Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd Gen) Review & Loopback Setup

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.

🎥 🖥 📱🎤 GEAR USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO 🤘

#Focusrite #Scarlett4i4 #AudioInterface #podcasting

[curtisjudd]

Thanks for this Ray, especially appreciate the detail and thoughtful evaluation.

[SamuelGoldMusic]

Awesome video man! Just a quick additional tip, in case someone hasn't already posted this. 

If you're using a DAW like Logic Pro X, you may be a bit confused not seeing the inputs labeled as "Loop 1" and "Loop 2" as it was in this video. In that case, the naming convention for the Loopback inputs is as follows:
4i4 -> Inputs 5 & 6
8i6 -> Inputs 9 & 10
18i8 -> Inputs 11 & 12

Hope that saves someone the time of cycling through all the inputs

[ET_Videos]

is back!! Great review as usual! I need to pick up one of those.

[HamRadioCrashCourse]

This may be a dumb question. I want to use my Shure SM7B and Focusrite 4i4 on my stream. The mic input into my computer via USB-c is left channel only. Do I just need to make everything mono to make it work successfully? Thanks!

[micah]

I'm getting this primarily for 4 outputs. I use interfaces for recording & mixing purposes and doing an a/b with 2 studio monitors as well as having the headphone out in the front would really give great sound perspective with 3 different mediums

[medec]

Before you buy: Be aware of the fact that there is no hardware or software preamp (line 3+4) for anything you plug into the back of the 4i4. Drove me nuts.

[combofriend]

I agree 100% about the hardware buttons, and especially the direct monitor input/playback mix knob. I really love the hardware button/knobs layout of the 2i4 in general, but the software for this thing has just been crap for me for a LONG time now. It used to happen like once a day- I'd come back to my daw (still open from previous session) the next day and I'd get no audio and have to deselect/reselect the device. I finally upgraded drivers and now the whole driver is crashing like every 15 minutes... I can tell the driver is crashed because the device doesn't show up in OS devices when it happens. I have to unplug/replug it in.

Anyone know a good audio interface with a similar hardware layout to 1st gen 2i4, but actually stable and works without having to restart it all the time. I don't care about going cheap anymore just want something dependable!

[SoundFoxMusic]

Hi. Where are the control knobs for inputs 3 and 4? Can you record with all those inputs simultaneously? Example 2 mics and a keyboard synth?

[jaludwick]

Re. the inputs in the back of the 4i4, can you control the volume?😀

[tianot]

If this applies to your situation; I changed from the Scarlett 2i4 to Scarlett 4i4. I had the Shure SM7B microphone plugged in, with a separate TritonAudio Fethead Mic Preamp. I had to remove the Fethead Mic Preamp to make it work with the new Scarlett 4i4. It's mentioned on the Focusrite website that the 3rd gen has an upgraged mic preamp, which is maybe why the internal built-in preamp in the audio interface with the external Fethead preamp combined doesn't work.

[Studios-ehqw]

Another excellent review, thanks Ray.

[Tronicate]

What's even worse is that there is no clear way in the control software to turn up and down the direct monitor as it becomes a lot more obscure with the different options in it. For those of you looking for the solution to this, go to "Output Routing" in the Focusrite Control Software and set all outputs to "Playback 1-2".

[Podcastage]

Great review Ray, and also that’s a nice looking shirt. 😉

[itorres]

Good review, although it definitely comes from a podcaster's point of view. You could say (and I think you did) i'd keep the one I have. Someone looking to use it in music applications would be more positive.

The reason is the 4i4 has nice features over the 2i2 and 2i4 which would be important for musician applications, such as the additional channels, the software control which gives more flexible routing options and adding MIDI interfaces which allows capturing events for music keyboards, pads, controllers into the DAW and can be used for output of recorded data to those devices and even control lighting. Unfortunately, since a podcaster mostly doesn't really have a need for those features they are not mentioned as anything special. So, the viewer watching, which would be unfamiliar with these uses for music production, may not get a full appreciation of the device. Moving some functionality from physical switches to software may not be such a problem for musician applications, since most of the time is spent in the computer interface and other features gained make up for that loss.

[BibhorChoudhury]

i am absolutely fine with my 2i4 Gen2...cant even imagine an audio interface without a direct monitoring knob :3

[LanceJohn]

Thanks for the video, I've been looking for a good simple loopback solution and this works great on my PC.

[Spankyn]

My dad has been super into music and music production his whole life but has also been super cheap. Because of this he has never owned a proper audio interface. I would like to buy him a good audio interface for his birthday. He sings, plays both electric and acoustic guitar, bass, synthesizer, and a few brass instruments. He also has a couple guys that together run a bit of a hobby band and would like to do some recording and so would want to record a few instruments at a time. My mom wants to surprise him with a proper studio in his office. Is this the interface for him or should I look for something else?

[CFMRocks]

I own both the 212 and the 414. I thought the 414 upgrade would, as the advertisement said on the website. Give me 4 input's and more clear head room for recording and or live streams. It turns out the 414 actually has a bug for windows 10, pro, or higher and for what ever reason is way quieter then the 212. This is during recordings and live streaming. Second of all this is not a simple 4 input interface, which I learned the hard way. The front inputs are pre amped and the back 3, 4 are not. So now I own both devices and am scratching my head wondering -212-414 ? lol

[thedormantmonkey]

Great review! Very informative and well structured! Thanks! :)

[thefatass]

Coming from a 2nd gen 2i2, I was considering upgrading to a 4i4 because having the extra 2 inputs (even if those are 1/4" only) would be super-helpful. The only reason I haven't done it yet is because of the direct monitor switch, as you said. Thanks for explaining just how inconvenient not having the physical direct monitor switch is. It has solidified my decision NOT to get a 2i4.
With that said, is there another interface you can recommend that has at least two combo jacks, 2 additional instrument jacks and a physical direct monitor switch/button?