Cheap VS Expensive Audio Interface: Universal Audio Apollo Twin VS Focusrite Scarlett

What is the difference between a cheap VS expensive audio interface, featuring the Universal Audio Apollo Twin and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. We discuss HOW these two popular audio interfaces are different, comparing features and audio to help you decide which interface to buy or upgrade to. Audio examples on vocals.
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[@EdThorne]

💽 Get Your Tracks Mixed by Ed: edthorne.com/mixing 🎬 Best Interface For Mixing! This HP Amp is Insane!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGHJqnmIoZeFaJY 🎬 Scarlett 4th Generation vs 3rd Gen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX2nda2prdVkl5I

[@EdThorne]

Underground Raiload TV show in Chicago That’s great. I haven’t used one yet but I’ll look out for it. Rode are a popular brand and I would imagine will clear up a lot on the Podcasting circuit so I’ll look into reviewing one.

[@EdThorne]

Yeh count me in 🙂 [e-mail]

[@33yearsoldcarpenter]

Which is the best interface!

[@peterwelsh1932]

@@bradleyc79 did you mean “Railroad” ?

[@just2comment2]

@@33yearsoldcarpenter buy whichever you can afford, i have the Scarlett and love it and i am sure i would love using the apollo also. With good plug ins and a good computer with at least 4 cores, i don't have any latency issues

[@ecsmediallc539]

As Ray Charles once famously said, "If it sounds good, it is good."

[@EdThorne]

ECS Media LLC True words. Apologies for my voice 😜

[@dnantis]

@@EdThorne Ed ...to my ears i hear the UA is a little more thick sound but it goes a bit like to the edge of going distorted (kind of when you are way too close ti the mic effect) and is also way too much sensitive to pickup artifacts and that is for being so true\good in the Mic Preamp section ! The Scarlett is a bit thinner but not as bad that cant be fixed with ext gear or int plugins ! So, now that i know this thinning problem on the Focusrite, i will always add a bit of more body to the vocals i will record from now on !! Thanks for the video and alert me of this !

[@EdThorne]

dnantis Hi, yeh, I didn’t quite get the gains matched in this video, my apologies. I did however get them identical in the video below and I think you can hear the same differences in the audio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5zYpqt8q7N1lck

[@eduardoserrano9579]

I believe the author of that quote was Duke Ellington and later used too by british engineer Joe Meek

[@zhalali5428]

agreed

[@Musicbypinge]

biggest difference, you cant have a coffecup standing on the apollo twin, but works just fine for scarlet

[@EdThorne]

Haha🤣 I think this is my favourite comment on this video 🙂

[@Musicbypinge]

@@EdThorne haha thanks man xD its so true for me thought, i have so little space on my desk so my coffe usually stands on my scarlet

[@EdThorne]

@@Musicbypinge That’s a recipe for a wet mix 😜🤣

[@Musicbypinge]

@@EdThorne haha

[@jameshandley8252]

And that’s why the scarlet wins 😂

[@bitshred]

People need to remember that there were albums recorded on old ADAT's and DIGI 001's . Many cheap off the shelf interface are now 24 bit, 96KHZ with better specs than those. The Shins first album was record on an old HP computer with a sound card. The gear isn't so important as much as the ability to make the most of what you have. And of course, great performances with emotion. If you have the money, then go ahead and buy the best you can afford. Otherwise, focus more on the music, instead of lusting over the latest sexiest UAD equipment.

[@gtanz8475]

Truer than true. In the end, buying and upgrading gear can become an obsession and making music is all but forgotten.

[@SWATTECHNOLOGIES]

Scary, you took my words out of my mouth almost verbatim. There is a 192KHz/24Bit 100 plugins frenzy out their with everyone thinking that's their edge. Wrong. Your music, passion, playing and compositional capabilities are your edge. I'll never forget an interview with The Spin Doctor's producer from the early nineties. They asked him how their drums sounded so good, what was the secret? His answer? "Aaron Comess is an excellent drummer". There you go.

[@clipz1]

very true after hearing this just shaprening up on your mixing skills can make all the difference as apose to spending that xtra money for something most may not use to its full potential

[@gibsoneb3]

Well said.

[@yungle392]

Faxx

[@donnalisajenkins]

The funny thing about recording is the ones actually listening to the finished product would never say oh he use a Apollo interface or he used a Scarlett interface. If your a audio engineer you know how to make anything sound great 👍🏾

[@timuryesa]

is the apollo twin good without using the console and plugins? I need it for my Neunmann u87.

[@samuelng6441]

But the problem comes when you want a good translation from your DAW to out of the DAW to be same, and not sounding different. It's not a matter about quality anymore but colouration. And in Mixing/Mastering, that can be a hell to second-guess through because you want your mixes to sound exactly the same once they are bounced out.

[@timuryesa]

@@samuelng6441 think I go with a RME babyface. Heard only good things about it.

[@wmurray003]

@@samuelng6441 In REAPER my bounces always sound BETTER once rendered down into a Wave file. I always find this odd.

[@samuelng6441]

@@wmurray003 bruh.... that's because it's lossless. You shouldn't be bouncing your mixes in mp3 anyways for whatever reason other than to test how your mix sounds under the stress test.

[@BlueTransAm83]

Use Scarlett 4i4 just starting DAW. But did a research. So far solid guitar strait, then with plugins. Studio One Professional. And no hookup issues.

[@timhoadacoustic]

That was really interesting, thanks so much for taking the time to make this video. The A/B comparison was especially interesting. Very helpful 👍

[@EdThorne]

You’re more than welcome. Stay tuned for a part two later this year 🙂🙏

[@blindcanseemusic]

I think the interface is no longer a limiting factor. Both sound good enough to record a hit (or a miss).

[@proequipments7210]

Try doing Dolby mix

[@hosephotographer9630]

Exactly! Spend the $ on your PC/Mac

[@douglasnewman4163]

Thanks for your great comparison video on these two units! Very complete.

