers. I always perfect stability and zero problems with Focusrite - which I can't say about any other interface I tried.
I’m a Mac guy, so all interfaces are class complaint and work without drivers - so I can’t comment on PC drivers. I’ve only ever had monitor software issues with one brand (neither of these).
@@EdThorne Class compliant is only a fancy name for the equivalent to Windows standard drivers. I doesn't mean they work which a quick search will reveal.
@@poulwinther I’ve never had a problem with an audio interface on my Mac - and I’ve used A LOT. They ALL just work. Literally, the only people I hear complaints from about comparability are PC users. Which interface are you considering anyway?
@@EdThorne I know you test a lot but it's not the same as heavy use. I had M-audio in the past and it was the worst junk ever to get connected to my system. I've been using Scarlett 2i2 since gen. 2 and never had a glitch. Since it now in a suitcase that the airline cannot even register after three days I need a new one. I was starting to lean strongly towards Audient iD4 or iD14 because of all the positive reviews but just found on Reddit that a lot of people have terrible problems with them. So the slight advantages over the Focusrite are not worth the issues and I think I will stick with them. The UA is fine too but it's unknown territory for me and they are well known for terrible software support. Besides I find it almost criminal that the interface doesn't allow use of UA plug-ins.
They're the same. They both sound the same. The difference seems to be with the Air - Vintage modes. Something about the Vintage made me think of LedZep III. Maybe it's the term vintage that brought me there but there you go
I bought the volt and previously had the twin x, the preamps are virtually on par
Interesting video. Absolute beginner. Hoping to use to record demo ideas to take to the band. Using a dynamic mic. Going for a refurb scarlet simply on cost. Dont need high quality
Go for it!
I just bought the Focusrite 2i2 3 gen , and I see this 😭💀, but I love the interface , I been using the Apollo twin and it’s almost the same thing , the Apollo just dont have any latenci and that’s it
I mean the features on the Apollo are vastly superior to a Scarlett but the best interface is always the one you when inspiration strikes!
Say Less you made it all better for me to really to buy the Volt 2 because it should be perfect for me recording in mpc beats and fl studio.
I prefer air mode, even with sibilance that it gives. Air mode sounds more natural for my ears.
You skipped over the included software pretty quick. I would guess that with other factors being so close that would be a significant factor.
I did, I’m sorry. There was so much to cover already, these videos can get very long if I dive into micro-nuances.
@@EdThorne I understand. Although included plug ins won't be a nuance for me. As I am currently using Logic Pro and own no vsts. I am in the market for a better audio interface. And if I can get some great compressors an eqs into the bargain that will be significant.
Another bonus is if the volt's cable breaks you can actually find usb-c cables easily.
edit:Nevermind I was thinking about an older version of it.
They're both USB-C though.
@@adainjarrio I was thinking about the older version I own thanks for pointing that out.
Thank you for your great presentation. I learned a lot just in 11mins. 👍🏽
I've heard some people had problems with the volt 2 glitching/popping/cracking. Is this a common problem? I'm considering to buy one, but it's holding me back.
The likely cause for this is A) PC drivers, and/or B) un-synced sample rates between computer and device (again, usually only on PCs). I’ve not had a problem on my MAC.
The monitor outs on the Volt interfaces are also CV gates.
I still can't find a youtuber that compares the DI input on these interfaces
I bought a Scarlett 2i4 First gen back when I wanted to get into making music maybe 6-7 years ago, but I have not really started yet since other life stuff got in the way. Now I feel very excited and motivated to finally learn about music production et.c. In todays standards, does my old 2i4 1st gen "hold up" to todays interfaces or do I need to upgrade to something like these ones? Its obviously for budget home studio use and mostly used to record D.I guitars+bass and some vocals I suppose.
You probably wouldn’t notice a difference. The converters are slightly better on these newer models but you’d be hard pushed to hear it. Good luck with your new music journey.
@@EdThorne Thank you so much for your reply! I really appreciate it :)
Will the Scarlett solo be able to drive the Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohms well?
Yes.
If you are Windows user though... the drivers are a concern since Universal has had so many driver issues in Windows.
So, essesntially, your biggest "real" argument between the two is "headphone output?" Everything else was purely subjective! Sorry, mate! I will take Focusrite at this price point ANY day of the week! Sorry, this was just my take on the video. No disrespect intended! And to just clarify, I mention the headphone comparison from a mixing point of view. Sure, you can use headphones to get a feel, but you truly cannot easily "if at all" get a good mix with headphones alone. Which is why 95% of all mixers use monitors! Again, not tryig to come of as negative. Just expressing my thoughts! Regardless, great video, nonetheless! Please keep them coming!
