FocusriteScarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface for Recording, Songwriting, Streaming and Podcasting — High-Fidelity, Studio Quality Recording, and All the Software You Need to Record

Very easy to setup, sturdy and well made. Unit is also very portable and enough features and never let me down with sound quality!

Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB - I love it. I am using a long line of multiple 2i2 devices from Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3 for years. I am happy with all of them. Very good built quality, plain, low noise, low distortion. They all meet manufacturer specifications. No inflated claims like some manufacturers do. Each model had some tiny glitches that did not affect my experience. So my expectations are high on 4th Gen. A box arrived quickly. I opened it and realized a box has no protecting layer to soften shocks, blows during transportation. Just over box inside of almost identical, only slightly larger box! This experience was not a good welcome to me. I believe such packaging of any electronics reduces product reliability. Didn't you see how sometimes drivers drop packages on concrete floor? So I almost feel like getting used product, am I too sensitive about it? Alone in my opinion such product should have some shock absorbing layer of foam material or air bubbles sheet?After opening a box I see a piece of paper printed with miniature characters. Microscope could help... But no guidance here how to get the first steps. Only warnings in very many languages. As I would need all this, very high priority to manufacturer but not to me! I think this excellent product has new functions that a purchaser is not familiar with. It would be highly beneficial if a a small hard card size like 2-3 business cards shows briefly what happens when each of new controls used. OK, I can find it in pdf user manual, but I don't want to print user manual for one of 15 models audio interfaces I have. So I will work with audio recordings while scrolling through pdf file, at least till I am familiar with all this product offers. After such observations I wish to get to recording... And pdf file does not tell clearly up front that utility program is actually a driver. I have to spend time to learn it. This is the very first item to perform after purchase, but info is written among other content, not up front. I want to install utility program but no info provided if 2i2 Gen 4 should be connected or not, during installation. I learn here I should go to the internet, manufacturer' webpage and get information how to proceed. A suggestion is strong - identify yourself first! So you can get audio recording software. But I don't use the internet on sacred computers. I don't wish to be exposed to Spyware and threats from Microsoft like this one: You paid for our Office Suite, but we make it stop at our convenience under pretense we check if you are the correct user???? So I will to install a driver only, no suspicious activities and forced "updates", no spyware on my precious computer. How do I proceed considering above? I loaded needed file on another computer, copied it to one working with 2i2 Gen 4. It works fine that way. The utility is just sampling rate changing program combined with a driver, at least on my computer. Nothing else. A device works well, nothing wrong. I enjoy it from that moment. I don't need extra programs for musicians.Now most enjoyable part - distortion and noise testing. Both are excellent low, exactly as shown on specifications. I really enjoy low noise that is closer now to that of higher grade Clarett+ noise. Regarding distortion, Clarett+ has specs about 0.0003% while Scarlett 2i2 spec is around 0.001% for all generations 1, 2, 3, 4. Truly excellent product here, amazing performance for $200 and this product is far ahead of other USB audio interfaces I used before. Important to me is the fact it can work with no AC/DC power adapter. Through my career I experienced scenarios that noise reading was lowest if USB audio device was powered through USB cable. Then noise reading was even slightly better if power supply disconnected from laptop. The noise reading was consistently worse if given USB audio interface AND laptop used both AC/DC adapters. The difference could be a few dB but sometimes noise spikes were 10dB and more above noise floor, depending how clean was power line, individual wall outlets. I will check later 2i2 Gen 4 on that noise immunity and will update my review.In terms of reliability, all earlier Scarlett 2i2 I used full time worked a minimum of 5 years. If something wrong happened, it would be in the "abuse" category like frequent plugging, unplugging in, out cables with ESD damage maybe. Or connecting to multiple other devices powered with AC/DC adapters and no isolating transformers between. I am a laboratory user, not a musician, so different considerations, scenarios. Scarlett 2i2 Gen 4 is a great tool now for my audio experiments, audio test fixtures, audio signal measuring / analyzing setups.5 stars, but no 5+ due to less perfect packaging with less perfect protection against abuse in transit.

I recently got the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) Audio Interface, and I have to say—it’s been a game changer for my recording setup. Whether you’re a musician, podcaster, or content creator, this little device delivers amazing sound quality and works flawlessly. It’s super easy to use, and the audio comes through crystal clear, making every recording sound professional. If you’re looking for a reliable interface that won’t let you down, this is definitely the one to get!

I wasn't expecting the array of software bundled with this item at registration and driver update. That made the purchase all the sweeter. This is a high-quality item. It has a lot of features and works perfectly. It's also a great value. Can't ask for more than that. I highly recommend it.

Overall very happy with the 4i4. It only has 2 pre-amps so you cant connect 4 mic/instruments, only two. The other 2 must be line level. It occasionally glitches out and starts making noise and I have to power down and power it back up again. The midi input is nice. Set up and software is simple. It may be worth considering Presonus or others I didn't try.

I bought this as an upgrade from using an old Rocksmith RealTone Cable as my interface to record. The 4th generation Scarlett Solo has a solid build quality, and it was very simple to use when connecting to Logic Pro on my laptop. The interface is powered by USB-C, which helped minimize needed cables as it connects & powers using 1 cable. Audio quality is great when I used it, and the gain halo lights on the front help gauge whether my tracks are peaking or not through the interface when I use my guitar amp's cab sim output to record. Would definitely recommend one of the Scarlett interfaces.

This audio interface works extremely well, it handles output and input which has helped me with using a KVM to switch between devices connected to this interface. Just note that I needed to use the active power of the KVM (connecting it to power other than the USB power it normally receives) since the power requirement exceeded the KVM's capabilities once the webcam, interface, keyboard and mouse were connected and active at the same time.This works on Linux as well, but requires kernel 6.8+ and can be used with the neat features it provides through a fan / community-made project called alsa-scarlett-gui. I also found it worked with Pipewire and refused to work with PulseAudio.With all the features, it's completely configurable as to how it mixes different inputs and how it handles output and input streams in general. I was even able to create custom setups (that I could export and import whenever I needed them) to double amp my microphone in those rarer situations that required it. If I wanted to, I could even triple amp or quadruple amp if I'm willing to give up the ability of mixing in PC audio.The only thing that's unfortunate is that I can't control the mixer from physical mixer knobs, only the 2 input adjustment knobs.

I started out with the new 4th gen 2 input one. But had it for just one day before I realized I needed the larger one. Initially I figured I wouldn't mind just swapping out inputs for things, but I also realized I preferred a single one to include the single MIDI input I had from a full sized piano.Only downside is that the people who reviewed these new 4th gen Scarlett devices said you really need a headphone with high impedance. So that limited my options for headphones, but I found a set that works fine.Love the clarity and ease. NO issues with my condenser mike, MIDI, etc. Separate controls for studio monitors and headphones is nice. Love the input options.