Focusrite scarlett 2i4 or 6i6?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rsc17
  • Start date Start date
R

Rsc17

New member
Hi,
I'm trying to decide if I should get the scarlett 2i4 or the 6i6..both are around the same price.
For recording solo,probably either will be fine..I don't need more than 2 inputs at once.
But i'm also thinking to record some rehearsals with my band.

I could do that with the 2i4? or i need to go with the more in/outs of the 6i6 for this?
The only down sides I can see is the 6i6 needs a power cable,i prefer bus powered for portability.
Is there any difference in the quality between having a Power adapter or USB bus powered?
 
If you are using USB power from a laptop, make sure the port has enough power for the AI.

I love the way manufacturers hype things - the 6i6 is "6 in/6-out". But in the descriptions, it's got 2 mic/instrument and 2 line inputs and 4 outputs. IF you are thinking of recording your band rehearsals, you may want those 2 line inputs to capture the PA DI, as well as 2 mics to capture the live sound.
 
The only time that needing additional power for an AI IMHO would be a problem would be for a totally "field" recording.

AIs with that much connectivity are at the limit of bus power and something has to give, often phantom power delivery. Many here will know my, a'hem "liking" for the NI KA6 but spook juice delivery is wimpy to say the least. I have never had a problem with it and my AKG P150s or my Sontronics STC-2 but hungrier mics might not fair so well.

So, if the 6i6 meets your needs, go for it but I suspect you need more mic inputs than it provides? The Behringers are getting some good rep' or go the whole hog and look at a Tascam?

Dave.
 
I have 2 Scarletts & I MUCH prefer the one that doesn't run on USB power.
It's safer, & I like to be safe when recording, (safe in terms of uninterrupted power supply that is).
 
I have the 6i6. The Scarlett Mix Control software is only available with the 6i6 and up. It allows for direct monitoring, which is much more efficient (and latency free) than monitoring in the DAW. It also provides useful input/output routing. The fewer processing tasks you ask of the DAW, the more efficient it can be with the stuff it does best. The extra inputs (four additional TRS inputs that the 2i2 doesn't have) allow for external preamps and such without using the interface's internal preamps. More outputs allow for more flexible monitoring, too. For me, the 6i6 was a no-brainer.
 
One other consideration: The 6i6 would allow you to insert outboard gear (via the extra outs and ins). It would also allow you to run the sound out of your system through 3/4, then back into your DAW to record (via looping the extra outs into the extra ins) which allows really neat things like recording stand alones or recording "what you hear"... I use this on my interface as Amplitube will not work with Reason. Simply send it's output through different outs and loop into different ins for Reason to pick up. Also works for pulling sounds off the internet or videos or whatever. Easy! :)
 
I have the 6i6. The Scarlett Mix Control software is only available with the 6i6 and up. It allows for direct monitoring, which is much more efficient (and latency free) than monitoring in the DAW. It also provides useful input/output routing. The fewer processing tasks you ask of the DAW, the more efficient it can be with the stuff it does best. The extra inputs (four additional TRS inputs that the 2i2 doesn't have) allow for external preamps and such without using the interface's internal preamps. More outputs allow for more flexible monitoring, too. For me, the 6i6 was a no-brainer.

But, if you DO need software monitoring (running FX say) and you DO need a bus powered AI the NI KA6 is equally a no-brainer. Exactly the same connectivity but superbly stable (some say RME sourced?) drivers and super low latency.

Dave.
 
As for the rehearsals
We rehearse once a week.And we live close to each other,nearly in the same neighborhood.Well,except the drummer.
So,sometimes there's an extra day where i only meet
with the other guitarist and/or the bassist,for improvising and getting some ideas..
then we go with these ideas for the full band rehearsal.
Maybe is a dumb question,but in this case i'm thinking if we can go all directly to the scarlett,something like:
1 guitar
2 other guitar
3 bass
4 not always,but 1 mic for voice.
All at once and directly to the 6i6.
Maybe some basic pattern of ezdrummer.
don't know if i can get the NI KA6 here,i have to ask.

Thanks to all for the replies!
 
That connection regime is over both the 6i6 and KA6 if you want to use a mic You would have to move up to an 8 mic input AI or, use a mixer on the line inputs. This would be a decent solution. Mics into mixer and any line sources you might have. High Z DI inputs still available on the interface.

If you have any pedals (NOT of the daft "true bypass" variety!) they can be treated as line sources. Or a couple of DI boxes.

This setup would give you 4 discrete tracks, two completely solo and two with "panned" vocals, maybe instruments. If you can find some sort of analogue to S/PDIF converter you can have 6 tracks.

Forgot! Sourcing the KA6. Where is "here"?

Dave.
 
Oh,ok..It's not as easy as i thought..Anyway,i think i would go for the 6i6,my only concern is the scarlett mixcontrol..I only hope not having problems trying to use it!
 
Back
Top