Originally Posted by AlastairLC
Thanks but I still don’t understand. Going from computer to PA, digital gets changed to audio. Going from mic to computer (as shown in ads), audio must get changed into digital. Can the interface do both?
The output level to the PA is better and better adjustable.
The preamp in the Scarletts are better then just about any PC.
The A/D and D/A are better, ditto.
The connectors are better.

Before I bought my first external interface I had persistent issues with sound not always being good, with earth loop hums, with CPU noise. Even good audio plug-in cards were a bit patchy on performance ... sensitive audio electronics inside the same box as CPU, memory, discs and the rest is just not really a good environment.

I bit the bullet and bought one of the original Scarlett 2i2s and it made a huge difference. Better quality all round and no more issues with hums and things.

Before long I'd also bought a Solo for my wife's PC, then a Saffire for my music PC, then an 8i6 for a laptop. I haven't regretted any of them, though if doing it again now, I'd probably get an Scarlett (USB) 18i20 rather than the Saffire (Firewire and now old).

All of my audio interfaces are Focusrite, but I think the good names are all pretty good(*), e.g. Presonus, Motu, Universal Audio, RME, etc.

(*) Apparently many have less gain in the preamp than is optimum for some particularly quiet dynamic microphones. The Shure SM7 is often mentioned in that context, though newer SM7 series now have a built-in preamp.

Last edited by Gordon Scott; 12/01/24 10:55 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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