The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a 2 in 2 out interface with an "affordable yet reliable" ethos. With high quality mic pres and exception A/D and D/A converters in a compact package, the Scarlett 2i2 offers high quality audio input via a ubiquitous USB connection at a very attractive price. Furthermore, the Scarlett interfaces are designed to be easy to use and look great in your studio.
Check out the great video below of Jono Mcleery tracking a song using the Scarlett 2i2 interface.
Here's what Focusrite say about the Scarlett 2i2
The Scarlett 2i2 is a 2 in / 2 out USB recording interface featuring two award-winning Focusrite preamps. Housed in an attractive anodised aluminium unibody chassis, the interface not only sounds fantastic but looks great too. What's more it's solid enough to take on the road when you travel. The Scarlett 2i2 is much more than just a pretty metal box...
25 Years of experience
For more than 25 years, Focusrite has designed some of the most popular microphone preamps in the industry. This experience has been used to create the transparent, low-noise and low-distortion preamp found not only in the Scarlett 2i2 but also our flagship Firewire interface, the Liquid Saffire 56. Plenty of available headroom makes it suitable for moving coil, condenser and ribbon microphones regardless of the source. Phantom power is provided for mics that need it.
Plug straight in
The front panel Neutrik combination input can be used to connect line and instrument level signals as well as microphones. This makes it perfect for recording the output of a synthesizer or stage piano, whilst at the flick of a switch you can cater for the output of an electric or acoustic guitar.
Keep an eye on your levels
Unique halo signal indicators let you know that you've got a good signal level for recording. Red means that your signal is clipping, and that you should reduce the gain. The halo will momentarily turn amber as the level returns to a healthy level, at which point it will turn green.
Flexible monitoring options
A large monitor dial provides a tactile control for the volume of your speakers, whilst a high quality headphone amp provides a clean yet loud signal to headphones connected to the front panel socket. The direct monitor switch routes audio directly from the inputs to both the headphone and speaker outputs. This allows you to monitor the incoming signal with zero-latency.
Polish your mix
The included Scarlett Plug-In suite provides effects compatible with all major DAWs; so whether you're using GarageBand, Pro Tools 9, Cubase, Logic or the included Ableton Live Lite, Scarlett 2i2 is the complete package for you to get recording straight away.
Key Features
High Quality Mic Preamps
Scarlett 2i2 features two high quality award-winning Focusrite mic pres. With more than 25 years of experience in designing analogue equipment, Focusrite produce the best mic preamps in the industry. The preamps found in the Scarlett 2i2 are no exception to this, and share the same design as those found in our flagship interfaces: Saffire PRO 40 and Liquid Saffire 56.
Excellent Digital Performance
With 24-bit resolution at sample rates of up to 96 KHz, the digital conversion in the Scarlett 2i2 is of very high quality meaning that every note and every subtle detail is captured with great clarity.
Rugged Metal Unibody Case
The anodised aluminium unibody chassis ensures that your Scarlett 2i2 can withstand the harsh environment of the road. It also makes Scarlett 2i2 the most beautiful interface around..
Truly Portable Interface
Scarlett 2i2 is very light and compact making it easy to fit in a laptop bag. It's also bus powered meaning that you don't need an additional power supply. Simply plug in to your computer and hit record!
Included Software - DAW and Effects
Inside the box you'll find Ableton Live Lite 8, as well as Focusrite's Scarlett plug-in suite. Compatible with all major DAWs, Scarlett plug-in suite provides EQ, Compression, Gate and Reverb - essential tools for polishing your mix.
Unique LED Gain Halos
The gain halos which surround the gain knob for each input provides an easy way to know that the signal you're recording is the right level. It will show green when the signal is at a good level (above -24dBFS). If it turns to red, you know that the signal is too loud and is therefore clipping - if this happens, simply reduce the gain until the halo returns to green.
Direct Monitor Function
Flick the direct monitor switch on the front panel of your 2i2 and you will hear what you're recording through your speakers or headphones, without the signal having to go through your computer. This avoids the possibility of latency, which can be distracting when recording.
Mac OSX Lion Ready
Scarlett 2i2 has been fully tested with Mac OSX 10.7, Lion. So you can rest assured that your brand new Mac and Scarlett 2i2 will run together perfectly!
- 2 in / 2 out USB audio interface
- 96 KHz, 24-bit conversion
- 2 Focusrite microphone preamplifiers
- Red anodised aluminium unibody chassis
Front panel
- 2 line/mic/instrument combination inputs - Neutrik XLR/1/4" TRS Jack Combo
- 2 Line/Instrument switches
- 2 Gain knobs
- 2 Gain halo signal indicators
- 48V Phantom power switch
- Direct monitor switch
- Large monitor level dial
- USB Connection LED indicator
- Headphone output - 1/4" TRS Jack
- Headphone level knob
Rear panel
- 2 balanced monitor outputs - 1/4" TRS Jack
- USB 2.0 Port
- Kensington Lock slot
Included software
- Ableton Live Lite 8
- Focusrite Scarlett plug-in suite
Analogue Input Performance
Mic
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
- THD+N: < 0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): < -120dB: measured at 55dB of gain with 150Ω termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Gain Range: +10dB to +55dB
- Max Input Level: -3dBu
Line
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- THD+N: < 0.002% (measured with -1dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Noise: -90 dBu (22 Hz/22KHz bandpass filter)
- Signal to Noise Ratio: > 100dB
- Gain Range: -10dB to +35dB
- Max Input Level: +20dBu
Instrument
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- THD+N: 0.005% (measured with -8dBu input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Noise: -87dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Gain Range: +10dB to +55dB
- Max Input Level: -3dBu
Analogue Output Performance
- Nominal Output Level: 0dBFS = 10dBu, balanced
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
- THD+N: < 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter, un-weighted)
- Output Impedance: < 10Ω
- Power Output into 150Ω: 15mW
- Power Output into 50Ω: 30mW
Digital Performance
- Clock sources: Internal clock only
- A-D Dynamic Range: 105dB 'A-weighted' (all inputs). Converter chipset A-D dynamic range 114dB
- D-A Dynamic Range: 104dB 'A-weighted' (all outputs). Converter chipset D-A dynamic range 114dB
- Supported sample rates: 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz
Crosstalk
- Input to Input: Better than 90dB
- Output to Output: Better than 90dB
- Input to Output: Better than 85dB
Input Metering
- Ring LED lit Green: Signal present (-24 dBFS)
- Ring LED lit Red: Signal overload (0dBFS), peak held for approximately 1 second
Weight and Dimensions
- Height: 45 mm / 1 3/4 "
- Width: 175 mm / 7"
- Depth: 100 mm / 4"
- Weight: 580 g / 1.3 lbs
System Requirements
Mac
- OS X 10.6.5 Snow Leopard (32 and 64 bit) and above, including OS X 10.7 Lion
Windows
- Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit), or Windows XP SP3 (32 bit only)
- Windows Vista is not officially supported
