Focusrite has to be the most overrated interface ever

[Pancreas]

if not the most over-recommended to all the noobs or anyone who wants to record anything. If I see a red block on your desk, I know you aren't serious or know much about music.

I know cause I had them lol I had Scarlett and Clarett. I had nothing but issues with both, popping everywhere, noisy, not good sound quality, and terrible software.

It has to be the Yamaha HS5 of the interface world.

And the Clarett 4pre is like $600. I returned that and got a Motu mk5 Ultralite, similar price, it sounds way better in every aspect, the sofware is better, everything is superior

Ideally I'd rather have RME fireface ucx 2 but that price stops me

 

[jae]

Yep, motu is the best all-round choice for interfaces.

 

[LTig]

if not the most over-recommended to all the noobs or anyone who wants to record anything. If I see a red block on your desk, I know you aren't serious or know much about music.

I know cause I had them lol I had Scarlett and Clarett. I had nothing but issues with both, popping everywhere, noisy, not good sound quality, and terrible software.

Can you show measurements which backup this claim?

 

[Pancreas]

Can you show measurements which backup this claim?

Im not a magician

But I can tell you one thing, all my grooves sound better on the Motu

 

[LTig]

Im not a magician

But I can tell you one thing, all my grooves sound better on the Motu

You don't need to be a magician. Use REW, run loop back tests with both interfaces and show the results. Here at ASR we value data ...

 

[Pancreas]

You don't need to be a magician. Use REW, run loop back tests with both interfaces and show the results. Here at ASR we value data ...

I can tell you this, whenever I would start my PC, even the $600 focusrite clarett would pop loudly, the Motu doesn't pop like that

 

[Steve Dallas]

if not the most over-recommended to all the noobs or anyone who wants to record anything. If I see a red block on your desk, I know you aren't serious or know much about music.

I know cause I had them lol I had Scarlett and Clarett. I had nothing but issues with both, popping everywhere, noisy, not good sound quality, and terrible software.

It has to be the Yamaha HS5 of the interface world.

And the Clarett 4pre is like $600. I returned that and got a Motu mk5 Ultralite, similar price, it sounds way better in every aspect, the sofware is better, everything is superior

Ideally I'd rather have RME fireface ucx 2 but that price stops me

It appears you were unserious or did not know much about music for a while, having "outgrown" a Scarlett Solo:

Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 or Claret 4pre

They're similar size and have the same outputs and inputs, but the price difference is $369 vs 699 They both have 4 outputs, spdif, optical, power supply, etc. I'm interested in them, because of size, but also the anti thump technology that prevents pops if speakers are on before interface...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I used a Scarlett 6i6 and a Clarett 4Pre for years with excellent results, never having the problems you describe. Any chance you were suffering user error?

I do prefer MOTU kit in the lower price bracket. I use RME when I can, as it is superior to both in all respects.

 

[SDC]

I hate my clarret 8+... the pops and cracks...should have gone rme

 

[sam_adams]

The value of data.

A few years ago I tested a Clarett 4Pre (Cursor at 1 KHz, not shown. 512K SS, BH7 window.):

It:

just:

could:

not:

complete:

a:

stepped sine test in REW without a dropout—which are the spikes you see in the graphs.

I tried cables. I tried sample rates. I tried different computers—both Mac and Win.

Nothing worked.

I was seriously disappoint.

After four days of dicking around with it, I returned it.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I know of the complaints. I've had Focusrite Forte and Scarlett 18i20. Neither have given any trouble ever with several versions of Windows on a few computers nor with a Macbook Pro I have. For a long time I considered them a safe suggestion for lower priced interfaces. I'd consider the Motu a better deal now, and maybe an Audient, but guess what? I know of more people with Windows issues with those than Focusrites. My 18i20 is a 1st gen, maybe you are better to stick with those. It still works even on Windows 11. I sold the Forte to a forum member who to my knowledge has not had any problems with it.

