Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen vs Universal Audio Volt 1: Which One Should You Choose?

If you are looking for a simple and portable USB audio interface for your home recording studio, you might have come across two popular options: the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen and the Universal Audio Volt 1.

Both of these devices are designed to provide high-quality sound and performance for singers, songwriters, podcasters, and other audio enthusiasts. But how do they compare and what are the main differences between them?

A Quick Look

If you are looking for a simple and affordable interface that can add some warmth and brightness to your vocals and acoustic instruments, you might want to choose the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen. The Air mode can help you achieve a more airy and open sound that cuts through the mix better. The gain halo indicators can also help you set the optimal gain level for your recordings and avoid distortion or noise. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen also comes with more plugins and a Splice Sounds subscription that can help you enhance your productions.

If you are looking for a more versatile and flexible interface that can offer a gentle compression and access to premium plugins, you might want to choose the Universal Audio Volt 1. The hardware compressor can help you smooth out the dynamics of your sound source and make it more consistent and balanced. The Universal Audio Volt 1 also comes with a full-featured DAW (LUNA) and more plugins from Universal Audio that can help you create professional-sounding tracks. You can also use the UAD plugins with zero-latency direct monitoring, which means you can hear the effects of the plugins without any delay.

Common Features

Both the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen and the Universal Audio Volt 1 share some common features that make them suitable for home recording. Here are some of them:

• One mic input and one line/instrument input: Both interfaces have one XLR mic input and one 1/4″ line/instrument input on the front panel. This means you can record vocals and guitar or keyboard at the same time, or connect a microphone to capture any sound source.

• 24-bit/192 kHz resolution: Both interfaces support high-resolution audio recording and playback, which means you can capture every detail of your sound source and enjoy clear and crisp sound quality.

• Phantom power: Both interfaces provide +48V phantom power to the mic input, which allows you to use condenser microphones that require external power. This is useful if you want to record vocals or acoustic instruments with a more detailed and accurate sound.

• Direct monitoring: Both interfaces have a direct monitoring feature that lets you hear your input signal without any latency or delay caused by your computer. This is helpful if you want to record with headphones and avoid hearing any echo or lag in your performance.

• MIDI I/O: Both interfaces have a MIDI input and output on the back panel, which allows you to connect MIDI keyboards, controllers, or other devices to your computer. This is useful if you want to use virtual instruments, trigger samples, or control parameters in your software.

• Bundled software: Both interfaces come with a variety of software that can help you start recording right away.

While the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen and the Universal Audio Volt 1 have many common features, they also have some individual features that make them unique and different from each other. Here are some of them:

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen Individual Features

• Air mode: The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has a feature called Air mode that can be activated by pressing a button on the front panel. This feature emulates the sound of the original Focusrite ISA preamp, which adds brightness and clarity to vocals and acoustic instruments. This can help you achieve a more airy and open sound that cuts through the mix better.

• Gain halo indicators: The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has LED rings around the gain knobs that indicate the input level of your signal. The rings light up green when the signal is at a good level, red when the signal is clipping, and off when there is no signal. This can help you set the optimal gain level for your recordings and avoid distortion or noise.

Universal Audio Volt 1 Individual Features

• UAD plugins: The Universal Audio Volt 1 comes with a collection of plugins from Universal Audio, which are renowned for their quality and realism. These plugins emulate the sound of classic analog hardware, such as compressors, equalizers, reverbs, delays, and more. You can use these plugins in your DAW or in LUNA Recording System, which is a full-featured DAW that integrates seamlessly with the Volt 1.

• Hardware compressor: The UA Volt 1 has a feature called hardware compressor that can be activated by pressing a button on the front panel. This feature applies a gentle compression to your input signal, which adds punch and presence to your recordings. This can help you smooth out the dynamics of your sound source and make it more consistent and balanced.

