Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface Review (Difference Between 2i2 2nd Gen and 2i2 3rd Gen)
Buy the Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Global: https://geni.us/2i32rd
During this review, I have the Rode NT1 connected directly to the 2i2 (3rd Gen), recording at 24-bit, 48kHz. I have done no post processing to the audio, but it was boosted ~6dB in Final Cut Pro to make it easier to listen to.
If you are interested in this interface, it will set you back $160.00 on Amazon
What's In the Box
Interface
USB-C to USB-A cable
Free Software (Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First, Softube, Focusrite - Red Plugin Suite, etc.)
Specifications
Bit Depth: 24-Bit
Sample Rate: 44.1 - 192kHz
Gain Range: 56dB
EIN: -128dB (A-Weighted)
Dynamic Range: 111dBA
Input Impedance: 3k Ohms
Phantom Power: +48v
Performance / Features
The build quality of this interface is great. It has an all aluminum chassis on the top/bottom/sides, while the front and the back are plastic. The dials are very nicely attached, rotate very smoothly, and don’t have any kind of wobble to them. The buttons have a nice tactile click to them so you know when you’ve pushed them, and a light to indicate when each button is activated. The XLR ports also have no movement to them that is out of the ordinary.
The overall performance of this interface is excellent for the price. The max gain on tap is not listed, but I did find that it was capable of driving the Sm7b rather well without introducing excessive noise.
When measuring the noise floor using an xlr connector with pins 2 & 3 shorted (no resistor included) I was measuring a noise floor of around -110dB to -100dB.
The A/D converters don’t appear to have any issues at all and offers a bit depth of 24-bit, and sample rates all the way up to 192kHz. For voice over 24-bit 48kHz is all you will likely ever need, but for music or if you’re slowing down your recordings, you might want to record at a higher sample rate.
The latency experienced will vary from computer to computer, but I found the latency extremely usable for guitar. With a sample rate of 48kHz, and an I/O buffer size of 256 samples I had an output latency of 7.4ms, and when we jump to 192kHz sample rate an I/O buffer size of 256 samples I found an output latency of 3.3ms.
Next you have the AIR CIRCUIT button. This is a reproduction of the Air circuit on Focusrites ISA preamps. What the button does is add a boost to the Treble & Air frequencies which brightens up your recording. I found that it added a bit of life to D.I. guitars.
Focusrite also added a Stereo/Mono button for monitoring. This allows you to monitor your audio inputs as a mono track (useful if you have two people speaking into separate mics and you don’t want to hear someone in the left, and another person in the right), or as a stereo track (useful if you’re stereo micing a piano or running stereo mics on any sound source).
Pros
Very clean preamps capable of driving the SM7b
Ample headroom to handle DI instrument inputs
I noticed a slightly cleaner headphone amp compared to the 2i2 (2nd Gen)
Bus powered so there's no need for an external power supply
-110 to -105dB noise floor at 100%
Addition of Mono/Stereo switch for monitoring
You get the Air Circuit which is a nice feature to have
24-Bit 192kHz High Res A/D convertors
Great build quality
Offers full +48v phantom power on bus power
Cons
Does not store settings when it is unplugged / plugged back in (phantom power, air, etc.)
I am not a fan of the halo metering light as it doesn’t offer a decent level of granularity. Additionally, I’m color blind so it is at times hard to tell when you go from yellow to green.
There’s no physical mix dial to mix between computer playback and zero latency monitoring (this is possible to adjust in the focusrite mix software)
Difference between 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen
The most noticeable difference for everyone will be the addition of the Air Circuit and the addition of the Mono/Stereo selector for monitoring. However, they have also added balanced 1/4” line outputs to run to your monitors which is great to see.
There has also been an improvement in the dynamic range from 106dB (2nd gen) to 111dB (3rd gen) as well as maximum input level from 4dBu @ Min Gain (2nd Gen) to 9 dBu @ Min Gain (3rd Gen).
One thing that has not really changed is the max gain or the noise performance. In the video I provide a demonstration of the max gain available and the noise floor and they seem nearly identical. On the 3rd gen I did notice the noise floor moving a bit more to the audible frequencies, but it is a negligible increase.
Conclusion
This is an excellent incremental upgrade to the Scarlett 2i2 series of interfaces. I love the slightly smaller size, the improved headroom, and the addition of the air circuit & mono/stereo selector. With that being said, if you currently have the 2i2 2nd gen, and you don’t have an absolute need for the balanced 1/4” monitor outputs, the air circuit, or the mono/stereo selector switch, I don’t think it is necessary to upgrade. I had the misfortune of buying the 18i20 (2nd Gen) about two months before the 3rd gen release, and I have no plans to return it or replace it because the preamp performance is pretty much identical.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy the Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Buy the Rode NT1 Kit (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: http://geni.us/rodent1
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/495rn