SOUNDCRAFT NOTEPAD 12FX VS FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 18I8

[@edward2359]

I wanted to say thank you for doing this AB comparison. I'm a professional Engineer, and was looking into Soundcraft notepad series as possible small notebook setup. It seams that the EQ circuit, since its not by-passable via hardware switch,.. is shifting phase a bit. I have heard this before on many small format mixers, but it has been more than.... years and years since I tried to track that way. The scarlet has a more coloured sound as far as AD/DA converters go, but it also sounds clean and up front with more dynamics and presence... as straight wire with gain Mic amp to AD conversion sounds. You did an excellent job explaining and showing this comparison, and I appreciate it. For my work flow, I'm just going to go with a pricier small MOTU with cue mix section to macbook pro. I'm sure if you need a small format mixer for live or podcast, soundcraft would be a better choice then some in that price range. Thanks Again Ed from Los Angeles

[@DebErney]

Sounds like your unit may be defective? I haven't had any problems with the one I have.

[@Featherlightstudio]

We do a lot of sub mixing with our 8FX and haven't experienced any kind of phase issues even, when going from the mixer straight into our Orion and monitoring the wave shape through RX. Its been quite clean and very full range especially compared to our other smaller interfaces. Only drawback is the 48khz limit sampling rate but, at this price point, its hard to be picky really

[@RokDAWG1]

I haven't had any phase shifting problems with mine. I actually use the hell out of mine. The signal is pretty crisp

[@timhoadacoustic]

Very interesting, thanks very much for making the time to make this video!

[@TheRycooder]

THANK YOU! I actually thought the Soundcraft was much better also. Smoother, deeper and not as harsh as the Focusrite....

[@tomblaze2]

Thanks - I was researching both!

[@richarddufresne2683]

Great review ! :-) I was at my favorite music store, and looking at the notepad 12-fx, and the focusrite 18i8. Merci ! :-)

[@DebErney]

Focusrite is much higher quality but the notepad has more functionality

[@moffatbanda6001]

I was throwing things at the Sound craft fx, sounds perfectly well with me. You 've to get a good configuration in terms levels, picks, trim, mic set up. Its a good unit if your on a budget

[@DebErney]

I agree. It's a nice unit for what it does in this price range.

[@tobytoxd]

Thank you! Very good comparison!

[@poalotesta7743]

I also think that the Notepad, has more versatility.It can be used quite easily for podcasting,among other things.

[@revolucionadamica]

Thanks!!!

[@bartomiejz3665]

Nice comparison. But please consider, sound levels are different. Focusrite is recorded at ca 10% higher level. Please compare diagrams heights at the same time points. It could have made a difference. Levels should be absolutely adjusted.

[@DebErney]

Preamps are definitely better with the FOCUSRITE Scarlett. Hard to beat the sound from it. My focus was to record the same sound levels for comparison.

[@bartomiejz3665]

Thank you again for comparison, it’s valuable. Believe me, I'm not voting for any option. Just during watching I heard different volume levels. Then I checked it precisely and it occurred I was right. See graphical comparison of levels at link : photos.app.goo.gl/A64sQqCenJabYSes8

[@papa.alfredo]

something you do not talk about is, it is very clear that the sound of Focusrite is far better and far more clear! I noticed the great distortion of the soundcraft when you were adjusting the sound level and I feel very upset about it because I was planning to buy one but now, it is the end of it! I will go for the Allen and Heath mixer interface! Thank you for the video

[@DebErney]

In my opinion the Allen Heath has much higher quality in every way.

[@PORRFNK]

Well, if you are overloading the pre-amps, then it will distort. Otherwise it's fine. The S/N will be raised quite a lot if using the pre-amps.

[@amitkarmakarmusical]

Focusrite 2i2 vs soundcraft notepad-12fx ? I need studio quality recording for my home studio as well as I need a mixer too for small live performance.... So I am confused... Which will be better for me? Can I get a studio quality preamp from soundcraft notepad-12fx like focusrite 2i2 ??? Pls give me suggestion.

