Has your interface ever failed?

[burntfrijoles]

I've been using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Generation) for a little over 3 years. It's always worked well and the preamps are fine for the type of recording that I do. I've had the same computer/interface combination for about 18 months as I purchased an M1 iMac in 2021.
On Monday, I noticed that the Gain Halo LED did not "flash" when I inserted my guitar cable. It usually does. Then, the gain halo (which displays green, orange or red to indicate levels. It didn't do anything. Signal was getting to the DAW but it was weak.
I tried everything I could think of but nothing worked. I have contacted Focusrite support but the response has been slow and unhelpful thus far.
I was thinking maybe the poor little thing is worn out from the constant plugging and unplugging of mic and instrument cables. I always have gain at zero and the instrument/line selector off with no phantom power when plugging in. IDK
I am thinking about just replacing it.
I will probably go with Focusrite again. I thought of getting a UA interface but you have to disable some security features on M1 Apple Silicon Macs. I am not going to do that. Plus, I don't need anything that sophisticated.
So, back to my thread title. Has anyone ever had their interface fail or give out?

 

[Oxidao]

IDK. First thing I do with electric-tronic issues is spraying a “contact cleaner”.
I am missing an on/off switch on my 4i4 either to avoid future connection issues on USB and Jacks/XLR ports

 

[burntfrijoles]

IDK. First thing I do with electric-tronic issues is spraying a “contact cleaner”.
I am missing an on/off switch on my 4i4 either to avoid future connection issues on USB and Jacks/XLR ports

I‘ve already used contact cleaner to no avail. The firmware is up to date.

 

[generic202]

As you said, it could just be a worn out jack which can be replaced by anyone who can solder. If you are not in a hurry, get it serviced by anyone that fixes electronics or even DIY. I've repaired plenty of electronics for other people and common points of failure are either from using wrong power supplies or from bad jacks/pots/switches/usb ports and most of them can be easily replaced.

 

[Ben Harmless]

That's frustrating. My favorite thing about the Focusrite stuff is that it's always worked without putting up a fight. I've had three Scarlett interfaces - all bought used in the name of upgrading, and ever even glitched on their own.

Are both input channels doing this? If so, that's probably a deeper issue than an input jack. If not, it may be serviceable, but I would still assume that the internals are difficult to repair. Do the other lights on the front panel work? If not, then likely a power thing, and it would be worth trying another USB cable if you have one.

If you DO have to replace it, take a peek at the newer offerings from MOTU, UA, and even SSL. There's a bit of a battle going on for the USB interface market right now, and the newest offerings are getting very nice indeed.

 

[G3Hanz]

Have you tried using a different usb-port on the iMac? This because i experienced "collapsed usb-ports" on Macs, in that case the usb-port still works fine for data transport but it's no longer capable of delivering enough power to an external device that needs power through the port.

 

[brown2bob]

I'm going to go out on a limb and share an interesting link... Perhaps this might help with your issue? https://www.musictoob.com/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-not-recognized-solved-for-mac-and-windows-users/

 

[Blrfl]

If you're powering it via USB, try a different port. Maybe the one you're using is having saggy voltage problems.

 

[klasaine]

I thought of getting a UA interface but you have to disable some security features on M1 Apple Silicon Macs. I am not going to do that.

I can't offer anything regarding your Scarlett but just an FYI about the 'reduce security settings' thing with a UAd interface ...

You're not reducing actual internet/access security. You, the owner/admin just need to allow an application (a kext I think) to load. As you install, a notification that you'll 'allow' pops up. It's only for that particular bit and then it closes. In fact, if you uninstall and re-install, you'd have to do it again. Same if you update to the next OS.

 

[netgear69]

I have a Native instruments Komplete audio 6 running on a pc with windows 10
everytime i boot the pc up i have to unplug the usb lead from it then plug it back in or the pc has no sound and sites like youtube videos won't play
I have searched everywhere for an answer updated drivers etc can't find a fix for it just learned to live with it

 

[burntfrijoles]

My favorite thing about the Focusrite stuff is that it's always worked without putting up a fight.

