A few possibly stupid questions that I'd however really like some experienced people to answer.

[Christopher Gilland]

OK, forgive me that some of this partially is unrelated to PT, but if
you look at this a bit outside the box, no pun intended, I could see
where this really could! very much so be the difference in ProTools and
your setup getting you a great mix, vs. getting you a very sh**ty mix.
So, any of you who have done this audio thang for a while now, please
answer. I'd like to hear from any of you, but especially people like
Slau, Kevin, Vinny, Chuck, etc who really really know their stuff.

So, long story short, I had an M-Audio FastTracks C400 4 channel USB
interface. I got this thing with PT MPower 9 back in 2011 when I first
started using PT. You guys remember that when Kevin helped me with my
debut single? Thank you still for that BTW Kevin. I still am gonna make
that up to you some day, I swear! You're awesome! Anyway... so
yesterday, being Saturday, I'm not sure what did it, and I won't bore
yall with the details in fear of this message getting too lengthy, but
the general idea is, the interface blew. Not sure how though I do have a
few theories. Basically it overheated, and fried itself.

So, unfortunately, but fortunately, you'll know what I mean in a sec, I
had to go to Sam Ash Music, and pick me up another interface. What I
got, which the studio gentlemen/sales rep couldn't speak highly enough
of was the very brand new Focusrite Scarlet 2I2 third generation.

Having sort of heard Ronald's older Scarlet, can't recall exactly which
one, I figured for the cost at $160 before task, I'd give it a try.
Plus, it had a literal direct monitor on/off button on the actual unit,
not just in the software, which highly highly impressed me.

So, here're my questions. I got the thing home, install the
software/drivers, and let me tell you guys something. Son of a B****! I
will never! look back! Can certain interfaces really sound better than
others? I thought it was just getting an interface that fit your feature
specs and workflow. Is it really that certain ones will actually sound
much cleaner than others?

I can tell you this. The pres in this thing are unbelievable! You almost
have to hear it to believe it, literally. Plus, we took the stupid pop
filter that came with my Blue Bluebird mike away, and I bought for about
20 bucks a much higher quality pop filter for the mike. This is the kind
that has a little clamp which you tighten the screw and by doing so, it
clips on to the stand, then has a metal goose kneck arm that comes out.
This allowed me to have far better adjustment of the distance of the
mike from the filter, giving me way way better proximity effect, I
guess? Could a pop filter really make that much difference from muddy
vocals vs. not muddy, or do you suspect it's probably more the fact that
getting the better filter forced me to have better mike placement. Or,
is it kind a hard to say.

All I know is, if you all haven't heard the Scarlet lineup of products
first hand, and need something nice and portable, bus powered only mind
you, I cannot speak highly enough of this interface. What! a difference
it made! So, yeah, my old one died, but that honestly might a been a
blessing in disguise.

Chris.

[Ronald J Glaser]

Chris, is  correct the Scarlett 2I2 third gen is simply amazing. I was
also there at Sam Ash; and I also Picked up one of the third gen 2I2's

The Mic Pres are clean, and very transparent, The third Gen also has
Focusrites aclaimed ISA Air feature built in via a button you press in
to turn on and off this feature.

I have been looking at different audio interfaces for quite some time.

As you all might remember; i got used the Scarlett 8I6 First Gen, There
was never a second gen of this model. now there is a third gen as well,
but that one was a bit out of my price arrange for this point in time
maybe someday I might get one, or get a clarett interface as another
tool in my recording tool box.

What is interesting is that i have to agree, i also have still the
Yamaha  MG 10XU And I also believe that with the interfaces comes
certain factors that make each interface different in its operation, and
also in the interfaces sound Properties

Don't get me wrong I have only used the two scarlett interfaces and my
yamaha MG 10XU but I can tell there is a difference between the
interfaces and what hardware is placed inside of each interface, I would
Concure With what Chris, has said here the Scarlett line of interfaces
is a great sounding interface for 160 dollars.

[Jesse Kragiel]

That's absolutely correct! My first interface was an M-Audio Delta 1010 back in its day, and it was so easy to mix on that thing! Of course, M-Audio since then got bought out by Avid, and it became their budget stuff, all plastic. The pres were awful! I've owned stuff from Emu, Presonus, and Alesis since then, but I can promise you the best pres I've had thus far have been in my Focusrite products...I had an Apollo Twin as well, and hated those pres! Also, the quality of the digital to analog converters makes a huge difference with playback. I can hear through a mix far better with my Focusrite stuff than I ever could with my Presonus... Of course, there are far more accurate things on the market than an all in one interface, but the average person may not notice a difference. Plenty of great music has been made on Focusrite interfaces.

[Christopher Gilland]

Did you, and others see my other question about the meters in ProTools?
I've yet to get a response, and in fact, you're the only person so far
on this thread, as well that I've found who's responded.

Yee hawww, any cowboy/cow gals out there? LOL! Just kidding. But
seriously...

Chris.