Reddit reviews Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Second Generation (2nd Gen) 2-in, 2-out USB Audio Interface

The issue is that studio monitors are generally designed for balanced connections (XLR/TRS), and you are adapting an unbalanced connection (3.5mm/RCA). When using unbalanced cables, you risk picking up interference, especially in an electrically noisy environment (like a computer).

Basically, your computer puts out a lot of electrical interference, and the 3.5mm jack on your motherboard is not correctly shielded from this interference. The issue is not your wall sockets or your placement, it is inherent to the source.

My suggestion would be to either get an audio interface that supports balanced connections, or try an inline hum eliminator.

You need an audio interface. You don't need that phantom power supply. I don't know why they even sell that shit as a bundle. It just confuses people.

GET THIS. It's what everyone here recommends for beginners. It connects to your computer via USB. It has a built in preamp, phantom power, and a headphone jack as well as RCA outputs on the back if you want to hook up speakers. Just plug you mic directly into the mic input on the front, turn on phantom power, adjust the gain with the gain knob and you're good to go.

If you want two mic inputs GET THIS. It's also got balanced outputs on the back if you ever decide to get studio monitors.

Hello, I am a voice artist so this is right up my alley!

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Unfortunately, "cheap" is a relative term to microphones, and usually winds up expensive one way or another. Also, to get stereo you are going to need two mics, or a mic with two capsules, and will be paying about the same either way. There is also the matter of the recording; for the best audio you will want an XLR mic, but that ads another piece of equipment to buy (interface or mixer). Also, if the person doesn't know how to use a mic properly, that may cause issues with the audio.

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Now that I've got the negativity out of the way, here are a few things I would suggest taking into consideration:

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1. Buy a cheap pair of mics (MXL is a good company for lower priced mics that still have a good sound) and a Focusrite Scarlet interface, ask them to get the mic stands, and do a discord chat while they record so you can direct live.
   
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2. Essentially the same as above, but only use one mic and record mono. For voice, you typically wont get any benefit from stereo, and it doubles the file size. This would also let you get a somewhat better microphone for the same amount of money.
   
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3. Find a studio in their area to record in. This may wind up cheaper, depending on how long you will be recording for and the studio's rates, and there is the added benefit of top level equipment and people who know how to set it up.
   
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   As for mic selection, get a large diaphragm condenser, with a cardiod pick-up pattern, preferably with at least a 40hz-18khz frequency response. This will be best for voice, and should pick up instrumentals pretty well at that (depending on the mic). If you want stereo, you will need two mics, or a mic with two capsules (will say it is a stereo mic), but you can make an artificial stereo signal from mono in editing, which wouldn't be difficult for a stationary voice/instrument. You will also be better served to get clean, quality audio recorded and "dirty it up" in post, as this will give you more freedom of control with how the audio turns out. Just changing the EQ can give you a different sound, you can add in static, anything like that, but you won't be limited by the recorded quality.
   
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   Feel free to PM me if you need any more help or info on setup, editing, or anything like that (so long as it's sound related). I hope this answer helped!

You probably don't absolutely need the Cloudlifter unless you find you absolutely need more gain. Don't buy it right away, use your microphone and if you find you need more gain, you can always add it to your setup later.

As far as SM7 alternatives, no one can really give you great advice unless they know what you're using it for and what you're looking for in a microphone.

You do need an audio interface to hook up your microphone to your computer. If you just need to hook up one mic and you're just starting out. A lot of people just use something like the Scarlett 2i2

Obviously you'll need an XLR cable to hook up your mic as well.

I won't speak for him but as someone using a pair of powered Yamaha HS8 studio monitors (8" reference bookshelf speakers) controlled by a scarlet 2i2 audio interface, you don't need a sub, and adding a sub in a room that small, especially an untreated room that small would sound muddy as hell. Great monitors have punchy clean bass and nothing else is needed. For those who's favorite genre is dance / house /dubstep then you'll occasionally hit frequencies that need a sub for the complete low end, but you'd seriously want a larger room to add it in. If you're creating low end dance music then get the sub, if you aren't and your room is small, try a good pair of large studio monitors first (8" is great) and see if thats all you need. Note that there's a huge difference between studio monitors and regular old bookshelf computer speakers. If you're not making music than you don't need studio monitors, they're just handy for hearing things exactly as they are without coloration so you can mix it properly.

Definitely get your hands on a proper interface and XLR microphone. USB is hugely restrictive and I would never ever recommend them for musical purposes. I wouldn't get too picky over which interface to start out with. The Audient id4 looks fine if you're sticking with just a clarinet, but think about the future too as you might want more than a single input and you can get something like the Scarlett 2i2 or M-Track 2x2 for half the price.

There's always a huge variety of microphones to go with but it will be the most important factor in how good you can get the clarinet to sound so don't skimp out here. If you are solely recording instruments, especially in orchestral music, then you will get a good sound out of some of the small diaphragm condensers like this. Small diaphragm mics are often sold in pairs, which is another reason why it could be beneficial to get at least two inputs on your interface. 2 good microphones placed right will make your clarinet sound like an angel, but this will also mean you'd need an extra stand and cable. If that's going to be too much hassle you can always just start with one and grab a second one later on if you feel like the sound needs to be taken to the next level. A large diaphragm condenser would also work but you won't get as crystal clear of a response from a clarinet.

