After finally incorporating a proper pair of speakers into my evolving MacBook Pro setup in late 2024 — following years of writing Cult of Mac setups articles, often with a focus on high-quality audio gear I shamelessly envied — I just upped my rig’s audio ante again. And this time it’s mainly from the input perspective. I added a new Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, a condenser microphone mounted on an arm and, ridiculously, two more pairs of over-ear headphones (I already have too many cans and earbuds).
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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio (4th generation) audio interface bundle
This USB audio interface bundle for recording, streaming and podcasting comes with a dual-input interface for microphones and instruments, a condenser microphone, closed-back headphones, cables and a suite of software.
- Studio-quality recording and streaming with Mac
- Comes with Pro Tools, Ableton Live and more
- Detailed condenser mic comes with pop filter
- Affordable
- Not the most sophisticated option
After years of evolving my computer setup, from a PC laptop propped up on a box on a messy desk to a dual-display, MacBook Pro-powered rig substantially updated in October 2023, I’ve made three major additions in late 2024 and early this year. I added the supercharged M4 Pro MacBook Pro in the mix, plus an Edifier MR3 2.0 Monitor Speaker System. It’s an affordable set of compact studio monitor speakers. A while back I went into depth on the powerful new M4 Pro MacBook Pro in a setups post and a review. Then I focused on the Edifier speakers, a near-field monitor system that brings studio-quality audio to your desktop at a surprisingly accessible price point of $120. And now I’ve made my setup a recording and podcasting studio, basically.
Easy audio interface set up
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Now I’ll get into setting up the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio audio interface bundle (interface, condenser microphone, closed-back headphones, cables). I chose it because I’m interested in various uses — recording guitar and voice, possibly podcasting, sounding good on calls and driving fancy, high-impedence headphones.
I happened to nab a used set of open-back headphones recently, Sennheiser HD660s2, so I wanted to see if the interface’s built in headphone amp could drive them (at 300Ohm, they’re pretty high impedence, so an amp typically brings out the cans’ full potential, especially when used with devices like iPhones and iPads. Late-model MacBooks like mine have sophisticated headphone jacks that can sense connected headphones’ impedance and adjust power accordingly — more voltage to the port for cans between 15o and 1,000Ohms — but you have to use the headphone jack directly. Mine was occupied by an RCA speaker cable when I started this project.
Setting up my new audio interface was easy, for the most part. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio bundle comes with almost everything necessary. The basic steps are simply to plug the interface box into the MacBook’s USB port, then plug the mic(s) and speakers into the back of the interface and the headphones into the front. Then go to the easy setup website Focusrite offers. Download a controller app and music production software like Ableton Live Lite as necessary.
Connectivity problem caused delay
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Right off the bat, though, the process flummoxed me briefly. The interface box needs to connect to the computer via USB-A connector, and of course M4 Pro MacBook Pro only has USB-C connectors. I rummaged for an adapter, coming up empty, and pondered what dock I might be able to dig out of a box and add to the mix. But I was feeling lazy, and I pride myself on getting everything done with just the laptop and displays’ USB hubs.
In the end, I just ordered a tiny Ugreen USB-A to USB-C adapter for a few bucks from Amazon, delivered overnight. The back of my setup is already festooned with messy cables and I didn’t want to add any more. However, if I add even one more piece of hardware, I’ll need to add a dock, because my MacBook ports are maxed out.
Bilione microphone boom arm
It actually took longer to set up my new Bilione microphone boom arm with pop filter than the interface I’m using the mic with — several minutes, anyway. But now it’s all in place, at a cost of a few hundred bucks and about half an hour of effort. I adjusted output and inputs in my MacBook’s Settings and successfully took part in a group call via Slack Huddle using the new gear. Everything worked fine.
And I’m pleased to report that the uber-comfortable and fantastic-sounding Sennheiser cans performed well, too. They truly shine with music via headphone amp, but they’re also nice for voice work because they’re very comfortable and let in a little ambient sound, as well as your own voice. However, sound bleeding from the cans wouldn’t be good in recording situations, so for that I’d probably turn to the Scarlett SH-450 closed-back headphones, which sound great, with a little more brightness than the Sennies, or my Beats Studio Pro cans.
All that remained was to run sound from my other major audio component, Edifier MR3 studio monitor speakers, through the interface, so they work as a headphone alternative. I picked up a couple of TRS audio cables that fit into the output jacks on the back of the audio interface and input TRS jacks on the back of the speakers. So now the speakers aren’t plugged into my MacBook’s headphone jack anymore. Therefore, I don’t need to select them as a separate output source in my MacBook settings. Now I just have to turn them on without headphones connected to the interface for audio in the room.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
So I should note that the next-biggest Focusrite Scarlett interface, 4i4 (capable of handling four inputs apiece, mics and instruments or midis), won a spot on Cult of Mac‘s best audio interfaces for Mac roundup in the under-$1,000 category. And my 2i2 rig is the same interface with the same technologies within. It just hosts fewer inputs.
Features and specs:
- The convenient bundle includes Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen USB Audio Interface with Hi-Z Instrument, Loopback, Air Mode, cardboard microphone stand (pretty cheesy), microphone shock mount for 44-47mm microphones, and pop filter for broadcasting and recording microphones.
- Scarlett notes its re-engineered Air mode brings your sound’s distinctive character to the forefront of the mix for standout lead vocal and instrument tracks, providing a genuinely musical presence and rich harmonic drive, just like a vintage console in a high-end studio.
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen USB Audio Interface offers an impressive 69dB gain range, providing clarity and detail for recording.
- Loopback lets you create your own. The virtual inputs on 2i2 allow you to directly send stereo audio from your music apps and other software to your DAW.
- With Scarlett’s Dynamic Gain Halos, you can quickly and easily choose the ideal level to produce high-quality recordings every time.
Shop these items now:
You can choose from a mic desk stand or a desk-mountable boom arm that can fit most microphones via included accessories. Shock mount, pop filter, mic clip and cable ties included.
- Set up mic for recording or podcasting in minutes
- Works with different mic types
- Inexpensive
- Not the sturdiest option
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface setup:
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface bundle (with condenser microphone and closed-back headphones)
- Bilione Microphone Boom Arm Stand
- Sennheiser Consumer Audio HD 660S2 Wired Audiophile Stereo Headphones
Other audio:
- Edifier MR3 2.0 Monitor Speaker System
- Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Computers and case:
Displays and monitor light:
- 27-inch Alogic Clarity Pro Touch Monitor
- 27-inch Dell UltraSharp U2720Q 4K Monitor
- Oowolf computer monitor light
Input devices:
- Logitech MX Mechanical Mini for Mac wireless keyboard
- Logitech MX Anywhere 3 Mouse for Mac
- Magic Trackpad 2
Wrist rests, desk mat, mouse pad:
Furniture:
Accessories:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. (iPhone photo usually work fine). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches or challenges.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
