Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

Focusrite | audio interface | $224.99

Two-channel USB-C audio interface with studio-grade preamps for recording, streaming, and vocals.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

Key Specifications

  • Connection Type: usb-c, xlr, trs
  • Sample Rate: 192kHz
  • Bit Depth: 24-bit
  • Max Sample Rate: 192kHz
  • Dynamic Range: 120dB
  • Preamp Gain: 69dB
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • XLR Inputs: 2
  • Headphone Outputs: 1
  • Direct Monitoring: Yes

What These Specs Mean

Sample Rate: 192kHz

Higher sample rates capture more audio detail — important for professional recording and mixing.

Bit Depth: 24-bit

Higher bit depth means wider dynamic range and less quantization noise in quiet passages.

Max Sample Rate: 192kHz

Higher max sample rates future-proof your setup for high-resolution audio production.

Phantom Power: Yes

Phantom power (48V) is required to use condenser microphones.

XLR Inputs: 2

More XLR inputs let you record multiple microphones simultaneously.

What You Need To Run This

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) has 2 XLR inputs. Recording through them also takes an XLR microphone and one XLR cable for every input you fill.

XLR microphone — the 6 cheapest of 18 in our catalog

Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Samson | $79.99 Rode PodMic XLR Dynamic Microphone Rode | $99 Elgato Wave:DX Dynamic Microphone Elgato | $99.99 Samson Q9U XLR/USB Dynamic Broadcast Microphone Samson | $149.99 Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Audio-Technica | $159 Rode NT1-A Large-diaphragm Condenser Rode | $169

XLR cable — 4 options in our catalog, cheapest first

Amazon Basics XLR Male to Female Cable Amazon Basics | $11.51 Hosa MCL-205 XLR to XLR Cable Hosa | $16.95 Elgato Wave Link XLR to USB-C Cable Elgato | $19.99 Rode SC7 10ft XLR Cable Rode | $39

Realistic Total Cost

The cheapest working combination in our catalog, using the least expensive item that satisfies each requirement above. Swap any line for a pricier option and the total moves with it.

This product Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) $224.99
Cheapest: XLR microphone Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone $79.99
Cheapest: XLR cable Amazon Basics XLR Male to Female Cable $11.51
Total to get running $316.49

Price Position In This Category

At $224.99, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) is the 20th cheapest of the 28 audio interfaces we list, which puts it in the upper third of the category by price. In the rest of the category the cheapest is Y.D.F AR001 USB Audio Interface at $49.99 and the most expensive is Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface at $674.99; the median audio interface price is $199. That is $450 below the most expensive option and $175 above the cheapest in this category.

Compare Against

PreSonus Revelator io24 vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) PreSonus | $199.99 MOTU M2 2x2 USB-C Audio Interface vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) MOTU | $199.95 Arturia MiniFuse 2 vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) Arturia | $199 M-Audio M-Track 2x2M-C vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) M-Audio | $199 Solid State Logic UF8 Audio Interface vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) Solid State Logic | $199 SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) SSL | $199 SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) SSL | $199 Steinberg UR12C Audio Interface vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) Steinberg | $199 Universal Audio Volt 2 vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) Universal Audio | $199 Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) vs BEACN Studio Audio Interface BEACN | $259

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