Exactly! I’ve used them a lot of years. Upgraded from Gen 2 to Gen 3 over three years ago. Never had a problem.

Are both input channels doing this? If so, that's probably a deeper issue than an input jack.

Yes. It’s not the input jacks. The unit does the same thing with my MacBook Pro.

Have you tried using a different usb-port on the iMac?

Sure. It’s one of the first things I tried. I’ve owned Macs since 2005 and used Logic since 2008 and never had an issue with ports or connectivity.

I can't offer anything regarding your Scarlett but just an FYI about the 'reduce security settings' thing with a UAd interface ...

You're not reducing actual internet/access security. You, the owner/admin just need to allow an application (a kext I think) to load. As you install, a notification that you'll 'allow' pops up. It's only for that particular bit and then it closes. In fact, if you uninstall and re-install, you'd have to do it again. Same if you update to the next OS.

Yeah, I realized that but it still seems like an annoying step. My recording doesn’t require the upgrades a UA device may provide.

I have searched everywhere for an answer updated drivers

The great things about Macs is the lack of need for drivers. (Class compliant)

I thought my firmware was current but it was not so I updated. Seems to be working now. Plus, I realized I could change the LED gain halo colors which I did. That seems trivial but my color blindness prevented me from seeing the middle input level indicator.

 

[loudboy]

I had a Scarlett 6i6 V2 which developed problems with the monitoring in Headphone Out 1 - it was permanently in Mono and VERY loud.

Sent it back, and they replaced it. The new one has performed as expected, since.

Stuff breaks, especially if you use it a lot. A $200 interface is built to a price point, but it should last longer than that.

It sounds like it may be stuck in Line In mode? Does it do it with both inputs? May just be a dirty switch or relay?

 

[Peegoo]

@burntfrijoles

It may be something as simple as the LED being burnt out.

This is not uncommon because many manufacturers of items that contain LEDs run them at or above max voltage in order for them to be highly visible. If you can solder, you can remove one leg of the LED from the board and test it.

These LEDs are jellybean parts and cost pennies; shipping will cost more than the item. Install a dropping resistor to cut the voltage to around 50-75% of the LED's rated operating range, and it will probably last forever.

 

[burntfrijoles]

It may be something as simple as the LED being burnt out.

I don’t think it’s the LED. The signal to the DAW was equally as weak. The firmware updates seems to have corrected the issue. The LED works through the spectrum: green , blue, red.

Even if it were, repairing it would be beyond my meager technical or soldering abilities.

FWIW, this is the guts of the 2i2 with its D/A converters, preamps, jacks, circuits. This is way out of my league. I would screw this up like a boss.

 

[Peegoo]

I don’t think it’s the LED. The signal to the DAW was equally as weak. The firmware updates seems to have corrected the issue. The LED works through the spectrum: green , blue, red.

Even if it were, repairing it would be beyond my meager technical or soldering abilities.

FWIW, this is the guts of the 2i2 with its D/A converters, preamps, jacks, circuits. This is way out of my league. I would screw this up like a boss.

Ohhh Based on how you described the issue, it appeared the LED was inop.

 

[suthol]

I let the magic smoke out of my Peavey PV6 USB mixer when I plugged the wrong power supply in.

The chip that got toasted was a common item but the commercially available version was 4 times the size of the proprietary one so it went to e waste

 

[badscrew_projects]

I had to recap the power supply board of my Alesis Multimix 8 USB2.
It started humming after 10 years of active use.

 

[FortyEight]

so far so good on my 2i2. but its only been a year and a half.

 

[T Prior]

Sounds like U got it resolved, great ! Now grab another Interface , another brand , 1 is not enough anyway ! . You may find that a 2nd available interface may offer a slightly different dynamic sound quality. Plus you will have a 2nd on hand in case one decides to fail at the most inopportune time !

 

[Fiesta Red]

My enter face failed just last week.

I was eating some pho bo and the noodles slipped right off that little weird spoon…so that bite didn’t enter my face.

EDIT:
I was informed that you are talking about a computer interface…

I apologize.