Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen review

The Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is the safest first interface for most people recording at home. It has two mic preamps with front-panel line and Hi-Z instrument inputs, so you can record a vocal and an acoustic guitar together or a keyboard in stereo. Focusrite lists a 69dB gain range, which gives quiet dynamic mics enough lift, and 120dB of dynamic range. The features that matter most for beginners are Auto Gain, which sets your input level for you, and Clip Safe, which turns the gain down if a loud note would distort. Two Air modes, Presence and Harmonic Drive, add brightness or midrange color. The bundle covers Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Cubase LE, plus plug-ins and instruments in Hitmaker Expansion. Focusrite lists a three-year warranty. The tradeoffs: there are no MIDI ports, and if you only ever record one source the Scarlett Solo costs less. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Beginners who want to record a voice and an instrument together and would like the interface to set safe levels for them.

Price

$224.99 at Focusrite US when checked.

The artist's 2-in, 2-out interface Bestseller $224.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Two ultra-low-noise mic preamps with a 69dB gain range
• Front-panel line and Hi-Z instrument inputs
• Auto Gain and Clip Safe modes
• Two Air modes: Presence and Harmonic Drive
• Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, Cubase LE and the Hitmaker Expansion bundle

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Auto Gain and Clip Safe protect beginners from distorted takes
• Strength: High 69dB gain range suits low-output dynamic mics
• Strength: Focusrite Control 2 works on Windows and macOS with a phone remote app
• Weakness: No MIDI ports, unlike the MOTU M2 or MiniFuse 2
• Weakness: Costs $65 more than the one-input Scarlett Solo
• Weakness: Software bundle extras need registration and downloads

Key facts

• Inputs: Two mic/line/instrument combo inputs
• Mic preamp gain: 69dB range
• Dynamic range: 120dB, per Focusrite
• Level aids: Auto Gain, Clip Safe
• Warranty: Three years, per Focusrite

Where it ranks

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is No. 1 in our Best Audio Interfaces verdict.