The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) is one of the most popular USB audio interfaces. It’s built for home studios, podcasting, streaming, singer-songwriters, and anyone who needs a reliable 2-in / 2-out interface with good preamps and solid conversion. Key Specs Two mic/line/instrument inputs. Conversion: up to 24-bit / 192 kHz audio. Preamps: Clean preamps with up to ~69 dB of gain on the 4th-gen model. Dynamic range: ~120dB. Unique features: Auto Gain and Clip Safe (4th-gen) — helps set input levels and avoid clipping. “Air” feature: enhanced Air mode (presence + drive) to add character to vocals or instruments. Build: Solid metal chassis, neat front-panel layout. Monitoring: Direct button for monitoring (mono/panned) on 2i2. Performance Sound Quality : Very clean, low-noise preamps. Reviewers note that the 4th-gen 2i2 sounds “smarter and cleaner” than previous generations. Headroom : The ...
Let’s dive into the beautiful chaos. China’s AI push? It’s all about scale with a sprinkle of ambition—maybe too much, too fast. The government wants to embed AI everywhere, from smart cities to self-optimizing factories. They’re producing models almost as quickly as bubble tea shops open in Beijing, but experts note a lack of “seasoning”—the real-world impact is lagging behind the glitter. China dreams of AI permeating 90% of its economy by 2030, but the current burst is outpacing investment, raising doubts about whether these cardboard skyscrapers will stand the test of time. Meanwhile, Character.AI just slammed the door on users under 18 after a wave of lawsuits linked to teen mental health tragedies. Emotional attachments to chatbots proved dangerous, sparking parent cheers and regulatory scrutiny. The company will phase out open-ended chats for teens by late November, launch stricter age checks, and limit screen time—proving maybe kids and em...