Price Comparison

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen and the Universal Audio Volt 1 are both affordable audio interfaces that offer great value for money. However, there is a slight difference in their price, depending on where you buy them from.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen costs around $130, while the Universal Audio Volt 1 costs $140, making the Scarlett Solo slightly cheaper than the UA Volt 1.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of an audio interface depends on several factors, such as the quality of the preamps, converters, drivers, and software. Both the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen and the Universal Audio Volt 1 have high-quality components that ensure clear and transparent sound quality. However, there may be some subtle differences in their sound character and tone, depending on your personal preference and taste.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has a slightly warmer and smoother sound that can add some color and richness to your recordings. The Air mode can also enhance the high frequencies and add some sparkle and presence to your vocals and acoustic instruments.

The Universal Audio Volt 1 has a slightly cleaner and more neutral sound that can capture your sound source more accurately and faithfully. The hardware compressor can also add some punch and presence to your recordings and make them more consistent and balanced.

Both interfaces have low noise and distortion levels, high dynamic range, and low latency performance. They also support high-resolution audio recording and playback up to 24-bit/192 kHz, which means you can capture every detail of your sound source and enjoy clear and crisp sound quality.

Compatibility

Both the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen and the Universal Audio Volt 1 are compatible with Windows and Mac computers, as well as iOS devices (with an adapter). They use USB 2.0 protocol to connect to your computer or device, which means they are plug-and-play and do not require any external power supply. They also come with drivers and software that can help you set up and configure your interface easily.

Both interfaces are also compatible with most popular DAWs (digital audio workstations), such as Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Cubase, FL Studio, Reaper, GarageBand, etc.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen vs Universal Audio Volt 1: The Final Verdict

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen and the Universal Audio Volt 1 are both compact and portable USB audio interfaces that offer one mic input, one line/instrument input, two line outputs, 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, phantom power, direct monitoring, MIDI I/O, and bundled software. However, they also have some distinctive features that set them apart.

If you want a simple and affordable interface that can add some warmth and brightness to your vocals and acoustic instruments, go for the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen. If you want a more versatile and flexible interface that can offer a gentle compression and access to premium plugins, go for the Universal Audio Volt 1.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen has an Air mode that adds brightness and clarity to vocals and acoustic instruments, while the Universal Audio Volt 1 has a built-in hardware compressor that adds punch and presence to your recordings. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is slightly cheaper than the Universal Audio Volt 1, but the latter comes with a more comprehensive DAW (LUNA) and more plugins.

Either way, you won’t regret choosing either of these interfaces, as they are both reliable, easy-to-use, and high-quality devices that can help you record amazing sound at home.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen Bundled Software

• Ableton Live Lite (a lite version of a popular DAW).
• Pro Tools First Focusrite Creative Pack (a lite version of another popular DAW with some plugins).
• Three months of Splice Sounds subscription (a platform that offers royalty-free samples, loops, and presets).
• Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite (a collection of EQ and compressor plugins).
• Softube Time and Tone Bundle (a collection of reverb, delay, distortion, and modulation plugins).
• XLN Audio Addictive Keys (a virtual piano plugin).
• Focusrite Plug-in Collective (a program that offers free plugins every few months).

Universal Audio Volt1 Bundled Software

• LUNA Recording System (a full-featured DAW).
• Realtime Analog Classics Bundle (a collection of plugins from Universal Audio).
• Ableton Live Lite (a lite version of a popular DAW).
• Brainworx bx_rockrack V3 Player (a guitar amp simulator plugin).
• SPL Attacker Plus (a transient shaper plugin), Maag Audio EQ2 (an equalizer plugin).
• Lexicon MPX-i Reverb (a reverb plugin).
• Klanghelm SDRR2tube (a tube saturation plugin).
• Output Movement (a rhythm processor plugin).
• Native Instruments Replika (a delay plugin).
• Cherry Audio Voltage Nucleus (a modular synth plugin).
• UJAM Virtual Drummer 2 PHAT (a virtual drummer plugin).
• KV331 Audio Synthmaster Player (a synth plugin).
• Mäag Audio EQ2 (an equalizer plugin).