Bundle offer comprising
2-Channel USB2.0 Audio Interface with USB-C Connection
Hitmaker Expansion Plugins:
Dynamic microphone
Studio Monitor Headphones
Table Microphone Stand
Microphone cable
The Scarlett Solo, now in its third edition, is the most compact and portable model within Focusrite’s acclaimed Scarlett series of USB audio interfaces for Mac and PC. It features an XLR mic input, a balanced line input for synthesizers and other line-level audio sources, and a pair of balanced outputs for monitoring. The Scarlett’s high-quality mic preamp provides 48V phantom power and is also equipped with a brand-new Air Mode switch. The Podcast Set also includes an MB85 Beta dynamic microphone from the t.bone, a tabletop microphone stand, a microphone cable, and a pair of studio headphones: An unbeatable complete package at a budget-friendly price. An audio interface provides a connection between a computer and various external devices. The computer in turn requires special software in order to process the incoming signals. Focusrite offers a selection of software you can use to get started, including the digital audio workstations (DAWs) Ableton Live Lite and ProTools Artist, and a three-month subscription to Splice Sounds. Focusrite’s Hitmaker Expansion software bundle is also included.
Focusrite’s outstanding reputation for building high-quality mic preamps has been established for over three decades now, and much of this expertise has been included in the third generation of Scarlett interfaces via the brand-new integrated Air Mode, which when selected opens up and brightens the high end in a way that is intended to emulate their classic ISA preamps – or, as the British manufacturer puts it, to provide “unique high-end detail for vocals and acoustic guitar”. Decades of experience really do speak for quality in this case, and the AD/DA converters provide optimum clarity and detail with a maximum bit depth of 24 bits and frequency rates of up to 192kHz.
This compact desktop interface is ideally suited to singer/songwriters and podcasters. It is USB-powered and sturdily built yet lightweight and portable. Unlike other members of the Scarlett family, however, the Solo lacks multiple inputs and outputs as well as MIDI connectivity. The MB85 Beta mic from the t.bone is by no means a bad choice for beginners, but a more suitable microphone for making spoken-word recordings would be the MB 7 from the same manufacturer, which is available together with the Scarlett Solo in the slightly higher-priced Podcast Bundle. Like the renowned mic by which it is inspired, however, the MB85 is well suited to use live on stage.
Founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve, Focusrite quickly made a name for itself with high-quality analogue consoles. Today, the company markets audio interfaces, mic preamps, consoles, analogue EQs, and channel strips as well as hardware and software for digital audio processing. The company is based in High Wycombe, England, and has won numerous industry awards. In addition to the Focusrite Pro line, the company also has subsidiaries that include Adam Audio, Novation, and iOS app creator Ampify Music.
The newly designed “gain halos” (the red and green LED rings around the gain controls on the front panel) are intended to make it easier to adjust gain settings, so that budding producers can start recording immediately after buying the interface. To make things simpler still, Focusrite has included a “Quick Start Tool” and put together an impressive and comprehensive package of free software, which includes the Hitmaker Expansion, containing a selection of music production tools. And with Live Lite and the numerous plugins, even editing the audio material for podcasts and subsequent improvements to the sound quality should be no problem at all.
The Hitmaker Expansion contains software tools for further enhancing your music productions: Guitar sounds with Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555, tuning options for vocals with Antares Auto-Tune, reverb effects with Relab's LX480 Essentials, the XLN Audio® Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock kit, and a choice of one of four instruments from XLN Audio Addictive Keys. Additionally, an EQ and compressor are offered with the Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, a full channel strip offering an EQ, de-esser, compressor, limiter, gate, and expander with Bx_console Focusrite SC, and finally, two months with the Landr Studio mastering tools with five free masters to add the finishing touch to your projects. With the Hitmaker Expansion, you get both the interface and a selection of tools, so you have all the software you need to get started.