We’ve been longtime customers and followers of Focusrite’s Scarlett interface sequence, and so once we heard there was a brand new era of those killer containers, we knew we needed to get our fingers on one straight away.
Scarlett has outfitted their already best-selling audio interface sequence with some actually interesting updates, from improved audio specs to new inventive options which might be certain to stage up the sound high quality of your recordings, in addition to enhance your productiveness within the studio.
We’ve discovered that the 4th Gen Scarlett Solo, 2i2, and 4i4 signify a severe step up for audio interface know-how of their value vary. Established Scarlett customers will discover themselves very happy certainly, whereas new Scarlett customers are certain to be minted by the droves on account of this implausible new line.
Let’s dive in and try the brand new vary of Scarlett interfaces from Focusrite.
Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen: An Overview
On this evaluation, we’ll be analyzing the Scarlett Solo, 2i2, and 4i4, in addition to bearing on Focusrite’s helpful Studio packs.
The smallest, easiest, and most inexpensive field within the bunch, the Scarlett Solo options two inputs (1 x XLR, 1 x ¼” instrument jack) and two outputs. It’s an uncomplicated machine that’s an ideal productiveness device for singer/songwriters and different solo musicians trying to report demo concepts and even full compositions.
The 2i2 additionally options two inputs and two outputs, nevertheless it ups the ante with two mic preamps for added versatility.
Lastly, the 4i4 offers you 4 inputs (2 x Combo jack, 2 x ¼” instrument jack) and 4 outputs, good for stay monitoring full bands and way more.
Every interface within the vary comes outfitted with USB knowledge and bus energy, with the 2i2 and 4i4 additionally that includes an exterior 5V DC USB-C energy jack.
These 4th Gen containers are bursting with new and improved options, so let’s go even deeper and study extra.
Design
Boasting Scarlett’s signature crimson chassis, these new containers are immediately recognizable – however a better look reveals a re-designed matte black entrance panel that’s loaded with up to date options for even higher efficiency.
Ergonomics
The Solo, 2i2, and 4i4 have all undergone a front-to-back ergonomic overhaul, with new soft-touch knobs for the entrance inputs and easy-to-grip knurled knobs for the outputs. Bigger spacing for the knobs additionally offers for improved ease of use.
Plus, the 2i2 and 4i4 characteristic new countless acquire knobs, which implies you’ll be able to regulate your acquire from both your {hardware} or software program with out breaking stride. You’ll be able to even hyperlink your preamps for matched acquire!
These new knobs actually contribute to a tactile expertise evocative of high-end studio gear – a pleasant contact!
Re-designed Dynamic Acquire Halos
One can’t assist however discover the extremely engaging newly re-designed dynamic acquire halos. The already-iconic halos have been up to date with even additional consideration to element, providing you with correct metering at a look and simply seen clip warnings.
These new halos are good for sign metering, and so they look superior, including a distinctly high-end visible contact to an already engaging vary of interfaces.
Impartial Headphone Quantity Controls
Additionally new to the 4th Gen Scarletts are unbiased headphone quantity controls on all three fashions. The place third Gen customers needed to compromise with a single knob for headphone and speaker quantity controls, 4th Gen customers will profit from a devoted knob for headphone quantity, a certain enchancment to any musician’s workflow.
Audio High quality
Don’t assume for a second the enhancements to the Scarlett vary are solely skin-deep. These 4th Gen interfaces additionally acquired a formidable audio overhaul, most notably now that includes the identical top-of-the-line converters Focusrite makes use of of their professional-grade RedNet interfaces.
What’s extra, improved preamps supply a higher dynamic vary than ever earlier than, with 69dB of acquire accommodating even the lowest-output mics.
These upgrades give the 4th Gen Scarletts the distinctive distinction of being hands-down the best-sounding interface of their value vary that we’ve heard to this point.
Options
On prime of improved audio high quality, Focusrite has piled on characteristic after characteristic that make these containers very easy to work with. These embrace up to date variations of acquainted options, like the brand new Air Mode, in addition to brand-new additions to the road just like the Clip Protected characteristic.
These options are all simply accessible via clearly marked buttons on the Scarlett’s entrance panel, permitting you to rapidly swap between modes as you go.
Let’s take a better take a look at a number of the options on supply right here.
(* Signifies options obtainable solely on Scarlet 2i2 and 4i4)
Auto Acquire*
Focusrite’s new Auto Acquire characteristic makes setting your ranges a cinch. Merely hit the button and play for ten seconds – Auto Acquire will handle the remainder, mechanically setting the perfect acquire ranges for the sign the interface is receiving.
Clip Protected*
Now, say your acquire ranges have been completely set – however an sudden drum fill or off-the-cuff vocal ad-lib rears its head, threatening to spoil an in any other case nice recording.
That’s the place the Clip Protected characteristic is available in, mechanically responding to the fluctuation in sign and adjusting the acquire accordingly, saving you and your recording from unseemly undesirable distortion.
Air
The 4th Gen Scarlett containers additionally characteristic a re-vamped Air mode, bringing wealthy harmonics and presence to your recordings by way of DSP, simulating the sound and vibe of a professional-class console.
Good for when your vocals and DI guitar tracks want that added oomph, the 2 new Air presets (Presence and Presence + Drive) are certain to get a whole lot of use from singers and instrumentalists alike.