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion 🙂 How do you think Vintage mode compared to Air mode?
Why does the Scarlett 2i2 gen 3 have such different latency?
I have the Scarlet 18i8 gen2 and by Cubace > 48Khz these are my latency:
16 > 4.8ms
32 > 5.4ms
64 > 7.8ms
128 > 14.5ms
254 > 25.8ms
I need high loudness
What sound card do you suggest for very high loudness??
I do not need sound card for record!!
And I mostly need a sound card that is good for mixing and mastering
Especially for loudness
Please guide me to buy a suitable sound card
thank you❤❤
For mastering you probably want the best conversion possible. Loudness isn’t really an issue, all interfaces have loud line-outputs. It’s the dynamic range of the converters that’s important. The Black Lion Audio Revolution and Antelope Zen series have great converters. Or go for a specialist DAC unit.
@@EdThorne thank you
Now I know what to look for
Thank you so much
Great Video Ed 😃
Thanks, Doug! 😊🙏
Air mode on on Focusrite introduce Hamonics minor but present alongside EQ curve..
You've convinced me. I am definitely not buying either of these.
Fair enough. I’m happy the video aided your decision making process. What do you think you’ll get instead?
@@EdThorne I am just thinking of the clickbait title. They are both good and I bought a 4i4.
I like my Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen but it has a crackling problem. It comes and goes. Focusrite says it's my computer. It's brand new. I followed EVERY step in their directions on their website that support sent me a link to. Same. Comes and goes. Lots of people are happy with it but I have just been disappointed in it. When it works, it works really well. Sorry Focusrite, this problem is ALL OVER the internet. Need to figure out what is wrong whith YOUR product and stop blaming the computer.
all u have to do is adjust your buffer size and make sure it matches the buffer size in your daw
@@LukrativeTheMan I think your comment is well intended but you missed the part about my following all the steps provided by Focusrite and many others on the internet and that the problem was intermittent and not constant. Which means that something other than the computer is going on. Please do comment but please do read the post. Thank you.
Sorry, but if you're hearing a difference on the monitor outputs it's probably not because of two decibels more headroom.
At louder volumes that extra headroom means digital distortion doesn’t creep in as early, so it will sound different/better (at louder volumes…)
Mentioning the midi connection at the end really seems like burying the lede! If you're a hobbyest getting into some simple production, I the differences in audio quality are sooo minor, but having that extra input/output is the difference between buying an entire other device or not!!
There was a lot to cover in this video and I figured people would see the MIDI I/O in the B-roll 🙂
@@EdThorne
Thanks for responding!
Some background:
I was fresh off of dealing with a very frustrating situation where I was excited to play with a new midi device that had 5-DIN out connection. I have a 2nd gen scarlett 2i2. I was really annoyed that I had no way to connect it, and that I had to buy a midi-to-usb connection. I was very annoyed I had to buy an additional thing.
I was considering my purchase options. (Ultimately deciding to sell the scarlett 2i2 and pick the Volt2 instead of getting a separate dedicated midi-to-usb interface)
I'm fairly new to audio production, so I'm not very confident in how everything works, and I didn't want to make another mistake. I had seen in pictures (and in the B-Roll), the 5-din connectors, but was, in retrospect, looking for reassurance in some way that the presence of them would truly unlock me in using my fun new controller.
Hearing then, early in the video, that they were virtually identical with subtle differences, I thought "Oh no! Maybe I'm crazy about the I/O - maybe it's basically the same and I actually need a different type of device".
I'm sharing all this, really, for two reasons:
1. Hopefully, no one else will have to go through what I did! If you're just setting up your home studio, get the Volt!! I think it's a way better buy purely because it has the Midi connectors!! If you get a midi device with only 5-DIN connections, you won't have to buy a whole other piece of hardware!!
2. I thought it might be useful feedback for you making videos, as a small reminder that some things that are pretty obvious to experts are useful to hear (if even just a very short mention) for new folks.
Thanks for posting your vids to youtube. It's much appreciated!
I had a question i recently bought the volt audio interface 1, but the the usb cable is to short. Do you have any other recommendation on which usb could go good with the interface any usb c to a?.
Where did you get the metal shelving in the background?
I don’t know, I didn’t install them.
So, what's best for voice over work of these two?
Whichever one sounds better to you. I prefer Vintage mode over Air mode for voice overs.
@@EdThorne Agree. Too bad it only has USB-C and not USB-2. Just discovered it. I can't afford a new PC and don't wanna mess around with cable format converters. Seems impracticable and potentially degrading to audio quality.
What is better for an electric guitar recording?
air and vintage mode are wasted on me.. hearing not so good.
Hi, I have my first GEN 2i2 since ages now, primarly so I can use a couple of balanced Yamaha Monitors as an everyday audio system. Sometimes I've recorded stuff, but so far it's just a hooby. My question is: does the Scarlett third GEN, or some new Interfaces like MOTU2 or this VOLT be a substantial upgrade?...I kind of like the MIDI port, the USB C connection and just to slightly upgrade, the thing is down here in Argentina even budget interfaces can get pretty expensive, thanxs in advance!
They’re not substantial upgrades. I’d jump to an Apollo if you can stretch to it. That’s a noticeable upgrade for sure, in every department.
@@EdThorne thanxs man
does the volt 1 have the same preamps as the volt 2?
Yes. And the Volt 276, 4, 476, 476p… the whole range is identical.
I have a line 6 tone port UX2. do you think it's interesting to use a Universal Audio Volt 2 ?
Incoming! ...Constructive feedback: It's ironic that there is always a lot of sibilance in Eds voice, irrespective of the fact that this channel pertains to audio quality! Please consider EQ'ing the narration; it's imperative to listen to this kind of content with good monitoring, so I do, and it grates to have such sibilance.
One might reply defensively, if I don't like your voice go somewhere else, but I respect your content irrespective of said sibilance.
I think this video was in my days of over limiting my voice which brings the sibilance out.
Oof my ssl 2+ mops the floor with these
It’s also double the price - hence it’s not in this comparison. Watch this space for a
What about 4 Gen now?
If you own loads of ancient midi gear get the volt, if you don't, get the focusrite .
Yep!
Uad thank you for the midi inputs
You didn't mention that the Volt can be pulled in and has a power switch.
This is correct. I think I mentioned this in my Volt series review video.
Both seem amazing, i've had and used my focus rite 2i2 for years
Still waiting for a third gen Scarlett 2i4 That particular configuration is awesome. Guess it was just the least utilized of the second gen.
Scarletts will always be a good value.
Having MIDI capability is a big plus for me. 👍
How does the Presonus studio 24c perform compared to these two?
It's not really a good comparison. He should have use a Scarett of equal amenities. And honestly it really just dog specs, as the human ear can't really hear the differences where they are on the frequency band.
What’s a Scarlett of equal amenities?
I have both LOL (2 computers in 2 different rooms)
So why is this video titled Dont buy one of these? Did I miss that explanation?
It's more, buy this one over that, which I said at the end.
@@EdThorne oh ok thank you :)
No Point in buying the low budget UAD Cards.. & focusrite audio drivers are superb so Scarlett ftw
No point besides it performs better in all areas?
@@EdThorne yup no point coz Volt, Arrow ect at that level you're just buying for the brand name,
No Dsp
No Shark Cards
No Sattelite Compatability...
Hi friends, what do you think about Presonus iostation 24c against MOTU M4 and SSL2+?.
I'd rather have the SSK than either of them.
whats that i typed ssk interface in sweetwater nothing came up
VOLT vs AUDIENT ??
Watch this space. This video is coming
FCSRT 2i2
CMPLTLY AGR
Behringer UMC :)
Great interfaces... When they work 🙂🤘
Volt is clearly the winner.
IMHO UAD all day
Volt for meee
Air mode is inaudibly different - not
volt2
Have you done a podcast on RME Babyface fs ?
I have never done a podcast
The differences in price is minimal at this entry point level. But, if you go down the path of UA into the future with upgrades to your studio with equipment and plug-ins, the cost will be vastly more expensive with UA. Not only that but there plug-ins are proprietary to them unlike Focusrite whereby the plug-ins used are industry standard.
You can't use the UA plugins on the volt. They don't have the internal DSP.
@@thomfisher4926 Key word "Upgrades" eventually they will.
The Volts will never get DSP - it requires a completely different design from the ground up - and then it would simply be an Apollo. This is partly why UA have released native plugins with Spark👌
The 2i2 makes a gargantuan bunch of clicking noise on my Windows Laptop, and even the latest drivers have not resolved this issue. My next audio purchase will NOT be an Scarlett.
Hola te cuento tengo una Scarlett 2i2 y anda full impecable sabes te cuento lo que me pasó a mí si tenés celular alejalo del estudio parece broma pero no lo es lo otro son los cables que conectas y por último el cable a tierra si tenés fallas en uno de esos puntos el ruido te seguira de por vida y no es broma 😂😂😂😂😂haz todo lo que he dicho sino funciona entonces si es otro el tema pero creo que cualquier otro artefacto puede hacerte como interferencia hay que tener mucho cuidado es más cuando uses la portátil usala desenchufada vete para otra pieza y prueba solo el portátil con la 2i2 y sin celulares ponle los auriculares y prueba sin enchufar a la corriente el portátil y ahí sacarás todas las dudas 👍👌😉
Después tendrás que ir probando a ver qué es lo que hace que haga ruido 👍sabes un día me vuelvo casi loco 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂digo que puede ser si estaba todo bien y era el celular 😂😂😂😂👍
@@ariel4238 Parece que el problema solo pasa con Windows. Si uso mi MacBook Pro, funciona bien, sin ruido. Quiere decir que tiene que ser un problema con los drivers.
Did you not return it?
@@sgeggbub1008 I only found out a year later, when I switched from Mac to PC
no favorite yet..
How far into the video did you watch?
@@EdThorne the whole thing..i am just the one on the fence overthinking things..I already have a baby Behringer and a Wami 24,so it's time for a new interface, because I am getting a PC workstation and keyboard workstation..
@@michaels5166 Personally I think the Volt is better all round! Everything about it sounds better and Vintage mode introduces actual warm harmonics rather than just top end EQ like Air mode.
@@EdThorne I have a special set of needs..I have two actual setups, one for live DJ sets/mix projects, and one just for sound design /production...
So live is the turntables/records/ digital CDJs/ Serato..PolyEnd TRacker/Ensoniq ASR10,Roland HS 60, Quadrasynth Plus, for example..the other side is Fender Strat Ibanez bass, probably a Fantom, E-Mu E6400, Roland MV8800, E-Mu Darwin, Yamaha QY700, Reaper, ACID, VCV, C Sound Pure DATA, BUzz Machines, and I have DJ and board mixers..I need to figure out which is better for what medium priced interface with MIDI would be best...that's not even half the gear but I am only keeping what I need..the rest I give away
@@michaels5166 Check out the SSL2+. That has RCA outputs and MIDI I/O. Sounds like you just need lots of I/O though. Scarlett 18i20 could be a good bet.
Over the years ive bought 3 or 4 interfaces, a couple cheap ones and a couple pricey ones. Ive never used them for my intended purpose of multitrack recording because of "Latency" (the fancy word for Lagging) usually a half second to a full second. They dont tell you that and even use some odd scale for refering to the lag, its just "9000 nanoseconds". Do ya kno how long that is? Im guessing its a half of a second. Now they all advertise "Zero-Direct-Latency" which sounds good but only means it makes a good headphone amplifier. Ive heard it said that a cheap windows pc can record 140 tracks at the same time then play back 140 as well but no normal pc can record 1 track while playing back 1 track. Unless your audio track is recorded in a video then you can record many videos while recording from many camera's, you wont have any Lag but will have to buffer the video. How long have we had this problem, 30 years? And nobody is gonna fix it. If ya try to I guess The recording industry will pay you "Shut Up" money and continue to lie to thier customers
Hi Richie, have you had a look at things like Avid’s HDX (AND i think now, Carbon)? I believe there are other interfaces that achieve the same result … almost no latency in the way you would expect a mixing console and tape machine to deliver. It’s a lot more money than the interfaces in this video though.
Get an audient ID 14 instead
3 ms slower??? Scarlett killer???
The Screlett loses in all other departments.
DON’T BUY ONE OF THESE! Universal Audio Vs Focusrite and you recommed the Universal Audio WHY
Because it sounds better, as I said in the video…
@@EdThorne DON’T BUY ONE OF THESE! but you recommed one of them
Your comparison's irrelevant to me as I have the Steinberg UR-44.
It's a great unit!
192kHz is pretty much pointless seeing as even DVD Quality is only 48kHz.
Similar story with Bit Rate, or Bit Depth - anything over 24 is, again, pretty much pointless. 😂
What I 😍 about the UR series Interfaces is the 5 Pin DIN MIDI In & Out/Thru ports on the rear panel, a feature the Focusrites do not possess.
I connect my Alesis e-kit via the MIDI In to retain an extra USB Port on my MSI Gaming Laptop. 😘
TRY doing THAT with a Focusrite Scarlett!! 🤔
Do a shootout between a Scarlett & Steinberg UR Series if you haven't done already. Thanks!
*Please
The amount of commercials make me not want to watch
Do you expect UA-camrs to make educational content for you for free (given this video took me an entire week!)?
