Reddit reviews Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 (1st GENERATION) 6 In/6 Out USB 2.0 Audio Interface With Two Focusrite Mic Preamps

Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it. Currently I am looking at an I5 with 8 gig ram ssd 500gig + 2 tb 7200rpm drive. Some low end graphics card, do I need to consider sound card at all? What specific audio interface would you recommend for $300 or less? I found this one and seems like it would fit the bill, I am a big fan of Yamaha for value. Again, thank you for your input.

Edit: I found this [focusrite 6i6 card] does it fit the bill? (http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-6i6-Interface-Preamps/dp/B00CP4IIJY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1414220118&sr=8-3&keywords=focusrite+scarlett)

http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-6i6-Interface-Preamps/dp/B00CP4IIJY
http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-2i4-USB-Interface/dp/B009B15N0Q

For what it's worth, you could record two people on one end using Zencastr but they would both be on the same track which isn't ideal. You could do this by having them share a microphone or by plugging 2 mics into into your interface (it should get mixed to to a mono track for recording purposes).

As you mentioned, the difficult part is making sure everyone can hear. There are interfaces that have 2 headphone monitor jacks. This one looks like it would do the trick.

http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-6i6-Interface-Preamps/dp/B00CP4IIJY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1458211811&sr=8-5&keywords=focusrite+interface

Using this you could have them both recorded on using separate mics (but on the same track) and they would both be able to hear the other callers as well. They would the callers on the other end via zencastr and hear each other by monitoring the input to the interface.

You could record the output from the interface into your zoom.

Another option would be to have them use zencastr normally on separate computers even though they are in the same place. You would have to watch out that they weren't picking up each others voices on their respective mics.

EDIT: A lot of this depends on what gear you have or are willing to buy. If you want to do a call I can hear what your setup is and maybe offer some more pertinent advice. Ping me anytime on Skype (username: somethingcoded).

Well start at the beginning. People notice high quality recordings. If you listen to your Pod on headphones, crappy mics then get compressed to crappy MP3s is tedious to listen to.

If there are 2 or you, plan on spending a couple hundred bucks to solve this.

I use Sterling ST-51 Condenser mics- You can generally get them on sale at Guitar Center for $70 bucks. Here is a link to amazon

After you get that you'll need two XLR cables
After that you'll need some sort if interface. I have never had more than four people on my podcast, but the nature of podcasting generally means you'll get good a production, go as big as you can early, someone somewhere will want to pay you to produce for them. It's better to have the flexibility out of the box then have to cluge around with shitty hardware. However if you're on a tight budget there are other things you can get. Audio to computer interfaces give you more flexibility because you can add things like music live during a recording from other devices, allow you to use Skype (which isn't obvious when you have high quality mics and interfaces) I trend toward Focusrite, they make Bad Ass equipment. The Scarlett series works well for me. They don't have a loop back feature, but if you get that far let me know and ill tell you how to do it for the cost of a $1 RCA cable.

You can get linear PCM recorders Here and Here for about the same money as an audio interface, so its your call. They put it all in one package, but in the long run I think you'll end up getting tired of moving large files to your software for editing. I use the Tascam DR-40 and give it to people who are traveling - it is STELLAR and less than anything else on the market, because its old. But it's record out of the box- Easy.

Now Software- Ive used pay versions of Cakewalk. Ive used Audacity, which is great but clunky. I have landed on Reaper. It is the most full featured, open, continually updated, solid, go to, piece of software you can find. They're not dumb, they let you download a fully functioning copy for free. Its Not hampered in anyway. If you don't buy a license then you have to sit through a click away every time it opens. Better yet, just try it for a while, then you will appreciate it and want to buy the $60 license for small business or home use. Brilliant in every way.

That set up will last you for years and give you virtually pro quality production capability.

TL;DR
Mics (and Cables) Sterling ST-51 or similar (less than $100 ea)
Audio interface ( Many in, Many out, USB 2, Focusrite or Tascam)
Software (There can only be one, Reaper, Hands down)


Edit: My pods are at Defensesecurity.org , Homeready.org and Renman24.com - if you listen to the first ones and then listen to the latest ones you'll notice my equipment improvement, and editing style change. Its a muscle, work it out and it'll get better.

