Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 vs. Mackie Onyx Producer 2x2 vs. Roland Rubix22 (vs. RME)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ส.ค. 2024
- A shootout between 3 budget-friendly, USB-powered sound interfaces (plus one not so budget friendly):
Starring: . Guest starring: RME Fireface UFX II
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Great job putting these through paces and presenting. You are the final push to my ownership of the Mackie Onyx
Nice. I just ordered a Mackie Onyx Producer 2-2 before I watched this haha. Glad it confirmed my purchase as the better of the devices.
That song is gonna be stuck on my head for a while lmao.. great review!
WOW you have no idea how much it took to find a useful video about audio interfaces. THANK YOU!
OMG THANKS!!! this such a great well made audio review! very well taught and well realized!!!
Thanks for watching Keshava!
Because of this review, I am convinced to buy the Mackie Onyx :) I just felt that Focusrite is overrated as a lot of music producers and musicians prefer this, but Mackie Onyx is cheaper but gave a much better result. Thank you for this review
proud owner of mackie onyx producer 2x2 here
i have seen many of review videos of other but not satisfied with the any of them you do the best i think i m watching it after i placed my order of mackie onyx artist 1-2 .keep it up bro your content is helpfull clean and clear welldone bro/sir
A+ for the singer! I noticed differences only on the Guitar Solo and Vocals - Bright to less bright on the order shown being Mackie and Focusrite almost the same. I'm using a firewire Mackie Onyx 820i - Dayton Audio digital amp - B&W VM1 + AS2.
Mackie is great gear - they are built like a tank but they have driver issues - I had problems making the firewire work on W10. My other Onyx-i mixer (larger) might not even work on windows 10 since it's an older version. The point about the LED brightness might be dim because it was designed for stage. Focusrite has the best numbers, though, and I've seen measurements confirming those those numbers. I'm pointing that out because one of the applications for these interfaces is RTA and I think numbers rule on that application.
Thanks for the video!!!
Amazing video. Thank you so much! It helped a lot. Here in Brazil it's really expensive to buy those things, unfortunetaly
Thank you for such an in depth review, you have helped me make my decision getting my interface
Curious about how the Motu M2 compares to these. Mackie sounded the best to me, clearer and slightly better bass. Listening on studio headphones. I disagree with the vocal highs, the Focusrite sounded like they boosted the vocals, which makes sense why it is the most commonly used interface for beginner streamers.
великолепно, все бы делали такие качественные обзоры! роланд мне совсем не понравился, Focusrite очень популярен в моей стране, но он меня совсем не удивил, а вот маки стало открытием для меня, теперь смотрю в ее сторону)
I think the same haha
The Onyx now offers plug-ins!!...
I am considering of buying Roland, or may be Steinberg. Thanks for the review and really useful tests, man!
Great vid man! Cheers!
May you indicate Roland Rubix for streamings and Voice over for gospel?
Scarlett 2i2 (2nd gen) or MackiE Onxy 2.2? I am using it only for my digital piano recording. Hope you can help me
Focuseite has no midi- thats a dealkiller for me. I think I like the Roland best because of the ground lift and the stereo capability. I like that the mackie also has midi. The focusrite shouldnt even he consideed because it doesnt have the features , and at this pricepoint thats an immediate loser in my book.
I bought the Mackie, partly on your recommendation, and there are a couple of things I don’t like about it, both of which aren’t mentioned in your review. First, the driver software only works for Windows 10 and they no longer provide support for Window 7/8. I verified this with their so-called support staff on the phone. Second, the pots that they used to set gain appear to be linear taper pots. This results in a large part of the mic preamp gain being in the last 1/8 of a turn of the knob, which makes setting gain very touchy for inputs requiring lots of gain. This, to me, is an unforgivable mistake for a company that once prided itself on producing professional-grade audio equipment at consumer-level prices. How much more do audio taper pots cost, maybe 50 cents....?
Hi Jeremy, sorry to hear you have a bad experience with the Mackie. I can only say that it is working on Win 8 as well, as I have that on my laptop, and the drivers installed without problems. The video above was made on my Win 8 laptop.
I also read about that somewhere else. Is it also a problem with setting the gain for condenser mics? In theory, they should need less gain, and therefore one should not have to turn the knobs all the way to the end, where that sudden jump occurs.
Why wouldn't you update to windows 10? It's free to upgrade. 7 and 8 are full of vulnerabilities now.
I bought the Mackie, onyx Comprei o Mackie, festa por recomendação sua
Love my mackie onyx artist found some reviews on it saying the only thing that may get in the way is latency at higher sample rates. I have had zero issues with it ive had it for roughly a year and a half..