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the new Apollo Solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@blue4baby]

Thank you Ed Thorne, for providing this shoot out. Many commenting here do get the purpose and appreciate it.

[@EdThorne]

Thank You John 🙏

[@tubaleeJollofbeatz]

Nice one

[@batphink2655]

Magic!

[@jahsouljah1]

I've been hearing lots of "tests" on KZbin regarding both audio interfaces and so far I didn't notice so much difference between them until I got to your video. In my opinion when we are recording instruments, you can't tell the difference so easily, but when it comes to Vocals it becomes really obvious that Apollo has a warmer and clearer sound, thanks for sharing!

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Fellipe. Yes, I agree, I think it's more obvious on vocals. Thanks for watching :-)

[@polgar_tamas]

Yeah, we hear the difference and lots of people thinks is not worth the price and all that shit... if they want to compare this interface just direct sounding I can say to them just buy a cheap Beringer um2 and done. I guess compare focusrite scarlett with older apollo twin make a little bit more sense because this X series ada converters almost the best... new/cheaper tech compare with very expensive soundcards and all that stuff... ohh and the "downside" is converters too good for default headphone amp & preamps I think... Great video btw. Keep it up!

[@EdThorne]

@@polgar_tamas Thanks Tamás.

[@Henchproductions]

The huge difference is sgen you track latency free through the UAD unison preamp plugins.

[@SAM-wy7nx]

Subtle difference but I agree the Apollo is a bit more pro sounding sometimes the accumulation of small advantages wins the game

[@russrandolph7882]

Vid just recommended to me. Seems like a lot of hate on the focusrite interfaces. I own multiple Scarlett interfaces and they all function beautifully. I have lots of interfaces from multiple manufactures and the reality is that anything manufactured recently sounds pretty decent. Years ago I wouldn’t work on anything but apogee converters. But converter tech is so good now for so cheap that you can get a decent converter paired with usable preamps for a crazy inexpensive price. Just because the Scarlett is cheaper, doesn’t mean that isn’t usable for pro work. There are plenty of affordable interfaces out there working right now. Very few products in the modern pro audio marketplace are “night and day different” from a competitor, regardless of price. Understand signal flow and gain structure, by the best interface you can afford and put time into your craft. All that to say this- if you only have Scarlett money, buy a scarlet and get to work. Your interface decision isn’t going to make or break your career.

[@dannymolns3573]

Once you upgrade, you'll notice the difference. I used to have a Scarlett as we all have done. Was good! But the Apollo is another world

[@Kristoffer2791]

Ive practiced hard on the guitar and Ableton, and im ready for this amazing thing!

[@EdThorne]

Kristoffer2791 Awesome. I have a video demonstrating the UAD guitar amp sims coming soon👌

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Practice makes a man perfect. Carry on.

[@mikewhite8848]

I got the focusrite and I made great recordings with it, it's scary to think how much better the recordings could be with the Apollo. I had a stand alone studio in a box recorder, people used to rave how great the recordings sounded and often would ask which studio I record at. I simply just added some effects and some EQ on the vocals. I was shocked how with the focusrite I didn't have to add EQ just a little reverb and gave me big studio quality recordings.

[@RookieMistakeYT]

As someone that has owned both you’d be very underwhelmed and disappointed. The difference is minimal. Take a look at the Audient Evo4 or ID4 MKII. I consider it a step up from the Focusrite Scarlett and a good middle ground. I would consider it the best starting point or standard for budget friendly home studios that don’t need a ton of inputs and outputs. Otherwise just save up, get an Avalon 737 and then you’ll be left with no more questions about how the king of mic preamps sound and never need to consider another preamp ever again lol.

[@quransmith7397]

Great video! You sold me on the Apollo Twin. Just subscribed!

[@EdThorne]

Quran Smith Thanks, glad you liked it. You will not be disappointed with the Apollo 👌

[@modernmusicstudio303]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the dfferences! This was a very interesting video to watch

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching 🙂

[@gruntworkmedia]

I appreciate you doing this little breakdown for noobs like myself. Definitely got a new subscriber. Off to another one of those vids. Thank you!

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Elhanan. Welcome to the channel 🙂

[@flywittzbeats4008]

Thank you so much for this... you can tell the audio you recorded through both contain almost the exact same signal, with perfect gain setting/mic placement. This video is perfect for showing artists the difference in preamps. For me personally, it's definitely worth saving up for that apollo. But it's really subjective

[@EdThorne]

Thanks for watching, I’m glad it was helpful. The value in the Apollo is in the Unison Preamps, UAD plugins, near zero latency whilst monitoring with the plugins, the ability to print these monitoring effects as you record, the expandability with other UA devices, and it’s desktop controller functionality. Plus, the monitor routing flexibility is far superior. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the Apollo Solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@DanVasc]

Thanks for the info!

[@EdThorne]

Hey Dan, you’ve got a killer voice bro! This was one of my early videos and I left a lot out 🤣 The value in the Apollo is in the Unison Preamps, UAD plugins, near zero latency whilst monitoring with the plugins, the ability to print these monitoring effects as you record, and it’s desktop controller functionality. Plus, the monitor routing flexibility is far superior. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the Apollo Solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac What’s your set up?

[@erezk2170]

First off: two thumbs up for an excellent review. It was informative, enjoyable to watch - a time well spent. Thank you for taking the time make it available. To answer your question: to my ears, the Apollo sounded better than the Scarlet. Even with my humble setup (macbook and presonus 4.5 monitors), there was a more "immediate presence" with the apollo sample than with the scarlet. If I were a professional, I would buy the apollo - or something at that level - no questions about it. But if budget is a consideration the scarlet would be a good choice.

[@EdThorne]

Thank you for the comments. I agree with your assessment there 🙂

[@samalcis]

Andrei Tarkovsky once said that art is never made under ideal conditions. When I mentioned this one day to Warren Chang he said “No, but it certainly is nice when you can.” 😉

[@justinguitarcia]

Nice. At my studio I've been using the Focusrite Clarett 8pre for years with some outboard gear. It's an excellent unit for live rehearsals etc. Yet since the quarantine I've been marooned at home so just ordered the Apollo and I'm stoked to try it out for my living room setup.

