ReviewFinder Audio Recording Interfaces

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen

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Input/output options
Latency
Preamp quality
DSP processing
Compatibility
Brand reputation
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6 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [6]

94
Total expert reviews: 6
  • with a score: 3
  • without a score: 3
Highest score by higherhz.com
96
Average score based on 6 reviews
94
Lowest score by GuitarPlayer
90

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
90
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen review
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a high-quality USB audio interface that offers professional-level recording capabilities in a compact and affordable package. With its elegant design, versatile inputs and outputs, and powerful software bundle, it is an excellent choice for guitarists and other musicians looking to record at home or on the go.
+ pros
  • Beautiful sound quality: The Scarlett Solo delivers excellent sound quality, thanks to years of recording knowledge and tone packed into a small package.
  • Elegant cosmetics: The device's red anodized look reeks of quality and professionalism.
  • Great bang for buck: At $149, the Scarlett Solo offers excellent value for money.
- cons
  • Some studios might require more I/Os: The Scarlett range includes five more units with additional inputs and outputs, which might be necessary for larger studios or more complex setups.
96
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen review
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface is a top choice for entry-level recording engineers due to its amazing recording quality, solid preamps, and affordable price point. While lacking MIDI I/O, it is a compact and versatile option for both home and mobile recording.
+ pros
  • Amazing recording quality and solid preamps.
  • Compact and portable for mobile recording.
  • Comes with a software bundle including Ableton Live Lite and a 3-month subscription to Avid Pro Tools.
- cons
  • Lacks MIDI I/O.
  • Inputs have a bit of give.
  • Limited connectivity compared to other audio interfaces.
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Expert consensus

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a versatile and reliable audio interface suitable for home recording, podcasting, and music production, with high-quality preamps, lag-free monitoring, and a bundle of software included.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a versatile and reliable audio interface suitable for home recording, podcasting, and music production. It offers a range of input and output options, including one XLR input for connecting a microphone and one Hi-Z TRS input for connecting an instrument like a guitar or bass.

The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has completely lag-free monitoring, making it ideal for recording and monitoring without any latency. The preamp quality is high, with a natural-sounding and low-noise design, and the device has a very low total harmonic figure, resulting in minimal distortion and noise during recording.

The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen does not have built-in DSP processing, but it comes with a bundle of software that includes Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First Creative Pack, Focusrite Red 2 & Red 3 Plug-In Suite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, and a membership to Splice Sounds. The interface is highly compatible with various operating systems and all major DAWs on both Mac and PC platforms.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has a great reputation in the audio recording industry, with a strong brand reputation for producing high-quality interfaces and mic preamps. It is particularly well-suited for solo recording sessions, such as recording vocals or acoustic instruments, and is compatible with a wide range of recording software.

Overall, the Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a reliable and high-quality audio recording interface that is well worth the investment for anyone looking to improve their recording capabilities.

Input/output options

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface offers a range of input and output options, high-quality recording and playback, and features such as phantom power and Air mode, making it a versatile choice for home recording, podcasting, and music production.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface offers a range of input and output options for recording and playback. It has one XLR input for connecting a microphone and one Hi-Z TRS input for connecting an instrument like a guitar or bass. The two balanced TRS outputs can be used for connecting studio monitors or headphones, and the RCA output is also available for headphones.

The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen supports sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz for high-quality recording and playback. It also has phantom power for condenser microphones and a switchable Air mode to add clarity and brightness to recordings. The direct monitor feature allows for low-latency monitoring, making it easy to monitor recordings in real-time.

Overall, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a versatile audio interface suitable for home recording, podcasting, and music production.

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Latency

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a reliable and high-quality audio interface that offers completely lag-free monitoring, making it ideal for recording and monitoring without any latency.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has been reviewed by experts who have found that it has completely lag-free monitoring, making it ideal for recording and monitoring without any latency. The Direct Monitor feature allows for zero-latency monitoring, which is perfect for ensuring that your performance is on-point.

The low latency levels also mean that you can hear any effects or processing that you've applied to your audio signal in real-time, allowing for more accurate monitoring during the recording process. This makes the Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen a great choice for musicians and podcasters who need to monitor their recordings in real-time without any delay.

Overall, the Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a reliable and high-quality audio interface that delivers excellent performance with minimal latency.

