Of course all this is budget related.

Another advantage of an interface is that if your bass playing buddy stops buy one day you can record him either mic'd or direct. Same with Guitar .. or your keyboard buddy stops by, plugs in and can record a track for you.
It is a much more flexible route.

If you go with Scarlett, check whether it has a mixer applet (the 2i2 doesn't to my knowledge.

The reason for this is for things like;
1. With 2i2 if you want to record 2 MONO tracks you have to listen to them as one on the left and one ln the right while recording. You can mix them at playback in the DAW, but realtime monitoring is heard as the recording level.
This may apply for even single channel recording depending on some things.

2. You mention wantin to control the mix of the input with the output. If you want a good recording level with the 2i2 you'll need to set that level and adjust everything else to it. With the mixer you can record at one level and monitor at another.

Thought I'd mention. Wish I had known this before choosing the Focusrite model I did.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!