[@DebErney]

I’m not a fan of the Soundcraft effects. It is a low cost option for 4 track usb recording. However if you want a clean recording over flexibility I’d recommend the FOCUSRITE. Can’t beat the preamps that give really clean USB recording.

[@moffatbanda6001]

@@DebErney, here you are right bro, Focusrite is one of the top industry products when it comes to preamps

[@MukeshRathore]

thanks for the video..really helpful..! in the beginning i got confused though by looking at the connections..i thought u r using both together..but later got clarify. i wanted to buy a mixer for my home studio which can help me record multitrack simultaneously in logic and i think notepad 12 fx is one..it can record 4 lines at the same time. any downside you have seen in 12fx for recording in daw?

[@DebErney]

I am having problems with it turning itself off when it gets really hot. it's done this 3 in the past year so not really a deal breaker. There is no Off/On switch. But for the price your going to be hard pressed to find something like this.

[@MukeshRathore]

@@DebErney that helps Deb ...thanks for the reply 🙌

[@DebErney]

@@MukeshRathore you are so welcome.

[@zefMusic]

Hi deb, have you tried to record in soundcraft/garage band at least two to four channels in real time. Like example in channel 1 guitar , channel two drum machine, channel 3 microphone.. ? Thankyou

[@DebErney]

I have recorded 3 channels at same time. Guitar, vocal, iPhone (1/8 earbud) for drum app.

[@rickparma]

IS THIS THE THIRD GENERATION SCARLETTE? Because if it is, then it has the LOOPBACK feature built in to get computer audio directly into logic. They are both great io devices but that loopback feature makes all the difference if you are trying to podcast or livestream.

[@DebErney]

I didn’t know this. Will have to check it out. Thanx.

[@johnbuchanan6547]

Thank you Deb for this video. The Focusrite has it for me. Not much difference regards the vocal but I thought that the acoustic guitar sounded just a tiny bit sweeter and cleaner with the Focusrite. What microphone did you use? Having said that though we are not comparing apples with apples. The Soundcraft is a mixer with a lot of extra adjustment available. Great value for money since there is very little difference in sound quality in my oppinion.

[@DebErney]

I love my Focusrite. Been using it for 5 years now. Never a problem and it always works.

[@johnbuchanan6547]

@@DebErney Thank you for your reply Deb. I wish you every success with what you are doing. Thank you again for your video. It was helpful.

[@romanb2638]

Hello Deb, I have a question. there's a really audible hi freq signal going from the usb channel (no sound sent from the computer and even with the usb cord disconnected)when the level knob turned up (no such signal from the other channels) is it ok or should i ask for replacement?

[@DebErney]

My advice is always get a replacement when in doubt. Most wait until exchange time has passed then your stuck with a defective unit.

[@romanb2638]

apparently, this high tone appears only when i turn on the 48khz option. nothing is wrong at 41,4kHz.. is it my bug or a general fault of the firmware 🤔?

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

SOUNDCRAFT sounded better with more clarity and smoother sound.

[@aiimsexam]

Is multi track recording possible on the soundcraft 12fx ??

[@DebErney]

Yes. 4 tracks in and out.

[@VukG]

@@DebErney is there a way to add more entries?

[@theboxrecording]

hi deb, how about the latency with soundcraft?

[@DebErney]

This mixer is a decent intro to digital recording with 4 tracks. Latency, as with anything else, is OK as long as your not intending to over mix the tracks.

[@theboxrecording]

@@DebErney great. Thank you

[@moffatbanda6001]

Usually, you have to check buffer size, especially when recording, that can help solve latency issues

[@theboxrecording]

@@moffatbanda6001 yes i know. I usually set to 64 for recording, and 1024 when mixing

[@roggo_x]

Hello, how many Bits does the Notepad USB interface have, 16 or 24? thx

[@DebErney]

I didn’t find bit rate info scanning the manuals. Perhaps you might have better luck finding what your looking for with the downloaded manual. If your looking for USB recording interface the Focusrite is a much better choice. My focusrite is perfection.

