-oriented product, so why the review in Pro Mobile? Well, as you may know, we’ve recently launched the Pro Mobile Podcast – a monthly audio programme in which I carry out an interview with someone diff erent from the mobile DJ industry for each episode. When looking into the equipment required for recording the Podcast I carried out quite a bit of research and decided that the Scarlett Studio kit was the perfect solution. Now, having spent the last few months getting to grips with it, I not only stand by my choice but feel that it may also prove useful for our mobile DJ readers.

6688 Before I dive into explaining what is included with the Scarlett Studio package and extolling the virtues of its various parts, I feel there may be two questions on readers’ minds. Firstly, what would I use it for and, secondly, why this option out of the many USB-based recording systems out there on the market? So fi rst thing’s fi rst: why would a mobile DJ need a professional-quality recording kit? My fi rst thought was for recording ‘sound bites’ to play over special songs at events.

Imagine playing audio of the bride and groom at a wedding telling each other what they love about one another while dancing together for the fi rst time as husband and wife. Or how about a daughter surprising her Dad with a personal message mixed into their Father/Daughter dance. Many DJs are doing such things to help make their clients’ events that bit more special, but to do it right a good quality audio recording is essential. The more obvious use of the kit is the purpose for which I fi rst found it, recording radio programmes or podcasts.

I know that many mobile DJs – myself included – have at least had an interest in, if not some experience of, radio broadcasting. These days, thanks to the internet, setting up - or contributing to – an online radio station is easy, as is hosting a podcast. How about considering setting up your own podcast to share your experience of running successful events as a form of marketing to new and prospective clients? It could be a great – and fun – way of asserting yourself as an expert in your particular niche or geographical area.

The uses of a decent recording setup really are varied and I think it’s something worth adding to any pro DJ’s equipment inventory, but why the Scarlett Studio in particular? Well, having assessed the wide variety of options on the market I feel that it off ers the right combination of features, quality and price for all of the uses that I’ve mentioned. It’s not the cheapest solution – but the lowest cost option is rarely a good way to go – and it’s certainly not the most expensive – as you can imagine, professional studio mics alone can have price tags in the thousands.

However, it off ers professional features, great recording quality and robust construction all for a price within the reach of most mobile DJs. So now that I’ve explained my reasoning for a review of a recording kit and my choice of the Scarlett Studio package in particular, let’s look at what’s included. Basically, inside the box, you’ll fi nd everything you FOCUTSHREI TAER TS COAFR ALDETVTE RSTTIUSDINIOG need to get up and running recording The User Guide good quality audio.

There’s the Scarvided in the box, lett 2i2 – a two input / two output tree-saving USB audio interface – along with a however, I USB cable for connecting it to your using the Scartlett computer (the interface is compatso easy and ible with both PC and Mac). Then the manual there’s the CM25 condenser micro- It is worth noting phone, supplied with an XLR cable LE download is and stand adaptor. Finally, there’s a 2.6GB for windows pair of HP60 monitoring headphones so you’ll either complete with a gold-plated ¼” jack ternet connection adaptor for its 3.5mm plug. few hours waiting As is becoming common, there is no Of course, you CD with the drivers and other bunprovided soft dled soft ware, this is all accessed by be used with digital download aft er fi rst registertion.

While I was ing your Scarlett Studio on the Focus- LE to download rite website. The soft ware package lett Studio kit includes the LE version of the widely able Audacity used professional music production had installed on and recording soft ware Cubase as set up the device well as the Focusrite Scarlett suite volved a small of eff ects and processing plug-ins, installation including Softube and Red 2 + 3 Scarlett 2i2 plug-ins. The package also includes select both as a Novation Bass Station software device as soon synth and collection of Loopmasters and it worked samples and drum loops.

Of course, away with no for the purposes that mobile DJs are likely to use their Scarlett Studio The Scarlett 2i2 setup, these won’t be needed, but heart of the they can be fun to experiment with is a professional if you have any inclination to venture interface into making your own music. FOCUSRITE SCARLETT STUDIO focusrite scarlett studio is also not protwo audio input channels and two but available as a output channels. The box itself is digital PDF download, compact, but with a robust metal found setting up and construction and a feel of quality.

Studio package It is USB-powered, which means no straight-forward that separate power supply is required, wasn’t really required. keeping cables to a minimum. The that the Cubase USB socket is on the rear panel, a fairly substantial while a small green LED indicator (2.4 for Mac OS) on the front to show when power is need a very fast inbeing received by the unit. or to set aside a for the download. Two combination XLR / 1/4” jack inputs are provided on the front don’t have to use the panel, each switchable between line ware, the hardware can and instrument level.

