Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen review

The Scarlett Solo 4th Gen is the simplest way into home recording on this list. It has one mic preamp and a separate Hi-Z guitar input, so you can record a vocal and a guitar together as long as only one is a microphone. Dynamic Gain Halos around the knobs glow red when you push the level too far, which teaches good habits quickly. Focusrite gives it the same 120dB dynamic range figure, the same Air Presence and Harmonic Drive modes and the same bundle as the 2i2: Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, Cubase LE and Hitmaker Expansion. Loopback lets you sample audio from other music apps, and independent headphone and monitor controls make playback easy. At $159.99 it saves $65 against the 2i2. The tradeoffs: there is one preamp, no Auto Gain or Clip Safe, and no MIDI ports. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Beginners who record one voice or one guitar at a time and want the lowest-cost Scarlett.

Price

$159.99 at Focusrite US when checked.

The songwriter's 2-in, 2-out interface Bestseller $159.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• One microphone preamp and one dedicated Hi-Z instrument input
• Dynamic Gain Halos show when levels are in the red
• Two Air modes: Presence and Harmonic Drive
• Loopback for sampling audio from music apps
• Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, Cubase LE and Hitmaker Expansion

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Same software bundle as the pricier Scarlett 2i2
• Strength: Gain Halos make level setting simple
• Strength: Independent headphone and monitor controls
• Weakness: One mic preamp only
• Weakness: No Auto Gain or Clip Safe, unlike the 2i2
• Weakness: No MIDI ports

Key facts

• Inputs: One mic preamp, one Hi-Z instrument input
• Dynamic range: 120dB, per Focusrite
• Level aids: Dynamic Gain Halos
• Control app: Focusrite Control 2 for Windows and macOS
• Price: $159.99 at Focusrite US

Where it ranks

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen is No. 7 in our Best Audio Interfaces verdict.