The Apollo Twin and Scarlett 2i2 are 2 of the most widely used desktop audio interfaces among home producers around the world. They both do a great job of accomplishing the basic tasks of an audio interface, but one costs $900+ and the other costs $200.
You may see that price difference and wonder - how do I decide which one is right for me? What are the main differences between these 2 interfaces? In this guide, I compared the Apollo Twin against the Scarlett 2i2 to help you decide which interface suits your needs best.
Apollo Twin vs Scarlett 2i2: Which Audio Interface is Best?
The short answer is the Apollo Twin is a better interface than the Scarlett 2i2 due to its higher quality preamps and converters, its ability to reduce strain on your computer with its high processing power, and the inclusion of many free world-class plugins from Universal Audio with your purchase.
However, a better question to ask may be is the Apollo Twin worth $700+ more than the Scarlett 2i2? The answer to that depends on a variety of factors and what exactly you're looking for from your new audio interface - all of which we'll get into in the comparison below.
After you’re done reading, don’t forget to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials guide where you'll learn about all the necessary gear you need to get started on your music production journey.
With all that said, let's get into our comparison of the Apollo Twin vs Scarlett 2i2.
Connectivity: Thunderbolt 3
Inputs: 2 combo mic/instrument inputs, 1 Hi-Z instrument input
Outputs: 2 sets of Left/Right Line Outputs, 1 Headphone output
Cost: $963.21
The Apollo Twin is without a doubt one of the best desktop audio interfaces available for a (somewhat) reasonable price. Its manufacturer, Universal Audio, is known for its incredibly high quality audio gear used in professional studios around the world, and the Apollo Twin is no exception.
So, is it worth almost $1,000? Let's get into what this interface has to offer.
First, the quality of the preamps and converters are top notch, meaning your recordings will sound pristine and more professional than recordings made through a budget interface. This alone may convince you that the Apollo Twin is right for you, but we haven't even gotten to its processing power yet.
One of the most valuable aspects of this interface is its UAD Core Processing, which allows all the audio processing to be done within the unit itself instead of on your computer. This helps to free up processing power on your computer which is especially useful when dealing with large DAW projects, third party plugins, sample libraries, and all the other storage-related functions that go hand-in-hand with making music on your personal computer.
Additionally, your Apollo Twin purchase comes with over $1,000 worth of plugins via the UAD plug-in bundle, which consists of many legendary plugins that you can track through via your interface or use within your DAW. Classic EQs, compressors, and more will help to give your recordings a warm and vintage feel, which is tough to replicate with today's digital recordings.
All of these features add up to a great desktop interface that will help to level-up your home studio. Regarding the question of is it worth $700+ more than the Scarlett 2i2? - it depends.
If you're a more experienced producer who is looking for an interface upgrade after using a budget interface and identifying some of the shortcomings, I'd say go for it. However, if you're just starting out and don't necessarily need the top-of-the-line equipment and rather just need an interface capable of decent quality audio recordings, I'd recommend starting out with a cheaper interface (like the Scarlett Series) and work your way up from there.
Connectivity: USB-C
Inputs: 2 combo mic/instrument inputs
Outputs: Left/Right Line Outputs, 1 Headphone output
Cost: $199.99
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (and Scarlett Solo) are some of the best sellers when it comes to desktop audio interfaces - I'm sure you've seen pictures or videos of producers sporting the recognizable red and black design within their studio. The affordability and ease-of-use help to explain why this interface is so popular.
The Scarlett 2i2 isn't going to "wow" you in any one category, but it will get the job done effectively. The preamps aren't equivalent in quality compared to the Apollo Twin, but the quality of your recordings will still be clean and low-noise. It doesn't have its own core processors, but it's also not going to overload your computer.
This interface features 2 combo mic/instrument inputs, meaning you're able to record 2 microphones, 2 instruments, or 1 microphone and 1 instrument simultaneously. This is especially noteworthy if you plan on recording 2 vocalists or 2 co-hosts for a podcast with your audio interface. In comparison, the Apollo Twin features 2 combo mic/instrument inputs and 1 Hi-Z instrument input - giving it 1 more input than the 2i2.
All-in-all, while the audio quality isn't as clean as you'd get with the Apollo Twin, the Scarlett 2i2 is still an extremely solid and durable option for your home studio needs, especially for those who are just starting out.
Final Thoughts
Both of these interfaces accomplish the basic tasks you expect from an audio interface very well, but the Apollo Twin has much more to offer than just accomplishing the basic tasks. If you're a newer producer on a tighter budget who doesn't need anything to fancy - go with the Scarlett 2i2. If you're a bit more seasoned and looking to improve the sound quality of your recordings and leverage Universal Audio's legendary plug-in suite, go with the Apollo Twin.
In addition to this comparison, we also have a full guide comparing various audio interface options, so go check that out if you still need some guidance.
I hope this comparison has helped you understand the differences between the Apollo Twin and the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. If you have any lingering questions, feel free to leave them down below in the comments!
Enjoyed this guide? Make sure to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials Guide or some of our reviews/buyer's guides.
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