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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface Bundle for the Songwriter with Condenser Microphone and Headphones for Recording, Streaming, and Podcasting?
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I was looking at this scarlett 2i2 bundle (w mic and headphones) since I've wanted a 2i2 for a while and keep striking out on used postings.. I wonder how the headphones are
https://www.amazon.ca/Focusrite-SCARLETT-STUDIO-3RD-GEN-Inc-Scarlett-2i2-Headphones/dp/B07QNZ3XT3
No problem
They also sell just the interface without the headphones and mic
I invested in this Scarlett set- mixer, mic, xlr cable. It's served me well, especially for the price point. You'll want to get an arm ($20'ish) and a pop filter too.
If you're tempted to try and do auditions with a Snowball or a Yeti, be aware that while those are competent mics for streaming, they lack the depth that a higher grade microphone will bring. Some authors might not notice or care but some absolutely will.
Nobody's gonna get offended haha, sound is taste and there's no right or wrong (usually), also this is a friendly sub don't worry. Anyway, I wouldn't suggest monitors personally mate, I'd get a nice hifi system that colours the sound properly and actually makes it sound good. However /u/blutfink is a wizard and knows infinitely more than me about this stuff so I'd ask him lol.
Apologies if you already know this but monitors are designed (depending on price) to be as flat and boring as possible in order to allow mixing and getting the levels right etc. Not to mention monitors are stupidly expensive for the sort of listening experience you're asking about.
If you really want to go down the monitor route and wanted some seriously good buy-once-keep-forever monitors, I'd suggest what I've got, the Adam A77Xs because they sound amazing, go up to 50kHz (not that we can even hear half of that lol) and have a tight, accurate low end. They'll set you back around £1500 however and you'll need an interface to plug them in to as well, but you can get those pretty cheap (I'd suggest the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 (MK1 not MK2 they suck) or the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 both amazing entry level cards that I've used in the past.
In fact, Amazon does an amazing deal for a 2i2, headphones <em>and</em> mic for £207 which is actually amazing and something I'd highly recommend, even if you aren't planning on recording, it's good to have a mic lying around.
That is one route anyway, I know this is way higher in budget than what you've mentioned, but unfortunately with monitors they don't get good until the ~700+ mark for a pair, hence me thinking a good hifi system instead, even secondhand is an option, you can find some great deals on marketplace/gumtree etc.
Anyway, that's just my personal opinion
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface and Recording Bundle with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QNZ3XT3/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_M58SZA97TYWHKQV8453J
If you're serious about ANYTHING having to do with audio, music, or video production, then an interface is not optional, and if you want to seamlessly integrate your playing with your voiceover/singing, then you'll need at least two channels working at the same time, always.
Assuming you already have your guitar, I'd go for a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen Studio Bundle (Interface, cables, Mic and Studio headphones), goes for about $260 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Studio-Interface-Recording/dp/B07QNZ3XT3
It has everything you need to start recording out of the box, I've been doing voiceover and narration on my main channel.
And recording music on my side channel.
And this thing is an absolute killer for the money, I use a plethora of software, Drum sampling, synths, voice EQ and correction, Record Bass, Guitar, Amp simulators, pedal simulators, everything done in Reaper, oh and I started about 3 months ago, so it's not really that hard once you get a grasp of it.
Let me know if you want to know more, I'm happy to help.
I would also strongly recommend looking at what will serve you best in the future.
USB mics are not really great, they may be convenient for your current situations, but as a profession musician (particularly as a singer) you're going to be doing a lot of recordings (eg. for program auditions) and they won't provide the same quality of audio.
I would say zoom recorders are also a good option in terms of convenience , but if you want to produce high quality audio of yourself at any point your best bet is to bite the bullet and invest in an audio interface that uses balanced XLR connections from the start.
Something like a the Scarlet 2i2 Pack is a really reasonable option and it comes prepacked with an Ableton Licence (which is a very powers recording and production software). The mic is not great but if this is something you might want to do more in the future having several microphones of varying quality is not unhelpful. I would add to that a pop filter (Stops your plosives from distorting the sound), and a basic boom stand.
All told that will run you a little more than double what you're going to pay for a Yeti or a Zoom but it will allow for a lot more expansion an allow you to begin developing some basic music production skills early on that are essential for working musicians (and are overwhelming not taught to performance majors in post secondary music programs).
Edit: I should say , I have heard some less then favourable things about the FocusRite drivers on Widows so I only really recommend this if you're on a Mac, you can source all of the elements in that pack for a roughly comparable price (I use windows and a Steinberg Audio interface).
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