Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First

Product Information

The 2i2 is lighter and more portable, but compared to the 2i4, it may not enough to make a huge difference. Inputs/Outputs (I/O) Your interface is now ready to use! If you're using recording software then make sure you select the Focusrite ASIO driver in the audio settings for that software. The Scarlett 2i2 and 2i4 are both manufactured by Focusrite, an English company that specialize in producing top-quality audio recording equipment. MIDI input and output are included in Scarlett 2i4, allowing capture of performances with MIDI keyboards and controllers and the ability to play parts out to instruments and sound modules, recording their audio via Scarlett 2i4's TRS inputs.

By default, a Custom Mix is a combination of analogue inputs and DAW 1/2, mixed together. The analogue inputs represent a direct feed from the inputs. Due to this phantom powering, these Scarlett audio interfaces will need more than a laptop battery to power them up and keep them running throughout your recording session. When using Direct Monitor you hear the audio from your recording source before it is passed to the computer, again without input latency in the same way as above - you will however still hear audio passed from the computer regardless. Our compact and flexible 2-in, 4-out USB audio interface makes it easy to perform and record studio-quality audio against a cue mix. Take it anywhere, connect and power by USB and get two natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamps, super-low latency, MIDI I/O, four analogue outputs and the same class-leading sound quality and digital conversion as the rest of the Scarlett range. THD+N 0.0025% (‘A’ weighted measured with 16dB input gain, -1dBFS at output and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Focusrite’s most popular audio interfaces have received a welcome update. We size up the new Scarletts

To reiterate, when setting your buffer size, what you are doing is giving the CPU of your computer a period of time to process audio, before it is passed to and from the interface and the recording software. The latency that you set using your buffer size (and sample rate) is not the latency that impacts the sound by the time it reaches your ears. Other sources of latency include:

This voltage is commonly referred to as phantom power. Note that, even with phantom power on, the mic's signal will still need pre-amplification; the 48V supply is simply there to charge the condenser mic's capsule and power active electronic components. Ribbon Microphones Both come with two standard XLR inputs and a 1/4” headphones output. Both the 2i2 and the 2i4 also have two mono channel outputs. As every engineer will tell you, the best practice is to connect all your mics with phantom power turned off, then only engage phantom power on mic channels that need it once they are connected.The MIDI in/out makes the audio interface compatible with old keyboards and synthesizers. I’d say this feature is necessary for some recording artists and producers. To get an idea of how long one millisecond is, it's best to give some real-world examples you might be familiar with*:

Direct Monitor, which is available on our interfaces that do not have Control software, offers the same feature as the above. The 4th gen Scarletts include technical improvements across all interfaces with 120dB dynamic range RedNet A/D converters, a new improved headphone amp, better implementation of knob halo indicators with output metering for the 2i2 and 4i4, and a reworked Air mode. If these things matter to you, then the 2i4 is the one to get despite the price increase. If not, then the 2i2 is the more affordable way to go. The specific Input Channel will vary depending on your interface and Sample Rate. Below are the input channels for Scarlett 3rd Gen interfaces at a Sample Rate of 44.1-48kHz. For more information, see the Focusrite Control User Guide for your specific interface.This preset assigns a Mix (Custom Mix in Focusrite Control) to each of the interface's analogue outputs. The former monitors the input for 10 seconds, setting the gain accordingly, and also includes a dual channel option. The latter applies real-time changes to the gain setting to avoid clipping. Looking only at the cost itself, the 2i2 is a decent amount of money LESS than the 2i4. If the price point is the only factor that concerns you, then you might as well get the 2i2. Scarlett 2i4 delivers high quality, 24-bit 96kHz audio to and from both Macintosh and Windows computers with USB 2.0 capability - and it's bus powered so you only need to plug in the included USB cable to start making music. If you have set a buffer size of 512 samples. The amount of time (milliseconds) 512 samples equates to, depends on how long it takes for 512 samples to be processed.

This integrated input design for the gain controls is visualized by the circular lights that wrap around each gain knob. Price Besides microphones, there is other equipment that may use 48V Phantom Power. These devices will often state '48V' on them if they need this, it will also be in the user guide for the equipment you are using. If your mic preamp does not have a dedicated 48V button, there may be a global phantom supply switch, or phantom might be switchable in banks (say channels 1-4 and 5-8 on an eight-channel interface such as the Scarlett 18i20). When phantom power is supplied in banks, you should take care to ensure you do not connect equipment that could potentially be damaged by 48V being supplied, to an input within a bank being supplied phantom power. Focusrite Overview:Scarlett 2i4 is the latest in Focusrite's new generation of USB interfaces alongside the popular 2i2 and other products in the series. This 2-in, 4-out USB audio interface combines affordability, cross-platform operation, a comprehensive feature set and the best audio performance in its class. It's a perfect match for both the musician and the digital DJ - and it comes in an elegant, road-ready anodised aluminium unibody case. The term 'Ultra-low' is used as audio interface hardware/firmware induces a negligible amount of latency. We'll use the term 'Zero-latency' to avoid confusion.For minimal latency input monitoring the Solo includes a single function Direct button, and the 2i2 is a dual-function Direct button, with mono and panned options. The 4i4 has no hardware option but has 3 software cue mixes, accessible via Focusrite Control 2.