Recommend audio interface and monitors

[night sleet]

Hello, a while ago I was deciding between buying an amplifier with an integrated interface (the Boss katana 50 MKII) or an audio interface, now after thinking about it and so on, I have decided that I will buy the audio interface, as well as some cheap monitors to be able to have sound

I wonder what audio interface you could recommend, preferably economical (I want it to play and record myself with the guitar), I have seen that they released a fourth generation Scarlett but I have no idea, could you recommend an audio interface and some monitors? economical (€90-€130) please

[lost prism]

If you’re going the interface and studio monitors route, I personally really like my Scarlett 2i2 and my Presonus Eris E5s

I think the Scarlett is about €100 and the speakers about €150-180

[night sleet]

And is the 2i2 better than the Scarlett alone?

I had looked at these monitors a while ago, I don't know what you think of them

I will look at the ones you recommended in depth, I just found out that they cost €200

https://www.amazon.es/dp/B08KXTJX16/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?pd_rd_i=B01J66YEU0&pd_rd_w=nUedd&content-id=amzn1.sym.bfe1aafd-4816-4cfa-834a-7067dfa431bd&pf_rd_p=bfe1aafd-4816-4cfa-834a-7067dfa431bd&pf_rd_r=ZBJ9PSK7FEN0DQ5881FM&pd_rd_wg=rFYom&pd_rd_r=1e7441b4-3f70-4e91-bf82-805325b24ffe&s=musical-instruments&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwy&th=1

[hazy edge]

You don't need 2i2. Unless you own a cabinet and a $2,000 amplifier and two microphones so that you can mic two different speakers at the same time, you don't need the extra input

The Scarlett solo is going to be your best bet

Or unless you're a drummer

Drummers need like 8 microphone inputs

But realistically, if you're recording something each instrument should be recorded individually. You shouldn't be recording guitar at the same time vocals is being recorded

Especially since the solo also has two inputs

[hazy edge]

As for those monitors, I'm not familiar with them. Should be fine though

If you want to save some money you can go with the mackies

And if you want the best of the best you can go with the Yamahas or krk rokits

[cedar belfry]

For monitors, in your price range, id shoot for the Eris 3.5 pairs

the Eris 5s mentioned previously are out of ur budget

[cedar belfry]

even for bedroom guitarists, a 2 input interface isnt a bad choice

especially when sometimes the 2i2 can be bought for the price of a Solo

[night sleet]

I understand!! Thanks u so much

[night sleet]

These? https://www.thomann.de/es/mackie_cr3_x.htm?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAp5qsBhAPEiwAP0qeJhi6HuBACA-YpjZea987ns6VMPS7PflEiLej_OY_wROg23_TtF1BoBoCs8EQAvD_BwE

[night sleet]

Yeah

[night sleet]

As I saw the difference between the dolo and the 2i2 is just €20

[cedar belfry]

https://youtu.be/IX1lxIWwZ6s?si=3ZILD64dxLY_DMbn this might help make your decision

in the sound test it seems that the eris are a bit fuller

https://youtu.be/SVoub_OI4sw?si=OqMbum8edE1sujBy

it seems that the mackie is more of a multimedia speaker while the Eris is a near field monitor, so for guitar production n shit, i’d take the Eris over it

[night sleet]

Okeyy thank u so much

[night sleet]

I wonder if it would really be worth it for me to pay those €20 and buy the Scarlett 2i2, it is not a large amount but if I will never use that extra port, it would make no sense

And is it really worth saving more money and getting the Eris e5 or the Eris 3.5, are they already good?

