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Following another thread I started on the Windows list I decided to take the advice and get an audio interface to improve ASIO performance. I acquired a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and it has removed all my issues with ASIO. However I have a couple of questions so decided to move over to this list.
1) What are some typical ASIO settings for a Scarlett interface that other users find the best for BIAB i.e. Always ON or OFF, buffer length and sample rate. I have a new I7 laptop running Win 10. Do any of these settings make a difference.
2) Has anyone tried connecting a keyboard stereo outs to the two 2i2 front inputs? When I do this from my Yamaha CP4 (using TS cables) and monitor through the 2i2 or powered speakers the stereo piano sound is terrible. I know from previous experience that the poor sound is due to the L and R channels being combined to mono. If you keep the channels separate you get the true rich piano sound. Is this just the way the 2i2 is designed or is there a way round the problem.
Regardless of the above, how well does it work to plug a guitar into one of the inputs for a live performance.
I have no plans to do any recording and am using the 2i2 as an external sound card.
Thanks
Tony
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Tony.
I can only answer the 1st question for you.
I have both the 2I2 and the 2I4 interfaces. One for my Laptop and the other for my Desktop.
I just use the normal 'out of the box' settings for ASIO. I have tweaked them before but I did not notice any difference so I reset the back to 'factory'.
I have absolutely zero problems with these settings.
I use Reaper an Audition as my DAW. I keep BIAB set for MIME since it seems to work best there.
A friend of mine uses Sonar and he also keeps the ASIO settings at 'factory'.
My PC is the typical 3GHZ, 8 MB, Win 10 system.
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What are some typical ASIO settings for a Scarlett interface that other users find the best for BIAB i.e. Always ON or OFF, buffer length and sample rate. I have a new I7 laptop running Win 10. Do any of these settings make a difference.
2) Has anyone tried connecting a keyboard stereo outs to the two 2i2 front inputs? When I do this from my Yamaha CP4 (using TS cables) and monitor through the 2i2 or powered speakers the stereo piano sound is terrible. I know from previous experience that the poor sound is due to the L and R channels being combined to mono. If you keep the channels separate you get the true rich piano sound. Is this just the way the 2i2 is designed or is there a way round the problem.
Regardless of the above, how well does it work to plug a guitar into one of the inputs for a live performance.
I have no plans to do any recording and am using the 2i2 as an external sound card. Yep... getting a good interface generally solves lots of issues. 1. If the default settings work, leave them alone. Set your software programs up to use ASIO with the 2i2 by default. Only adjust the buffers and latency settings if you need to..... don't try to fix what isn't broke. 2. The front inputs should be different channels. They do not combine to mono. You have 2 mono channels.. one is left, one is right, together, they make stereo. Any mono combining would have to be done in software somewhere. I know the Focusrite interfaces have a software control panel, it might be possible to combine them to mono, but it's generally done in a DAW. However, it's not a default setting. The default is stereo....a unique right and left channel. If the piano is connected that way and sounds terrible, something else is causing it. First thing I would look at is the level your piano is putting into the inputs. Those inputs have preamps on them and if the piano is putting out a strong signal, the pre's will overload it. I discovered this with my rig when I tried to use a mixer I had in the studio with a mic. Super distorted.... so I plugged the mic straight in and it was crystal. Experiment.... load a DAW stereo track. Play something with the stereo piano plugged in. Unplug one channel.... does the DAW still record to both stereo channels in the track? If not.... it's not combining to mono anywhere. Something else to try..... just connect one side of the channel.... just the left. Is it clean? Do you have a mono out? Try that. The 2i2 doesn't seem to have midi inputs on it.... so... that would explain you using the audio inputs. Does the keyboard have a USB connection on it? If so, use that to connect the keyboard and employ a softsynth. There will be no issues with the sound quality that way. My Focusrite has midi in/out/thru, so I use the midi route 100% of the time. I have never connected my keyboard through the audio inputs. Plugging in a guitar.... with mono instruments, you will want to plug in to ONE input. AND.... in the DAW, you will want to select THAT MONO INPUT and not the default stereo input. You can use either a software sim or mic, or any sort of guitar processor. Adjust the input level as needed. The 2i2 is a super recording interface. Using it for playback will give you excellent synced up playback, but you're missing half of what this interface is capable of. That's my 2 cents for now....hope it helps point you in the right direction.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Using the 2i2, if you input a keyboard or any other line level device, be sure the input switch on the front panel is set to line in position and not mic in.
Distortion will occur if the switch is not in the correct position.
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If I recall, in the Scarlett range, only the 200-level do not have their MixControl mixer software where you can adjust input levels. Is that correct?
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I just use the normal 'out of the box' settings for ASIO. I have tweaked them before but I did not notice any difference so I reset the back to 'factory'.
Thanks for the response I also have found no need to alter any settings and if I switched to ASIO "always on" I got a stuttering start to some songs with RTs.
