Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

[MojoMonster]

Just a heads up for those needing a simple computer interface.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid/
Focusrite iTrack Solo Audio Interface for iPad, Mac and PC
$99.99

Looks to be a decent guitar and microphone input for the price.
Amazon reviews look good, especially if you're an iPad owner.

 

[CTN]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

cool! looks like they downsized the Scarlett 2i2.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

$100 for one mic preamp and a high impedance input? What am I missing?

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

Hope they fixed their driver issues. I had the Scarlett for a week, maybe a week and a half, never worked right.

 

[Shadow1psc]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

$100 for one mic preamp and a high impedance input? What am I missing?

You're right, that's definitely not revolutionary. there's plenty of Digital Audio Interfaces out there in the 75-150 price range.

 

[CTN]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

Hope they fixed their driver issues. I had the Scarlett for a week, maybe a week and a half, never worked right.

My 2i2 has worked flawlessly since I got it last summer. The box included driver v2.2 i think, but when I bought it, 2.3 was already on their website. They recently released 2.4, which I installed the other day. Still no probs.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

Unless you go into the $1k and up range, nothing can beat Focusrite's new interfaces IMO.

I have a Saffire Pro 24 and it is magnificent. Even the playback sounds better than my old Firestudio, and the pre's are excellent.

 

[Shadow1psc]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

Unless you go into the $1k and up range, nothing can beat Focusrite's new interfaces IMO.

I have a Saffire Pro 24 and it is magnificent. Even the playback sounds better than my old Firestudio, and the pre's are excellent.

Are you saying per price range, or that the quality is consistent enough that the $100 FocusRite is going to sound better than stuff from Apogee/Avid?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

Are you saying per price range, or that the quality is consistent enough that the $100 FocusRite is going to sound better than stuff from Apogee/Avid?

"Sounds better" is subjective, but I think Focusrite and Apogee both make great interfaces. I have no experience with the newer Avid stuff.

When push comes to shove, for me Focusrite's pre's and converters are just as nice as Apogee's, and they cost a lot less. I am very happy with the recordings I've done with my Saffire Pro 24, and I've also used a Pro 40 a couple times.

As for the $100 - 200 range, NOTHING beats the Scarlett 2i2 IMO.

 

[Shadow1psc]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

That's interesting to hear. I have an Mbox 2 that I picked up at an absolutely steal of a price, can you compare that to the 2i2? I was thinking about getting a newer Apogee or trolling for a new Mbox, but for under $200, if you say the 2i2 stacks up I may have to look into that...

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Audio Interface - MF Stupid Deal of the Day

That's interesting to hear. I have an Mbox 2 that I picked up at an absolutely steal of a price, can you compare that to the 2i2? I was thinking about getting a newer Apogee or trolling for a new Mbox, but for under $200, if you say the 2i2 stacks up I may have to look into that...

The only MBox I have experience with is the first one, which I was very fond of. Note that it has Focusrite mic pre's in it I can't compare anything to the MBox 2 since I've never used one, but I know people who have and spoke quite highly of them.

I don't think a 2i2 will sound better than an Apogee One or Duet, but it's still a great interface. Apogee pre's are super, squeaky clean, which can be a good thing. Focusrite pre's (especially the ones in the Saffire, but also somewhat with the Scarlett) seem a bit warmer to me, which can also be a good thing. It really depends on what you're going for.

If you prefer the sound of the Focusrite pre but you want a versatile, high quality interface in the same ballpark as the Apogees, I would look at the Saffire range. The Scarlett is cool, but I prefer Firewire interfaces myself, plus the extra ins and outs of the Saffires will come in handy.