Edit 2: spelling and links
Edit 3: Links again

This is a completely silence optimized gaming / recording rig. I assume you want your computer to be as quiet as possible while recording music.

The Focusrite Scarlet 6i6 is one of the best Audio recording devices within your budget. You really should invest in an external recording sound card if you are serious about music creation (which I assume you are since your are studying it).

As a gaming PC it is also very good. You will be able to play most games at high to max settings @ 1080p/60FPS.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor | $209.99 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler | Noctua NH-U12P SE2 54.4 CFM CPU Cooler | $62.98 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard | $99.99 @ Newegg
Memory | GeIL EVO POTENZA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory | $62.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk | $139.99 @ Best Buy
Storage | Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive | $82.45 @ Amazon
Video Card | Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card | $309.99 @ NCIX US
Case | NZXT H230 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case | $59.99 @ Micro Center
Power Supply | Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 10 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply | $109.99 @ NCIX US
Case Fan | Noctua NF-P12-1300 54.4 CFM 120mm Fan | $17.92 @ OutletPC
Case Fan | Noctua NF-P12-1300 54.4 CFM 120mm Fan | $17.92 @ OutletPC
Other| Focusrite Scarlet 6i6| $249.35
| | Total
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1423.55
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-09 23:17 EDT-0400 |

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask.

Here is the mobile version of your link

I've had pretty good luck with the Scarelett 6i6 having really fluid volume control (for the price). It's got loads of inputs, and while larger and not marketed as a DAC/Pre Amp, it does a nice job. I've heard bad things about bus power from their smaller models, but have been quite liking mine so far (I do use it with powered monitors though)

Hope this helps, your thread seemed lonely :(

You're typically looking for an USB audio interface with line inputs, such as this (I have the older version of that, and have been very happy with it)

As a bonus: It's also a pretty good DAC, so you could possibly sell your Magni to offset the extra cost

No worries! It can be quite overwhelming if you never shopped for an audio interface before. The first thing you'll need is an interface with 48V phantom power, many microphones requires power and some audio interface does not provide it, you should avoid them since you will be limited in your microphone choice.

Here are a few choice, there's are 2 ins and 2 out interface (between $150 to $250)

PreSonus AudioBox USB 2x2

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2 In/2 Out USB

M-Audio M-Track Plus II USB

If you think you'll need more inputs (maybe you want to record a drum) these cost between $200 to $500

M-Audio MTRACK QUAD

M-Audio M-Track Eight 8-Channel

Focusrite Scarlett 6i6

Focusrite SCARLETT 18i8 18

Behringer FCA1616

If you're a guitarist you could consider a multi-effect processor like these ($700-$800):

Line 6 POD HD Pro X

Avid Eleven Rack

These two offers the advantage of having your amps and effect processing at basically no latency, they are also great for recording vocals with low-latency monitoring with effects.

There's a lot of choice but as long as you have enough inputs for recording all that you intend to record then you're good to go.

I'm in the market for an audio interface. Ideally I'd like 4-8 xlr/trs inputs and equal outputs over usb. I simply want to hook up a few guitars, my vdrums and other things to it and record them all at once with their own tracks into the DAW. I'm hoping for a price below $200. This is mostly for fun in the apartment with friends.

For the price, the best things I've found are these:

behringer umc404 with 4 in and 4 out for $150

focusrite 6i6 with 6 in/out but only two xlr/trs combo prots for $250. Inr eality 4 in and out minus the spdif.

Akalai eie pro with 4 xlr/trs combo in/out at $250

The behringer does what I want plus has effect plugins in the back. Why is it $100 dollars cheaper than the next two? I want to make sure I'm not missing anything important before I make my purchase.

To properly record multiple simultaneous instruments, you'll want a USB audio interface. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-6i6-Interface-Preamps/dp/B00CP4IIJY

Everything else will sound like garbage compared to a good USB interface.

The PC itself doesn't even matter all that much. You'd be fine with an i3 and 8GB of RAM, though a more powerful setup would certainly be nice.