2. The front inputs should be different channels. They do not combine to mono. You have 2 mono channels.. one is left, one is right, together, they make stereo. Any mono combining would have to be done in software somewhere. I know the Focusrite interfaces have a software control panel, it might be possible to combine them to mono, but it's generally done in a DAW. However, it's not a default setting. The default is stereo....a unique right and left channel.
If the piano is connected that way and sounds terrible, something else is causing it. First thing I would look at is the level your piano is putting into the inputs. Those inputs have preamps on them and if the piano is putting out a strong signal, the pre's will overload it. I discovered this with my rig when I tried to use a mixer I had in the studio with a mic. Super distorted.... so I plugged the mic straight in and it was crystal.
Experiment.... load a DAW stereo track. Play something with the stereo piano plugged in. Unplug one channel.... does the DAW still record to both stereo channels in the track? If not.... it's not combining to mono anywhere.
Something else to try..... just connect one side of the channel.... just the left. Is it clean? Do you have a mono out? Try that.
The 2i2 doesn't seem to have midi inputs on it.... so... that would explain you using the audio inputs. Does the keyboard have a USB connection on it? If so, use that to connect the keyboard and employ a softsynth. There will be no issues with the sound quality that way. My Focusrite has midi in/out/thru, so I use the midi route 100% of the time. I have never connected my keyboard through the audio inputs.
Plugging in a guitar.... with mono instruments, you will want to plug in to ONE input. AND.... in the DAW, you will want to select THAT MONO INPUT and not the default stereo input. You can use either a software sim or mic, or any sort of guitar processor. Adjust the input level as needed.
The 2i2 is a super recording interface. Using it for playback will give you excellent synced up playback, but you're missing half of what this interface is capable of.
That's my 2 cents for now....hope it helps point you in the right direction.
My piano levels are fine - no clipping shown by the 2i2 or in Realband. The Focusrite software mixer doesn't work with the 2i2 As you predicted, when I record into RB I get two channels and only one if I disconnect one input from the piano. If I use just the Left/Mono connection from the piano I get exactly the same "cheezy" sound as with two connections. This sound is exactly the same as I get whenever I have used the L/Mono connection in the past so I know what summed to mono sounds like. Are you suggesting I use a softsynth piano sound instead of my Yamaha CP4 pianos? I would rather stick with the great Yamaha pianos. Although you have proved that the 2i2 does not seem to sum to mono there is definitely something going on that I don't understand. If I listen by phones plugged into the CP4 the sound is great. If I plug phones into the front 2i2 phone jack which monitors the inputs to the 2i2, the sound is "cheezy" To be honest this is something of an academic exercise for me aimed at explaining an anomaly. My normal method is to feed the piano line outs to a mixer with left panned fully left and right fully right. This preserves the great Yamaha sound. The 2i2 is still worth it as an external sound card. Thanks for your input. Tony
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Using the 2i2, if you input a keyboard or any other line level device, be sure the input switch on the front panel is set to line in position and not mic in.
Distortion will occur if the switch is not in the correct position. Hi Charlie In practice the instrument position simply gives you more gain than the line in so you can adjust the input with the gain knob while observing the halo colors. Tony
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If I recall, in the Scarlett range, only the 200-level do not have their MixControl mixer software where you can adjust input levels. Is that correct?
That's correct Matt. I have seen my problem mentioned on another forum and the Scarlett softmixer is supposed to solve it but that's no help with the 2i2. Tony
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Using the 2i2, if you input a keyboard or any other line level device, be sure the input switch on the front panel is set to line in position and not mic in.
Distortion will occur if the switch is not in the correct position. Hi Charlie In practice the instrument position simply gives you more gain than the line in so you can adjust the input with the gain knob while observing the halo colors. Tony If that is the case then you should likely route the keyboard line level output through a DI box before the scarlett input. There is an impedance mismatch between line levels and mic levels. I don't own a scarlett 2i2 but do have a Presonus 22VSL and it does not have line level inputs. That makes a line level input much to hot and causes distortion. It is also likely the source of your distortion.
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Check your Direct monitor switch using headphones, see if changing this makes a difference. You could be hearing the piano go to the computer and back .. The 2i2 manual is confusing in some ways. It mixes the inst/Line level explanation in with TR/TRS connections, but it is an instrument level signal (electric guitar direct) or Line level (your keyboard) switch for the 1/4' jacks only. XLR is automatically mic level. https://d3se566zfvnmhf.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/focusrite/downloads/7317/scarlett-2i2-user-guide-v2.pdf/weird URL but linked from manufacturer site
Last edited by rharv; 02/01/16 03:44 PM.
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Yep.... since you tried the things suggested and still have distortion, See if you can borrow a DI box and try it. If you don't know anyone with a DI laying around, just pick one up from Guitar Center or Sam Ash and try it. If it doesn't work, carry it back for a full refund.
