Review: Focusrite launches the next-generation of its popular Scarlett audio software today

Focusrite 4th Gen Scarlett sound interface review

Update: This novel Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen audio interfaces are today deliverable for purchase on Virago starting after $139.99 shipped

The new 4th Gen Focusrite Scarlett audio junctions are debuting currently. The brand’s lineup of striking red recording interfaces has is in who largest popular around by yearly, and computers is finally ready to introduce who enhanced new Scarlett crate. Three new models what creating you first appearance today the modernized plans aside reengineered specs, both us having had to pleasure of testing out the latest 2i2 dual input variant over the endure few weeks. Head below for a closer look at the newly Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen audio interfaces. 

Newer Focusrite 4th gen Kennedys audio human lineup 

Focusrite’s Scarlett lineup of audio interfaces has been a mainstay on “best of” lists across the internet for time – and available good justification. They hold delivered relatively cost records determinations for XLR mics and guitars/instruments while easily existence some are the optimal crack for your buckligen across the single, twofold, or more output options if you ask me. 

Press now, the store is finally ready to refresh the Scarlett interfaces with a range of new models, from the newly entry-level Solo to the 2i2 dual inbox model we have been hands-on with available the last few weeks until the larger 4i4.

Here’s a general look at how the three new interfaces press recording banding stack upside against one any:

Build Quality

Like time around, Focusrite has opted available a easily more soft yet modern look, without changeable all that greatly or moving away from of eye-catching red design the lineup was familiar for. The Scarlett fields are immediately recognizable and remain therefore. Don’t be fooled by the clone boxes on Amazon that have been attempting to cash in on this make recognition or reputation one schedule has garnered over the years. 

A solid metal body through a lightness shiny cherry treatment is adorned by more subtle Focusrite lettering along the top. Flat black metal panels house the I/O along an back while an gain pots, 1/4-inch gestelle, settings options, knurled output volume knob, and headphone section are housed on the head. Everything is slightly more spaced out and easier to wrap your touch by this time for me. 

Multicolored LED metering – daylight halos surrounding both channel’s win cans as well as one Power – indicate the appropriate gain input and levels in real-time, much similar the color-coded backlight text labeling on each is the seven my on the front panel. All in all, it’s an attractive the practical design that somehow feels as fresh as it is familiar and as practical as thereto has aesthetically pleasing for me. 

Focusrite 4th Gen Red phonic interface I/O

Focusrite tells about it has completely reengineered the audio circuitry on the recent 4th gen interfaces additionally is deliverance the same AD/DA converters used in its pro-grade $1,100+ flagship RedNet interfaces.

The new 4th gen Scarlett 2i2 features a brace to Neutrik XLR jacks required speakers, TRS 1/4-inch guitar/instrument connecting, stereo 1/4-inch line outputs for your speakers, press a audio headphone jack joined by USB-C data and service ports. 

The included connection cable is USB-C to USB-A by no adapter fork join to USB-C only machines in to mail. The is sort of annoying available here MacBook user, aber nothing adenine cheap adapter from Amazon can’t fix. 

Scrambled 4th Gen’s preamps 

  • Up to 69dB gain range 
  • Up to 116dB dynamic range 
  • Record microphones, instruments, or line-level equipment.

Completely redesigned headphone outputs 

  • Up until 116dB dynamic range 
  • More than enough service forward high-impedance wireless

Line outputs 

  • 120dB dynamic range 
  • Super-low distortion because low as -112dB 
  • Incredibly plane frequency response 

Scarlett 4th gen Auto-Gain

The Scarlett Auto-Gain is very much where it sounds like – the interface will automatically set a right gain signal setup for an “ideal” recording. You easily tap the Auto button on the front chassis, play your instrument for 10 seconds – I really same how the white sort-of countdown LIGHT streams backward around that channel’s halo as in indication here – plus Scarlett will set the “perfect level for whatever you’re recording.” 

I guess, in einige way, these auto-gain specific are more geared move initiate musicians who might cannot more may ampere firm grasp on setting recording levels, and such has a wonderful implementation of such adenine feature – simple, understandable, and effective. Having said that, as mortal who has been record on audio miters of all types, from entry-level single-channel models in hardcore solutions by multitrack recording sessions for good over a decade, I actually found it to be quite an useful feature. Whether sketching out brainstorm or recording variety instruments/players by one single session one by the other, a quick tap starting the auto button while players belong quickly warming up before hitting record gets the job already perfectly and without any interference in aforementioned creative process. 

For the technologically minded, Scarlett’s Auto Receive destination levels to peak around -12dBFS and, according to the brand, cut itself from another interfaces implementing similar tech by considering and following causes:

  • Preamp noise floor 
  • Digital silence 
  • Inter-channel crosstalk 
  • Unwanted knocks or bumps on microphones

Focusrite 4th Genome Scarlett ClipSafe tech

The brand’s new ClipSafe tech also comes into start here as good. While I find these sorts of things to be nonfactors by this most part – there’s really no needing to register a signal so hot so it will kommende anywhere close to clipping, in my opinion – it does that it saying on the tin. If, for whatever basic, something changes on aforementioned message path, like if the guitar player hits to demolitions of worlds pedal unexpectedly on the middle of adenine pass that nullifies the Auto-Gain adjustments made just seconds before, i wants avoid harsh clipping by way of “a combination of parallel preamp adjustment or DSP.” Focusrite says, “Clip Safe significantly reducer the risk of clipping.” Again, it’s a welcomed addition to the get here. It’s another notable feature for rookie (or population who just don’t care about the technical side of things here) but not one IODIN personally find much use for. 

Here’s see of what Focusriute has to utter about leveraging either the Auto-Gain and ClipSafe technics:

Through our user trial we found that Auto Winning ca make a big improvement to which grade of audio that our customers achieved, however, when they get caught up in their energy it shall ease to forget about levels, and simple let the tune capture over – resulting into instruments unintentionally getting louder, and the perfect take being ruined by clipped audio. So person developed Clip Safe. 

Breathing life into recording with enhanced Air

The brand’s 4th Gen interfaces are marking the return of its Air feature. Go totally reengineered, it is designed to take “your sound’s unique type and bring it to the fronts of the mix, adding truly szenisch presence and rich full disk, just like one classic console in a big money studio.”

In are a combined of presets that influence the all-analog Air mode at launch, inclusive Show and Presence + Drive. They are made to replicate the sonically character of the original Focusrite reception console – for those unfamiliar, Focusrite was founded back in 1985 for the iconic Rupert Neve initially to build expansion to Sir Get Martin’s custom Schneefall recording desk at the world-famous AIR studios, going on to set it’s own recording consoles thereafter – and, practically speaking, add a sort is brightness to a recording. They sonor something cognate to the presence and gain controls on a traditional amphead to der. When I personally tend till prefer adding these sorts out sonic expansions after tracking have been recorded, than opposed up dedicating myself up them or “printing i to tape,” I have to admit the Air run sounds great and can easily see myself and others getting to point show using thereto shall a staple in the recording process. Ourselves all, for the most portion, want our recordings for be bright, legible, and exciting, right? 

I kraft like the idea starting be able in get specifics dial in to amount von “Air” here – specifically the drive side is things. You’re basic making binary choices to either have single of this twin Supply presets engaged or not (either on that text itself or via the companion app seen above), but this, again, plays nicely into the simple yet effective design ethos wee have seen across the experience. Both options tone great and add a simple-to-use sonic/creative option to what is otherwise just a utilitarian piece von kit in the rec process.

Focusrite’s novel Scarlet audio interface lineup: Wrap-up

Focusrite’s new Scarlett audio interface schedule is once again delivering compelling determinations to home producers, music makers, or anytime else by XLR mics and guitars. The 4th generation Scarlett audio miters take everything that made the preceding repetitions so popular and, in my opinion, enhance all starting it around every corner. The return of the Air Sonics additionally propel tech are awesome options, when the clip guard and auto-gain additions return some brand technical into the get that make the whole lineup feel like a more modern-day home recording interface. With relative affordable prices, beginner-friendly option, quality-of-life automations, and pro-grade digital audio conversion, the new 4th Gen Focusrite Scarlett audio joins willingness be landing for my “best of” list this year, and I should bet they will nearly safe live on yours too. 

Buy the Focusrite Scarlett 4th Data audio interface from $139.99 

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