it felt right

The sales begin. Black Friday discounts are already abundant and I spent a lot of time online today, scouring for deals on audio equipment. I was really looking for one thing: something that will fix my interface problem. My "adviser" and I spent a good chunk of time on the phone yesterday and his opinion was that I could simplify things by just getting a field recorder that has multiple XLR inputs (for my microphone/s of choice). A Tascam X8 would record and mix everything, as far as I could understand, and it also doubles as an interface when needed and it's a card reader. I tried to find out everything I can about this item and things like it. Zoom is another brand that makes them. But you know, at the end of the day, my heart wasn't in it. It wasn't what I wanted. Also because I would end up spending not just the $400 on the actual device but probably another $200, possibly more, on things like SD cards, wind screens, a case, a bluetooth adapter. I just kept finding other things that I "needed" to maximize use of the field recorder. 

When I saw that Focusrite had a sale on their website and I could get a Scarlett 4i4 for less than $200, my interest was definitely piqued. It also had 4 inputs like the Tascam X8. Not that I need 4. I only have 2 microphones that I can plug in. But the 2i2 wasn't on sale so why would the normally more expensive interface with 4 inputs cost less? I see it now. It's the 3rd generation 4i4. The latest iteration, the 4th gen model, was not on sale. After doing a deep dive on all things Focusrite, 3rd gen definitely gave me pause. And somehow, somewhere along the way, on the Guitar Center website, I came across the Solid State Logic SSL2 MKII, now under $200. I really didn't need to think about it too much. This was the one I really wanted. From what I could find about it, it seemed to fit my needs. At this point, the most important thing to me was that the interface had a really good, clean set of mic preamps because the SM58 needs it and I am determined to use that mic. This interface has a reputation for being especially good for singers so I grabbed my keys, drove to the nearest store and came home with it.

Granted, I had a choice to get the 2+ but as far as I could tell, there was no reason for me to spend extra when I don't do MIDI and did I really need two knobs to control the headset volume? I'm probably the only one who will wear a headset! So, for half the money that I would have spent on an X8, I came home with what I hope is going to be the last stop in my equipment search. My initial test leaves me very optimistic. Not entirely sure what the famous 4K button does but I like the way it sounds. It really is miles better than the previous interface on its best day. It didn't sound the same as the usb mic either and I like having that variety. At the end of the day, it felt right. I have two weeks to return it in case it doesn't live up to my expectations but I think, we have a winner. Just in time too, because my guitar lessons start in two days and I'm hoping to begin seriously recording soon after. The only thing left on my wishlist now? A Martin guitar.

Playlist Recommendation: Rolling in the Deep, Adele