Looking for a USB digital/audio interface to my laptop for live use. Just tried Focusrite 2i2 but get error messages and hangup with BIAB. Other audio apps on this computer like the Focusrite just fine. Best I can tell the only configuration options I have for the Focusrite are various bit depts but all at 48K. Does BIAB absolutely require 44.1k?
Although I have several Focusrite units, they are other models that use different software, so I don't know how you select sample rate for yours. Do you have one of the newer 2nd generation Scarlett products? If so, their software is supposedly different also.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Thanks Matt. Yes, it's the 2nd gen 2i2 and I found the panel for setting its bit rate buried deep in c:/programs/focusrite. Tried ASIO at various buffer sizes but still get occasional low volume random popping noises, but MME seems to work just fine. I'm not using MIDI so don't care about latency.
The thing that makes for compatibility is the drivers mostly and the software itself. You can set the sampling rate to whatever is permitted in the software settings and preferences fields.... 44.1K being the normal/standard with a bit depth of either 16 or preferably 24 bits.
Most software will support other sampling rates and a good DAW will support all of the major ones and quite a few of the "other" rates as well.
This is from the Focusrite site for your interface: Supported Sample Rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
So yes, it is compatible with 44.1 and so is BB because that's where my Focusrite is set. 44.1k/24
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 08/08/1608:14 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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.
I'm pretty sure BiaB uses 16/44 not 24/44 Just as an aside.
FWIW, I haven't used it much (I have a PCI sound card on the machine I normally use), but my 2i2 operates at the default settings fine here.
Also, if you use MME you are likely no longer using the Focusrite. It is ASIO only as far as I know; my system forces me to select ASIO drivers when I enable it.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Most likely the computer is sending audio to the 2i2 using the onboard sound card in this scenario. If you select MME and then Drivers is the 2i2 even available? If I select MME focusrite 2i2 is not listed as an option If I select ASIO it is .. MME is top image, ASIO is bottom image
However it is possible to send an audio signal from the computer using the onboard sound card (MME) and into the 2i2, and hear it thru the 2i2.. depending on your setup.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Again, very interesting rharv, and I do appreciate your interest in this. I had no idea it might be possible that digital audio from the laptop's onboard soundcard might be routed into the Focusrite. Here's (I hope it comes through) a screenshot of my audio settings that appears to indicate MME driver is being used by the Focusrite. Is there something subtle I might be missing?
Interesting comment rharv. I'm using MME andmy audio definitely coming from the Focusrite 2i2.
I had no idea it might be possible that digital audio from the laptop's onboard soundcard might be routed into the Focusrite. Here's (I hope it comes through) a screenshot of my audio settings that appears to indicate MME driver is being used by the Focusrite. Is there something subtle I might be missing?
You should be using ASIO drivers with the 2i2. When you use the 2i2, the audio doesn't go into the lappy's sound card, it gets routed to the 2i2. Your computer knows there's 2 cards and send the audio in digital format to the proper and correct card as you have selected in your preferences settings for that program.
If the settings are showing MME, you need to click on that and change it to ASIO. You might need to load the ASIO driver from a disk or the internet.... go to Focusrite's website and get their latest ASIO driver for your 2i2. ASIO performs much much better than MME could ever hope to do.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 08/09/1602:53 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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.
OK --- audio settings are now ASIO. Selected USB properties say Fosusrite 24bit 44.1K and the Focusrite driver buffer is set at the largest size. Audio latency says 43msec.
Sounds great, seems rock solid. I appreciate the suggestions and guidance.
OK --- audio settings are now ASIO. Selected USB properties say Fosusrite 24bit 44.1K and the Focusrite driver buffer is set at the largest size. Audio latency says 43msec.
Sounds great, seems rock solid. I appreciate the suggestions and guidance.
Everything is good except the latency and buffer is a bit too big if it's set to max. Reduce the buffer size and try to get the latency down as low as you can. It takes a bit of playing around but it's worth it. Save the settings once you nail it.
You want the MAXIMUM latency to be 10ms.... less is better. With the Focusrite, you should be able to easily get under 10ms and very likely down to around 5ms. That's the ball park I'm running at. The buffer size can afford to be smaller. Reducing it will lower the latency as well.
You want to get that balance where the buffer is just big enough and the latency is not noticeable. 43ms is fairly noticeable. Once you start getting under 15ms it's harder to hear the delay but get it under 10ms and no one will be able to hear it.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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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