Choice of two Interface, Scarlet Solo or Steinberg

[DECOSTAJ]

Wondering if there is much difference between Scarlett Solo gen3 and Steinberg MR 816x interface, the input preamps and converters?

One old piece of decent prosumer gear against the much newer scarlet.

For bass Guitar I cant really hear a difference. I'm sure ones better ?
Details | Steinberg
Everyone knows the Scarlett Solo g3

 

[Aloe]

you have the Steinberg and wondering, if getting a Scarlett worth it? if that's the case, likely not really, as long as your MR816x works for you. it's an old Firewire interface and eventually it will stop working with new computers, thus it should be already very cheap second-hand.

if choosing a new interface -- just get the Scarlett. to hear more difference, invest into a good external DI, as Scarlett's built-in is "kinda okay" at best, frankly.

this said, I tried D-PRE preamps and totally didn't like them. and not a fan of any Steinberg/Yamaha interfaces personally, I've had some. any starter interface from Focusrite or Presonus would be at least not worse.

 

[DECOSTAJ]

Thanks for the reply,

I have both the MR816 and the Focusrite Scarlett.
I'll say the Scarlett is easier to use and is portable.

I got the MX816 a few months ago, free from the land fill... As you say... it stopped working with little to no support for years, I assume that's why they tossed it!
Just this past year Yam/Stein released a new driver for the MR816 to once again make it useful with Win10.

I'm setting up a package for a friend who knows little about digital recording. Junky old PC, Monitor, Interface and Headphones.

So, I gather unless I jump to up RME there not much difference between the two interfaces.

I'll keep an eye out for a general-purpose Countryman or Radial DI as I can't afford to give away a Noble, REDDI or Nieve etc.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[CatOnTheBass]

I'm setting up a package for a friend who knows little about digital recording. Junky old PC, Monitor, Interface and Headphones.

Scarlet Solo would be a great choice for your friend! It's user-friendly and easy for beginners. I disagree that they need a separate DI: at the beginner level, they can simply plug their bass into the Scarlett's "INST" jack (that's exactly what it's designed for).

In my opinion, the Steinberg would be too complex for your beginner friend, for the simple reason that Firewire is a dying/obsolete protocol. USB is a more versatile and future-proof beginner choice than Firewire.

 

[DECOSTAJ]

Yes, I agree the FW is obsolete. But it works just fine with the Texas Ins. Firewire card. also, I too think, it's a bit complex to hook up/use for a noob, tho once configured its ...set it and forget it.

Right again,
I think the "ease of use" will play heavily into the decision to use or, let it get dusty.
He plays guitar and I see him struggle with trying to record on cassette tape. So anything I pass along will be an improvement.
I'm hoping that it will get used, then he maybe buys his own stuff once he sees just how easy it really is to record.