Hi all, question in regards to audio interface routing.

I currently have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 1st gen and I plan on upgrading to the Scarlett Solo 3rd gen.

I am currently using an MPC Live 2 in which the stereo outputs 1&2 are directly hooked up to my KRK monitors.

I plan on using the Focusrite Solo as audio interface between the MPC Live and the monitors, but because the Solo has only 1 input I am considering using a 1/4" TRS splitter w 2 female inputs -to-1 male output which in turn would go into the Solo's single 1/4 input.

My question is if I use this setup would the output signal from the Solo still be stereo?

BTW I could instead get the Scarlett 2i2 which has 2 inputs and solve this problem, but I do not want to have to control the L&R input signals independently from each other, plus is more expensive.

Thank you!!

In short, no. The Solo has one input, that means mono. It has stereo output yes, but can never input more than one signal; which means no stereo in.

No once you combine the L & R stereo signals coming out of the Akai
They the become a mono signal in the a Focusrite and the Focusrite is then outputting Dual Mono not Stereo

If you have stereo coming out of the Akai personally I would go for the 2i2 MPC Live 2 and just set the input levels on the 2i2 the same

Hey all will the Focusrite Scarlett Solo work even if my laptop isn’t usb-c? Can I get a cord that is usb-c to regular usb and it will work?

Also, I don’t need a power supply?

The 3rd gen Scarlett interfaces come with a usb-c to usb-a cable, so it'll hook up to a normal port just fine. And no, you don't need a power supply. It's bus powered, meaning the USB also provides the operating power.

Thanks for the reply. That sounds great. I use an Apollo Twin right now for UAD plugs but when on the go love the idea of the no power supply needed.

I guess you wouldn’t know if I get would get better latency than the Apollo which hooks up using a thunderbolt port. I imagine quality wise there both equal?

Not sure exactly on the latency. I think the apollo stuff is generally on the higher round trip latency side when not direct monitoring, but regardless the scarlett should have acceptable latency for real-time recording (it also has direct monitoring bypassing the system latency but no internal dsp). As for quality, the apollo probably is going to be a cut above here in terms of preamp and converters, but practically speaking I think the scarlett will probably suffice in quality for a portable rig.

What does this mean exactly? it also has direct monitoring bypassing the system latency but no internal dsp? Never heard of that

The focusrite scarlett solo has a direct monitor switch on the front. When enabled, it sends the input to the headphone and line outputs also, bypassing the need to monitor your input from the DAW.

The Apollo interfaces also do this (I believe controlled through a mixer app on the computer) which also works with unison technology (virtual preamps etc that you can track with via the Apollo).

My comment about "no internal dsp" relating to the scarlett solo was meaning that it has nothing like the UA Unison tech built into it that you can direct monitor through, it's just the dry input signal.

Sorry for the confusion.