My Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen arrived today

[David Lincoln Brooks]

After years of using my computer's built-in Realtek soundcard as my audio (associated with my Cakewalk projects,  but also for listening to online radio and video),   I received a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Generation audio interface.    Mercifully,  it took mere minutes to set up,  and all aspects of it worked immediately.   Windows 10 x64 immediately recognized it and set it up as my audio playback default.

Interestingly,  I notice that the music now coming through my studio monitors sounds clean and clear,  as expected...   but also it's MUCH less bass-y sounding.    I'm guessing (tell me if I'm wrong) it's because the Realtek was aimed at general computer users,     with an especial emphasis on gamers...      The bass response artificially goosed up,    designed to appease gamers who want to hear the explosions and helicopters really thump as they FSU. ?

I'm guessing that the Scarlett is giving me a truer sound response across the frequencies?      And if I want bass,    I'll have to dial it in myself,  in Cakewalk and elsewhere (and that's as it should be).

Thoughts?

I've started out by recording some VSTi instruments at 192Khz / 24-bit.     The Scarlett handles recording and playback at this rate,  with nary a hesitation or hiccup,    and latency now feels nonexistent as I play my keyboard through it.   Cool.

Dave

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by David Lincoln Brooks

[fret_man]

Maybe turn the "Air" buttons off? Those goose up the treble a bit.

[David Lincoln Brooks]

I think the "AIR" treble boost only operate when you are plugging in a mic or Line In into the unit.   I am referring to how the unit sounds when listening to audio on YouTube or Winamp or whatnot.

[Alan Tubbs]

Glad you made the jump.  And yea, I would expect the interface will give you a much better sound stage to work with.  Sound cards use about a dollar’s worth of components.

[rfssongs]

Air does work on inputs not outputs. It would only apply if you did a new recording using that function. I have a Scarlett as well. Watch you don't overload the input, it crashes my machine. (Forgetting to turn volume down when plugging in guitar)

Depending on how you used your Realtek - you may have had some EQ applied.

[jesse g]

Have you pulled your hair out yet using Focus Control>>  ?

[rfssongs]

Just now, jesse g said:

Have you pulled your hair out yet using Focus Control>>  ?

It's good you will get used to it. Save the presets you like.

I put mine in a sub folder of my Project directory & back it all up at once.