Help - my Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 audio interface just died

Dpoirier

Dpoirier

Fractal Fanatic
Greetings all,

My 4-years-old Scarlett 6i6 just died. On power-up, the LEDs just blink briefly and then nothing. I measured a steady 11VDC out of the AC adapter, so I contacted Focusrite for support, and they suspect an internal power supply failure, and suggest an out-of-warranty repair.

Before investing in repairing this, I have to wonder if this kind of reliability (or lack thereof) is worth investing more money into. It met my needs - I don't record many sources at once - though I find the control software less than great.

I could go out and buy a new one (though I think the 6i6 is discontinued, and an 8i6 is about CDN$430).

Or I could ask around here if there are better, more robust, simple audio interfaces that meet the same few-inputs requirements. Less money is great.

Any suggestions? Would you repair that 6i6? Or buy something else?

Thanks
 
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Steinberg UR44C would be my suggestion. I had the UR22, great inexpensive interface, but wanted more inputs so I tried the Scarlett 6i6. Found the sound quality to be underwhelming. I ended up with an Audient ID14 and later purchased a Behringer ADA8200. This setup has worked great for me, very pleased with it but costs more. If the UR44C been available at the time I would have purchased it instead.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UR44C--steinberg-ur44c-usb-audio-interface
 
I recorded some guitar tracks on my Focusrite 18i20 at home, then went to the rehearsal studio to do some double tracking through my RME Babyface FS...and all of the RME tracks somehow sounded better, I guess it is related to the better clock the RME has. RME might be pretty expensive in Canada, so there´s that. Anyways, I deleted all the Focusrite tracks and did it again on the RME.
I would not repair the 6i6.
 
One thing I really like about the Scarlett interfaces is that they have SPDIF inputs. I have a 8i6 and it's really convenient to connect my FM9 to using one RCA cable only. I have been thinking of getting something like an UAudio Twin and get an optical SPDIF converter. When I'm playing at home, it would be nice to have a little bit of reverb so I could add that in the UAudio interface and then not have it when I play live. Again super convenient and I don't think anyone can fault the audio quality of Universal Audio's interfaces.
 
Dpoirier said:
Greetings all,

My 4-years-old Scarlett 6i6 just died. On power-up, the LEDs just blink briefly and then nothing. I measured a steady 11VDC out of the AC adapter, so I contacted Focusrite for support, and they suspect an internal power supply failure, and suggest an out-of-warranty repair.

Before investing in repairing this, I have to wonder if this kind of reliability (or lack thereof) is worth investing more money into. It met my needs - I don't record many sources at once - though I find the control software less than great.

I could go out and buy a new one (though I think the 6i6 is discontinued, and an 8i6 is about CDN$430).

Or I could ask around here if there are better, more robust, simple audio interfaces that meet the same few-inputs requirements. Less money is great.

Any suggestions? Would you repair that 6i6? Or buy something else?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Hi Dpoirier,

My 6i6 just died and I found this post. I have a similar use case as you and was wondering what you ended up getting.

Thanks
/Eric
 
EricBic said:
Hi Dpoirier,

My 6i6 just died and I found this post. I have a similar use case as you and was wondering what you ended up getting.

Thanks
/Eric
Click to expand...
Hey Eric, I found a local used 8i6 (really cheap and barely used) that I was able to have the same day. It was a very easy switch for me, and will carry me until the next crisis.
 
Dpoirier said:
Hey Eric, I found a local used 8i6 (really cheap and barely used) that I was able to have the same day. It was a very easy switch for me, and will carry me until the next crisis.
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Right after i wrote my last message I discovered that focusrite just released their 4th gen interfaces with spdif this past week so I ordered a 16i16!
 
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