Audio Interface Overview: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

I bought my Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on whim back in the winter of 2014. Having used the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 for a metric ton of theatre sound designs, I figured this little nugget would be a gem. Lucky for me, it’s been a complete workhorse that consistently delivers every time, and so I’ve gone ahead and created an overview of the Scarlett and all her charms.

Transcript

This is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. It’s what I recommend for podcasters or those starting out in voiceover, it’s a great affordable interface packed with useful features.

If we direct our attention over to the input you’ll notice that it is a dual input. meaning that the center hole is specifically a quarter inch input for instruments like guitars. This same jack also doubles as an XLR input, so you can actually plug your microphone into this same spot. That’s why it has the outer circle and 3 points on the inner circle.

Here we have the gain knob which is where you set your microphone level. This gives you more control than you’d have with a usb mic. Here we have the line and instrument setting. Set it to instrument for guitars, line for pics.

Here we have the phantom power button. When pressed it supplies your condenser mics with 48v of power. It turns red when active. Switches off when not active.

Here we have the direct monitor switch which when on makes it so that you can hear yourself despite whether you’re recording or not. That volume is controlled with the knob above the headphone jack which is where I actually monitor.

Your monitor knob controls you volume out of your outputs which are located in the back of the unit.

Here you’ll see the usb connection. Funny enough it’s actually the same connection that you’d see on the back of a printer.

That’s right you can take the same cable you use for your usb interface and connect it to a printer or vice versa. I’ve been known to snag a printer cable in a pinch.

All you have to do to make your interface work, is simply plug the cable into the back of the unit.

We have a USB end, and so I’ll plug it in. You see the unit blinking.

It’s good to go, that’s all you have to do and you’re ready to rock!

Pros

Affordable at $149.99

Quality Preamps

Plug and Play

USB Connection

Ease of Use

Cons

2 Inputs

2 Outputs

No discreet channel phantom power

Gear Used In This Video

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

Electro Voice RE20

Pro Tools 11

Canon Rebel T3i

Related Video: Gear for Starting a Podcast or Voiceover Career

Conclusion

Thanks for checking out this tutorial! Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or just feel like dropping a line of encouragement. This site is taking its baby steps, and every best wish goes a long way in driving it forward.

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Keep on learning.

Michael Heuer

Sound Design Academy