[@EdThorne]

That’s great, Justin. I’m sure you’ll love it 👌

[@marioofficalmusic]

Justin Garcia hows it been? I’m in the exact situation! Is it worth it

[@masterstacker2833]

Apollo rules. Consider getting a satellite unit if you need more SHARC processing power.

[@djpurefire]

Hi Ed, congratulations on your 10k following 😉 Thanks so much for your great videos, i find them really interesting & accurate too 👍 I used my AKG flat response headphones to listen to your video, but only through my iPhone. I can hear the difference between the two, with the Apollo Twin sounding a bit brighter & the Focusrite Scarlett a bit warmer. I think both are lovely, with the price considered 😉 I hear your voice too, best wishes ☘️

[@optipwr40]

This was a great comparison video. Thank you for it!

[@EdThorne]

Thank you. You can find more information about the Apollo DSP and Unison plugins in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@tothrec]

Thank you so much for the detailed reviews and comparison. The Apollo has a cleaner and more open sound (as you noted). It's not just how one track sounds, imagine the difference when used to record 20 tracks (it adds up).

[@EdThorne]

Exactly this 👌

[@akbarishmael3551]

I like them both.... I can use either .... and still get top notch sound from both! I just use them both differently.... the Scarlett I’ll mainly use simple eq & compressors.... and with the Apollo I’ll use the plug-ins that I bought for it!

[@operationkickass1049]

First video to give a good explanation as to why there is such a big price difference. Thanks

[@EdThorne]

operation kickass Thanks.

[@batphink2655]

Smashing review Ed they both sounds great to my ear and I agree the Apollo has a little more depth yet an almost transparency in the detail.

[@EdThorne]

Thanks 🙂 I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the new Apollo Solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@W4TSKY]

got an apollo twin mk2 a few weeks ago. upgraded from an older native instruments audio 6. the difference is undeniable.

[@jesusvalenzuelamusic]

Hey brotha I have the same interface what, about it did you notice ?

[@reekrodriqguez6552]

^^

[@KennyLauderdale]

They sound the same to me... I mean honestly when you add drums and guitars and sythns... You'll never hear the "corona cough"... Scarlett is good enough...

[@walesu.k.2108]

Great video very informative, that set up you have is sweet! That hair is also fire 🔥

[@EdThorne]

Haha, thanks :-) Glad the video was useful.

[@Bgoods]

Nice informative A/B video. I learned from this. Thanks.

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome. Glad you learned something 😀

[@WaltThizzney415]

I used an MBOX 2 at my home studio for years and had a few songs actually make the radio with my recordings, mic placement and great mixing made the difference.

[@almas7123]

Ok you got my attention. Help this rookie out. What or how to I mix great?

[@WaltThizzney415]

@@almas7123 if all you are recording is vocals, sound blankets are a godsend, I set them up in triangle and put the mic in a corner. Once I get a good signal, I know my vocal takes are will be good in general. I never mix at home though, unless it’s for reference for my mixing engineer. I do have a good relationship with someone who mixes for $150 a track, they not only do a great job but they also will zoom me in on the session to make sure the vision is complete. You also want a mixing engineer who is gonna add the proper treatment i.e. tuning and aligning, and in some cases sound additions or sound subtractions. There are mixing engineers that are more pricy, and they often doesn’t include a master either. I have had mixes done by engineers who charge $1000, which were in respect to the engineer, worth every penny, but I also NEVER write off my current mixing engineer because he has the same skills and charges way less and I know the tracks are just as good I’m quality, if not better in some cases. I also do know my mixing engineer does use an Apollo twin and has a ton of UA plugins that make up a lot of the sessions.

[@WaltThizzney415]

@@almas7123 also take some sound engineering class If you can it will really help with the basics of anything you might be missing, like learning Eqs and bus channels all which greatly make up the fundamental part of it

[@SauliusMatas1]

A big thing to consider is whether you plan on adding hardware pre-amps to your rig. The Apollo Twin usually comes with a small bundle of UAD plug-ins, which in my case included the UA-610 pre, LA-2A, 1176 and Fairchild compressors, and Pultec EQ. I use all of these, but the most important one for me, by far, is the "Unison" version of the UA-610. To my ears, this plug-in is indistinguishable from the hardware version, in every possible way. I've owned a lot of hardware pre's that I've been unloading since I bought the Apollo Twin. I no longer need ANY hardware pre-amps.

[@vexpired7559]

I am in the process of up-grading my equipment and found your analysis very helpful indeed. Thanks.

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome, I’m glad it was useful. I have plenty of UAD videos on the way. Here’s one about the Unison Preamps you might find useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn6bh2yol553lZY

[@vexpired7559]

@@EdThorne Thanks Ed, as l mentioned, l'm upgrading my equipment now. What is your opinion on HEDD monitor speakers type-20 3way, or do you have another make l should look at ? Appreciate your thoughts.

[@EdThorne]

Dr Chair Advise I haven’t heard the HEDD stuff first hand but it’s apparently VERY similar to the Adam Audio speakers (as the HEDD people are former employees of AA). The Adam stuff is great so I’d guess HEDD is great. I’m really happy with my Nuemann KH120s. Check out the 310s for their three-way version. They get brilliant reviews.

[@vexpired7559]

@@EdThorne Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble by answering my question. I guess l am going to go for it, as it'll be the last monitors l'll ever get and listening & seeing its spec, seems to tick all the correct boxes ! Also the UA Apollo 4x interface, that you brilliantly demo'd, will make all the difference. By your accent, are you from London. I lived there for 25 years, based in Ealing and now back to my roots in the NorthWest near Liverpool. Keep on doing your great videos, it is really nice not to hear a load of waffling about all thing other than the subject in hand, as others do across the pond ?

