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Voice Presets, Auto-Gain, & Call Recording

 

Focusrite already boasts the most well-liked USB audio interface in podcasting – the Scarlett 2i2. However additionally they have a podcast-focused providing of their vary: the Focusrite Vocaster.

most popular audio interfacesmost popular audio interfaces

The Scarlett 2i2 is an excellent interface utilized by 14% of podcasters, according to our 2024 Gear Survey. However this well-known previous equipment was designed – at first – with musicians in thoughts.

A rising variety of gear corporations now create podcast-first choices, such because the Rode Rodecaster II, Zoom PodTrak P4, and Mackie DLZ Creator. It’s seemingly that somebody at Focusrite posed the query, “What if the Scarlett 2i2 was made for podcasters?” and the Vocaster was the eventual end result.

A giant because of Focusrite for sending this equipment out to us for overview. Some hyperlinks listed below are associates, so we’d earn a small fee do you have to select to purchase by them, by no means at any further value. Relaxation assured, although, that associates by no means cease us from giving our trustworthy opinions about merchandise – we all the time overview pretty!

Focusrite Vocaster Vs Scarlett 2i2

As you’ve little doubt established by now, the Focusrite Vocaster is a USB audio interface for podcasters. However what precisely makes it “for podcasters”?

Less complicated Interface

The Scarlett 2i2 is under no circumstances a cluttered or complicated-looking machine, however Focusrite has positively streamlined the Vocaster’s design. We have now some massive clear dials and buttons on the highest of the machine; even the greenest of podcast newcomers will know their manner round it inside a couple of minutes.

Podcaster Presets for Readability & Optimisation

The Vocaster provides 4 “podcaster-approved” presets that tweak your audio high quality on the contact of a button: ‘Clear’, ‘Heat’, ‘Vivid’, and ‘Radio’. You’ll be able to simply strive them on for measurement and see in the event you like how they work along with your voice, tone, and mic.

Simple Name Recording

Round one in four podcasters run remote interview shows. There are a great deal of good on-line multitrack recording software program choices on the market, however Vocaster homeowners can save on subscription charges by recording by the machine itself. You’ll be able to join your telephone to the Vocaster through Bluetooth or a cable and document any audio your telephone can play.

With my testing, I discovered that telephone calls sounded… precisely like telephone calls (who would have thunk it?), however utilizing one thing web-based like WhatsApp was an enormous enchancment. Try the sound samples section to listen to for your self.

Auto-Achieve (70dB Achieve Vary)

The Vocaster’s 70dB achieve vary lets you energy even the hungriest of mics with out them ever needing to have a look at the dessert menu.

focusrite vocaster hub auto gainfocusrite vocaster hub auto gain

It additionally has an “Auto-Achieve” function that may optimise and set your ranges for you, which is good for newcomers, podcasters in a rush, or people making an attempt out a brand new mic for the primary time.

Focusrite Vocaster One Vs Focusrite Vocaster Two

Fairly merely, the Vocaster One accommodates one podcaster, while the Two can deal with a pair. This doesn’t impression the variety of folks in your episode; it’s extra about what number of of them can document in the identical room as you. The Vocaster One has one XLR mic enter, the Vocaster Two has two. The latter additionally has further jacks and controls for a second pair of headphones.

Clearly, there’s a pricing distinction, too. Listed below are some prices on the time of writing:

Vocaster Software program & Driver Points (Home windows/PC)

My pleasure at being despatched a Focusrite Vocaster Two to overview quickly turned to dismay once I tried to put in the motive force on my (Home windows 11) laptop computer. The result was a blue display screen of dying, and it wouldn’t work on one other related machine, both. There have been two issues happening right here which might be value a heads-up:

  • McAfee: An previous McAfee driver, which continues to be pre-installed on many PCs, incorrectly identifies the Vocaster driver and machine as a menace.
  • Microsoft Visible C++ Redistributable: The driving force required Visible C++ Redistributable model 14.40 to be put in. I had model 14.38, which was lacking its uninstaller element.

Determining and fixing these points was above my very own capabilities (most issues are, to be fairly trustworthy with you), and I needed to get assist. It’s all sorted now (thanks, Adrian!), however in the event you’re utilizing a Home windows machine, tread fastidiously right here!

