Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface for Recording, Songwriting, & Streaming — High-Fidelity, Studio Quality Recording, with Transparent Playback

I won't bury the lede here, this is an amazing piece of kit. With gain at maximum the level of background noise from the digitiser is effectively inaudible even when supplying 48V DC to drive a "phantom" powered microphone.I'm using mine to develop a new microphone adapter to upgrade those cheap Chinese imported microphones that make decent donor bodies. I won't ask Amazon to link to the project as it's off-site and you can't buy the board here (yet) but it's on the DIY Perks projects so it's easy to find if you're in a rush.Why would I do this? Well the problem with Phantom power is that a lot of (early) stage mixers are noisy... and I mean really noisy. Studio gear is a lot quieter (live performances are have so much background noise that no one can hear the background hiss). In the studio (or perhaps, outside recording something like birdsong when every dB counts) that hiss is going to get in the way of the really quiet stuff.I paired mine with DT990 Pro headphones and it sounds delicious. The 990's 4.5 rating on Amazon's >15,000 reviews speak for themselves. They're very, very good. While they don't seem sufficiently robust to take the abuse I'd expect in a professional studio, sound-wise, they'd be right at home.And this is where the Scarlett shines. Focusrite produces some of the world's top quality studio gear and that heritage has trickled down to the Solo. When I was into this stuff in a big way, the idea that I could get a studio-quality setup for under a couple of hundred quid (headphones, mic and digitiser) was laughable.And yet, here we are in 2025 and it's not just practical, it's here - and fully portable too!Just add a laptop (Windows, as per usual, is preferred) but it does work with Debian Linux and Audacity albeit with more limited features.And that is the only real "gotcha" that I've noticed. You really have to use a computer to power this little fella or you won't get full functionality - including 48V phantom which is... odd but Waveshare clearly knows what its doing so I'll forgive it that.Getting 48V at up to 12mA (the P48 standard is limiting and demanding) from 5V is no mean feat I can tell you but Focusrite has achieved that without the hideous squeal from a simple Schmitt-trigger inverter and voltage multiplier. (That's technical detail of course, but there ARE cheaper 48V pre-amps that run from little wall warts from the Chinese that add a lovely background whine, replete with harmonics up the wazoo to every recording you make.) So ... bad. Yes.It's details like this that make the Focusrite an absolute MUST BUY for anyone serious about their recording particularly where that instruments like acoustic guitars and human voice is concerned. For rock where volume is the name of the game, a cheaper unit will suffice but most people would outgrow it.But there's more!The Focusrite is beautiful to use too. It just "feels" like a quality product that's going to last. The ability to monitor what you've recorded while recording a new track is an essential for many solo musicians but it's baked in!And better yet (for duffers like me who don't pay anywhere near as much attention to the level meters as I should) the gain control has a VU meter built in. You just set the level by running a test and setting it so the average is just flashing a green ring and you're good. As the level exceeds 3dB the ring goes amber and then red - which means the recording is clipping.A feature that doesn't make sense to me (but will to others) is "Air" which appears to be a treble boost. Something that former Rode chief designer Doug Ford calls "whoohoo" - for "flat" microphones. Focusrite has an excellent reputation and if the rest of its products are as good as this *budget* model that's clearly well-deserved.

Plugged up and still working, brilliant interface for the price (simple setup) also waiting on the 29th I decided to purchase the focusrite 4i4 my new monitor setup.So to sum it up well worth the money and works a treat.Edited - Due to the fact I went to post a review about the 4i4, and it shows my Scarlett Solo review in its place so I added a picture of the 4i4 and wanted to add as expected.This is a top quality product pretty simple to follow setup, and google has all the answers you cant find in the instructions (People Power FTW).

Two initial disclaimers before I go onto my review: Firstly, that I have nothing added additionally to the interface (such as a cloud lifter) other than the XLR cables which connect my Shure SM7B, to my interface and into my computer. Secondly, it should be know that although I do like to consider myself to be relatively 'tech savvy', this won't be the most technical review but more so my experience with the affordable interface and the little bits and bobs that could be beneficial to you having understood.Hardware:As expected, there is a rather niche amount of hardware within this product, especially when you're comparing it to the later editions such as the 4th gen. With this said, it still consists of everything that you need and expect to get started as a beginner using an XLR microphone!-XLR input (corresponding gain dial besides it)-phantom power and air mode on the XLR input-TRS input (corresponding gain dial besides it)-0.25 inch headphone jack (large corresponding gain dial besides it)-direct monitoring buttonAudio Quality:The headphone output within the Solo delivers a quite significant amount of power and allows for good recording capabilities; offering a flat frequency response and having an ultra-low noise from the mic preamp, along with the 'air mode' allowing for an easier high-frequency boost that could be beneficial to some people.Overall, the product is definitely on the more affordable side and although it does slightly show, the demographic being on the beginner end, the product is wonderfully fitting. The product offers a wide array of different technical features that are greatly beneficial to you as a user and, once used, it becomes really self-explanatory why this is used amongst many independent musicians and YouTube/Twitch live streamers to get the most out of their microphones.I hope this helps!