[@EdThorne]

@@vexpired7559 I think you'll really like the HEDD speakers. I too am from the north, although not as far as you, but I've been in London 15 years. Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you like the channel. Let me know how you get on with the speakers :-)

[@ytvideos101]

Nice video and keep up the great work! IMHO...Focusrite demo seemed to have more compression where as the Universal Audio demo seemed more crisp with detail and a bit louder.

[@EdThorne]

Scott Davidson Thanks Scott. I didn’t quite get the gains balanced in this comparison but I’d say the Apollo is clearer with more top end detail anyway giving it the impression of being louder as well. I got the balance right in this video and the sound differences are the same: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmaTlaqVd8uomrc

[@CYMotorsport]

in a studio monitoring situation, it's pretty obvious. but given I don't make music, I 100% can still hear it in the final product. as can the audience. many people have recognized the wider range for the apollo when it's layered with other effects. for voiceover, it's very helpful if youre working with cinematic music. For reference, you display it at 8:40. Look at those waves. great review!

[@EdThorne]

Thank you 🙂🙏

[@Leonidas909]

I don't get it, one wave is just louder than the other, which is bad A B comparison btw, people will always choose the louder sound.

[@EdThorne]

@@Leonidas909 Yeh, I didn’t quite get the gains balanced in this comparison. I did however get the balance right in this video and the sound differences are the same: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5zYpqt8q7N1lck

[@DJeMo]

Yeah the pre amp in the apollo must have a little nip on dynamic range pick up, judging by the wave difference

[@TheRealDirtySkillz]

Can't compression and EQ fix the Focusrite. You can make templates for your vocal chain channel. That's what I've done.

[@Henchproductions]

The really huge difference comes in to play when using the unison feature of the, UAD when tracking. You get to record hrough the modeled Pre-amps. As well as complete latency free tracking with the plugins.

[@EdThorne]

Yes. Do you monitor with plugins, and do you record/write any of these when recording?

[@Henchproductions]

@@EdThorne The unison slot in the console makes the plugin in the recording. The rest you can choose. I choose not to. But if I start running out if DSP, I'll commit in protools, which basically dus an offline voice, then makes the existing track inactive.

[@gitarman666]

Love my Apollos! although I only use a few choice uad2 plugs with unison tech, cost and cpu both are obvious contributing factors

[@diegoambrosio5718]

It seems as the buyer gets what buyer pays for. Excellent video!

[@jdutra]

this has been a question I've had for a long time. Thank you for this well edited video. I think it's clear that the Scarlett has placed itself in the market in a very specific combination of price range vs quality, while UAD has a different approach, mostly directed to who's a few years into home studio audio production. Thanks!

[@EdThorne]

jdutra Thank you 🙏 The Scarlett is great value for money, especially with the bonus plugins etc. Thanks for watching.

[@paullennox2404]

A big lure for the apollo is the plugins; especially using them in 'Unison' mode with the unit - in essence turning your mic input into either an api, neve or other desk through the software. I've been using the neve pre on the unison input for everything and the tonal character difference is amazing. I also print a lot of pre recorded tracks through the same plugin and the character difference is night and day to me. DSP limitations are annoying although i'm happy to put up with them due to the quality of the plugins. Its the diminishing returns thing really.... Had a scarlett 18i6 for 6 years and loved it, but I couldn't go back now (annoyingly!). Great vid

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Paul. I have a new series starting tomorrow diving deeper into the Apollo world. I’ll be exploring Unison, monitoring/printing fx and DSP management in much more detail. 🙂

[@FreeEngland1]

Do the neve and api plugins come with apollo or is it just the unison preamp capability? Cheers ✌️👍

[@DannyOrtizMusic]

Really helpful video. Thanks man!!

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching. For more info on Apollo features, check out my review of the new Solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@bigstr9178]

Just upgraded from Maudio M track 2x2 C series, to the apollo twin x and I'm loving it. There is definitely a noticeable difference. Nice videos by the way new sub here👍👍

[@EdThorne]

That’s great. Glad the video was useful. Check out my Everything Apollo playlist for Apollo/Console tutorials: kzbin.info/aero/PLPGp5cq-hMjyC2_RhjC3dK5BaPrsqPyDu

[@bigstr9178]

@@EdThorne thank you :) your videos are very helpful

[@singmysong4444]

Just bought the Scarlett 2i2 and LOVE it!!! This unit rocks! I'm doing Voice Over Work and need a quiet quiet interface.... This one does it for me.... Nice review...

[@thejbfactory5793]

I wasted so much time and money in the studio splitting hairs. Then I realized that the regular customer has absolutely no idea about the sonics. Either they like the song or they don't.

[@EdThorne]

James Brown This is very true. And most people listen to music through their phone speakers or AirPods anyway 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@kombe971]

UAD has talk back mic and processes the plug ins independently of the DAW. That’s why it’s more expensive

[@UPxYOURs2]

@@ghostbaum tru

[@Francisco-dr4yi]

They don’t “realize” it , but better mixes don’t cause ear fatigue and are easier to replay.

[@novusordoseclorum1915]

hahahahaha you cant look at it that way man......music is to be felt too....thats what all the money for good gear come in at. To get rid of the rugged and harsh unnecessary subtle stuff. It pays off in the end.✨

[@ZuitSuit]

Bro great vocs and thank you for the vid i was about too break the bank on the appolo but im a baller on a budget and i can upgrade down the road :) You rock

[@EdThorne]

Yeh man, that’s what a I did. I used a Scarlett for years before upgrading.

[@fasgamboa]

3:40 - about external processing power. What to look for to know an external audio interface has that processing capacity? Looking for an interface I can use plugins with no delay, but the Apollo is a bit to much $

[@EdThorne]

Hi. In that case check out the Steinberg UR22C. That comes with onboard dsp.

[@jadeone]

Another thing to consider is using 0 latency plugins a la Presonus/Acustica/Brainworx with a low buffer size. Anything under 8.6ms or so should be undetectable as latency, which should be totally achievable with any modern interface.

