2 in / 4 out USB audio interface
Specifications:
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-inter … ifications
Ease of Use
Pretty straightforward. Check senstivity, check if you need phantom power. Plug in and go.
Price
I got mine used for 100 Euro in a new condition. Should be no problem the get i via Ebay for something like 129 Dollar new or cheaper used.
Availability
Don't think that it is still in production.
Durability
Smooth potis, buttons do a a little quiet click sound when pressed. Metal enclosure, sockets for midi, audio etc. are unfortunately direct soldered to the board. But so far, no problems with that. Comes with plastic pads, u should use them. otherwise it will slip easily over the table.
Sound Quality
No Problems with noise, distortion etc. It's my first real interface, i had a tascam us-122 mk1 which was really sh** compared to the focusrite.
The Interface won a user sound blind test made by the german site musotalk.de with competitors like Motu Ultralite MK3, RME Fireface, Metric Halo ULN8. Here's a link to the test:
http://www.musotalk.de/video/audio-inte … dhoertest/
Aestetics/ergonomics
I just love the minimal design. All you need is directly accesable via the interface. There's no software mixer, but u can change buffer size and resolution in a software panel. Smooth metal enclosure, no sharp edges. Looks very profesionell, LED's are not too bright.
Size
Not really large, not heavy but also not really lightweight.
W = 220 mm / 8 ¾", H = 45 mm / 1 ¾" , D = 145 mm / 5 ¾"
1 kg / 2.2 lbs
Portability
Power via USB, fits in a small pocket. Be carefull with the Potis, they stand out a little bit. No external power adapter.
Sustainability
--
Sync-ability
Midi in and Out, no external Sync option.
Compliency
USB Device, drivers are needed but up to date (osx 10,5 and windows 7, don't know if it works with Win8) last driver update was march 27 this year, when i wrote this post.
Integration
Only 1 Midi in and Out, no CV no external SYNC.
Ease of Modification
--
Personal Experiences
I have this one for a half of a year. I had some little trouble installing the drivers, i choosed the USB 2.0 Option but it didn't work. So i send a mail to the Focusrite Support. After an hour, i allready got an answer. The support was really helpfull but i allready figured out how to get it worked, i choosed the USB 1.0 driver option. The device is "only" USB 1.0 so it didn't matter.
I use it for chiptune and for direct guitar recording. Absolutly zero problems with audio and midi, it works like a charm. I wanted a simple, portable and sturdy interface with good preamps and i just got what i asked for. I love the fact that there's no software mixer so there's no need to togle to the cubase window and back to the software mixer and back to the cubase window...
I only use it at home, but i wouldn't be afraid use it live.
Conclusion:
Lots of bang for little money. Only 2 channel input and only 1 Midi In/Out but if that's enough for you, get it!
Pros:
- Sturdy design
- Good preamps
- Great support
- drivers are up to date
- (almost everything accesable via the interface)
Cons:
- Sockets direct soldered to the board
- Only small plastic pads, if you don't use them, very slippery on the table
- (no software mixer)
-
Last edited by nitro2k01 (Dec 28, 2013 3:14 am)