Each input has any recording applicaa dedicated Gain control surrounded waiting for Cubase by an LED-illuminated ‘halo’ indica- I tried out the Scartor. This lights up in green to indiwith the freely availcate a good input signal and turns soft ware that I already red to warn of clipping. This is very my laptop. Having useful when recording an interview driver, which inwithout listening in with your headdownload and quick phones (which can be off -putting to process, I found the the interviewee) as you have a visual interface available to indication that the speech is being an Input and Output picked up well. as I opened Audacity like a charm straight The fact that the inputs off er 1/4” further setup required. jack connection and the level can is essentially at the Scarlett Studio kit.

This USB external audio (soundcard) that provides 69 focusrite scarlett studio be switched to Instrument means CM25 condenser mic) that a guitar or keyboard can easbe toggled on/off using ily be connected for recording ed push-switch on simple musical performances in The front panel is also high-quality, should such a need large Monitor volume ever arise. Imagine helping a budas the smaller headphone ding musician groom to wow his trol and it’s 1/4” jack new bride by creating a recording A toggle switch for of him performing the fi rst dance disabling direct song himself! provided.

Direct the recorded audio is The Scarlett 2i2 interface provides back through your 48V power for microphones that ing the recording require it (such as the supplied means you can check like in real time. For this can be useful, but ing your own voice putting, hence the it on or off . The output (for monitor speakers) on the back panel the form of two 1/4” Having now spent using the Scarlett 2i2 found it to be a reliable that does exactly it every time I use it. sound is clean and amps work well to textured speech.

The are smooth and tency is barely noticeable. workhorse that is use as part of a home as it is for taking out capture recordings The of Studio CM25 like probably a 70 and this can more sensitive and therefore suited an illuminatfor the recording of speech and vothe front panel. cals. I have to say that I have been home to the very impressed by the sound quality control as well of the CM25, it records speech aclevel concurately and warmly with little backoutput socket. ground noise.

I even did an A/B test activating and against an industry standard SM58 monitoring is also dynamic mic and the depth of sound monitoring is when captured by the CM25 was a vastly played straight noticeable improvement – proof headphones durthat investing in the right tool for process which the job is always worthwhile even if what it sounds you already own another tool that some purposes could in theory get the job done. when recordit can be off - Of course, the quality of your reoption to switch cordings will be affected by the connections space in which you make them. are located When recording interviews for the and provided in Pro Mobile Podcast I’ve struggled jack sockets. with background noise from air conditioners being picked up in the quite a bit of time form of low-frequency humming, interface I’ve and – to a lesser extent – I’ve experipiece of kit enced echo when recording in large what I expect of spaces.

However, when recording in The recorded my small home offi ce, I fi nd recordthe mic preing great-sounding speech using the capture rich and CM25 to be very easy without the rotary controls need for any extras such as a pop accurate, while lashield or acoustic screen. It is a real equally suited to The one item that you’re sure to studio setup need that isn’t included in the packon the road to age (other than a computer!) is a mic on site. stand. Due to the sensitive nature of condenser mics you really can’t other key part hold them while recording, as any the Scarlett small movement of your hand will kit is the be picked up audibly.

The kit does condenser include a stand adaptor that screws microphone. Unon to the CM25 mic, but you’ll then the dynamic need a standard fl oor-standing or microphone you table-top mic stand onto which use when you can attach the adaptor. Of performing at gigs, course, these are readily available condenser mic is for next to nothing and, as a mobile DJ, you’ve probably got one laying around anyway (I had!). The fi nal element of the Scarlett Studio kit is the pair of HP60 headphones.

Now you may be thinking, as FOCUSRITE SCTAHREL EETATR LSYT UDDAYIOS I did, that you already own (at least) of the CM25 one decent pair of headphones for the HP60s is your DJ work. However, as with supplied XLR the mic, headphones suited well for DJing are not necessarily right What more can for monitoring and editing record- Studio is a ings. The HP60s provide a true fl at ing hardware sound, so that what you are hearing that gives you is exactly what is captured on the to professionally recording with no colouration of even acoustic the audio.

They also off er plenty of works well on headroom and are comfortable to combine together wear for prolonged periods of time, usable and so the perfect icing on the Scarlett setup. I can Studio’s cake. wholeheartedly this is what I am While looks are less important Pro Mobile Podcast than quality and performance, I do you want to like the way in which the Scarlett a recording made Studio kit has been drawn together Studio sounds through the use of red as a signaa listen? ture colour.

The metal casing of the 2i2 is fi nished in red, as is the body focusrite scarlett studio mic. The headband of also red, as even is the cable. I say? The Scarlett well-thought-out recordand soft ware package everything you need capture speech and music.

Each element its own and they all to create a very high-quality recording genuinely say that I’d recommend it, as using myself for our recordings. So, if hear for yourself what using the Scarlett like, why not give it