Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
Is it worth getting the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd gen) in place of the 2nd gen 2i4 or even the 2i2?In a couple cases yes.
DISCLOSURE: Focusrite sent this 4i4 for me to review and all links should be considered affiliates, thanks for the support!
Loopback demo starts at 10:05 (got this wrong in the video, oops).
The Scarlett 4i4 (3rd gen) brings a new feature to the Scarlett lineup and that's Loopback. This is a software/digital input that allows you bring in any software on your computer (ex: Skype for podcast interviews) and record that input onto it's own separated channel in your DAW (Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, etc.). This is a great feature and may be one reason to upgrade.
The preamps of the 4i4 have been improved over previous Scarlett generations, providing more gain (56db gain). The preamps are still nice and quite and able to push a microphone like the Shure SM7B even if you have to use most of the gain provided, the audio is still 'clean' and any preamp noise that can be heard is easily taken care of post with light noise reduction if desired.
The 4i4 adds two more inputs but these are TRS line inputs and probably have more use to musicians than podcasters but if you were running other outboard gear and wanted to bring in two more channels, you could do that.
The Air feature from the Clarrett series was brought into the Scarlett series but I don't think this would be a reason to upgrade. It's simply adds sparkle or crispness or yep, airiness to the high end frequencies for a brighter sound and I would prefer to do this in post production.
The 4i4 is still bus powered but now uses USBC which is a nice addition. As well, the device is still well built and now even smaller than before. The only downside to this is less room for the knobs means less room for your fingers.
The headphone preamp is also clean and the knobs themselves are an improvement in feel as well as design, now with a white mark so I can see them better in the dark compared to now contrast on my 2i4.
However, the removal of several hardware switches and buttons leaves me disappointed. I love to push a button, flick a switch or turn a dial when I want to make a change but that is now all handled in the Focusrite Control app. It's a decent app, I just prefer hardware for these functions especially the 2i4's direct vs playback dial for blending the two signals, a much better design.
Overall I really like the 4i4, I've had my 2i4 for many years and have loved it the whole time, its the hub for all audio going in and out of my computer.
For a podcaster of voice over artist looking for an audio interface, I certainly recommend any of the Scarlett series options and if you need the unique combo of 2 combo inputs with two TRS inputs, the 4i4 would be a good choice. But most podcasters would benefit with just sticking with the 2i2 if you don't need more than two microphone inputs.
I don't know if Loopback is available yet for any Scarlett below the 4i4 so if you are buying for that reason, make sure it's available first. I believe those devices are supposed to get that option as well.
SUBSCRIBE: youtube.com/rayortega
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/podcasthelper
TWITTER: twitter.com/podcasthelper
🎥 🖥 📱🎤 GEAR USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO 🤘
► All my gear: kit.co/rayortega
► Focusrite Scarlett 4i4: amzn.to/2ZvQQ1V
► Shure SM7B: podhelp.me/sm7bZon
► Sennheiser e 835 microphone: podhelp.me/SennE825BH
► DR-10L Lav mic/recorder: podhelp.me/TascamDR10LBH
► Rode VideoMic Pro podhelp.me/RodeVMP-R_BH
► Shure SM58 mic.: podhelp.me/sm58BH
► Sony a6500: podhelp.me/a6500kit1BH
► LENS: Sony FE 28mm f/2 bit.ly/sonyfe28f2BH
► Transcend 65GB SDXC card for 4K podhelp.me/Trans64U3zon
► Adobe Creative Cloud podhelp.me/CC1yearBHdownload
NY Rangers Stay Tuned clip by The Local Live archive.org/details/NY_Rangers_Stay_Tuned
*all links should be considered affiliate links. I encourage you to shop around for the best prices at the time you are viewing this. You can read my ethics statement via thepodcastersstudio.com/ethics. Thanks!
#Focusrite #Scarlett4i4 #AudioInterface #podcasting
Is it worth getting the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd gen) in place of the 2nd gen 2i4 or even the 2i2?In a couple cases yes.
DISCLOSURE: Focusrite sent this 4i4 for me to review and all links should be considered affiliates, thanks for the support!
Loopback demo starts at 10:05 (got this wrong in the video, oops).
The Scarlett 4i4 (3rd gen) brings a new feature to the Scarlett lineup and that's Loopback. This is a software/digital input that allows you bring in any software on your computer (ex: Skype for podcast interviews) and record that input onto it's own separated channel in your DAW (Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, etc.). This is a great feature and may be one reason to upgrade.
The preamps of the 4i4 have been improved over previous Scarlett generations, providing more gain (56db gain). The preamps are still nice and quite and able to push a microphone like the Shure SM7B even if you have to use most of the gain provided, the audio is still 'clean' and any preamp noise that can be heard is easily taken care of post with light noise reduction if desired.
The 4i4 adds two more inputs but these are TRS line inputs and probably have more use to musicians than podcasters but if you were running other outboard gear and wanted to bring in two more channels, you could do that.
The Air feature from the Clarrett series was brought into the Scarlett series but I don't think this would be a reason to upgrade. It's simply adds sparkle or crispness or yep, airiness to the high end frequencies for a brighter sound and I would prefer to do this in post production.
The 4i4 is still bus powered but now uses USBC which is a nice addition. As well, the device is still well built and now even smaller than before. The only downside to this is less room for the knobs means less room for your fingers.
The headphone preamp is also clean and the knobs themselves are an improvement in feel as well as design, now with a white mark so I can see them better in the dark compared to now contrast on my 2i4.
However, the removal of several hardware switches and buttons leaves me disappointed. I love to push a button, flick a switch or turn a dial when I want to make a change but that is now all handled in the Focusrite Control app. It's a decent app, I just prefer hardware for these functions especially the 2i4's direct vs playback dial for blending the two signals, a much better design.
Overall I really like the 4i4, I've had my 2i4 for many years and have loved it the whole time, its the hub for all audio going in and out of my computer.
For a podcaster of voice over artist looking for an audio interface, I certainly recommend any of the Scarlett series options and if you need the unique combo of 2 combo inputs with two TRS inputs, the 4i4 would be a good choice. But most podcasters would benefit with just sticking with the 2i2 if you don't need more than two microphone inputs.
I don't know if Loopback is available yet for any Scarlett below the 4i4 so if you are buying for that reason, make sure it's available first. I believe those devices are supposed to get that option as well.
SUBSCRIBE: youtube.com/rayortega
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/podcasthelper
TWITTER: twitter.com/podcasthelper
🎥 🖥 📱🎤 GEAR USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO 🤘
► All my gear: kit.co/rayortega
► Focusrite Scarlett 4i4: amzn.to/2ZvQQ1V
► Shure SM7B: podhelp.me/sm7bZon
► Sennheiser e 835 microphone: podhelp.me/SennE825BH
► DR-10L Lav mic/recorder: podhelp.me/TascamDR10LBH
► Rode VideoMic Pro podhelp.me/RodeVMP-R_BH
► Shure SM58 mic.: podhelp.me/sm58BH
► Sony a6500: podhelp.me/a6500kit1BH
► LENS: Sony FE 28mm f/2 bit.ly/sonyfe28f2BH
► Transcend 65GB SDXC card for 4K podhelp.me/Trans64U3zon
► Adobe Creative Cloud podhelp.me/CC1yearBHdownload
NY Rangers Stay Tuned clip by The Local Live archive.org/details/NY_Rangers_Stay_Tuned
*all links should be considered affiliate links. I encourage you to shop around for the best prices at the time you are viewing this. You can read my ethics statement via thepodcastersstudio.com/ethics. Thanks!
#Focusrite #Scarlett4i4 #AudioInterface #podcasting
