The Komplete Audio 1 is slightly cheaper, feels a bit more solid, and has a direct monitoring knob to blend between what’s coming from your DAW and your direct input. Read the full PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 review Focusrite Scarlett Solo vs NI Komplete Audio 1 Opt for higher fidelity and get the Scarlett.

Then you look at the specs and realize that it only has an A/D resolution of 24-bit/96 kHz. Focusrite Scarlett Solo vs PreSonus AudioBox USB 96Īt a quick glance, the AudioBox seems to have just about everything to make it the superior choice to the Scarlett Solo: two combo inputs, MIDI I/O, a direct monitoring control knob to blend your signals, etc. But here are some alternatives that I think are worth your consideration. The Scarlett Solo is a good budget interface for most beginners. Upon purchasing the Scarlett Solo, you’ll receive access to Ableton Live Lite, plugin collection, Hitmaker Expansion Bundle, as well as a three-month subscription to Avid Pro Tools. There is a bit of give with the inputs, but not enough to deter me from recommending this audio interface. It’s fairly solid, lightweight, and wrapped in an aluminum housing. The Solo is perhaps as rugged as it needs to be. While limited by its connectivity, folks in need of an easily transportable unit will find the Scarlett more than adequate for recording on the go. If anything, MIDI I/O would make the Scarlett Solo a no-brainer for most people. It’s hard to knock it, considering that people who want an interface with more connectivity are most likely not researching entry-level units like the Solo. The interface is small and compact, and won’t take up too much space on your desk. In the case of the novice engineer, the Solo offers plenty of flexibility for bedroom recording artists. The effect essentially sets a filter on your preamps which boosts the mids and highs of your recording signal, adding a bit of life and brightness while you track. While you may already be familiar with it, the preamp’s design was custom-made by Focusrite founder, Rupert Neve, sometime in the mid-80s. Preamps 5.0Īs a custom, the unit features Focusrite’s signature Air mode on the preamp for the XLR input. It also has a fairly respectable dynamic range, reported at 111 dB, 110.5 dB, and 110 dB for the XLR-in, line input, and instrument input, respectively. The Solo’s A/D converter captures audio at 24-bit depth and has a maximum sample rate of 192 kHz. The rear panel of the Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen interface is simple, featuring only a USB-C port and two balanced studio monitor outputs.

Scarlett pre amp