[@roggo_x]

@@DebErney Hi, in the website and the pdf manuals ther is no data about that parameters, in a video of youtube i see that in the software appear the data, 24 bits 48 khz, thx - Why is the Focusrite a better option?

[@DebErney]

The Focusrite is built like a tank. Very solid, very well built with quality materials and it always works. The Soundcraft had a few issues from the short time I had it. soundcraft was very light and not as well made and the sound was not the quality of the FocusRite.

[@AlieNTriP]

Hi, can I use the SoundCraft 12fx using an iPad with Garage Band as DAW instead of a laptop or pc?

[@DebErney]

You should be able to as long as you use a power source.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Does the eq transfer via usb direct to the computer/daw from the Soundcraft?

[@DebErney]

Depending on your software and Soundcraft setup. It can record pre or post effects.

[@mtjoeng]

As a DAW NOTEPAD 12FX USB = 2x2 (in fact the stereo channels) FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 18I8 specs say 18x6, that's the difference

[@DebErney]

the Focusrite has better compressors? I think you would be hard pressed to find something with better/cleaner input processing than the Focusrite. That being said the Notepad is certainly worth the money and does everything Soundcraft claims.

[@rickparma]

why would you be surprised at the sound quality? Harman used to be Harman and Kardon...They have always been known for top-tier sound quality.

[@DebErney]

The price was so low. My bad.

[@montadordesueniosmontadord9065]

Amt r2 preamp + guitar + ? Only for home

[@jeromemckenna7102]

Given the cost differential the Soundcraft looks like a good deal.

[@DebErney]

Good morning Jerome. I've been using it to play out. The recording is decent enough though you are going to get much cleaner recordings using a dedicated DAW piece like Focusrite.

[@dhrubajyotimukherjee9699]

Does the soundcraft notepad 12fx has problems with the drivers in Windows 10?

[@DebErney]

sorry, I don't use Windows. I'm a Mac person.

[@VitoCaminito]

The soundcraft is 16, 24 or 32 bits? AND khz??

[@DebErney]

You can check the website for that.

[@roggo_x]

@@DebErney on its website it does not say the bitrate of these mixers, only that they work at 41 and 48 khz

[@DebErney]

@@roggo_x Have you called your sales rep? Or the company? I imagine they would have the info.

[@roggo_x]

@@DebErney 24 bits, 48 khz, thx

[@peterbode3005]

Hello Deb, nice one! How are you doing?

[@DebErney]

Hey Peter. I’m doing well. Thanx for asking. I’m in Florida for the next month then back home to texas. How are you doing?

[@peterbode3005]

I'm fine, Deb. Thank you. I have been in Florida twice, in Naples. Wonderful. Also visited Kennedy Space Denter, was very impressing. You have holiday now?

[@DebErney]

Sort of. Family and RVing along the way to and from.

[@peterbode3005]

Deb Erney Have a good time!

[@dondejong4191]

In my experience, it works great with a Mac, but the Windows 10 drivers are a royal pain.

[@DebErney]

Windows drivers with anything is a royal pain.

[@Diegobajista]

el usb return es stereo??

[@MRsin084]

Is that firmware was free?

[@DebErney]

Yes

[@avcreations2494]

WARNING: If you want a small mixer that work wells in an analog environment then these are a nice option. If you want to be able to run this with your desktop or laptop buyer beware. Regardless of their latest drivers and instructions windows constantly loses track of this mixer when rebooting and the only way to temporarily get it back is follow their unsigned driver instructions but it does not permanently fix the problem. Absolute garbage driver support... they should be ashamed. Headed out today to buy another brand so I can get audio back on my PC.

[@automatedluxuryposadism6971]

this was fixed last year fyi

[@robertnitschke89]

What is the USB for? Hook up to????what?? This mixer is crap. Can only record on 1+2 or 3+4 inputs??

[@DebErney]

My Notepad is decent enough. Especially in the price range. I have 4 independent in and out USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[@larsyvegas8140]

focuste much more clear

[@DebErney]

I love my focusrite equipment.