Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 4 Audio Interface Review

Video Review

First Impressions / Setting up

This is a simple but high quality audio interface for your laptop. It’s the kind of thing you’ll want to have knocking around once you start producing content beyond pure DJing (livestreaming, podcasts) or dipping your toes into producing music.

Your laptop already has a stereo output (its headphones socket), which also doubles as a mono input (because with the right lead or accessory, the same socket can carry a signal into your laptop – that’s how headsets or phone call-capable wired headphones work).

But a pro audio interface improves on the quality of the audio (up to 24-bit / 192kHz operation), in this case gives you a proper stereo input, and has other useful features, such as the ability to work with pro microphones for the input, and offering proper pro output connections, among other things, which we’ll see.

The 2i2 name refers to the fact that it has two inputs and two outputs – but remember, a single stereo input or output has two parts (left and right), so you can also think of this as “two mono ins and outs, or one stereo in and out”.

This is the middle of three interfaces in this popular entry-level series. The lower Scarlett Solo 4th Gen can take a mono mic or a single mono instrument, while the next one up, the Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen has – you guessed it – four inputs and outputs, which makes it more useful if you’re a producer who wants to record multiple inputs at once, for instance. For us the 2i2 hits the sweet spot as it can handle two microphones or (and most importantly) a stereo line input.

It has outputs for your speakers around the back (1/4″ pro jacks) alongside the computer USB socket (naturally a USB-C nowadays), but also a headphones socket with its own independent volume control on the front – 1/4″ only, so dig out that adaptor if you’ve been using the 1/8″ socket on your DJ controller!

You don’t necessarily need to plug separate USB power in, and no external PSU is provided, because it’s likely the interface will run fine from power delivered by your laptop.

The interface is attractive in its now familiar red and black livery, and is well made, with a predominantly metal build.

In Use

We tested the 2i2 in a scenario which is typical for DJs, namely taking an audio feed from a DJ mixer or console into a laptop. One time you’d do this would be when you have a standalone DJ system and you want to livestream your set. In this instance, you’d plug a second output from your DJ gear (say the booth output assuming the master output is going to the speakers) via an audio interface into a laptop running your broadcast software, eg OBS, to give you clean, loud stereo from your DJ gear for the stream.

Another use might be when making a spoken podcast or testimonial video (for instance, interviewing clients of your DJ services) and in this case, there are mono and panning controls.

We liked the channel selector buttons and felt the encoder-style gain knobs for getting the input level right were really nice. If you’re a musician and want to monitor on headphones what you’re playing via this interface, there is a “direct” headphones output that feeds it directly from the unit to your headphones, bypassing the computer, to solve any latency issues – although this isn’t something DJs will typically use.

Watch this next: A DJ’s Guide To Audio Interfaces

Focusrite tells us that technically the audio quality of the converters has been improved, and we take their word for it (these interfaces have always sounded good to us) – but one thing we did notice and like was the LED “rings” around the knobs to show levels, which were captivating and undeniably cool-looking. There is also an “Air” mode that can be experimented with to give a bit more life to your mic inputs.

One feature we really liked was the addition of “Auto” and “Safe options for mics. Press “Auto” and you can speak into the mic or mics and it’ll adjust the gain. Then hit “Safe” and it will ensure even if things get too loud from there, the mics won’t clip. Great for getting levels set safely in a rush.

Conclusion

Not everyone needs to own an audio interface. Your DJ gear already has one built-in (it’s how your headphones and stereo output are enabled), and if you own a digital DJ mixer, that probably has a very capable audio interface built in.

But if you’re wanting to livestream, podcast, or start making music and have any outboard equipment or mics, having something like this knocking around is a good idea.

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The Scarletts have been best-sellers over the years for a reason – they’re good value, well built, and they sound the part. This fourth generation model adds to that with modern connections, and useful auto features to help you sound good every time. On top of that, it looks good in use!

Remember that as this is a pro interface you’ll need to get the right cables to fit its 1/4″ jack sockets. Also before buying, bear in mind that some DJs swear by owning a small “live” mixer in addition to their DJ gear – a similarly-sized device that can take, say, four inputs and mix them down to a stereo output. Traditionally, DJs have used these to re-EQ the master output of DJ gear before feeding to a PA, maybe also to add other performers, instruments and mics to the mix.

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But nowadays, some of these mixers also have audio interfaces built in – you may want to look at something like the venerable old Yamaha X series to kill two birds with one stone.

However, if it’s a simple, great sounding, high quality 2-in/2-out audio interface you want to break free of your computer’s default and limiting multi-purpose TRRS headset socket, they don’t come much better than the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen.