Worth upgrading audio interface?

[Mornats]

I'm currently recording my bass and guitars through a Native Instruments Guitar Rig Session. I'm quite happy with it but then I read a review of a budget Focusrite which praised its inclusion of great quality preamps (this one it was: [url="http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-audio-interface--90034"]http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-audio-interface--90034[/url]

Are the preamps in that thing really worth splashing out on? Is it just snake oil or would I be wowed by it? Just wanted to ask in case I need to pop something onto a Christmas shopping list really.

[s1ater]

The preamps in that uni are rather smashing for the price, but I doubt youd get a significant increase in quality for just bass, if you were gonna record vocals and other instruments I'd say go for it... Youd be better off spending the money on a nice tube di or something.

[Mornats]

I'm gonna resurrect this post as I'm thinking about this once more. I'm not getting great results with my Guitar Rig Session I/O box when recording bass. I always need to eq the hell out of the bass to bring back some top end zing or to just get it sounding like a decent bass sound. Would something like the Ashdown 12 band graphic eq DI box help? [url="http://ashdownmusic.com/products/6/Pedals/9/Ashdown-Pedals/69/12-Band-Graphic-DI-/"]http://ashdownmusic.com/products/6/Pedals/9/Ashdown-Pedals/69/12-Band-Graphic-DI-/[/url]

[skidder652003]

So i splashed out on one of those 2i2 scarletts on here 2nd hand £75
it works great but, and its a big but, does not like my old PC, (100 quid second hand windows XP), so make sure you're running a decent laptop/PC/Mac etc.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/218012-best-audio-interface-2nd-hand-for-under-l100/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/218012-best-audio-interface-2nd-hand-for-under-l100/page__fromsearch__1[/url]

[Mornats]

No problem running it on my PC, it's nice and modern (Win 7 64 bit), stable and quick. One of the advantages of recording on a gaming rig!

[lurksalot]

I use one but I have little experience to compare to the kit , though I was using my Zoom pedals as interfaces, the 2i2 knocks spots off them and I love it .

[Mornats]

Which zoom pedal were you using? I've got the B.9 but may get a focusrite if they're way better.

[lurksalot]

I have used both the B9 and the 2.1 and found getting recording levels and playback levels consistent was a real PITA , it must be said I was a newbie at it and tried recording because the usb interface helped a lot , but when I got the scarlet it made the whole process easier by a long way , the latency issues seemed a lot less pronounced aswell , I still use the zooms to mess with the tone but not as an interface .

[Mornats]

Hmm, I've got my guitar rig interface but get a lovely tone from my Zoom when it's plugged into my monitor speakers. When I record through it it sounds awful so I may be doing something wrong. It sounds the same as through my guitar rig interface. I wonder if the signal is going in too hot (it's not clipping the inputs though).

I'm pretty sure I didn't explain any of that right! I might do some sample recordings so you can hear what I mean.

[lurksalot]

..........and at that point ............I bought the 2i2

[Mornats]

I'm almost sold would you say the sound quality was a big improvement over the zooms? That's the only issue I face at the moment.

[Chris Horton]

I have the Focusrite 18i20 interface.
It is the first interface that i have bought so i do not have any comparison experiance i'm affraid ..... but i love the focustite gear ...... gret sounding and well built

[lurksalot]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1384431454' post='2276551']
I'm almost sold would you say the sound quality was a big improvement over the zooms? That's the only issue I face at the moment.
[/quote]

on the basis that I could record everything and anything , at mic level and line level ( and with a 48v phantom supply) , and all with predictable levels both on output and input , to my ears It is bliss , consistent bliss , I was honestly getting so frustrated before I bought the 2i2 that I was close to abandoning hope of recording anything even half decent ,

[Mornats]

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1384468581' post='2277207']
on the basis that I could record everything and anything , at mic level and line level ( and with a 48v phantom supply) , and all with predictable levels both on output and input[/quote]

Hmm, I'm getting all that now with my guitar rig interface. I've heard the pre-amps on the focusrites are great but it's hard to tell if it's worth upgrading my interface just for the better pre-amps. I think the £120 may be better spent elsewhere or I'll have to try one out so I know for sure

[lurksalot]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1384474684' post='2277267']
Hmm, I'm getting all that now with my guitar rig interface. I've heard the pre-amps on the focusrites are great but it's hard to tell if it's worth upgrading my interface just for the better pre-amps. I think the £120 may be better spent elsewhere or I'll have to try one out so I know for sure
[/quote]

Ah , well I guess its your ears that will have to make the judgement on that , good luck

[mickster]

FWIW another +1 for the Focusrite 2i2. Using it with a Macbook it's superb, very low latency & makes recording a breeze. Don't have much experience with other interfaces / zoom etc so can't really help with that.

[Mornats]

I switched my audio recording over to my Windows 7 64bit machine for better performance. Had a few problems with the MacBook Pro. I think an audition of a 2i2 is in order