Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen

I'm using this audio interface with my XLR microphone and my electric guitar, to simulate amplifiers in Cakewalk TH3. I'm extremely happy with it. Everything feels and looks high quality and the controls are intuitive. There's nothing bad to say about the sound, playing guitar in TH3 feels like it's straight through an amp, no delay whatsoever and a great full sound. All together an amazing product that does what it's designed for extremely well while looking good. I don't really know much about audio, but it's very user friendly and pretty much self explainatory in all aspects.

The only thing I had missed was that the headphone output is a 6,35mm (1/4 inch") jack and the interface does not come with an adapter for 3.5mm Headsets. Audiophiles probably have those laying around everywhere, or 6.35mm jacks on their headphones to begin with. As I'm just getting started with music, I had to buy one. Not an issue, they're less than an euro, just something worth mentioning. Other than that, zero issues.

I use the Scarlett on all my machines, both Linux and OpenBSD, with different microphones, mostly audio-technica AT2020.

While recording, the sound is very low, for some reason. I have to put the control knob to the max to hear something. But that's kinda fine, I can easily make it louder with the software I use to record (ffmpeg) and the sound is fine.

For the features, it seems that other brands (such as Beringher) are doing better for the price. Actually, the former version of Scarlett did include more outputs. So that's definitively something to notice for this price.

Still, I use this tool almost every day for more than a year now, and it is working great. I own several Scarlett, including older models, they all work perfectly.

Of course, being on Linux and OpenBSD, I do not use the provided software. Not that I would actually care, but since I didn't test it, I can't comment on it.

So you wanted to start creating your music or record some instruments. Well good for you because this red brick can do just that and more.
Great input, Great protection, doesn't break just like nokia3310, the design is very nice, the box is smaller than my phone and i can share my awful taste of music now to even 1 more person.
After full day of recording and trying to sound like the bands i listen to, i actually make a good song and go to sleep, happy to progress further tomorrow. Well tomorrow comes and i realize how bad everything sounds. I try to mix everything perfectly only to now sound like from some cave underground homeless guy playing with a flute in my nose.
10/10 would throw this brick at my neighbour's window again

I had red a lot of hate towards this interface and many friends tried to talk me out of buying this, but I am glad I did.
There were no problems with installation, the tutorial videos they have are amazing and easy to understand. The setup took me maybe 5-10 minutes at most. Also the plugin bundle is quite decent for starting out.
Build quality is good, sturdy, knobs feel good and respond as should. I had no problems plugin in both a guitar and a microphone, gain is plenty if you have a decent guitar/microphone. Volume knobs are amazing, they feel great and respond nicely. I have my AKG-702 at 50% volume and I don't really need more, so it is able to feed enough power for higher ohm headphones.
Recording has very low latency and I don't even need to use the direct monitor button, and even if I did, it works great.
Overall I get why this is the most popular interface - you get a lot for the price and if you need something to record with at home, look no further.