Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB Audio Interface, 3rd Gen

  
Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB Audio Interface, 3rd Gen. The most compact and streamlined audio interface by Focusrite, now boasting balanced TRS outputs. Perfect for singer songwriters, guitar players and producers who need an easy to use and portable recording solution.

Focusrite's Scarlett Solo is a top choice for guitarists, solo artists and travelling musicians who need an easy, affordable way to create studio-quality recordings at home or on the move. The Solo is USB bus-powered so all you have to do is plug it into your laptop to get it working - no bulky power supply needed. Like all 3rd-generation Scarlett interfaces, the Solo can connect to an iPad Pro with USB-C ports for a truly portable recording setup. In addition to one of the best compact audio interfaces around, Focusrite also includes all the software you need to spark new ideas and capture them. You receive access to two industry-standard digital audio workstations (also known as DAWs), Ableton Live Lite and a three-month subscription to Avid Pro Tools so you can start recording your music straight away.

You also receive a three-month Splice Sounds subscription that offers a host of free loops, one-shots, presets and more. When it's time to process and polish your tracks, you can use the included Focusrite Red Plug-In Suite and the incredible Hitmaker Expansion. The Hitmaker Expansion gives you all the tools to make a chart-ready song, from the rich analogue-style sounds of the Brainworx bx_oberhausen synth to the powerful vocal processing of Antares Auto-Tune Access. Once you've registered your new Scarlett Solo, you'll receive free and deeply discounted plugins every few months through Focusrite's Plug-in Collective.

You can upgrade to the 2i2 or 4i4 if you need a little more connectivity or want to record stereo sources. Alternatively, you can take a look at the upper-midrange, like the 8i6, for a wider array of inputs and outputs. The Solo can either come with just the interface or as part of a "Studio Pack", which is very handy for budding producers that are looking for a package that provides you with the tools you need to kick start your studio setup. It includes a pair of HP60 MkIII closed-back headphones, a CM25 MkIII large-diaphragm condenser, a mic stand attachment and a three-meter XLR cable.

The Studio Pack's condenser mic is also a lot better at picking up the nuance and detail of your audio sources compared to a dynamic microphone.