Focusrite iTrack Solo Desktop 2x2 USB/Lightning Audio Interface

Focusrite iTrack Solo Desktop 2x2 USB/Lightning Audio Interface

Balancing quality, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness for musicians, podcasters, and producers, the Focusrite iTrack Solo desktop 2x2 audio interface provides an easy way to simultaneously record vocals and an instrument to a Mac/Windows computer or a Lightning-equipped iPad, rendering it a capable audio solution for creators working at home or on the road.

Featuring a Focusrite microphone preamp with selectable phantom power and up to 55 dB of gain, the iTrack Solo is a great match for studio condenser microphones or dynamic mics. The front panel also has a 1/4" Hi-Z input for direct recording of an instrument such as an electric guitar, a bass guitar, or a keyboard.

Each input offers its own dedicated gain knob, outfitted with a bicolour halo around the knob to provide feedback for setting optimal recording levels. The iTrack Solo is equipped with a 1/4" headphone output and a stereo RCA line output, so you can monitor privately through headphones or turn it up loud through a pair of powered speakers. A single large knob on the right of the interface provides a unified output level control for the headphone and line outputs.

Flip on the direct monitor switch to hear your input signal without latency during recording. This function still includes the output from your computer, so you can use it for effective overdubs. The iTrack Solo supports digital resolutions up to 24-bit / 96 kHz when connected to a computer or up to 24-bit / 48 kHz when used with an iPad, ensuring respectable AD/DA conversion quality and compatibility with playback of high-resolution audio files.

Giving you the tools you need to start recording and mixing immediately, the interface is bundled with Ableton Live Lite music production software and the Focusrite Scarlett Plug-In Suite, the latter providing several audio processing tools including gate, reverb, compression, and EQ. It also works with popular programs such as Garageband, Pro Tools, Cubase, and more.

There are two inputs on the iTrack Solo—one Focusrite microphone preamp (via XLR) and one 1/4" Hi-Z input—to enable simultaneous recording of a mic and an instrument such as an electric guitar or keyboard. The mic preamp offers switchable phantom power to accommodate condenser microphones as well as dynamics or even phantom-powered ribbon mics.

Each input on the interface sports its own gain knob and bicolour halo, which lights green to show signal presence and changes to red to indicate clipping. When you see a halo turn red, be sure to turn down the input level to avoid distortion in your recording.

Though quite compact, the iTrack Solo has enough outputs to feed headphones and powered speakers. The front panel features a 1/4" headphone jack, while the rear panel offers a stereo RCA unbalanced line out. The level for all outputs is controlled via the large front-panel monitor knob.

When it comes to monitoring yourself while you record, latency can be a real problem because it creates a delay between the live performance and when it is heard through the headphones or speakers. This delay or latency is extremely distracting for musicians and vocalists.

The iTrack Solo's direct monitoring option overcomes this problem. Setting the front-panel direct monitor switch to On will route your input signals directly to the headphone and main monitor outputs, enabling you to hear yourself with zero latency along with the computer playback. The input signals to your computer are not affected in any way by this setting.

When direct monitoring is On, ensure that your recording software is not set to route its input (what you are currently recording) to its output. If it is, you will hear duplicate signals, with one signal audibly delayed as an echo depending on the latency of your system.

Record to a Mac/Windows computer or a Lightning-equipped iPad using your preferred software/apps such as GarageBand, Pro Tools, Cubase, or others.

The iTrack Solo is bus-powered for convenience and maximum portability. When connecting it to a computer, simply use the supplied USB cable. To use the interface with a Lightning-equipped iPad, plug the iTrack Solo into your iPad with the included device link cable, and connect the iTrack Solo's USB port to a USB power supply.

The interface is housed in a compact, rugged, and lightweight aluminium case, making it an excellent companion for any content creator who wants to record their material at any location.

To get you working as quickly as possible, the iTrack Solo comes with the popular Ableton Live Lite music production software and the Focusrite Scarlett plug-in suite, a collection of software plug-ins, bringing effects to your music software.