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Preamp quality

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a top-quality audio interface with a low-noise preamp, phantom power, and an exclusive Air mode for added clarity, making it an ideal choice for solo musicians, podcasters, and content creators.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a high-quality audio interface that features a single preamp with a natural-sounding and low-noise design. The preamp has a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz ± 0. 1dB and provides phantom power for condenser microphones.

The device has a very low total harmonic figure, resulting in minimal distortion and noise during recording. The new Solo also includes an exclusive switchable Air mode that adds extra clarity to vocals. Overall, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is an excellent choice for solo musicians, podcasters, and content creators who require a high-quality preamp for their recordings.

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DSP processing

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen does not have built-in DSP processing, but comes with a bundle of software that provides a range of options for recording, mixing, and mastering audio.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen does not have built-in DSP processing, but it comes with a bundle of software that includes Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First Creative Pack, Focusrite Red 2 & Red 3 Plug-In Suite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, and a membership to Splice Sounds.

These software packages provide a range of DSP processing options for recording, mixing, and mastering your audio. The quality of DSP processing is dependent on the user's computer processing power and the specific audio interface used. The DSP processing interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with customizable and adjustable options available through the software packages.

The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is ideal for solo musicians, podcasters, and home studio recording enthusiasts who want a simple and affordable audio interface with a range of DSP processing options.

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Compatibility

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface is highly compatible with various operating systems and major DAWs, making it a versatile and easy-to-use option for musicians and producers.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface is highly compatible with various operating systems, including Windows 10, macOS 10. 15 Catalina, macOS 11 Big Sur, and later versions. It is also compatible with all major DAWs on both Mac and PC platforms, making it a versatile option for music production.

The interface seamlessly works with a wide range of third-party plugins, including VST, AU, and AAX format plugins, and there are no known compatibility issues with any specific software or plugins. Setting up and configuring the Scarlett Solo with different software and operating systems is straightforward, thanks to its intuitive interface and connection process.

Overall, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a reliable and compatible audio interface for musicians and producers looking for a versatile and easy-to-use option.

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Brand reputation

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a highly regarded audio recording interface with a strong brand reputation, positive reviews, and a three-year warranty, making it a great choice for both beginners and professionals.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has a great reputation in the audio recording industry, with a strong brand reputation for producing high-quality interfaces and mic preamps. It has received positive reviews from multiple sources and ranks highly in the Audio Recording Interfaces category.

While there is no specific information on customer support, the product's three-year warranty suggests that Focusrite is confident in their product and support. The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a great choice for both beginners and professionals looking for a high-quality audio recording interface.

It is particularly well-suited for solo recording sessions, such as recording vocals or acoustic instruments, and is compatible with a wide range of recording software.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all audio recording interfaces.

Rank Change Price Audio Interface
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Wirecutter
Musician on a Mission
Sweetwater
Your Guitar Brain
EDM Sauce
Music Radar
soundref.com
producelikeapro.com
1
- $200
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface is a versatile and reliable device with low latency levels, upgraded preamp design, and a new Air mode that enhances high-end detail, making it a great choice for solo artists and mobile recording.
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- $180
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen
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- Check price
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is a versatile and reliable audio interface with low latency, high-quality mic preamps, and compatibility with almost all recording software, making it an excellent choice for musicians, podcasters, and other audio professionals.
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15
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- $179
UA Volt 2
The UA Volt 2 audio interface is a versatile and high-quality device with low latency, two preamps based on the classic Universal Audio 610 tube preamp, and essential audio software, making it a reliable option for recording musicians, podcasters, and streamers.
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Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen did not receive any endorsements this month.

Highest recommended audio recording interfaces this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. audio recording interfaces below are at the top of our ranking this December.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the audio interface for more details.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 UA Volt 2
Reviews
In comparison:
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 rank #1 out of 129. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.1
Great
Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen
Reviews
In comparison:
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 rank #3 out of 129. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
8.3
Great
Reviews
In comparison:
UA Volt 2 rank #4 out of 129. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.6
Amazing
Price
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface is a versatile and reliable device with low latency levels, upgraded preamp design, and a new Air mode that enhances high-end detail, making it a great choice for solo artists and mobile recording.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is a versatile and reliable audio interface with low latency, high-quality mic preamps, and compatibility with almost all recording software, making it an excellent choice for musicians, podcasters, and other audio professionals. The UA Volt 2 audio interface is a versatile and high-quality device with low latency, two preamps based on the classic Universal Audio 610 tube preamp, and essential audio software, making it a reliable option for recording musicians, podcasters, and streamers.
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