Focusrite is well-known for their 2-in-1 audio interfaces, which are among the most classic and best-selling audio interfaces worldwide. Their popularity is well-deserved and comes from the excellent quality they have managed to pack into the little red box.

Focusrite has also noticed the increasing interest in podcasting worldwide and has therefore combined their existing popularity and good components with this interest. Out of that combination, they have invented an all-in-one audio interface for podcasters and content creators: Vocaster.

First Impressions

Vocaster is a sleek audio interface with only the necessary number of buttons and minimal space for confusion, making it a good audio interface for beginners as well. It is equipped with clear indicators on the front panel, so you are never in doubt about what is on and off on your device. It is designed to sit between two people, which it also indicates with the two titles printed on it: Host and Guest.

The large knob in the middle of the audio interface controls the gain for the selected microphone. So, you select either "Host" or "Guest" and adjust the gain for the selected microphone. The same goes for the row of buttons at the bottom of the interface; you select the microphone you want to make changes to and then use the buttons for it.

The overall feeling when you sit with Vocaster in front of you is that it is really just made for this purpose.

Features

When it comes to producing a podcast, Vocaster checks all the boxes - almost. Vocaster Two is designed for two people and Vocaster One is designed for one person. Both models are therefore also suitable for casting, commenting, live streaming, etc. where you don't need more inputs than two at most.

Let's take a look at all the different buttons and what Vocaster actually consists of.

At the back, we have two XLR inputs for microphones and a Phantom Power button for the two inputs. It is important to note that the two inputs are exclusively XLR. That means there is no line input. It's only for two speaking persons.

At the back, we also find a TRRS input designed for smartphones, so you can play music from your phone into Vocaster. For Smartphones, there is also the Bluetooth option, where you can pair your phone or Bluetooth device with your Vocaster within 7 meters to play music or receive calls through it.

Focusrite has also utilized another opportunity that others before them almost haven't noticed. An output for video or DSLR camera, so you can have one camera on while recording your podcast. That way, you avoid sync issues in post-production.

The last detail I want to highlight on the back panel may seem like a very small thing, but nonetheless, it's a good detail. The power button is a real button that you can turn on and off. Many audio interfaces do not have this button, and it is nice to have!

As mentioned earlier, there are buttons on the front for each microphone input consisting of a mute button that works flawlessly, an enhancement button with an icon like a magic wand, and finally a button indicating which input you have selected for gain.

The gain button is the large round knob in the middle, which controls the volume of the two inputs. At the same time, each headphone output has a volume knob, which are the two small knobs. The two headphone outputs are located at the very front of the device.

So, we've covered all the buttons, inputs, and outputs on Vocaster. It may sound like a lot, but when it's all packaged so intuitively, it feels like a breeze once you've started using it.

Vocaster Hub

Although there is virtually everything you need on the device itself, Vocaster also comes with a hub that provides you with the same options as software. Here you can adjust your settings, although you will probably prefer to use the hardware itself.

If you plan to use Vocaster for live streaming, however, it may be an advantage to use the software from the computer.

Conclusion

Focusrite has done it again. They have tuned their interface to perfection, and its features have everything you need, and they have really thought about how to put it all together, so it's easy to use.

I have not experienced any faults with the device; the connection with the phone, loopback, Auto Gain, Enhance, Mute, everything just works. It's an incredibly pleasant experience to sit and record podcasts with it.

If I have to mention something negative, it's that the software seems useless. It doesn't do anything that you can't handle on the device, so the software becomes a bit unnecessary. However, I hope that it will be continuously developed and can offer more and more exciting possibilities.

Another unfortunate thing - so far - is that there is only a Vocaster One and Two. A Vocaster Four would be really cool to have in the lineup, but I guess it will come one day.