[@batphink2655]

@@EdThorne That's what I uses it's a great one for the money!

[@RipperTheEntertainer]

I listened on headphones. They both sound great. To me the cheaper one has a better over all sound. I can work with that

[@DBLCreations]

They both sound great in my opinion. I have the Apollo Twin X quad myself and i have them connected to Genelec 8040 monitors. I might give it a listen with my headphones though but thus far, i think they sound both great!

[@DidierBampiliMusicProduction]

I have the best music content check me out

[@ashfaqsamir909]

Bro, I love your video very very much. Can you please be kind enough to answer- Is it microphone and monitor needed for sound mixing or production? My intention is only making track without voice or song...... Waiting for your kind feedback.

[@EdThorne]

Thank Samir. This video may help you. Instead of getting a vocal mic you could get a condenser mic for recording acoustic guitars. Or plug straight into your interface. 5 Things You Need To Start Recording Music Right Now kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6qzipSmpK-GrJo

[@hotjamsm07]

I own both interfaces. You can get good, pro-quality recordings from both. The big difference for me is that Apollo has a thunderbolt interface. This allows me to track vocals or guitars in real-time with plugins. I mainly use my apollo as a "digital" amp locker. I have most of the amp sims and they are excellent. When I'm tracking I can not detect any latency. When I'm tracking vocals on the Appollo I have several legendary vocal amp/sims and they are really good. I can also add EQ, compressors, reverb, and track in real-time with no latency. Is the overall sound better? For me, I really can't tell, they both do a great job. However, the Apollo is much more than a simple interface.

[@Sen-lx4kl]

Totally agree.I own both,too. Apollo twin do very great job in vocal and guitar tracking.Also I'm very satisfying in compose,arrange and mix with scarlett 2i2.

[@joshshultz1250]

if you are setup correctly you should not be detecting any noticeable latency with usb

[@perniciousreaper4393]

Interesting take. I have the Scarlett and use numerous plugins during tracking with no detectable latency.

[@hotjamsm07]

@@Sen-lx4kl I have been very impressed with the quality of the Scarlet. Amazing for the price.

[@jahlijahman]

I’ve used the Scarlett 2i2 for 5 years and I recently upgraded to the Apollo Twin Mkii... I’m not saying you can’t make great professional recordings with the Scarlett 2i2, because great records have been made on a tascam 244 four track, but I will say, I don’t regret upgrading to the Apollo and the plugins that you can only get on an Apollo Interface are truly amazing. I think if you’re looking to “open pandora’s box” and be inspired by new plugins and sounds, get an Apollo Twin. Otherwise stick to what you got and keep recording great music! (:

[@EdThorne]

Are you using the Unison Preamps? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn6bh2yol553lZY

[@sportsman2103]

I came from a shitty lexicon omega and i can hear a massive difference in audio quality even the frequency spread changes in span

[@knutivanhoven3638]

This was a great ad for the Scarlet. I couldn't honestly tell the difference on the compare it recordings.

[@EdThorne]

The Scarlett is great value for money. The Apollo is on another level in terms of monitoring and functionality.

[@johnivory3005]

Thank you for this video!

[@EdThorne]

John Ivory You’re welcome John. Thanks for watching 🙂🙏

[@Danny2009ie]

The main Apollo benefit for me are the UAD plugins. The sense of presence/space and rich tone would be very difficult to create on the Scarlett. Not sure you would notice this so much in a mix, but side by side on good monitors there is a clear difference between Scarlett and Apollo. Worth it for me. Especially for recording challenging instruments with huge range like acoustic guitar.

[@EdThorne]

I agree Daniel. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@dustinthiessen]

heck, you don't even need good monitors to hear the differences... they were quite apparent to me, just listening on my laptop speakers

[@finnlomax5715]

@@dustinthiessen The conversion in UAD apollos interfaces is far superior too :)

[@sylvesterheisenberg7682]

Thanks for the comments. Im paranoid about how much scarlet advertises youtubers I've been trying to see the differences cause it's clearly over hyped

[@arash5550]

@@sylvesterheisenberg7682 check arturia mini fuse. That 100 $ interface just kills Scarlett preamp. Like the Scarlett sounds tiny compare to minifuse! So yes it's overhyped.

[@jessestuart4728]

Some have posted inaccurately about the specs of the two interfaces. 15dBu max o/p for the 2i2, and 20dBu max o/p for the twin. Likewise the 2i2 ha can handle 9dBu input level, while 25dBu for the twin. The 2i2 is similar to other usb powered interfaces in that it is low power and will not accommodate signal levels from pro outboard gear. Having an interface with low enough latency that one can monitor through the daw and not need a separate hardware (driver) mixer to handle headphone mixes. This really speeds up workflow. This is due to the Thunderbolt architecture in the twin. Likewise having DSP for headphone reverbs which don't force a higher I/O buffer is really helpful. As we are often needing a lot of plugins, having some that are DSP powered helps things. I would agree with others who have posted on this video that people sometimes try to replace an experience deficit with more costly gear purchases. However, the idea that someone who is wanting to approach the sound quality of Neve (UAD plugins) for example, wanting higher quality conversion, or engineers in a professional studio; are all compensating for something is ridiculous. There is a reason why historically the best albums have been recorded in professional studios: they have access to higher quality mics, preamps, consoles, monitoring acoustics. While one channel's worth of class A gear may not make the album way better, you can't deny the over all effect of Class A gear on all the tracks in a production. While the UAD is not really the same thing, at least it tries (preamp emulation, modeled plug-ins) and gets closer. There is also a reason why experience as an engineer or producer makes or breaks a recording. Some DAW users however view modeling of the harmonic characteristics of vintage gear or using vintage gear, as snake oil or unnecessary. Their productions tend to become bland and two dimensional. There is an art form in how the gear is used that isn't just dialing in compressor or eq settings. The UAD, while not quite the same as vintage gear, gives you more in this regard than a Scarlett interface. A Scarlett interface is cheaper and what I can say as an owner of the 18i8 is that there is nothing wrong with it. For the money, getting an 18i8 and having a system that has clean & quiet head-amps, no driver issues, and comes with some really useful Softube plugins is great, so long as someone doesn't expect the head amp to sound like a 1073.