Maybe try an Arturia, but I don't know anyone with one.

 

[differenceclouds]

I think for many users of such products, reliability, stability, lack of glitches, and ease of use are more important than small measurement differences. It seems Motu has improved in this regard. I used a Focusrite Saffire LE for years and it was great. That was firewire, I miss firewire...... I used a Steinberg (Yamaha) UR44 for a few years and it was *rock solid* but I guarantee you it wouldn't pass the measurement tests here. That being said, I like my Motu interface a lot.

 

[Ricardus]

if not the most over-recommended to all the noobs or anyone who wants to record anything. If I see a red block on your desk, I know you aren't serious or know much about music.

I know cause I had them lol I had Scarlett and Clarett. I had nothing but issues with both, popping everywhere, noisy, not good sound quality, and terrible software.

I know because I've had them all too, and I've NEVER had noise or popping issues.

Are you joking with those post or what? Maybe it's user error on your part?

I plug my shit in and it just works.

*EDIT*

I have a Scarlett 2i2, and I recently bought the 2nd gen of the Clarett+ 8 Pre and they function flawlessly.

 

[maverickronin]

The drivers seem pretty crap to me. My 2i2 Gen1 was prone to BSODing my PC.

 

[restorer-john]

My 2i2 Gen1 was prone to BSODing my PC.

I had that same issue (2i2v2) early on, until I discovered the USB cable was making poor contact in the type B socket on the rear. A little contact cleaner and it's been flawless for several years since.

Here:

Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Audio Interface Reviewed and Measured

The specs says max level for line in is +22dBu (at minimum gain) so it makes sense that 4Vrms results in -7.895dBFS. That is true. The problem is that raising the input beyond 4 volt severely distorts. This should not happen. As it is, you can't use the last 7 dB or so of the system dynamic...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[maverickronin]

I had that same issue (2i2v2) early on, until I discovered the USB cable was making poor contact in the type B socket on the rear. A little contact cleaner and it's been flawless for several years since.

Here:

Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Audio Interface Reviewed and Measured

The specs says max level for line in is +22dBu (at minimum gain) so it makes sense that 4Vrms results in -7.895dBFS. That is true. The problem is that raising the input beyond 4 volt severely distorts. This should not happen. As it is, you can't use the last 7 dB or so of the system dynamic...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Yeah, that's probably the same root cause. The last one I remember was when I bumped the cable...but USB devices are supposed to be hot-plug. If the driver can't handle it, that's the driver's fault.

It's not like pulling a PCIe card out of a running machine or something.

 

[telecode101]

I have been sing a 8i6 3rd gen for years. never had a popping or noise issue.

 

[djfuelbass]

"If I see a red block on your desk, I know you aren't serious or know much about music", That's very blatant statement.

I bought Focusrite after testing it side by side with Audient id 14. Focusrite Scarlett costs less and measures better than Audient. Audient drivers was crap in 2018 and Audient ADC and DAC both sounds awful in comparison idk why but after reading measurements, I know why. Focusrite drivers occasionally gives BSOD previously but after the update, they're rock solid. It's still functioning after 6 year's of usage. Focusrite is still very solid entry choice.

For $600 I probably bought used RME or saved up more for the new one as RME is much superior even compared to MOTU, it's probably the endgame interface as it lasts for decades.

 

[changer]

Happy 2i2 gen1 user. Pops only result from too long USB cables and/or poorly installed drivers.

 

[krabapple]

"If I see a red block on your desk, I know you aren't serious or know much about music", That's very blatant statement.

I bought Focusrite after testing it side by side with Audient id 14. Focusrite Scarlett costs less and measures better than Audient. Audient drivers was crap in 2018 and Audient ADC and DAC both sounds awful in comparison idk why but after reading measurements, I know why.

Do the measurements really indicate that the Audient ADC and DAC should sound 'awful' in comparison to other makes?

 

[krabapple]

I was actually hoping you'd point me to the measurements that support your claim.