Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen

I bought this device because its predecessor had a pretty good reputation in the linux world. While the 2i2 2nd Gen seemes to have worked right out of the box under linux operating systems, this is no longer the case with the 3rd generation. One can get it working, though.

The problem is that the 2i2 3rd gen ships in mass storage mode. So when you plug it into your computer the first time, it appears like a usb drive and is not usable as a soundcard. It needs to be set into its operational mode before you can actually use it, which is done using Focusrite's control software. But sadly the software is only available for windows and mac. So I had to go to my parents place, plug my scarlett into their old windows pc and download the necessary software from Focusrite, which then performed a firmware update on the device and set it into "sound card mode". After the firmware update the scarlett worked without further configuration on my Arch Linux laptop.

I don't know if there are other ways to set the device into operation mode, so if you don't have access to a windows or mac computer, I would advise against buying this audio interface.

Although, when you got it working, it seems to be a pretty good audio interface and i had no problems so far. Nice sound, very low background noise, good latencies, and I like the direct monitoring feature. I really don't need the 'Air' feature, but that might just be a matter of taste.

This was my first audio interface and it has served me relatively well. The audio quality is good and it allows me to connect my electric guitar, bass guitar and studio monitors to my PC.

I have noticed some cons though. The volume indicators are plain bad. They flicker red/orange/green depending on the volume. Because it doesn't show a db scale or anything, it is difficult to pick the best volume and leave enough headroom for more aggressive strumming.

A second issue I have concerns the drivers. Every now and again audio outside of my DAW (Youtube, for example) will be delayed 2-4 seconds and very low quality. This can be fixed by disconnecting and reconnecting the interface, but it's quite annoying.

I also would have liked two headphone outputs, so I might switch this interface for one that has that.

Después de un año de uso puedo decir que es una interface increíble. Tiene un problema con audacity que a pesar que tengas un solo micrófono, se tiene que grabar los tracks en estéreo y luego eliminar el track vacío, no se si sea útil, pero para que sepan. Si he notado que tiene detalles, de vez en cuando tiene un problema donde las grabaciones quedan sonando mal, con ruidos, es la única que he tenido, asi que no estoy seguro si pasa en todas o solo en esta, pero hay que estar pendientes de que se esté grabando bien antes de grabar horas sin que te des cuenta. Del resto de verdad es una interface hermosa y muy buena, excelente calidad. La grabación es muy buena. Por el precio es mejor ir a por la Solo o por la 4i4.