We cherished how our vocals have been sounding with Air mode engaged, and it did lots to counterpoint our DI guitar sound as nicely. We’ve a sense we’ll simply be leaving this on…
Loopback
Beatmakers, rejoice – the brand new Gen of Scarlett interfaces has integrated Loopback throughout the board, a characteristic heretofore solely seen on higher-end Focusrite merchandise.
Now even Scarlett Solo customers can ship audio from the streaming platform of their selection straight to their DAW via the usage of onboard digital enter channels.
Mixing exterior audio into your personal compositions has by no means been simpler, particularly now that Focusrite has prolonged this nifty characteristic all the way in which throughout the Scarlett vary.
Zero-Latency Direct Monitoring
The Scarlett Solo and 2i2 each characteristic zero-latency direct monitoring. And once we say zero, we imply zero. Monitoring (and nailing) all of your components is a breeze with this nice characteristic.
Merely activate direct monitoring mode to rapidly choose which sign you’re getting in your cans, be it pc audio solely or a mix of pc audio and your enter sign.
And all-hardware processing means, critically, zero latency.
Impartial Output Mixes
Now, whereas the brand new 4i4 doesn’t embrace direct monitoring, it does characteristic unbiased output mixes for all 4 outputs, plus the headphone out. This makes the Scarlett 4i4 good for monitoring bands stay within the studio, with everybody capable of dial their monitor combine in simply the way in which they want it.
Studio Packs
For the 4th Gen Scarlett Solo and 2i2, Focusrite has ready studio packs that present every little thing you have to get began recording as quickly as you open that field.
We have been fortunate sufficient to check one among these superior packs, and have been very impressed with the standard of the included headphones and mic. Let’s check out every.
SH-450 Headphones
These unbelievably cozy and great-sounding premium headphones that include the Scarlett studio pack are virtually too good to be true – the worth right here is simply astounding.
These super-comfortable headphones will permit you to report for hours with no fatigue, plus their flat frequency response offers you professional-level monitoring and mixing capabilities.
CM-25 MKIII Condenser Mic
Nice-sounding headphones (to not point out a great-sounding interface) are nothing with no great-sounding mic, and Focusrite has acquired that coated as nicely with the inclusion of their CM-25 MKIII Condenser Mic within the Scarlett Studio Packs.
This mic captures each sound with unimaginable readability and element, good for vocals, miking stay devices, and extra. It even comes with a custom-fitted windscreen for added versatility.
Mic Stand
Lastly, Focusrite threw us a nifty curveball with the inclusion of a fold-out cardboard mic stand, constructed proper into the packaging, as a no-waste technique of getting proper all the way down to enterprise straight out of the field.
It’s a cool design, tremendous simple to throw collectively and begin recording on the spot irrespective of the place you might be whenever you unbox your interface.
We have been very, very, relieved upon popping this factor into form, as we have been all set to check our new Scarlett field with every little thing able to go – besides a appropriate mic stand.
Included Software program
There’s another large characteristic that comes included with each interface within the new Scarlett vary – and that’s included software program, which is able to allow you to begin recording straight away with none hoops to leap via.
There’s a free version of Ableton Stay Lite, which supplies you a restricted but purposeful DAW that’s good for newbies who’re new to digital recording. Eight tracks, results, instrument plugins, and extra await you on this free model of the legendary DAW.
Or, you’ll be able to go for three months of Avid ProTools Artist, plus their full Plugin Bundle. After your three-month trial, you’ll be able to signal on for an annual subscription at 25% off. Extra skilled recording engineers are higher off choosing this selection, which supplies you a way more full set of instruments, but additionally will find yourself costing you extra in the long term.
Lastly, you get the Focusrite Hitmaker Enlargement, which incorporates Antares AutoTune, a Marshall Silver Jubilee guitar amp modeler, XLN Audio Addictive drums and keys, and extra.
And people aren’t even all of the software program choices. When you register your new interface with Focusrite, you’ll unlock a borderline overwhelming quantity of downloadable software program packages to step up your recording periods to the professional stage.
Happy Prospects
Regardless of solely having been in the marketplace a short time, the much-anticipated 4th Gen of Scarlett interfaces appear to be flying off the cabinets, and because of this the web is bursting with glowing person evaluations:
The consensus appears to be that these nice little containers are good for entry-level aspiring musicians and engineers to simply seize professional-quality recordings at dwelling, no muss, no fuss.
Remaining Impressions
Our (considerably biased) longtime Scarlett customers over right here at American Songwriter couldn’t agree extra – the merchandise within the 4th Gen Scarlett vary are ideally suited to any dwelling studio, irrespective of your expertise stage.
These desktop containers are designed expressly for ease of use, comfort, and, most significantly, premium sound high quality, all at an extremely inexpensive value level.
We expect the mixture of the brand new preamps with the improved Air mode make the brand new Scarletts far and away the very best Scarletts but, to not point out the perfect interfaces obtainable at their value level.
The Studio Pack’s inclusion of premium recording equipment simply provides to the worth. We extremely suggest shelling out the additional money for one among these packs, particularly if you happen to’re new to recording. You actually can’t go flawed with the included headphones and microphone, which do the Scarlett’s improved audio high quality justice – and that’s saying one thing. (We additionally simply may need a brand new favourite pair of headphones).
Residence recording lovers, do yourselves a favor and decide up a 4th Gen Scarlett interface immediately. Whether or not you’re a longtime Scarlett buyer on the lookout for an improve, or a newcomer to the recording scene, you’re about to have a brand new secret weapon on your dwelling studio.
