EEVblog 1405 - Focusrite Scarlett Solo vs Rode AI-1 TEARDOWN

A side-by-side teardown of the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and the Rode AI-1 USB audio interface.

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[jfinnie]

That is a 10 pin Tag-Connect footprint - it is an off-the-shelf pogo-pin like connector ("Plug-Of-Nails TM") for adding debug / programming headers to devices without incurring the cost of the connector. TC2050-IDC is one of the connectors that will fit it. (Apologies if this ends up being double post - Youtube appeared to eat initial comment, so had to re-post without link - google it!).

[squidcaps]

Kensington lock in the Focusrite: it is used in schools a lot. That is why it is there.

[IanBPPK]

The Scarlett Solo has the niche perk of fitting almost perfectly in a 5.25" bay.

[ChipGuy]

5:00 That thing is called a Tag Connect Programming / Debugging header. The holes are for clips that clamp the header down, so the designer can do programming/debugging.

[jeffm]

Wondering if Dave knows the trick with putting self tapping screws back. Spin them backwards until you get that slight click and then go forward so as not to cut a new thread. Short of over tightening cutting multiple threads is what gives them such a bad rep.

[emdxemdx]

The “AIR” button is for when you play an air guitar…

[tommihommi]

A lot of more pro audio interfaces have Kensington locks, as they're very easy to pocket otherwise, and commonly used in areas with lots of transit.

[AllToDevNull]

I would love to see a RME interface teardown in comparison

[sjtrny]

Dave, if you're using windows check that the sample rate of the AI-1 is the same for both input and output audio devices. I have found that under Windows it can often change between sleep/reboot for whatever reason. When this happens the input (microphone) device doesn't work. It seems to be a Windows thing.

[frequencymanipulator]

Kensington lock is useful in educational contexts, where the little darlings might fancy taking it home.

[jacobrothman]

They won't be polymer caps in the Rode. Low value wet SMT caps often don't have pressure relief indents. Polymers are not recommended for audio coupling because they have relatively high leakage currents. Top notch stuff like Neve uses tantalums for long life, although one has to be careful with distortion arising from their use.

[ofloveandliquor]

The Motu M2 (or M4) is a top quality USB interface with a bar graph. It's an amazing device.

[SynaMax]

As a musician, I'm very excited to see this tear down!

[djneohlp]

And technically the Scarlett is a dual channel interface vs the single channel rode. The second channel on the focusrite is a line in with switchable Hi-Z Instrument.

[StudioBojiaSila]

which is better Focusrite Scarlett Solo or Rode AI-1 ?

[SeanDamonGreene]

A bit late to the discussion here, but I figured I'd mention this just in case no one else has mentioned it, although they probably have. Dave, a step up to the Fucusrite Scarlett 4i4 would meet your needs. It has a separate volume knob for the headphone output, and the monitor output level can be turned all the way down, leaving only the headphones operating. The 4i4 is the next model up from the 2i2, and it isn't much more in cost. I hope this is of some value.

[douro]

Self-tapping screws into plastic really aren't a terrible idea in some applications. They are used in lieu of thread inserts in Fujitsu's Lifebook series of semi-rugged laptops due to issues associated with dislodging of inserts or cracking of the plastic around them.

[meowcula]

18 years ago or about I bought a M-Audio sound card, and I bought a breakout split mixer box for it. Can't use the card any more (old PCI) but the mixer box is still superb and running to this day. I opened it up and found it was entirely analog, the ADCs and DACs being on the PCI card and the construction is really well done. I still use it for its preamps and headphone amplifier. Great for uniting my spaghetti of an audio mess. I might buy a new audio interface one day if I get back into digital audio work, but i'd still use this lovely split mixer.

[perhansson]

I always thought this was a Danish company based on the use of the Danish letter Ø in their name till you showed the made in Australia sticker, found this on Wikipedia: "Peter Freedman added the 'Ø' character as a salute to his Scandinavian heritage"

[DavidBezemer]

Both of these interfaces are produced as low cost devices, if you want to see better quality interfaces look at RME, MOTU, Universal Audio or SSL prosumer/studio line interfaces