Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) vs Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) vs Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.
The Ruling
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) or Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface? Evenly matched — take the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen).
Nothing on the chart above separates them: on every axis the catalog can score, the two land close enough that calling a winner would be reading noise. With the specs level, $59.01 is the real difference, and the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) is the cheaper side of it.
At a Glance
How closely these two line up
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) | Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Resolution | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Mic Inputs | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Monitoring | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Creator Features | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Connectivity | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Power | 10/10 | 10/10 |
The Split
How closely these line up
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Compact 1-mic USB-C interface for solo creators who need clean voice and instrument input.
It is the cheaper of the two, by $59.01.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface
Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.
That costs $59.01 more than the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen).
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
Where they’re identical
These 12 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Connection Type usb-c, xlr, trs
- Sample Rate 192kHz
- Bit Depth 24-bit
- Phantom Power Yes
- XLR Inputs 1
- Headphone Outputs 1
- Direct Monitoring Yes
- Loopback Yes
- ADAT Expansion No
- MIDI I/O None
- Bus Powered Yes
- TRS Outputs 2
The Record
19 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) and Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface?
On the specifications the catalog records, these two are near-identical: they match on 12 specs and nothing measurably separates them. Two audio interfaces from Focusrite and Steinberg, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.
Which is better for streaming, Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) or Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface?
Evenly matched — take the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen). Nothing on the chart above separates them: on every axis the catalog can score, the two land close enough that calling a winner would be reading noise. With the specs level, $59.01 is the real difference, and the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) is the cheaper side of it.
What do the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) and Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface have in common?
Both share 12 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), sample rate (192kHz), bit depth (24-bit) and phantom power (Yes), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.
Is the Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface worth the extra $59 over the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)?
The Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface costs $199.00 against $139.99, a difference of $59. On the catalog's specifications it does not lead the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) anywhere, so the premium buys brand, build or something the catalog does not record. Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.