@@EdThorne Thanks for pointing out the flaws in crapitalism. I understand you need to make money to pay to live. I'm just not happy that I have to watch commericals that manipulate people which seems to be the real root of what I'm trying to discuss. I do appreciate the video as I'm trying to decide between the two & am still undecided.
All you need to know is PreSonus
We use multiple Scarlett 2i2 for audio editing at multiple locations. We record with several 8-channel RME, Focusrite and Presonus. There isn't a big difference.
you are right, i have also tried several including rme, apollo, ssl and focusrite never failed me in terms of software and durability, it has gotten me out of trouble many times.
yes , i sold my apollo 8 quad , for a scarlett focusrite and i have been able to get better sound out of the scarlett than before when it works with other top interfaces on the market , i have learned through 30 years of producing career that sometimes one as a producer is it limits a lot in musical productions or in post-production for audiovisuals, when using a certain piece of equipment in an ecosystem as closed as that of apollo and I cannot exploit the full potential of a musical production, for my focusrite it has not failed me in compatibility, software , resistance to take it wherever you want without worrying about damaging it , for my focusrite very reliable.
Yes the scarlett focusrite is the best interface of the market
what about latency?
@@IgneelS11 I would like to know this as well.
To me, the midi-interface on the Volt makes it a much more attractive option than the Scarlett 2i2. I don't get why so many budget interfaces have dropped midi these days. There are plenty of musicians out there still using synthesizers without USB, so not having midi on the audio interface means having to spend extra money on a dedicated midi-interface. That's like a €60 added value if we go by the price of a Roland USB midi interface.
Oh waow, thanks for the tip man! My particular situation actually would have required that anyhow, so much appreciated ❤️
nowadays, you can buy a MIDI-USB cable for 5 bucks only. its very easy, plug and play and same latency. but i get your point.
Yes and my synth cost 600 bucks so I don't want to bin it or buy a new one that's twice the price and half as good, which is the other option.
@@LTPottenger why would you bin it, when a USB to midi adapter is a very cheap purchase?
All Interfacers are great.. I've been in many studios and seen the top and best Producers use the cheapest interfaces and make hits.. It's mostly about the Mics, the Plugin and the hardware they have connected to it. i use the Presonus Studio One and also the Apollo..
Also speakers
The song matters most…..a bad song is bad regardless of how it’s recorded
@@andysixxlett2632 not entirely true. ive been in sessions where the artist has layed down some terrible songs come back the next day and somehow the engineer made it into a banger. people dont give engineers anywhere near enough credit for what comes out today. 90% of the top artists have fairly terrible vocals, the amount of live performances ive been to that just sound so bad compared to the studio mix is crazy. its almost like all the talent these days is in the mix and mastering side not the actual performance of it.
@@JohannesLabusch dont ever think that being part of an older generation means there is no merit to your wisdom. there is no such thing as a grumpy old man, only ignorant young people have made that a term. as a fresh 30 yr old i see it from both sides and can say with confidence that i want someone older sitting in my sessions. not only for their expertise but also their life wisdom. ive been in recording sessions with a lot of dudes coming into their 50s and 60s and its such a good experience. they are patient and genuinely show more love for the art no matter what. ive sat there with young producers and engineers who refused to do what i want/ask because they have this weird chip on their shoulder. the older guys didnt care, they listened to my bulshit for 8 hours and a complete album was the bi product of being made comfortable.
much love to you.
sorry for the tangent.
Actually, the features on the interface are the most important: do you need SP/DIF? MIDI? Amp out? ADAT? And for some: software that comes with it.
Alot of these budget sound interfaces contain similar chip sets. The main difference is in features and build quality. My point is they are all good at this budget end.
Compared to 10-15 years ago, the low cost interfaces available now are unreal, especially for the price!
That being said my Scarlett Solo 3rd gen has excellent build quality. The knobs feel just as solid as my $1000 dj mixer
Why does the caption say "don't buy" them?
clickbait
I am a very basic user, and I love my Scarlet 2i2 and I never really did a research to see whether there were other brands for available. It seems to work really well for my vocals, guitar and speakers.
for most users, I believe the scarlett line is perfectly fine. As an audio engineer though, I've had my share of problems with their interfaces from the old sapphire to the scarletts. I actually own a scarlett 4i4 that lives in my backpack as a backup.
There are a lot of other brands available and quite a few quality "entry level" products like the scarlett. Audient is an excellent option, in my opinion
@@O_pai_fpvwhat kind of problems did you have with Scarlett?