Your signal level is too hot from the keyboard and there's also very likely an impedance mismatch that may be a contributing factor.... a good DI box may just solve that problem.... it's worth a try.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Yep.... since you tried the things suggested and still have distortion, See if you can borrow a DI box and try it. If you don't know anyone with a DI laying around, just pick one up from Guitar Center or Sam Ash and try it. If it doesn't work, carry it back for a full refund.
Your signal level is too hot from the keyboard and there's also very likely an impedance mismatch that may be a contributing factor.... a good DI box may just solve that problem.... it's worth a try. I don't think it is correct to call what I am hearing as distortion. If I listen to my keyboard using a single cable from the L/mono connection it sounds EXACTLY the same as the sound from the 2i2 with L and R cables connected. The L/mono signal is definitely a stereo signal that is summed to mono within the keyboard which is why I am characterising the 2i2 sound as being similar. Hasn't anyone got a 2i2 AND a keyboard with stereo piano sounds who can reproduce my findings? Tony
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Check your Direct monitor switch using headphones, see if changing this makes a difference. You could be hearing the piano go to the computer and back .. The 2i2 manual is confusing in some ways. It mixes the inst/Line level explanation in with TR/TRS connections, but it is an instrument level signal (electric guitar direct) or Line level (your keyboard) switch for the 1/4' jacks only. XLR is automatically mic level. https://d3se566zfvnmhf.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/focusrite/downloads/7317/scarlett-2i2-user-guide-v2.pdf/weird URL but linked from manufacturer site If you have the direct monitor switch in the wrong position you hear nothing from the 2i2 phone connection or you get a long delay if you have a DAW running so it's impossible to have this switch in the wrong position Tony
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can you record that sound. Trying to describe it is like trying to describe a color.
Post the link to the sound here.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Tony - try lowering the gain knob on the right channel when you have both R/L inputs plugged in. try continuing to turn it down until you're almost off and play as you turn and see if there's a point where it sounds better.
what I found on the scarlet 2i2 that I had was that the gain knob was very "touchy" and there's a very hard point on the gain where the amp is sent into saturation.
I returned my unit as defective and bought a presonus instead (this is my backup unit while my MOTU was out for repair), but I found out that this was typical for the scarlet series to have this brick level on the gain which overdrives the amp.
so technically it probably wasn't "defective" because it seems it may be designed this way. but from a personal standpoint (and I'm an Electrical Engineer by day) I think it's a poor design of the amp.
Last edited by Beagle; 02/02/16 07:39 AM.
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Tony - try lowering the gain knob on the right channel when you have both R/L inputs plugged in. try continuing to turn it down until you're almost off and play as you turn and see if there's a point where it sounds better.
what I found on the scarlet 2i2 that I had was that the gain knob was very "touchy" and there's a very hard point on the gain where the amp is sent into saturation.
I returned my unit as defective and bought a presonus instead (this is my backup unit while my MOTU was out for repair), but I found out that this was typical for the scarlet series to have this brick level on the gain which overdrives the amp.
so technically it probably wasn't "defective" because it seems it may be designed this way. but from a personal standpoint (and I'm an Electrical Engineer by day) I think it's a poor design of the amp.
I tried your suggestion and the piano sound quality is exactly the same with any combination of gain knob position i.e. left only, right only, left plus partial left, right plus partial left etc. I cannot detect a sudden hard point in the gain control. I really don't think this has anything to do with gain or distortion. It sounds exactly like the sound I can deliberately create by combining L and R from the keyboard. I don't wish to bore everyone with this thread any longer. The 2i2 works great as a sound card which is why I bought it and I don't need to use it for my piano so I'm going to get on with my musical life. Maybe my enquiries on other forums and with Focusrite will reveal something. Regards Tony
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I have a 6i6 which, between the mixer software and the gain controls, should be able to handle this. But I'm glad you found a solution. I haven't used a 2i2 so I am still curious whether to recommend it in the future like I already have the 6i6, 8i8 or 18i20.
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The only other thing I thought of is to try balanced cables.
Maybe it does cross feed itself if unbalanced cables are used. I've never seen this, but maybe that's why they mention TR/TRS in their description of using the Line Level inputs. Like I said, adding the TR/TRS part to the Line Level description made no sense to me at the time, but maybe that's why they mention it(?)
No chance tonight, but maybe soon I can test for you. I've been so busy I've yet to even plug anything into my 2i2 (since I got it for Christmas). I installed drivers and grabbed plugins, but that's about it.
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can you record that sound. Trying to describe it is like trying to describe a color.
Post the link to the sound here. Here are two recordings of the same song. The second one sounds exactly the same as playing from the L/Mono piano out which sums to mono inside the piano. Recorded from mixer without Scarlett 2i2 Recorded from mixer with mixer input fed through Scarlett 2i2 Tony
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Yes, the second is much more MONO than the first.
Are the two channels from the Scarlett to the Mixer panned at the Mixer?
(you said input fed through Scarlett so I assume it is first in line)
Also, how does the recorded sound from the Scarlett sound when recorded using the Scarlett USB connection to the computer?
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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