Focusrite Scarlett 2i4
Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:39 am
I have been recording music on linux since 2007 (when i finally got Dreamweaver and Photoshop working in wine and was able to bin MS for work). I used a m-audio Audiophile 24/96 PCI card. There was always a couple of days of swearing while i got audio set up after a new linux install. But it always worked eventually using the ice drivers. And pulse worked with it too, after a bit. Currently i use MINT.
But my (Pentium?) INtel Dual core pc is feeling its age now and anyway i wanted to get a laptop as a replacement, so i thought i would have a go at a USB Soundcard. I am only interested in 2 inputs, and i did not want a top loading one (partner, tidiness, what can i say ) so, i got it down to either an ART Dual Tube Pre or the Scarlett 2i4. Both have a monitor mix (input/playback) that for some reason i feel is important otherwise the 2i2 would have been fine - i am not interested in midi.
The ART has inserts which i really need but there was mention of poor sound quality so i went for the 2i4. Even though i will need something else to provide inserts (another 2i2 or an ART??, daft i know but..).
SO, apologies for the long windedness of this - i bought the 2i4 and plugged it in. Got depressed . didn't turn it on for 2 days. But this is linux so i expected this.
It worked. Sound came out. all sounds good. But there is a lot of clicking/popping going on with some additional light flashing going on on the inputs (?!?). The amount seems to vary.
But - what is with the pops? I read somewhere it may be todo with latency? is there anything i can do about this. I am considering a clean install from 14 to Mint 16.
But my (Pentium?) INtel Dual core pc is feeling its age now and anyway i wanted to get a laptop as a replacement, so i thought i would have a go at a USB Soundcard. I am only interested in 2 inputs, and i did not want a top loading one (partner, tidiness, what can i say ) so, i got it down to either an ART Dual Tube Pre or the Scarlett 2i4. Both have a monitor mix (input/playback) that for some reason i feel is important otherwise the 2i2 would have been fine - i am not interested in midi.
The ART has inserts which i really need but there was mention of poor sound quality so i went for the 2i4. Even though i will need something else to provide inserts (another 2i2 or an ART??, daft i know but..).
SO, apologies for the long windedness of this - i bought the 2i4 and plugged it in. Got depressed . didn't turn it on for 2 days. But this is linux so i expected this.
It worked. Sound came out. all sounds good. But there is a lot of clicking/popping going on with some additional light flashing going on on the inputs (?!?). The amount seems to vary.
- Boot up - lots of clicking pops. But i can live with this
Turn on - if i turn on the Scarlett after boot up - there are no popsat all (just tried that)
Movie player - movie player has been behaving oddly for a long time (the buttons look like warning signs and sometimes just does not play. Anyway, there are pops. And when i pause/play
Ardour - the first time it started up at a normal speed with lots of pops, the second time it took a long time to start - with lots of pops - in fact tried again just now 64 pops - very stereo, bouncing from one side to the other sometimes. 16 pops on first play, none on stop then just 2 on play after that
Acid 2 in Wine - no pops at all on start up (and there used to be with audiophile card, but 2 pops on play, one on pause/stop
But - what is with the pops? I read somewhere it may be todo with latency? is there anything i can do about this. I am considering a clean install from 14 to Mint 16.