Have you tried it with guitars and plugins? I want to send my brother one for fathers day but he doesn't know his way around a DAW that well and i want it to be as "plug and play" as possible lol thanks for any input..
@@eddieb4228 yeah used have some basic plugins that came in a pack with the mackie and also bought some. Sounds alright the only thing is the daw that came with is kind of a pain to use.. I run it with reaper
@@eddieb4228 id recommend maybe buying him a licence for reaper. Then have him watch a couple videos. Just mu opionion on it tracktion (what came with the interface) is a pain to use to say the least.. Focusrite is another good interface for beginners every guitarist i know uses them even my buddy who has. His own studio uses a bigger one i think a 18 channel rack mount unit.
@@Jihadbearzwithgunz Hey I appreciate it bro! I ordered him a Scarlett solo but just cancelled it today because it wasn't gonna arrive till after fathers day with no ETA! He wants to buy an official Marshall plug-in already.. I'm like "hang on a sec, lets make sure it runs well on your PC with free plug-ins and no latency!" Lol
im confuse
-MACKIE Onyx Producer 2-2 - 2x2 USB
-Scarlett 2i2 3 gen
-M audio 2X2M
which one is better ?
The only thing that matters is latency. So what latency will I get with the Mackie in Cubase with 48khz/24bit and 64 Buffersize? That is the only question that really matters.
Agree. What is the latency of each one of them?
I have found that the Focusrite is a reliable interface. Then i bought a friend the Mackie Onyx for his birthday...and the difference was incredible. The Mackie PreAmps were so full and striking. Then I heard some preamps on a Presonus interface and those too were very nice. In fact I believe the Presonus has beautiful harmonic distortion for bass and acoustic guitar. Mackie Onxy has incredible headroom for bass guitar and when you combine the 2 channel USB Presonus and the Mackie ONYX and use them within the same project there are beautiful differences that separate the mix and fill that strange digital pit that almost never seems to be filled.
I got the mackie for 100 brand new in the box. I think I did pretty good 👍
very nice review. is the mackie onyx compatible with mac os?
For the boosted frequencies, you should have looked at a frequency analysis, to see if it's really there. Also did you verify that the builtin compressor wasn't engaged ?
Well, don't you hear it? ;-) And yes, the comp wasn't on.
@@MadebyMiike I don't hear that much of a difference, but maybe just my Sennheiser HD595 (plugged to my iMac) or even my ears are not sensitive enough. The Roland seems to be a bit noisier on the voice recording though (which may be related).
How do we connect a focusrite midi keyboard ? Roland I think is for those who play very heavy metal music,
I did a LOT of research before buying and ended up with the Focusrite 2i4. It has not let me down and has been a solid buy.
Leave me alone, leave me in the dark! 🎶
Great review. I started watching it thinking the Roland would be top of my list but you've definitely convinced me to go for the Mackie.
It was difficult to hear what you meant with the high frequency gain on the Roland but this is possibly because of the compression on TH-cam. One thing I did notice however was what appeared to be a grounding issue from all 3 devices which I couldn't hear on the RME. Do you have any idea what could have caused this? Thanks
I had a good real-world example typed out then youtube decided to autoplay and wipe my comment! :( Hope this helps you and anyone else looking at different interfaces. I have used a bunch of different brands and classes of interface and mic pres but in a nutshell, the hiss you refer to as a "grounding issue" is commonplace in most sub $500 interfaces. It really is the difference between ok preamps, good preamps, and great preamps. If you can afford something like this: audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id4/overview/ I would recommend that over anything else without breaking the bank. I once was able to use 32 channels of cheap but perfectly OK (especially live) "Designed by Midas" mic pres (code for made as cheaply as possible in china) in a mixing console/interface at a live venue. This was a fun live project with multi-track drums and full band. When by contrast, and for a fun comparison, I was able to use 2 channels in my home studio which literally cost 10x the price per channel, it made the recording of my upright piano at home sound better than the grand piano recorded at the venue. Sure there are always other factors but when it came to mixing and mastering the stems from the venue vs what I recorded at home it was exactly like (if not worse than) the "grounding issue from all 3 devices which I couldn't hear on the RME"
To be fair, 10x the price per channel also includes DSP and other fancy things other than just the preamps but the difference is Night and Day!
Focusrite was... surprisingly crappy. I've heard it recommended often and I can't really hear why. Mackie was slightly better. The Roland could actually compete with the RME, but I guess that was the reverb it introduces apparently.
Thanks for the video.
I've been using the Mackie for about a little under 2 years now and I was rather happy about it, until about half a year ago, the volume knob started acting up. Badly. I have to find very specific parts where it won't cut out either side of my headphones, and there's very loud crackle when changing volume. Is this normal...? Is this a build quality thing?