The software you listed will do great, I don't see anything extra you need there. Stock plugins will do the job until you start getting more picky on your process. You will however need something to listen on if you don't already. A relatively cheap pair of studio headphones will do fine since I doubt you will need to get deep into mixing. Anything around the $50-$70 mark will be good enough and will likely come with a 1/4" jack adapter to fit the interface.

So I would personally recommend:

• Interface with at least 2 XLR inputs
  
• Pair of small diaphragm condenser mics
  
• 2 mic stands
  
• 2 XLR cables
  
• Headphones
  
  This will get you a setup that will sound great and last you a long time before needing to upgrade if you start getting really into it. If you go with this, read up on mic placement for clarinets because this will have a big impact on the recording.
  

For music production I reccomend a dac like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Second Generation (2nd Gen) 2-in, 2-out USB Audio Interface https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H4W34WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yxEjDb3Z88K55

Here's what I currently have:


2 JBL 308P MkII - Powered 8" Two-Way Studio Monitors
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-Monitor-Speaker-308PMKII/dp/B077NHM2K6/


1 UGREEN 3.5mm 1/8" TRS to Dual 6.35mm 1/4" TS Mono Stereo Y-Cable Splitter Cord
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZKM3S4S/


1 Mpow Ground Loop Noise Isolator for Car Audio/Home Stereo System with 3.5mm Audio Cable

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019393MV2/


1 Google Chromecast Audio (Black) 

https://www.google.com/chromecast/audio/explore/

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The red dots symbolize want I do not have yet. I'm working on eventually getting:

1 JBL LSR310S 10" Powered Studio Subwoofer

https://www.amazon.com/JBL-LSR310S-Powered-Studio-Subwoofer/dp/B00I08RT3U/

1 Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Second Generation (2nd Gen) 2-in, 2-out USB Audio Interface

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-2i2-Generation-Interface/dp/B01H4W34WW/




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Note: I have all that I need right now, but know that I may eventually buy a subwoofer for my studio monitors, which would make the setup more complicated. I only need help with adding the subwoofer. How will I do it? Will I need more cords and another ground loop isolator? Do I need an audio interface to add a subwoofer? How will I connect my 2 studio monitors and future subwoofer to my Chromecast Audio, my future audio interface, and a ground loop isolator?

1. Okay! I actually already have one of those products for output of the sound to the players through the gamepad of the Wii U (it has an aux out on it I send to the headphone amp to then send to two different speakers with optional headsets hooked up to the speaker). Looks like I should pick up one more!
   
   
2. With the alternative option, would a Focus Scarlett 2i2 be able to produce what you said? I already own it as it has been my setup for the past year. I literally might have to draw a diagram of what you said to confirm I understand what you wrote out by the way. haha. (I'd just plug the USB in to the computer for simply power I'd assume).
   
   
3. Thanks! I will definitely just continue to be curious and look into everything I can!
   
   I guess this is my last two questions (for now).
   
   What USB Mixer do you recommend at my price point ($300 with tax max)? So far the two options I've looked at were the Mackie I listed before and then the Behringer Xenyx X2222USB. I actually am leaning towards the Behringer right now since it has an Earth Loop function (I've had troubles with that on my Focusrite sometimes) and it seems to have more options with outputs and such. If you have any other suggestions for another USB Mixer, what I should be looking for, and just general assesments and recommendations I'd definitely love to hear it. If I have any further questions that come up later, can I DM you?

I'd buy my current setup...

Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 Audio Interface ($150)

(2) MXL 770 Cardoid Condenser Microphones - Amazing quality microphone for the price. ($144 for 2)

(2) XLR Cables ($20 for 2)

(2) Microphone stands. I use this Gator for my main mic stand and a cheap scissor arm stand for my second. ($100ish for 2)

(2-pack) Microphone pop filters. I like these replicas of the Popgard, but also have one real PopGard that I paid $40 for. Either is much better than those pop filters on a long extension arm that gets in the way. ($10 for 2)

Zoom H4n Pro or H5 portable recorder. I have a Zoom H4 Pro (and a regular H4) but either would work well for recording a podcast on the road or on location somewhere without a computer. ($200-275)

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Monitor Headphones ($150)

Software - GarageBand or Audacity or other free DAW. Or, if you already have a Creative Cloud subscription like I do, Adobe Audition.

All of that is way less than $1k, and give you the ability to do a two-person interview podcast in the studio or on location. With the extra $100 or so, buy some sound proofing materials for your studio.

This is exactly what my setup looks like right now.

I can try to help here, so what we did was get a Focusrite Scarlett. It just takes a standard audio input and outputs to USB that plugs into the NUC. Not sure if that answers all of your problems, but it will get a Shure mic into the zoom meeting so outside guest can hear it.
We had a AV vendor help us get it setup as far as the mics and speakers local, so I can really only speak to getting it to run through Zoom.

Reaper:
http://www.reaper.fm/
Scarlett 2i2:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H4W34WW?psc=1
Some decent head phones :
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485141349&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=akg+m50

If you dont really need or plan to do much mixing then you can skip the headphones i would assume

for the scarlett stick with the second gen bc the first gen cannot record di guitars without a di box, may have been fixed sense I owned mine.

After that web has a tone of free plugins from everything to guitars to effetcs and most of them are pretty awesome. The stock plugins will also work very well for what you are doing.
Also im assuming by live you mean direct, if not then you would need a mic. maybe a 57 depending.