Focusrite say latest (1st Gen) 2i2 driver supports 24 bit in WDM

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by G String, Jul 17, 2018.

  1. G String

    G String Rock Star

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    One of the most common issues around (1st Gen) 2i2 was its lack of 24bit support in WDM (Regular Windows sound). (It always had 24bit in ASIO).

    However, in an email from Focusrite, they write:

    Funny, they don't mention this addition in the driver notes. Oh, well. Great to have it, eventually.
     
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  3. notrace

    notrace Producer

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    Funny, I can't even use this driver on Windows10 with the Scarlett 2i4 (1st Gen) because it will intermittently cause Windows10 to crash with the following error:
    Stop code: DRIVER POWER STATE FAILURE
    It seems that it doesn't initial the USB port properly sometimes. I had to revert back to an older driver in order to get stable performance from it. Their drivers are pretty shitty!
     
  4. wuzzle

    wuzzle Platinum Record

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    I doubt i'll buy another Focusrite product due to the poor support and the questionable drivers. It works great on OSX not even needing drivers, (it's a class compliant usb audio interface) but my main machine is Win 10.
    I'm not even using Focusrite's ASIO anymore as it had it's own instabilities. Opted to use FL Studio ASIO with Ableton Live 10. Rock solid here.
     
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  5. G String

    G String Rock Star

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    That's a shame, notrace. Which driver are you using instead? I was using 2.5.1 reliably for years until this update.

    Having tried it now (Win7), the 24bit in WDM is only 48K, not 96. And it totally screws FLStudio (12.4) visual/audio sync - the playback position is completely wrong and jumps all over the place, even though the audio sounds right. Switching sync to "mixer" or "hybrid" seems to fix it......but still......why break something with a fix? Doh.

    I've only tried a quick test, maybe more issues will show up. I think the latency has improved but I did get a few crashes when starting FL a few times. Hmmm.

    Edit - @wuzzle - isn't FL ASIO really high latency compared to Focusrite or even ASIO4ALL?
     
  6. wuzzle

    wuzzle Platinum Record

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    For my machine, I found from worst to best being Focusrite, ASIO4ALL and then FLStudio's. I suppose it could be various things across the board, from the motherboard choice to the varied chips used for USB causing havoc. Got to love standards, even if there are too many ;)
     
  7. G String

    G String Rock Star

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    My worst to best is FL, Focusrite, ASIO4ALL. Odd.
     
  8. notrace

    notrace Producer

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    Hi G String,
    The rountine I use now is to first install the ScarlettUAC2DriverSetup-release-3.1.10-221 but it doesn't play youtube vids through the headphone jack. So I then install the ScarlettUACInstall-beta-3.2.2-292-tdl which corrects that youtube playback issue. Thankfully it's been stable here. :) Next time I'll stay clear of Focusrite interfaces. The hardware is good but the drivers suck!

    notrace
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2018
  9. Scarlett

    Scarlett Guest

    Bought that 2i2 first gen centuries ago, I felt raped, since then I don't buy anything focusrite and I unsub from youtube channels who support them. It's a pretty paper holder though.
     
  10. usernone

    usernone Producer

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    I've had years of issues with my gen1 18i20 drivers, but I do say, the new beta driver for 1st gen products is feeling and sounding pretty nice so far on the latest Win10 1803. (fingers crossed it stays this way)

    EDIT: Never mind. The new beta driver sucks :(
    It caused severe crackling in my DAW, and an unacceptable amount of latency just to remove the crackling. I've tried a zillion things to remedy this - you name it. Back to the previous beta driver I go. I'm so disappointed with Focusrite's drivers. A real damn shame.


    Focusrite, if you're listening... You've really gotta fix your driver situation. Countless threads all over the net by many unhappy customers over the years about your software has got to mean something to you, no?
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2018
  11. notrace

    notrace Producer

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    usernone: What is the exact version number of that beta driver you are using? I'm also running Win10 r1803 here.
     
  12. usernone

    usernone Producer

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    ScarlettMixControl1_10b2.exe

    I have acquired it from here.
    http://beta.focusrite.com/

    :wink:


    P.S. Don't forget to disable any other audio drivers that may be installed in your system. For example, in Device Manager, I had to disable Nvidia Audio Driver and some other audio device associated with my Acer touch monitor.