[@clarke.inverary]

Great thing about the 18i8 is that you you can bypass the AD converter's and choose your own via the digital input.

[@ChinoMagliba]

UAD Apollo for sure!!! I came from using Behringer Xenyx USB, M-Audio ProFire 2626, M-Audio 2X2M track, Focusrite 2i2 3rd gen, and now using Apollo Twin Duo mkii. Looking forward to upgrade x4 soon! The zero latency tracking solved most of my recording and practicing problems before. Yes, the differences are dramatic for me personally. And I love UAD plugins!!!

[@MusiclyJorge]

Hey Ed great video , You are awsome! I have a question about both Apollo Twin and Flcusrite, If i plug 250 ohms headphones straight to thier headphome jack would they supply enough power to run the headphones? Or i need to have Headphone Amp in addition to the soundcard...?

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Steve 🙂 The Apollo has a strong headphone output and will have enough gain for your 250 Ohms headphones. I run 300Ohm HD600s with mine and there’s plenty of headroom. With the Scarlett, I can get enough volume for tracking/playback but there’s not much headroom to get a good direct monitoring mix, even with my 64Ohm HD300Pros.

[@gphillimo]

I have gotten great results with the focusrite. I also have a i7 cpu so I don't get any latency when recording. I won't be using the apollo unless it's gifted to me.

[@Conradmusic]

Good stuff, if you look at the manuals for the Apollo and the focusrite, in the technical specs section, you’ll see slight differences in things like THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise), and if you research the physics of those measurements, you’ll understand the difference. The expensive sound cards are physically clearer. And prob have better physical transistors etc.

[@EdThorne]

Exactly. Good info, Conrad.

[@lqr824]

specs aren't always meaningful though. For instance even-harmonic harmonic distortion is warming, odd-harmonic distortion is nasty. 0.1% THD doesn't tell you whether the distortion it does have sounds good or not.

[@VoxTone2009]

You would hear more difference between a cheap, ok, good or great interface by using an acoustic guitar, piano etc. There is where the different level mic pres will really make a different. Also need really good headphones to hear the difference or a really good sound system.

[@higgnbe]

there is a difference that i could hear but the scarlett was right up there and since I have the 18i20 I feel pretty damn good about it

[@EdThorne]

The Scarlett’s are great 😀

[@theconspiracyofnoize5984]

I bought my Scarlett for$80.00 . Obviously if I could afford the more expensive one right now I’d get it. But I appreciate the information for a future purchase. The Scarlett is just a starting point for my budget right now

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome. The Scarlett is great for the money. And what’s most important is getting recording. 🙂

[@theconspiracyofnoize5984]

Ed Thorne sorry for the tinge of sarcasm there 😁😉

[@andrebrown4677]

Please could you do a Audient ID44 & Apollo X comparison please! Many thanks for this video. Can hear the Apollo has for Thickness. It's a shame though the the DSP Chips only serve their UAD Plugins only :(

[@EdThorne]

Andre Brown Hi Andre. That’s on my to do list when I can get hold of one 😀

[@candyflip6345]

Thanks for this video.

[@msi1985]

Hey great video excellent production job and great a/b comparison ! I have a question about how did the test ' my initial theory is that you already had that vocal track and what we heard was each one of those interfaces processing and sending it to your DAW ? I had a similar idea to test audio interfaces, specifically for my tracking guitar My idea was to play something on my boss looper, then use each respective audio interface to send the signal into the DAW. Currently I'm using the focusrite 2i2 3rd gen, and I will say for the $200 price tag has served me well.

[@EdThorne]

Hi. Thank you for the positive feedback, I appreciate that. I recorded the vocals on separate takes through each interface. I think your idea is actually a better way to get a more consistent result performance wise, however my concern would then be people complaining about the boss loop pedal ‘colouring, or ‘altering’ the sound. What I could do, is send the audio from the DAW, through the headphone output, back into the XLR input on the interface, but then technically the headphone output could colour the sound too. Basically you can’t win on KZbin 🤣

[@msi1985]

@@EdThorne you're right it's only 16bit depth at 44.1khz BUT at least it would be consistent across each test , some kind of a splitter unit into each interface at the same time could also do the trick Does KZbin compress audio ? Just wondering how much different your a/b sounds in person vs the upload

[@SanFordBeats]

I got both and you can definitely tell the difference when using them. It’s all about how you using it, like I use Scarlett to make beats and then when I need to record artist I switch to the Apollo, it’s good and worth the money if you have it. But if you got the Scarlett just use what you got until it’s time to buy a new one when you saved enough, don’t let people get to u , whether having the expensive one making you better at what your doing. #KeepGrindin

[@EdThorne]

Well said 🙂

[@dvnito3890]

why you dont just use the apollo for beats too?

[@EarthCry]

What isnt being discussed here is that the output converters of any given interface are extremely important for mix decision making. I came from using MOTU interfaces and felt when I moved over to UAD that I could simply hear a bit more detail. This is something you cant really experience unless first hand. Also KZbin's audio compression as well as the compression in the video render is going to seriously limit your ability to hear the difference in clarity between the units. My 2 cents. Great review thanks!

[@EdThorne]

EarthCry I agree with you, definitely best heard in person. Do you think it’s worth while posting the raw audio files on my website for people to hear themselves?

[@EarthCry]

@@EdThorne sure! While its likely difficult to do with vocals, trying to gain match the takes would help. Louder is always perceived as "better" to the inexperienced.