Loud is the mother company. It says Mackie inside the large black circle - the little man walking is Mackie.
best audio interface review wow
About the feature of Stereo for direct monitor 3:57, is there another sound interfaces include it?
Since I own the Roland Rubix22: I can't complain. It also offers a great SW bundle like the Scarlett plus mine sounds neutral. The better comparison to the onyx would be the Scarlett 2i4 since it offers advanced monitoring features and a MIDI interface at a slightly higher price than the 2i2 or the Rubix 22.
Are the Rubix Drivers multi-client (ie. you can switch between applications like Browser and DAW without having to close the programs to 'release' the audio driver)? Is there anything that annoys you about the drivers/buffer/latency? Thanks.
@@NebulousWeb as long as you do not set the interface into an exclusive mode it can be used by several "sources" at the same time
@@wa2804 Thanks for taking the time to reply. That's great to hear. I think most modern interfaces have multi-client drivers, but not all of them do yet. But they don't seem to put this information in the specs. EDIT: can confirm multi-client capability works great, and drivers are good.
hello there! i've been planning to get a Roland Rubix22. are you running on windows? my laptop is on win10. i'm afraid of compatibility issues. also, how has it been performing for the past year? Thanks!
@@tejathecount1612 my Rubix22 is running on several Notebooks and Desktop PCs running on Windows10 for 2 years now. A true workhorse that is in use every day. Never had an issue, can't complain at all! Sound is great, especially when you combine it with a "true" headphone amp like LehmannAudio Studio cube and a pair of good Headphones like Sennheiser HD660.
That's odd, because none of the other samples I've heard of the Rubix22 sound like they have a treble lift, in fact, the Roland always sounds somewhat less stark than most other interfaces. What that treble lift does sound like is the Scarlett 2i2 with it's Air function switched on...
That treble lift can be approximately "turned off" by turning on the limiter/compressor with threshold @ 0dB :)
@@AttilaSchler I have a Rubix 44 now, and a fully loaded Audio Precision APX555 in my R&D lab, so I might measure the thing and see for myself!
Overall, though, it's bad science to assume that as three things sound the same they must be right. Governments get in that way all the time...
@@andygrove285 once you measured it, if you can, please let me know what you found :)
Great review, thanks.
Great review, thanks!
What's the wet latency for the Mackie? I mean the round trip latency, on for instance 48 hz / 64 samples? I want to use it directly in the Amplitube amp simulator, so am not very interested in zero latency dry monitoring ...
I don't have mackie but, basic for others audio interfaces on the 64 samples latency is around 5ms if u are on windows, and around 3ms for Mac devices.
I Heard the high boost in the first bass track you put on the video.
Amazing video, thank you
Great review... though I am missing to hear how these units are handling sibilants in the vocal part.
Me too. Only thing i hear is more noise with rubix
hi i was wondering what are your thoughts about behringer umc22? can it come close to those 3?
Wow! I'm surprised by the Focusrite knobs being loose. I have one... solid as a tank! Suits my purpose.... I agree if there was some adjustability for direct monitoring - that would have been great... and of course stereo output, would have been awesome. But they are not deal breakers for my two DAWs (Studion ONE and Protools)
Could it be that yours is 3rd gen, as opposed to the 2nd gen featured in this video? (I have a 2nd gen one and my knobs are a bit wobbly)
No sir. It is a 2nd generation .
Perhaps you got a lemon.
Focusrite is know for their wobbly knobs; it's what gives them their signature sound. It's took a lot of engineering, but the patented _WobbleKnob_ system is second to NONE in the industry.
WHERE CAN I LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE SONG? WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SONG?
I was using roland ua-22, then sell it. Now i am looking for the new gen roland rubix because of the novelty. But you don't prefer. Is there any other device to prefer excluding them?
If you can afford something like this: audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id4/overview/ I would recommend that over anything else without breaking the bank. Best mic pres and converters to be found (IMO) without spending thousands of dollars!
ROLAND is the winner....and bonus for IN and OUT Midi
@@musicbykarma 2019??...that was ages ago,buddy and it was my option and MY opinio.Anyway,I got a SSL2+ now. Move on,mate.
RME is the best ever...
-MACKIE Onyx Producer 2-2 - 2x2 USB
-Scarlett 2i2 3 gen
-M audio 2X2M
which one is better ?
go for onyx bud
i was like, is it me or is this "Fireface" interface mad dope. oooh sheet its totally different price range lol
Ufx 8:25 Scarlett 9:01 Rubix 10:12
Which do you think is the best...???
anyone else have a problem with the volume knob on onyx? I have to turn the knob all the way up for it to work.
