Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface & Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

I'm an IT professional and even I struggled to install the software.My mistake was to plug in the Scarlett Solo to USB before installing the software.DO NOT DO THIS because Windows will then search Windows Updates for drivers and then get into into mess which won't be solved when you go to install the downloaded Focusrite Control software and USB driver. That will hang for a very long time and maybe not complete at all.Follow these steps:1. Download the FocusRite Control software2. Right click and Run as Administrator3. Select either Full Installation or one of the specific USB/Thunderbolt options4. Accept to install each of the the USB and/or Thunderbolt driver. This might seem to take a long time installing the drivers but leave it to get on with it.5. Reboot your computer and wait for the Focusrite Control window to come up saying "Hardware Not Connected".6. Now plus in the Scarlett Solo and WAIT while Windows goes off and searches Windows Updates. This may also seem to take a long time but be patient.7. If all is well, Windows will come back saying device is ready, having linked the driver to your Solo and Focusrite Control will show the Solo configuration options.8. Lastly, it is advisable to go to your Windows Playback Devices, and in the Properties of the Focusrite Usb Audio, go to the Advanced tab and untick the option to "Allow applications to take eclusive control of this device".Having gone through this learning curve for a couple of hours, I'm very happy with the sound quality. The earth hum and other unwanted noises I was getting from my older 1st generation Scarlett is no longer present.

It's a nightmare to get working. Bought to replace an old Roland Quad Capture for better sound quality. Spent 3 hours trying to get t to work. Then called Focusrite support who weren't that. Left a message. By the next day they hadn't called back to called again. Spent 2 hours on support and eventually got it just about working.The management software is useless and very unintuitive. The Roland software runs rings around it.I just upgraded my MacBook Pro to Catalina - Focusrite says it works fine with Catalina. No it doesn't. It doesn't show in the hardware or USB items. Called Focusrite again - nobody there, "leave a message". My message is, it's going back to Amazon. Thank goodness for Amazon's 30 day returns policy.I'm seriously struggling to see where all these 5 star reviews come from....mmm.

I purchased this on October the 1st it's now almost Hogmanay and I still have not got any software up and running. I'm having another attempt to install the drivers and other software. I did contact focusrite to explain my situation and I am not great at understanding computers. I had no idea how complicated it would be to even install the drivers etc. I ended up in floods of tears because after about 4 hours I still had no success and my computer kept becoming unresponsive meaning I had to force it to shut down. I then had to uninstall the failed software. Because I suffer from severe M.E. which not only has left me severely disabled and in a wheelchair, I struggle with simple cognitive abilities. Things most people take for granted such as following speech or even having the ability to concentrate enough to enjoy a movie. I have used very basic music software in the past, but it was a friend that did all the difficult parts such as installation. He got me up and running. I was a singer songwriter as a hobby health permitting of course, till I became very seriously ill with M.E 3 years ago. The person who I chatted to online from focusrite, really wasn't able to offer me the help and support I so desperately needed. He just brushed me aside and told me to watch the videos online, that there's plenty of videos. The problem is, I'm struggling to follow the tutorials, because they tend to be aimed at people who are fortunate enough to know computer lingo and know how to do basic computer tasks. I'm having another go. I'm patiently waiting for Ableton live to download. I've managed to install the drivers, but I'm not getting any sound through my microphone, I need to troubleshoot why. Maybe it's because it's an SM 58, I noticed someone else who reviewed this product said that he had to bring the volume up really high. I'm in no doubt that this is an incredible piece of kit, it's just I'm not really clued up on technology. I've never been properly taught.

I've used many audio interfaces, this is the first with decent ASIO drivers that just work. I've finally been able to ditch ASIO4ALL. On PC latency is 5ms with a buffer at 64.My M-Audio Fasttrak Pro and Behringer UMC22 were never as well behaved, and both needed ASIO4ALL to run at semi decent latency. This Focusrite, however, has proper genuine real ASIO drivers, and even recording both inputs at once latency is excellent at under 5ms.The pre-amps are also very nice, and the AIR switch adds, something... a bit of high frequency clarity maybe.PS:- the process for getting all your freebies is a pain, and nothing is essential if you already have a DAW and some plug-ins.Buy this. The cheap interfaces are cheap for a reason. This isn't. It's great.EDIT:- After some heavy use, still working quite happily on PC in Ableton, Cubase and Reaper.

On a plus note the build quality and looks are great, sadly, I spent the first hour trying to install the driver and eventually found that it would install if the Scarlett wasn't plugged in while we ran the program. I only found this out by pure accident. Then came the main issue, the crackling on audio playing back through the headphone monitoring. We spent nearly two more hours trying most of the possible fixes, and there are many, just take a look at the forums and youtube videos. Admittedly I didn't go as far as replacing certain components of my pc which some posts suggested. If it wouldn't work with some fairly simple tweaks, which you expect to carry out sometimes, then life's too short and it's time to move on. Thankfully Amazon customer service is excellent and I could return it.