My Audio Interface is the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, and it’s the bomb. First, for the price point it outpaces other AIs out there for ease of use, low noise floor, and clean interface. I didn’t “have” to go with the 8i6 3rd Generation AI; they have a 2, 4, & 6 option, but for this component I wanted to reach a bit further that current needs. The Gain Halos are simple for me to use, but I think that’s just an aesthetic choice compared to other clipping alerts. Still, me likey. The balanced outputs really are balanced. That means instead of a cool-sounding feature, the unit reproduces the sound cleanly and with almost no hum. Note: I say “almost” no hum for the same reason Lysol wipes say they kill 99.9% of germs — you gotta leave margin for real life. To me, and to my software, it’s quiet. The headphone jacks don’t even add a perceptible noise like some other connectors out there that I could mention.
The AI does with a ton of very cool software, and I don’t use any of it! For my VO application, I need a clean reproduction of Voice to send as a finished product. Not one with all hate fun features that the engineer would have to edit out, and I don’t want to add work to somebody hiring me to lend voice to there products and services. I could. But no.
All in all, the Scarlett 8i6 does exactly what I need, and I’d recommend it.