[cedar belfry]

the E5 are more expensive than the E3.5

so you wont be saving more money

the E5 are about 60-80 USD more

if you think you want the most out of your sound, with the most fullness and depth, the bigger speakers will be worth it

[thorn kayak]

It’s still future proofing though for an extra 20 euros, you might not need that port today, but 2 years down the line

[night sleet]

I understand, so any option is good, in one I save more money and in another I get better sound, thank you

[night sleet]

I understand, then I will buy the 2i2, if I need a second port at some point I will be grateful for having bought it

[thorn kayak]

Exactly, don’t get me wrong if it was like 40 euros I’d say don’t bother but at 20 it’s a p good deal

[hazy edge]

The solo has a second port

The only difference is the 2i2 can do either two 1/4 inch at the same time, two XLR at the same time, or one 1/4 inch and one XLR at the same time

While the solo can only do one 1/4 inch and one XLR

But this exists

[nocturne jackal]

Personally, I'd rather the 2i2 as the adapter isn't quite the same, no phantom power if you wanted to run a condenser mic, for example

Especially if the price is close, but anyways, it's up to OP haha

[hazy edge]

Yeah. In my mind I'm just thinking "you're never going to use that extra port, so why not take the money you're going to spend on the 2i2, save some money and get the solo, and then get better monitors with the money you just saved"

[reef path]

The Positive Grid spark 40 also is an interface, multifx unit, amp, and Bluetooth speaker all at once

My entire audio setup is my spark

My headphones, guitar, and pedals all run into it

[night sleet]

Okeyy thankss for you advise

[night sleet]

that idea is very interesting

[night sleet]

Although I wanted to learn how to use Fl studio or Ableton, the latter was recommended to me

I think the interface and the monitors are something that attracts me

[night sleet]

I understand

[cedar belfry]

dedicated interface and monitors would sound better anyway

regarding FL vs Ableton, try both out and see which one’s UI and workflow is most appealing for you

Ableton is more popular amongst musicians who want to record instruments

but FL’s workflow makes sense to more people and is easier to learn

both are powerful DAWs

[night sleet]

Thank you very much for the information

thank you all, I am grateful

Ah, I just saw that the Scarlett solo is cheaper elsewhere (€80), so the difference between that and the Scarlett 2i2 is €30, would the 2i2 still be worth it or would you recommend that I buy the Scarlett solo?

[hazy edge]

Either works. Although I recommend you get a 4th generation product

The 4th generation just recently released

[night sleet]

what difference there are?

[mild rampart]

Most notable better headroom->less likely to clip.
Id also trow in reaper as a daw and umc202hd/204hd as an interface

[hazy edge]

Idk. They are newer, I assume they have improvements over the last generation

[night sleet]

Although the price of the third to the fourth generation increases quite a bit, about €50, do you think it is worth it?

[mild rampart]

No, imo the umc204hd is better value anyways

[hazy edge]

I think it is. I say get a Scarlet, because everyone has a Scarlet which makes it easier to troubleshoot. If you buy a more niche interface that people aren't familiar with and you run into issues, there's not going to be support for that

As for gen 3 vs gen 4... I feel like that's comparing buying a new Walmart laptop vs buying a Walmart laptop from 5 years ago... Buying an old guitar is fine, but when it comes to electronics like this, I don't trust super outdated stuff

[mild rampart]

Eh, all usb interfaces with asio drivers function the same. I dont think there are noteworthy differences in troubleshooting

[night sleet]

mm I think I'm getting confused, I don't know which one to buy🤔

[night sleet]

I understand

[mild rampart]

Tbh just look whats the cheapest of the options you got

[night sleet]

So I should buy the fourth gen solo

[hazy edge]

That's what I would do

I have a 3rd gen, I loaned it to my brother. Instead of taking it back, I'll probably buy a 4th gen

[night sleet]

the 3rd gen only costs €80, the 4th gen costs €130

[hazy edge]

I'm getting several thousand dollars from college in a few weeks, I COULD buy a fancy interface. But I would still go with the solo gen 4. Not because I want to save money, IDC about saving money. I would go with the Scarlett because everyone goes with it

[hazy edge]

I just saw in chat the other day, some dude was using an interface by m-audio. He was trying to get help, and I don't think his problem was solved because everyone who was trying to help him used a focusrite

[mild rampart]

And what do the behringers cost?

