Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen - Going in the Red

[Scott]

My input is clipping when using my SG with classic 57 pickups.  While rocking the top two strings (E and A) it always goes in the Red.  I've turned down the gain all the way.  I've used the Auto and Safe modes. No change.  Anyone else experienced this? Are these inputs really this weak?

Thanks

[mettelus]

A couple quick things with this. First, lower frequencies have higher power, so recessing the top end of the pickup is a good way to equalize the power distribution for all of the strings. Using an AI/DAW combo works great for this, since you can check levels real-time while tweaking. You really want the cleanest output possible and distribution across the strings as even as possible. Second, like you, I have an older Saffire that is easily overdriven on INST settings with my main guitar (too sensitive and far too little wiggle room to work with... can even hear it on zero gain), so I actually use the LINE setting when recording that guitar (the gain needs to be at roughly the 3 o'clock position in LINE mode). That gives much better control of the input gain, and zeroing the gain actually mutes the guitar.

I would start by shifting to LINE mode first and see how that works, then while at it tweak the pickup height to even out the power across the strings (my pickups have a visual tilt to them because of that tweaking).

[Scott]

Thanks for your reply.  Shouldn't the input be able to handle humbuckers?  This was also a problem on V3 and V2.  I'm about ready to buy something more expensive but don't know which way to go yet.

[57Gregy]

1 hour ago, Scott said:

Thanks for your reply.  Shouldn't the input be able to handle humbuckers?  This was also a problem on V3 and V2.  I'm about ready to buy something more expensive but don't know which way to go yet.

I don't know about your particular interface, but the Focusrite devices I have owned (original Saffire, Scarlett 4i4 3G) have been able to handle humbuckers without problem.

[mettelus]

2 hours ago, Scott said:

Thanks for your reply.  Shouldn't the input be able to handle humbuckers?  This was also a problem on V3 and V2.  I'm about ready to buy something more expensive but don't know which way to go yet.

Be careful with lumping "humbuckers" into one bin. They are not all created equal and string type, gauge, and proximity to the magnet(s) all contribute to their output. Mine "will" use the INST input at about the 9 o'clock position (just off "zero"), but that gives very little play with the input gain before hitting extremes. Again, using the LINE input if your pickups run hot (some "57" PUPs have far higher output than the originals) isn't a bad thing, and if you are truly running MIC/INST inputs that are weak (some dynamic mics fall into this category), you will want that sensitivity for when you need it.

As I mentioned before, if you are seeing this only on your E/A strings, you are probably running heavy gauge strings and have the pickup too close to them. That can also cause harmonics on those strings to override higher strings, which is why shifting to LINE input and tweaking pickup height (so the hi/low Es are "close") is a better start. If you need to use LINE inputs to accommodate your guitar that is not a bad thing, as long as it picks up single notes and folks chords equally well for mixing purposes.

[Scott]

Thanks for the help: As recommended, I lowered the bridge pickup away from the strings a bit....and.....IT Helped ! !  Certainly cheaper than having to buy another interface.

[mettelus]

1 hour ago, Scott said:

Thanks for the help: As recommended, I lowered the bridge pickup away from the strings a bit....and.....IT Helped ! !  Certainly cheaper than having to buy another interface.

Glad to hear! Using your interface and a DAW is perfect for setting PUPs up properly. I typically have the PUP pretty close to the high E string so using the same picking pressure you can see where that reads (DAW meters have better resolution) and pluck the low E and adjust the low end of the PUP down till it is "relatively" close to the same value (it will always have more power because low frequencies do that, but you don't want them "wildly" different).