Vocaster Hub Software program

focusrite vocaster hub softwarefocusrite vocaster hub software

Vocaster Hub is the Vocaster’s companion software program. It lets you arrange your mics, their achieve ranges and presets, the degrees of any Bluetooth or 3.5mm inputs, and your general present combine. Something I modified in right here was immediately mirrored in no matter software program I had open (Adobe Audition, Squadcast, and many others). It’s a pity there aren’t any precise readings or numbers anyplace, although!

With the Vocaster Two, I like the truth that I can ship Phantom Power to 1 mic and never the opposite. This implies I can use a condenser mic and dynamic mic on the similar time, if these are my solely two obtainable fashions.

Buttons, Knobs, Dials & Different Capabilities

On the highest of the Focusrite Vocaster, there’s an enormous achieve dial and a headphone quantity dial. There’s additionally a mute button, an Auto-Achieve button, and an ‘improve’ button to toggle by the 4 presets, or flip them off altogether. The secondary (visitor) enter on the Vocaster Two has a second set of those buttons and dials, except for the achieve dial.

Once more, just like the Vocaster Hub software program, there aren’t any readings or numbers on the machine to help with achieve or quantity ranges. The thought behind that is perhaps “don’t confuse newcomers with numbers they don’t perceive”, however I really feel that the cons outweigh the professionals with that pondering.

The Vocaster connects to your computering machine through a USB-C to USB-C, or, USB-C to USB-A cable, and there’s an influence button on the again.

On the again, you’ll additionally discover 1/4″ stereo outputs that’ll allow you to attach a pair of studio displays.

The XLR inputs will not be combo ports, as they’re on the Scarlett 2i2, so that they solely take XLR cables and never 1/4″ inputs. I doubt this is a matter for any podcasters, although.

You’ll be able to hyperlink up a telephone or pill through a 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth connection. You too can ship audio to your digicam through a 3.5mm output.

The Phantom Energy (48v) button lives on the again, too, alongside a Kensington safety slot. This lets you safe the machine with a Kensington lock, which is sort of a bike chain for an audio interface. Now I can depart my Vocaster outdoors The Spar while I nip in for eight tins of Tennents Tremendous.

On the very entrance, the headphone jacks are 1/4″. I used an adapter to plug mine (3.5mm) in. Visitors have their very own unbiased headphone jack and quantity management on the Vocaster Two.

Focusrite Vocaster Sound High quality

I examined out the Focusrite Vocaster Two utilizing a dynamic mic (the Shure SM58) and a condenser mic (the Rode NT1-5th Gen). I additionally made a “conventional” telephone name and a WhatsApp name.

I had a hell of a time getting the NT1 fifth Gen to attach, however it’s no shock to listen to it performing nicely as soon as it labored. I feel the Vocaster will get a extremely good tune out of the SM58, too. The presets add just a little enhancement with out being overbearing, which, I assume, is the tightrope these options are likely to need to stroll.

I’d solely use a telephone name in a podcast if there have been completely no different possibility, and I’d make it as quick as attainable. In the event you’re utilizing your telephone to herald friends, positively attempt to use an app like WhatsApp or Facetime.

Focusrite Vocaster Overview: Abstract

I’d have most likely marked the Focusrite Vocaster increased if I hadn’t had the setup troubles with the motive force software program after which the problems with getting the Rode mic to work. This feels harsh as a result of the machine is probably innocent on each fronts, however I solely have my very own experiences to go on.

I’ll say this—when it’s arrange and dealing correctly, the Focusrite Vocaster appears to be a superb interface for podcasters. I’ll positively proceed to make use of it going ahead. However in the event you’re utilizing a Home windows PC or laptop computer, watch out for potential conflicts with its driver and the McAfee /”Microsoft Visible C++ Redistributable” tag workforce of doom.

The Vocaster One is super worth at lower than $80. If I had been pondering of shopping for the Two, I’d perhaps fork out the additional $50 or so and get the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen. However in the event you’re a whole newbie and just like the extra streamlined interface of the Vocaster fashions, you is perhaps inclined to disagree.

In any case, I hope that this Focusrite Vocaster overview has left you feeling extra knowledgeable than if you arrived. In the event you’d nonetheless like to buy round, make sure to try our roundup of the most effective USB audio interfaces for podcasters.

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