Great product. But no surprises here, all reviews were praising it. However, I still decided to buy something half the price first, hoping it would be OK. It wasn't and then I bought the good stuff, like everyone was telling me to do first time round :-) Seamless performance both Windows and DAW. Just buy this ( or go higher of course ) unless you ab-so-lu-te-ly can't fork out this amount.

If you know what you are buying, then you will know that this is one of the most respected makes of audio device available. This is for a Home studio and I as a beginner did not realise that this device does not cut the speaker/ monitor sound when you plug in your headphones, so be aware of this. That is the only reason for dropping a star.I simply power of my active monitors but this is a shame to have to do this, maybe Scarlet can address this in a firmware update... hint..hint. however this is a fantastic device and sound quality through my PreSonus studio 5s is stunning.It is compact, usb-C powered and looks gorgeous.

I use it for discord/vocals and it's nice to have the 2 inputs. I use the second one for my guitar which is nice because I can sing and play at the same time if I'm doing thatm

I started taking vocal lessons recently and bought a kind of cheapo mic from a store in town. It was working okay until a software update completely screwed up my mic settings. The mic had a voice effects option, but I never used the option, hadn't wanted it, and only bought the mic because it was decently priced and pretty much the only one my store had in stock. I didn't think it would matter.Fast forward two months and following a software update, I started my online lesson and found my instructor was completely thrown because I sounded "weird" to him. After several attempts to figure out what was wrong (I wasn't hearing it on my end), I finally had to do my lesson via cell phone and only got 15 minutes' worth of instruction. When I went back and watched the Skype video recordings of our attempts to fix whatever he was hearing, I was absolutely mortified to hear that the update had very obviously applied a random voice effect and made me sound like a cartoon. I also couldn't get the effect turned OFF.That was the event that led me to buy a much better mic and audio interface. After doing a bit of research, I settled on the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd generation interface. I can only speak to how well this works on Skype for vocal lessons, but would imagine it's just as great with instruments and recording. As this was my first audio interface, I did have to ask the company a few questions. But their customer service is superb and I was able to easily set this up and use it pretty quickly. It's been working great and--best of all--I no longer have to worry about audio issues or having my voice unexpectedly start sounding like Yogi Bear to my instructor. The price was really great as well.

Lo compré en marzo 2024 para comenzar un home studio y está súper bien. Precio y calidad muy bien, excelente funcionamiento. Lo recomiendo precio y calidad

Updating my review as I now own both the 3rd and 4th Gen versions of the 2i2. I've been using the 3rd Gen for months and recently acquired the 4th Gen.3rd Gen:The device is great. I prefer the analog knobs for gain adjustment, unlike the new system where you rely on software to fine-tune the precise dB you want. Occasionally, on my Windows 10 machine, I experienced hiccups requiring a reboot or device refresh to resolve scrambled and choppy audio during gameplay while recording. However, I didn't encounter this issue with my Apple Mac Studio. I use a straight USB-C to USB-C cable with the Mac Studio, and it has been flawless. The AIR mode enhances the sound of my Shure SM7B mic.PROS:--Volume knobs don't require software.CONS:--XLR input in front.4th Gen:I was initially confused about how auto-gain and clip-safe functioned, so I decided to test them out. Autogain analyzes your voice briefly and recommends a dB level, in my case, 22dB with a Shure SM7B with an inline booster. I also tested the new AIR+Drive mode. While I appreciate AIR, I found the drive mode less favorable, especially with vocals, as it resulted in over-processed distortion. Adjusting the notices on my SM7B mic for different frequencies, combined with AIR mode, yields optimal results. The recording quality of my voice sounds slightly better with the 4th Gen over the 3rd, likely because I can keep the volume knob lower, minimizing background noise.PROS:--XLR input in the back.--Auto-gain assists in setting the ideal dB level.--Better gain, allowing for lower volume knobs and reduced background noise.CONS:--Digital volume knobs require software for precise dB adjustments.

The Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface has truly transformed my recording experience. This audio interface is nothing short of amazing, offering a level of quality and versatility that's hard to beat.Right out of the box, the build quality of the Scarlett 4i4 is impressive. It feels robust and well-constructed, exuding a sense of professionalism. The sleek design is a perfect blend of form and function.But it's the audio performance that truly stands out. The Scarlett preamps deliver pristine and transparent sound, capturing every nuance of my recordings with stunning accuracy. Whether I'm recording vocals, instruments, or podcasts, the Scarlett 4i4 consistently produces clear, detailed, and rich audio.The four inputs and four outputs provide ample connectivity options, making it a versatile tool for a variety of recording setups. The direct monitoring feature is a game-changer, allowing for real-time monitoring with zero latency – essential for achieving tight performances.Setting up the Scarlett 4i4 was hassle-free, thanks to the straightforward installation process and the user-friendly software that comes with it. The Focusrite Control software offers intuitive control over various settings and routing options.I also appreciate the inclusion of Air mode, which adds a subtle brightness to recordings and vocals. It's a fantastic feature that enhances the overall sonic character.Whether you're a seasoned audio professional or just starting on your recording journey, the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface is a must-have tool. It combines outstanding audio quality, versatility, and ease of use in one package. I'm thoroughly impressed with its performance and the creative possibilities it unlocks.