[@EdThorne]

I tried, but not hard enough it seems 😀 I adjusted the output signal so they were the same level but the Apollo is just a fuller sounding device with more top end making it sound louder. A lot of people have been listening using their eyes too because the wave forms are different. I definitely paid much more attention to this on my following interface video (across ten devices - that was tricky). 😀

[@ghostbaum]

so you're saying crappier interfaces compress well and better ones don't?

[@seriosmusic]

@@ghostbaum I don't think either of them do compression on their own. The quieter sound isn't compressed, it just didn't capture as much data.

[@mothergoose4231]

you get what you pay for. Ive had both and UA equipment is hands down the best. love the plug in options as well. the focus right is great for budget and entry level. or just personal preference. nice vid.

[@NicholasGreenwood]

I'm very satisfied with my $150 Roland Rubix22. I can see myself moving on to the Apollo for reasons entirely separate from audio quality--I want the external processing and access to UAD plug-ins, which sound amaaaaazing.

[@EdThorne]

Those are good reasons to upgrade. Plus the Unison preamp emulations are great, and it’s a much more functional desktop controller.

[@mariodriessen9740]

There was actually a much bigger difference than I expected. I'm a beginner and I bought the Scarlett not long ago. I'm not disapointed, but when I'm beginning to get good at this I would definitely invest in the Apollo Twin, or something even better.

[@EdThorne]

For the money, the Scarlett is great, it does a good job. It’s worth getting familiar with all the plugins that come with it. Enjoy the creative process 🙂

[@mariodriessen9740]

Ed Thorne ; Thanks, I will! :-)

[@davidallred991]

I have Scarlett 18i8 and Octopre because I have lots of small synths that I like to jam live on so I need lots of inputs, so I am a fan because of price level. I couldn't do all this in the "Pro" line of interfaces. From my understanding when they say "Pro" the difference is if your sound is going to be used in a professional setting. If you are looking to make a track that is going to be played through a banging club sound system or in a movie theater, then you will then notice the difference. So I think it is hard to tell the difference much in normal environments. I could be wrong, that is just my understanding.

[@dovane9932]

Great video. I saw several videos that tell the UAD's team really work only with Mac owners even in the support after buying. It is a tough decision when you are on Windows... Best from France.

[@EdThorne]

Dovane Thanks Dovane. UAD have reportedly been slow to support Windows but I think they’re working on this. The new Solo comes in two models, one specifically for Mac and the other specifically for PC.

[@AngeloTsocosMusic]

Really good review mate! May I ask why you didn't address the bleed that the focusrite has? It makes it unusable for me as the bleed from one port to another is disastrous when I have tested them. Did you find this?

[@metalheadblues]

I believe focusrite sorted that issue out on the 3rd gen

[@theeverythingelectronicsst3897]

The Apollo definitely was more clearer... I could tell and hear the difference... Whether or not it's a 600 pound difference I'm not convinced...

[@almas7123]

I didn’t watch the video, just viewing comments about it. My question since you could tell the diff, did he show the interface as you listened to it or did he hide it from you and made you guess which interface you think it was. That would be more Legit in my opinion. Too often we say the brand is just better because it’s pricier, etc.

[@OfficialGOD]

KZbin​ dude go to soundcloud

[@streetlogic]

focusrite still has focus control like the UAD console. not sure if the scarlet solo but i have the 18i20. but interesting video

[@chestiancrowley5999]

I have the Solo... Nope it doesn't.

[@ryanschindler923]

I have the 2i2 and it doesn't

[@ethansmithmusic]

the 8i6 has Focusrite control!

[@improving-audio]

Ed, good comparison, thank you - would love a similar comparison between Scarlett and an obviously 'pro' unit like a Babyface Pro FS.

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Steve. I suspect there’d be no comparison. The Apollo is already in another league in comparison. I’ll look into it though, thanks 🙂

[@improving-audio]

@@EdThorne Thanks! I think your video very nicely shows the higher quality of the Apollo. The chatter I hear is that the engineering quality of the Babyface is the best and I was wondering if that translates into any obvious audio improvement. Maybe the comparison could be between the Apollo and Babyface. Keep up the good work!

[@4renzicfiles92]

I got the old school Scarlett 2i4 at least 10 years old. Never had an issue.

[@EdThorne]

Good British engineering, Built to last 💪

[@jayjay1drum1skate]

Was the air feature on when recording this? Great comparison man

[@EdThorne]

Hi James, no but you can hear it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmaTlaqVd8uomrc

[@thatchinaboi]

Then it's not a fair comparison.

[@MK-fw4to]

@@thatchinaboi lol what

[@brandondithberry]

Apollo does sound more rounded and warm. Almost like more information is being captured in a smooth way. I’ve never really liked Focusrite interfaces besides their Clarett series.

[@secondbow9409]

Hi Ed, very nice comparison, thanks for that ! I'd have a question for you: I am using a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 first generation and don't need all those in-/outputs anymore. I was thinking of upgrading to a used UA Apollo Twin that would work on my old system that I haven't updated in a couple of years because it just works fine (2012 Mac Mini, OSX 10.9.5, Logic 10.0.7). What do you suggest which generation Apollo I should consider with that set-up? THanks for your opinion! cheers, Peter

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome, thank you for watching. I’d suggest the Twin Mkii/thunderbolt. Just double check the connections in your MacMini.

[@ciggsy]

damn, good comparison man.... love it

[@wolverine3344]

Definite difference , way more air and texture on the twin. I’m awaiting a comparison between twin X and Apogee Symphony Desktop. Is this one you’re considering to review later this month upon launch?

[@EdThorne]

* WOLVERINE * Thanks for the comment. I have another video planned for more budget sound cards before I do any higher end stuff.

[@yaboylevi]

The Focusrite is amazing, I have the 3rd gen Solo and it's so good! I love it!

[@EdThorne]

Levi Its great value for money, especially with all the free plugins and samples. 👌

[@billB101]

I have a 3rd gen Solo and a RME babyface and honestly on my ADAM A7x's I hear no difference between the two. Obviously the RME is a lot more expandable ( I have expert sleepers ES3 and ES6 for a modular/DAW hookup using RME's ADAT ins and outs ) and it has XLR outs and nice pres, but that's pretty much where it ends.

[@reekrodriqguez6552]

bill borez You have the new one or older one?

[@billB101]

@@reekrodriqguez6552 I have the original RME babyface.

[@LeMans512]

A perfect example of the law of diminishing returns. Great review.

[@EdThorne]

Thanks, Kenneth. I left a few key details out of this video in hindsight. The value in the Apollo is in the Unison Preamps, UAD plugins, near zero latency whilst monitoring with the plugins, the ability to print these monitoring effects as you record, and it’s desktop controller functionality. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the new Apollo Solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@brianolson_music]

Great video. Super helpful. Thanks for posting. I have to admit, I like the Apollo much better. Having a focustite (similar or same model but designed for iPad/lightning cable cable) noticed right away the same boundaries I have when recording vocal. Focusrite is totally awesome and a true godsend compared to the old 4 track recorders I used to use, not bad at all don’t get me wrong....., I love it.... but there’s just something missing in the vocal mix.... but I really feel I need, or want badly. £600 bad.... still debating that... this video is not helping my savings goals at the moment. Lol

[@EdThorne]

Thanks for watching, Brian. The value in the Apollo is in the Unison Preamps, UAD plugins, near zero latency whilst monitoring with the plugins, the ability to print these monitoring effects as you record, and it’s desktop controller functionality. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the new Apollo Solo, which may be good alternative for you too 🙂: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@andremigcasol]

You can do a better job at getting the loudness right. In the first run it wasn't too obvious, but when you're ABing the Apollos parts are definitelt louder, which can result in it feeling like there is more brightness and detail to it.

[@davidgriffin79]

Listening through: computer -> optical -> Arcam rDAC -> CI Audio VHP2 headphone amp -> Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 250Ω I would say the Apollo has a slightly "harder" sound than the Scarlett; also, what sounds to be the delayed bleed from the vocalist headphones is more apparent with the Scarlett. IMO the Scarlett is the more transparent. As with Hi-Fi equipment, it's easy to hear extra things in the music when one item is several times more expensive than the other; confirmation bias.

[@CzarPharo]

As with Hi-Fi equipment, it's easy to hear extra things in the music when one item is several times more expensive than the other; confirmation bias. What did you mean by this statement? I'm not understanding you.

[@Rouwiinator]

Interesting choice of things to compare. There's not really anything unprofessional about the focusrite stuff but I think both units don't really have a lot in common.

[@EdThorne]

That’s the point of the video, to explain how a cheaper and more expensive interface differ in functionality and features.

[@DocHollidayGames]

To get a complete comparison of the two, it would help to hear the vocal track in the context of the mix.

[@EdThorne]

This is a good shout, and something I’ve done in more recent videos. This video was early into my KZbin career and the mix idea hadn’t occurred to me. Thanks for the suggestion. 🙂

[@ellobobeats6324]

I can hear the subtle difference. I like the sound of the apollo. The apollo makes the vocals sound a little more compressed and warm. As where the scarellet sounds a tiny bit more flat

[@EdThorne]

I agree. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@BosomNogomPanjIzvali]

nobody talks about Behringer U-phoria umc 404. This is just a stellar low price audio interface with midas preams, christal clear sound recording, low latenci (really low latency), mono/stereo button, multiple outs, a/b monitors, single earphones out, pad, inst, line buttons etc... Stellar for 110Euros I paid for it!

[@dkambury]

Good comparison. I had a Focusrite 6i6 before I got the Apollo 8, and “felt” it sounded better, but was well-aware it could just be my own confirmation bias at work. So it was nice to hear them A-B’d. My initial impression, before you said anything, was that the UAD had more depth and more “air.” It may not make a huge difference in one track, but with multiple tracks stacked together could really have an impact. I’d be curious to hear the comparison with the Scarlett’s Air button engaged and disengaged, compared with both itself with the UAD. Anyway, good video, but the background music was entirely too distracting. Keep ‘em coming!

[@EdThorne]

Dennis Kambury Thanks for the feedback Dennis. My model is also the 6i6 so I didn’t have the air button to hand, but I figured otherwise it would likely sound the same and it would be better to talk about the new model. Any particular bit of music you didn’t like? Too loud?

[@dkambury]

Ed Thorne, the music itself was fine, but I guess too loud, cause I kept having my focus drawn away by it. Too catchy, maybe ;)

[@EdThorne]

@@dkambury Haha. Too catchy - I'll take that. I have tried to pay attention this on subsequent videos and checked the audio levels on different systems. Thanks for the feedback :-)

[@jaskiewicz_music]

Great Review! I think Scarlett is the great starting point, if you want to upgrade your home recording studio I would definitely save money to get better microphones..

[@EdThorne]

Thanks. Yeh, upgrading your mic first is a good shout. This will probably make the biggest sound difference before an interface. 👌

[@nuw4ve]

The biggest difference is the extra features that appolo comes with. Our consumers are nubes so the sound quality will go unnoticed tbh but getting antaras and all those plug ins AND the ability to track my guitar through it makes it better

[@EdThorne]

I agree. Glad you like it

[@TechWeLove]

Dang. They are pretty close, which is surprising for the price difference. When I listen to them over and over, I am not sure I can tell the difference.

[@EdThorne]

The value in the Apollo is in the Unison Preamps, UAD plugins, near zero latency whilst monitoring with the plugins, the ability to print these monitoring effects as you record, and it’s desktop controller functionality. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the new Apollo Solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooqnd4SGaNB1mac

[@orangevst]

Question... what if you don’t record and need the interface for daw playback? I guess besides the dsp there’s no issue for latency, but what if you are looking for fast playback and latency via midi what protocol is recommended? Do these have any differences in terms of playback? Usb vs thunderbolt?

[@marcoscorsolini8803]

Definitely different. BUT, what about MIDI? How much of a difference it would make? Thank you!