Good approach!
when it's about input gain, mentioning the gain range would be more useful than talking about their colors. For example the scarlet has clipping problems with high output guitar pickups even with the gain nob on 0.
the knobs on my scarlet solo doesnt wobble at all
Hello, excellent video, in your opinion what is the best audio interface with better quality?
You didn't watch the video, did you ??? Did you fall asleep during it ?
Is the roland hissy and noisy just from instrument recording or will you hear that same hiss in the top end when also using just VST instruments too?
No VSTis should be fine, I guess the high end boost comes from the preamp of the Roland.
And what abou presonus studio 24c?
What audio interface would you recommend for connecting to my dslr camera for recording talking head TH-cam videos?
I have a rode ntg 2 shotgun mic
Thanks for your time!
For that purpose I wouldn't go with an audio interface but an external preamp for cameras (no need for a power supply for a sound interface, no need for a laptop, plus you can record the signal directly on your camera, instead of the sound of your built in mics). I bought a good one recently on Amazon, the Saramonic SR-AX100 Pro. It's cheaper than a good soundinterface, sounds good, has two inputs (so you could record with two mics stereo), is battery driven and quite sturdy, and can be screwed onto your camera (hot plug). That would be my recommendation if you ever plan to shoot outside as well. If you only film at home, then I would suggest the Mackie from this video, the SSL 2+ or one of the Focusrite Scarletts.
@@MadebyMiike thank you!
What software you used for distorted guitar or you just recorded an amp using mic?
Kemper
Thanks for the review. I'm incredibly disappointed my Roland Quad Capture isn't supported by M1 Mac despite the fact that the Roland Octa Capture is. The Roland Quad Capture puts all 3 of those units to shame but alas I'll have to switch to one because at least they support M1
My octacapture finally died after 10+ years. I got a quad capture as a replacement for the time being and am loving it. How do you think the roland rubix 24 would compare to the quad capture? I'm trying to get something with more outputs without having to splash the cash for an octa.
@@MsSpicynipples well if I recall correctly the rubix doesn't have the auto gain which is the best thing about Roland. However, my follow up story is I ended up going all in with the Focusrite Clarett+ 2. No auto gain, but, my friend, there's no mic hiss compared to the Roland. It's insane.
Full song will be good to listen.
Loud is just a name change to differentiate from the larger Company
Escuché mas claridad y resolución en el solo de la guitarra en el focusrite y roland.
RME>>>> Mackie>>>>>>>>>>> Roland >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Focusrite
what is the band ?
what about the headphoneouts? my 6i6 is distorting realy quickly. what aboute the mackie?
Been 3 months with my Mackie Producer 2x2 and it is already starting to distort when changing volume on headphone out.
@@lens3973 using Mackie every day for two or three years now and I got no problems whatsoever
i want to buy an interface but realy confused what do you guys recommend for homestudio shuold i go with the focuswrite like the others?
Check ur22c
@@sisterursuline people make questions when the video has all the answers...
thanks, so the mackie is more warm for recording
remember... that sound can be modified in your DAW too.
Just got the onyx
Mackie now 180. They increase price on demand
Is roland the most noisy there?
i think yess
6:53 7:05 7:16 7:28
How does the Mackie compare to the 3rd gen 2i2 ?
Because also of it's price range
Abso'fuckin'lutely ONYX !!!
Ok wo would guys say that Onyx is good but but scarlett has the advantage of coming together with Ableton?
scarllet comes with ableton live lite license, not the suite license. you can get the lite version for free in many ways. no need to buy an overpriced interface to get a free software.
RME sounds the best, Focusrite sounds the worst
On the tail of the vocal track, the Roland sounds noisy. What about the other ?
RME wins! 😅 Fuller... fuller sound.
but... a more empty wallet ;-)
@@cyrilcalmes4208 totally 😅👍🏻
@@FVDaudio you mean totally...empty ;-)
for me sound quality not different.
dude, you're saying there's no mackie markings? That's their effing running man logo right on the damned thing
Yeah, but the word "Mackie" is nowhere to be seen on the unit or the box?! Come on man, that's at least worth mentioning, don't you think?
Anyways, I kept the Mackie, works great!
@@MadebyMiike no I don't even a little bit. Walk into any audio shop and look at their boxes dude. All you see is their running man logo. I'm looking at a Big Knob Studio on my desk as I type this, the word Mackie appears nowhere. I can see two sides of its box in a closet outside the office, nowhere on that either. Maybe get out more
From what I read, it's a copyright issue with the manufacturer in China, hence the absence of the Mackie name on the boxes and equipment.