M-Audio Fast vs Focusrite Scarlett vs other

[bronsonelliott]

I am borrowing a friends M-Audio Fast Track Pro and it's working fine for my needs. I am wanting to get my own audio interface so I'd like to get everyone's opinion.

Should I stick with the M-Audio Fast Track or move to something different? I've read good things about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. What else does everyone like?

Prefer USB just because it's usually cheap and even though my current computer (iMac) does have firewire, not every computer does so if I wanted to use it at a friend's, etc. I'd like it to be compatible.

Mostly using it for recording my own bass lines on top of full band scratch tracks but may also be used to record guitar, vocals, etc.

 

[bronsonelliott]

Reading a lot of reports about the Focusrite 2i2 suffering from clipping issues when recording instruments. Anyone have anything new about that? How wide spread is it? Is it a few bad models or a problem with this device? And anyone know if its been fixed in the newer models.

 

[pfschim]

I have been very happy with my Focusrite Scarlett 18i6. I believe the 2i2 has the same basic Focusrite 2 mic pre's as the expanded i/o 18i6 unit. I have not had any clipping issues with my 18i6. On the contrary, my guitar and violin players both were astonished at the natural clean sound they got via the 18i6's preamps. We go from the 18i6 into Ableton (full ver on a quad core i5 laptop) and have been getting great results from the mic pre's as well as the line level in's.

I did use an M Audio product last year sometime, my memory of it was that it was ok, but nothing special as far as the quality of the pre's. I can't say that I ever compared them side by side.

good luck and enjoy!

 

[portlandguy]

I am in the same situation, I too have an M-Audion fast track pro but am wondering if something better is our there for recording with my Mac book.

 

[goldenglory18]

Focusrite (from my ears) has some of the best preamps out there in a small interface design.

Another great option would be the Presonus line, which again has great sounding pre's and small, portable forms. One perk on the Presonus stuff is the availability on the used market. There are a bunch available on Guitar Centers website...

 

[portlandguy]

Yeah, I was wongering if the Focusrite would have a bit more headroom - not that the M-Audio sounds bad at all - just wondering.

 

[goldenglory18]

The Focusrite cuts I heard sounded very real and natural. IMO, that's exactly what a recording should be.

Let the artist manipulate the sounds, not the tools.

 

[bronsonelliott]

Thanks for the input everyone.