What is the opinion of Reddit about the
Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First?

DAC/Amp’s don’t have microphone inputs, they are purely output devices.

I think an audio interface is what you want, such as this. I could be wrong, but I believe it does what you want. You’d need a 3.5mm to TRS for the headphone and 3.5mm to TRS or XLR for the mic; they can be cables or an adaptor/dongle.

My only experience with this being a problem was using Windows XP and an Akai mpk49.

Using just straight usb there was considerable latency. So I bought a midiman 2×2 and used an old school midi cable, and everything was great.

I have a much newer keyboard and I’m now on MacOs, and I haven’t had any problems with midi over usb (in other words no old school midi cables).

Hope this helps, but if you do have problems with usb to midi, I’d try a midi man (even though it uses usb as well it seems the drivers are better).

If I were you I’d definitely get an interface with old school midi, just in case.

If you ever expand your set up it’ll be there.

edit: Regardless, get a dedicated audio interface, it will make a world of difference.

I’d get this one: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T50LY

I’d say just get one of these. It’s a great interface for your computer as almost no computer soundcard can handle things like XLR/TRS connections and you’re going to be using exactly those for those JBLs. It says ProTools but you can use Ableton or really any midi software as the Focusrite Scarletts are really popular and have a lot of support for both PC & MAC.

Also, if you’re going to produce, either get a sub or get 8″ monitors. You need the low end for bass, and headphones can’t show you what a good system set up can. I know this isn’t a music/producer sub, but I hate when people buy the expensive gear and it doesn’t meet their needs. Considering it sounds like you’re setting up a home studio, getting an interface and a good monitoring situation set up is crucial.

Edit: To answer your build question, I do think getting 32gbs of ram is a bit much unless you plan to do a bunch of things at once. Also, since you have a balls to the wall budget it seems, adding a boot ssd will help you get fast boot times out of programs like Ableton/ProTools. I’d say keep both HDs if you can. One can hold music projects and the other, games, music, & other documents.

You could get a Scarlett 2i4, a Shure SM58, cable, and Mic stand .

Plug interface (Scarlett) into computer, plug microphone into interface, change audio device settings in computer to Scarlett, turn up gain until you can hear your voice

Scarlett 2i4. Works great for the microphone and I also use it record guitars

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T50LY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wSfIBb7HG3JCW

That depends on your budget and how many microphones you might want. Also if you have a lot of background noise you may want to invest in a dynamic instead of condenser mic. If you’re willing to shell out the cash I’d recommend a setup with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or 2i4 along with a good xlr mic and maybe a second for your buddy. Once again if you’re willing to shell out the doe I’m a big fan of the AT2035 but the AT2020 is a good cheaper alternative. If you’re looking for a cheaper setup a usb Blue Yeti or usb AT2020 (the above is xlr) is also a decent option for around 100$. Or if you need to go cheaper perhaps a Blue Snowball. Obviously you get what you pay for in terms of potential audio quality, but it can get expensive fast. Even the best setup I suggested is still rather cheap compared to a professional studio setup, but for an LP I’d say it’s pretty top tier.

Edit: Regardless of what your audio setup is, don’t neglect on your post editing in audacity or whichever program you prefer. Compression, equalization, noise reduction, and normalization/amplification are your friends. The nicer the initial audio setup, the nicer your audio will sound without any of that, but it always benefits from it.

What is your budget? If MIDI is a requirement the Focusrite 2i4 is $170.

Not OP, but I have one as well. It’s either the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or the 2i4. I’ve got the 2i4 and I love it.

Link here.

Okay, so probably a small USB or Thunderbolt interface with a couple built-in mic preamps and monitoring via headphone and 2.0 speakers.

I like Focusrite’s interfaces – very good mic preamps with hardly any noise, 24/192 recording and playback, and very low latency. the two I would suggest are the Scarlett 2i4 ($200) and the Clarett 2Pre ($500).

The Scarlett 2i4 is a pretty “no frills” interface – USB, 2 inputs (1/4″/XLR combos with phantom power), and monitoring/output via USB, headphone, RCA out, or line out (to powered studio monitors). It also has MIDI i/o, if that matters. It’s compatible with just about every DAW or multimedia editing software out there.

The Clarett 2Pre is the Scarlett on steroids. It communicates over Thunderbolt, has 2 even better mic pres that include an analog model of Focusrite’s legendary ISA mic preamp (which is great for VO), even lower latency, and is expandable via ADAT optical link to 10 inputs.

TBH, the Scarlett is probably more than enough, but the Clarett’s excellent preamps will get you very close to pro/studio VO results if paired with an equally-good mic. As far as playback, mixing, and monitoring, I didn’t notice much of a difference when I upgraded from the 2i4 to the 2Pre because I monitor and play back at 24/96 most of the time (though I could probably push the Clarett to 24/192 and it would be fine). I think either one paired with good studio headphones or powered monitors should work.