[mild rampart]

Debatable, but without knowing the situation i cant say anything 🤷‍♂️

[nocturne jackal]

The Behringer umc202hd and umc204hd

You can't just search Behringer haha

[hazy edge]

Wait isn't that the company that makes those shitty pedals and is known to be controversial

[crystal surge]

I have a question

So basically I need to buy studio monitor headphones?

[nocturne jackal]

They make a lot of stuff other than those pedals. they make the x32 series which is quite popular and some great interfaces too

They also own MIDAS which was a pretty famous brand lol

[hazy edge]

Uh not the right channel, but if you're using an interface, either studio headphones or monitors

[crystal surge]

I hear my guitar through my laptop speakers but with lot of latency

[night sleet]

I saw the 202 at €70 and the 204 at €100

[subtle cliff]

bro fender sa-150 is soooo good

[mild rampart]

Do you have an interface with asio drivers?

[hazy edge]

Yes, using laptop speakers results in like 10 seconds of latency. You need headphones or monitors

[crystal surge]

I have the behringer UM2 and asio4all

[nocturne jackal]

I'd buy the umc204hd, but that's just me. I own the umc404hd

[mild rampart]

Then my decision would be clear. But ultimately thats up to you

[hazy edge]

Why the hell are so many people coming to this channel with unrelated discussions

[crystal surge]

Alright then. I’ll have to buy headphones

[hazy edge]

Wrong channel

[subtle cliff]

oh shit mb

[hazy edge]

You too, wrong channel

[mild rampart]

That wont solve your problems. Asio4all is less than optimal. Afaik somewhere on the internet are old/custom asio drivers for the um2, but the best solution would be to buy a proper interface

[crystal surge]

What’s a proper interface?

[hazy edge]

If you see the words "laptop speakers", you should know that's automatically 10 seconds of latency. Configuring buffers and drivers and all that won't help.

[hazy edge]

It will solve his problems actually lol

Try using your interface through laptop speakers

[mild rampart]

That wasnt my point

[night sleet]

We are no longer talking about Scarlett, so those interfaces are good?

Are you sure you would get the economical one or the €100 one? (both are within my reach but it is clear that if I can save money it is better)

[hazy edge]

Go to #recording-and-software

This is @night sleet 's channel

[mild rampart]

Someone who uses laptop speakers will probably also do other less optimal things….for example not using asio. And regarless of what youre using, not using asio will cause latency 😊

[night sleet]

thanks

[nocturne jackal]

You can read reviews of both, they are both popular and well reviewed. There's more information out there on the Internet than you can get here...

[night sleet]

That's good idea

[hazy edge]

On Windows, yes

We don't know what os they run

[mild rampart]

…and now guess how many people that includes

Windows has a market share of about 85%

[hazy edge]

Okay, but did you ask them what they're running

[mild rampart]

They told us that rheyre using asio4all

I dont really get whats your point here

But we shouldnt get hung up on one point, getting studio monitors or headphones will ofc also be helpful for lowering latency in this case. Using proper asio drivers on windows is just a universal solution

[night sleet]

Do you see the 204HD better than the Scarlett solo?

[mild rampart]

Its better value for sure. Midas preamps are nice and you could argue that it has more headroom than the solo (not sure about the 4th gen, but if you dont use 8strings its less of a concern). Depending on your use case you could benefit from the amount of in-/outputs, especially with the 204hd

[night sleet]

I think I understand, then my purchase will be the 204hd

I hope I don't have any problems with any questions once I buy it, so as not to be a scarlett

[mild rampart]

If you have questions, just ask here. Lots of people use this series (myself included)

[night sleet]

Okeyy, In principle I have decided to buy the 204HD and Presonus Eris E5 monitors, thank you very much for everything. I will ask anything here

[mild rampart]

Just btw, you need two male jack to male xlr cables to connect the interface to the monitors. Something like this https://www.thomann.de/intl/cordial_cfm_3_mv_klinke_xlr_kabel.htm (depending on your setup 3m might be a bit long)

[night sleet]

ahah I didn't know, thank goodness you told me

Although, I have to look for another one, that link has €15 shipping costs