Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen Review

Leave a Comment / Blog / By

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen Review: Start Your Home Studio

Share this article

Get Your Backstage Pass

Sign up to discover the unheard stories of music!

If you’re like me, you have a creative streak in you. I wouldn’t say I’m great at it, but I do enjoy building and creating something you can feel and touch and see and hear. It’s why I started playing instruments and it’s why I built my first home music studio. Playing music is great, but there’s something about being able to put it all together and having a piece of music you share at your fingertips that is gives you a whole different level of satisfaction and accomplishment.

The technology has come a long way, even in the 10 years since I first started recording music. But at it’s core, the essentials are the same. At the core of your hardware is your audio interface. These days, audio interfaces are so much simpler but at the same time so much more capable. Essentially, they are plug and play.

If you’re looking to started or even upgrade an older interface, I can’t recommend enough the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen. I have been using the 3rd generation version for small projects for the last 2 years and it has been a rugged little beast. The 4th gen feels the same but with very cool extra ice cream.

First Impressions

The first thing that struck me about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Generation was the familiar red chassis, which maintains the sleek and professional look Focusrite is known for. The build quality feels robust, and I appreciate the matte finish on the plastic parts, which is less prone to fingerprints than the previous glossy version.
 

Standout Features

Auto Gain and Clip Safe

One of the standout features for me is the new Auto Gain and Clip Safe functionality. As someone who’s often juggling multiple tasks while recording, I found this feature incredibly useful. It takes the guesswork out of setting input levels, especially when switching between different sound sources. This is a significant advantage over competitors like the Universal Audio Volt 2, which lacks this automated feature.
 

Improved Audio Quality

The improved preamps and converters are noticeable. The sound quality is crisp and clean, with a wide dynamic range that captures both subtle nuances and louder passages without distortion. The new Air mode, with its Presence and Harmonic Drive options, adds a nice touch of versatility to the sound shaping capabilities. I’m particularly impressed with the headphone amplifier. It’s powerful and clean-sounding, providing ample volume for monitoring even with high-impedance headphones. This is a step up from some competitors in the same price range.
 

Pros

  • High-Quality Preamps and Converters: The sound quality is exceptional, with a wide dynamic range and clean audio capture.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The Auto Gain feature simplifies the recording process, making it accessible for beginners.
  • Versatile Air Mode: The Presence and Harmonic Drive options add flexibility to sound shaping.
  • Improved Headphone Amplifier: Provides powerful and clean monitoring, even with high-impedance headphones.
Scarlett 2i2 Bundle on Amazon!

Cons

However, it’s not all perfect. One significant drawback for me is the lack of MIDI connectivity. As someone who occasionally works with synthesizers and drum machines, this omission is disappointing, especially considering some competitors like the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 offer MIDI I/O at a similar price point. Additionally, the monitor mixing options are quite limited. While this might not be a deal-breaker for solo artists or small setups, it could be a hindrance for those working in more complex recording scenarios.

Comparison to Competitors

Compared to its predecessor, the 4th gen 2i2 offers meaningful improvements in sound quality and usability. However, when stacked against competitors like the Universal Audio Volt 2 or the MOTU M2, the differences become less pronounced. These interfaces also offer high-quality preamps and converters, and in some cases, additional features like MIDI connectivity.
 

Who It’s For

I find the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Generation to be an excellent choice for solo musicians, content creators, and home studio enthusiasts who prioritize sound quality and ease of use. Its Auto Gain feature and improved sonics make it stand out in its class. However, for those needing MIDI connectivity or more advanced routing options, it might be worth exploring other options.
 

Final Thoughts

Despite its few shortcomings, I believe the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen continues Focusrite’s tradition of delivering high-quality, user-friendly interfaces at an accessible price point. It’s a worthy upgrade for existing Scarlett users and a strong contender for newcomers to the world of audio interfaces.

 

Get The Scarlett 2i2 on Amazon

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *