Product Comparison: Focusrite Scarlett Solo vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen)


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General Specifications
Brand
Focusrite
Focusrite
Model
Scarlett Solo
Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen)
Origin
China
China
About the Product
With the Scarlett Solo USB audio interface, your recordings will sound just how you want them to. Plug straight in to record your guitar and vocal simultaneously on independent channels so they can be mixed separately. The super-low latency* brings confidence to your performance, letting you record and monitor with software effects in real time. Connect your headphones and home speakers or studio monitors, turn up the volume and totally immerse yourself in sound.
This is our compact yet versatile 2-in, 2-out USB audio interface. It gives singer songwriters two natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamps and the same class-leading sound quality and digital conversion as the rest of the latest Scarlett range. Take it anywhere, connect by USB, plug your mics and guitars straight in, and simply start recording.
Key Specs
Form Factor
Desktop
Desktop
Control Interfaces
XLR, 1/4", RCA
XLR or 1/4" Combo, 1/4"
A/D Resolution
24bit/192kHz
24bit/192kHz
Number of Preamps
1
2
Simultaneous I/O
2 x 2
2/2
What customers say about "Key Specs"
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface with Pro Tools
  • The second-generation Scarlett boxes are simply amazing, tons of headroom and lowest latency yet!
  • This is great for anyone wanting to record one track at a time. It has no latency and sounds clear.
  • I love my Focusrite Scarlett Solo! It sounds incredible, there is zero latency, the illuminated clip rings are very nice and functional, it is built like a tank and looks very nice.
  • The built in preamps are great! If you know how to mix, automate, use your plug-ins and have a tight recording, it's totally possible to make a recording that sounds completely professionally produced.
  • Didn't work. I followed all the instructions and watched all the videos, looked at all the guides. The unit will not light up, although I do not have speakers, though my friend bought the same Scarlett Solo and he ran it just fine without speakers.
  • They claimed the clipping issue is fixed in 2nd Gen, but it's not. I have Gibson Explorer with stock pickups (496 neck/500 bridge). Instrument port is clipping with bridge pickup at 0 gain.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface
  • Really low latency. Great sound quality at an affordable price.
  • Pretty much what I wanted. Fairly clean, neutral and interference free sound using the balanced trs outputs to my JBL LSR305's.
  • Pre-amps are of good quality, to be expected from Focusrite.
  • Direct monitor ability is pretty useful for recording certain acoustic instruments that may not be very loud in the DAW.
  • No Phono out. No Midi In.
  • It colours the sound of the guitar. the bass is so deep you can't remove it from the software. it sounds like everything is covered by a blanket. I have the brightest sounding guitar on the market, all maple, and sounds like it's made of sponge
Size & Weight
Height
1.73 in.
1.89 in.
Width
5.66 in.
6.89 in.
Depth
4.7 in.
4.52 in.
Weight
0.95 lbs.
1.32 lbs.
What customers say about "Size & Weight"
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface with Pro Tools
  • The size is also great for portability.
  • The box itself is very solid and feels like it will last a good long time.
  • This little amp may be small in size but what it does for my podcast is HUGE!
  • For voice over work, I was looking for a small portable unit that had decent mic pres. I got that and more.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface
  • Solid build, looks really good, compact and lightweight.
  • Feels really well made and sturdy, the small form factor is great.
  • The device is very ergonomically designed, one of the best on the market in that regard.
  • The 2i2 has a superior build quality with a sleek solid metal case, the unit has a satisfying weight.
Interfaces
Analog Inputs
XLR, 1/4" (line/instrument)
2 x XLR-1/4" combo, 1/4" (line/instrument)
Analog Outputs
RCA, 1/4" (headphones)
2 x 1/4" (line out), 1/4" headphones
Digital Inputs
USB
USB
What customers say about "Interfaces"
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface with Pro Tools
  • The Scarlett Solo made recording easy, and it fit right into my workflow without tripping me up. For a quick way to record a line and mic input at the same time, its a no-brainer.
  • The installation was a snap & it's powered thru the USB connection, so there is one less cable to manage/trip over.
  • My only regret about this guitar interface is that I didn't buy one long ago!
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface
  • The inputs on the front take both XLR cables and 6.3mm cables (For guitar jacks etc..). It looks great and easy to use.
  • Just bear in mind line level input is by using 1/4inch jack not xlr. it is very easy.
  • The headphones seem ideally suited to this interface and for general reference will probably replace my Shures as my work-a-day 'phones.
  • It would be nice to have some analogue inputs on the back but can live without.
  • The XLR cable included with the equipment is very low quality my headphones and cable have already started to mess up after 3weeks of use.
Features
Extras
One natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamp with plenty of even gain, Super-low latency* for using your plug-ins in real time without the need for DSP, One headphones output with gain control, Stereo line outputs on RCA phono for connecting to home speakers, Compact and tough enough to take anywhere, Powered by USB so you don't need to carry a power cable, Includes Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite
Two natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamps with plenty of even gain, Super-low latency* for using your plug-ins in real time without the need for DSP, One headphones output with gain control, Connect professional studio monitors using two 1/4 inch balanced jack outputs, Compact and tough enough to take anywhere, Powered by USB so you don't need to carry a power cable, Includes Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite
Power Supply
USB
USB
Phantom Power
Yes
Yes
Bus Powered
Yes
Yes
OS Requirements - Mac
Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)
Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)
OS Requirements - PC
Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit), 8.1 and 10
Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit), 8.1 and 10
What customers say about "Features"
Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface with Pro Tools
  • The bundled software is a plus. Great stuff for very little money.
  • The included ProTools and Ableton software completes the package and makes this a great value!
  • Amazing product..comes with tons of recording daws and plug ins too...the sound is very high quality.
  • This does exactly what it's supposed to do. I use it with Windows 10, Sonar Professional, and NI Komplete - works great, sounds great, and, yes, it is red!
  • I am a aspiring voice actor, I have to constantly update the drivers and it's quite annoying. It also doesn't work well with any recording software.
  • Sound turns into a robot half the time. The Mic does the same thing. Adjusted pretty much everything i could to make it stop and nothing has worked, but unplugging it and plugging it back in. Very disappointed in this Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd Gen.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface
  • Handy indicator LED's to know if your signal is peaking or not.
  • Headphones are great, the interface includes phantom power for condenser mics and the mic itself produces great audio.
  • Each input lights up green or red if you overload it allowing one to quickly set the recording level.
  • The "Gain Ring" is a really intuitive display for telling whether your input level is peaking or not.
  • USB-C would be nice for the newer MacBook's however for much more money a USB-C model is available.
  • Installing and registering the software proved to be a labyrinth of pointlessly difficult bull****.
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer Warranty
2 year(s)
2 year(s)
Certifications
FCC, CE
FCC, CE
Other Information
Manufacturer
MSRP
99.99 $
149.99 $

Price History


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