    Also keep in mind that I did a clean install of Windows and am currently going through the motions of getting my studio machine back up and running, however the audio driver I mentioned above is still rocking out pretty great. Better than any other focusrite driver I have used in the past by leaps and bounds.


    I'm concerned that you may have other audio drivers / usb2 drivers installed on your system that may hinder the performance of this driver. If you are open to giving your machine a "fresh start" with a format, etc.... I would highly recommend it - if you have the time.





    EDIT: as I have mentioned that I am undergoing a fresh studio-install, I will document any weirdness here with the beta audio driver, should I encounter any along the way.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2018
  13. notrace

    notrace Producer

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    Can't use that driver since my interface doesn't support MixControl. :( No problem with cleaning up my system if need be. :)
     
  14. usernone

    usernone Producer

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    Fair enough - sorry I didn't catch that.

    I'm sure you've done your own recon, but just in case, here's a few links/threads I've pulled up in hopes that it might provide you with some alternate useful information.

    https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en...85-Windows-10-Re-Installing-Focusrite-Drivers
    (also 2i4) info here.


    https://us.focusrite.com/downloads?product=Scarlett+2i4+first+gen



    Hope all goes well
     
  15. notrace

    notrace Producer

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    Thanks for doing that but I have indeed researched the issue prior. The last two drivers offered caused the second issue outlined in your above post. The only way around it was to revert to a much older driver that doesn't exhibit the issue. As I've previously stated, my next interface will not be a Focusrite one.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2018
  16. usernone

    usernone Producer

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    I hear you, brotha... I've actually encountered some deal-breaking issues with the new driver as well and have edited my above post, briefly explaining the problems followed by a mild rant.


    I'm disappointed with Focusrite.


    I've got my eye on either an RME or the Slate Digital VRS8... Can't wait to say good riddance to years of various headaches with my Focusrite.

    I'm not even sure I have a good enough conscience to sell it to someone.... :/
     
  17. notrace

    notrace Producer

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    People love RME and they're said to have the best drivers on the market. A friend of mine has the Baby Face Pro and loves it. Focusrite needs to unload the person or persons doing their drivers and hire someone who knows what they're doing. They've lost me as a customer because of it!
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2018
  18. oR1_PRS

    oR1_PRS Noisemaker

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    with the last uptade (1803) my scarlett 2i4 1st gen stop working
    windows doesnt recognize at all
    i think its the last driver, because with the olders drivers its recognize but doesnt sound or appear in playback.....
    focusrite has to update the drivers for this windows update.
    sorry for my english xD
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2018
  19. reliefsan

    reliefsan Audiosexual

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    just to add/confirm on this,
    running old 1gen focusrite and win10 latest update aswell.
    Soundcard stoped working and my DAW couldn't accsess the soundcard.
    i grabed focusriteusbinstaller4.36.5-612.exe from the website and installed it and noticed the name of the soundcard had changed inside my DAW. But its working again, Thank God!
     
  20. G String

    G String Rock Star

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    Beta drivers are not finished. Windows updates aren't down to Focusrite. That's an issue for MS and their Windows 10 "service" model. There's nothing wrong in using older drivers (if they work). In fact, one should only update if there are issues that are resolved, improvements made, whatever. That applies to everything, not just to Focusrite or Microsoft stuff, but *everything*.

    Report the issues? Tell Focusrite? Tell MS? Use a config that works? Use a stable OS (not W10)?
     
  21. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    None of my clients who use Focusrite interfaces [only 3, mind you] have any problems with them. They all use Windows 7 and a bit older FR drivers. No internet on these computers, just audio, documents editing , and notation printing if needed.

    So the problem is not just down to Focusrite, who's drivers aren't really best of the bunch, but Microsoft. I can understand that people like to use W10 because it's the latest and safer for Internet usage, but if you're serious about your music just setup another boot with W7 just for music and all your problems will be gone, or at least most of them. :wink:

    Alternatively, you can browse with a Virtual Machine OS [W7, Linux, even W10 if you must] on your W7 for audio. That's quite safe. I prefer dual booting, though. It is easy to setup both Windows and Linux dual boots.

    Cheers!
     
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