The reasoning is headphones/monitors are all on the same audio bus bring it back down to 3 output buses: one for the monitors (speakers/amp + two headphones), an additional set of 1/4 inch outputs and an SPIDF cable. If you notice, this doesn't add up to the 6 outputs in the device name but instead a total of 6 inputs and 10 outputs.

2 1/4inch Line (monitor) headphone outputs with volume knob.2 1/4inch Headphone outputs with hardware volume knobs.2 front facing Microphone XLR/ 1/4inch Line Inputs with hardware knobs for gain control and level monitoring (Supports 48v).A break down includes the following: Inputs The Scarlett 6i6 is 6 in and 6 out but that doesn't quite accurately sum up the ports. Pictured: The 6i6 makes for a good speaker rest After dealing with years of prosumerish solutions, I decided to ante-up to Focusrite, renowned for their preamps, skipping budget players like Presonus and M-Audio.įair warning, this as much an overview of digital audio as a review. In the case of my AudioKontrol, the drivers were mostly negative causing glitchy behavior, and same went for my week with the M-Audio Fast Track. However, if the interfaces have custom buttons / internal routing or other features, then drivers are required. Most USB devices if they're ASIO/CoreAudio compliant, drivers are barely needed for basic I/O. As an OS X (excuse me, macOS) user, CoreAudio has been mostly positive. The weak point of every USB capture device in my experience has and probably always will be, drivers (and USB itself). Even more impressive for $240, the 18i8 offers a whopping 18 potential inputs and 8 output buses. Unsurprisingly, audio interfaces offer far more bang for the buck than did even five years ago, at $180 I was able to score the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, offering more high-quality inputs and outputs than any of my previous devices at a lower price point. Mystified, I decided it was time to retire the AudioKontrol and check out the offerings in 2016. Recently I hit a breaking point NI Audio Kontrol was not able to accept 1/4 inch unbalanced cables.

I consider myself a bit of an audio geek, but without the audiophile trappings. I've owned a few external boxes over the course of a decade, briefly, M-Audio's precursor unit that mimics today's Fast Track (Which I returned), Yamaha GO46 FireWire, and Native Instruments Audio Kontrol, and recorded two albums using the later two. Over time, the audio interface has moved away from PCIe to USB, which it now rests at as the defacto state for nearly 15 years after USB 2.0 became widespread.

I have a bit of a history reviewing audio hardware, specifically audio I/O. Pictured: Scarlett features a stylish brushed red aluminum finish.

Focusrite scarlett 18i20 driver for mac