Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Overview
Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Overview by GAK
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 is a robust 2 in, 4 out USB bus-powered interface for Macintosh and Windows operating systems, featuring two Focusrite mic preamps with phantom power. The Scarlett 2i4 from Focusrite features small LED lights which indicate whether you're picking up a good audio signal, or one that is clipping. An ideal audio interface for anyone from a professional-grade recording studio, to a small bedroom setup.
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.Scarlett 2i4 is a great tool for the musician, with its two award-winning Focusrite microphone/line/instrument preamps accessed via universal front-panel XLR/TRS sockets, combined with professional 24-bit, 96 kHz conversion, plus class-leading analogue and digital design from input to output to ensure pristine audio quality throughout the signal path.
With its 48V phantom power capability, Scarlett 2i4 is perfect for recording guitar and vocal, or stereo piano for example, with high-quality condenser mics. Musicians will also love the direct monitoring mode, which removes the latencies associated with listening back to the input signal through the DAW. Artists can record into the DAW in real time, whilst hearing a zero latency monitor feed from their input sources, controlled by a single knob for easy blending between direct monitoring and DAW playback. In common with other interfaces in the Scarlett series, input level controls feature a novel LED "signal halo" around the knob that indicates signal presence (green) and input overload (red), while a large-diameter silver volume knob gives you full and accurate control over monitor levels at all times, so whether you are mixing your music, or listening back to the track, the levels will always be in your control.
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.
Alongside the two Focusrite preamps are four RCA phono outputs, two of which are also available on balanced TRS sockets. These, coupled with the high-level headphone output and flexible monitoring capability make Scarlett 2i4 ideal for digital DJs. Send outputs 1 & 2 to the main PA and use 3 & 4 for cueing, or send all four to a mixer. The converter performance ensures that the quality of the audio streamed from the computer is sonically superb. An A/B source switch for monitoring either of two stereo output pairs via the high-level headphone output provide everything that's required from a DJ interface.
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.
Scarlett 2i4 comes complete with an excellent package of software tools to help you get your music down straight away. The latest version of the Focusrite Scarlett Plug-in Suite includes Compressor, Reverb, Gate and EQ in the form of VST/AU/RTAS plug-ins. Focusrite's established Xcite bundle is also included, which features Ableton Live Lite (for all your production, performance and compositional needs), Novation's Bass Station soft synth and over 1GB of royalty-free samples from Loopmasters.
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- - Two high-quality award-winning Focusrite preamps
- - Anodised Aluminium Unibody Chassis
- - Ring LED signal indicators (green means healthy signal, red indicates clipping)
- - High-quality 24-bit/96 kHz USB interface
- - Better than 105dB dynamic range on record and playback
- - Mixer knob for latency-free direct monitoring, mixes between input signal and DAW playback signal
- - USB bus-powered
- - Two Neutrik combination inputs
- - Rear panel balanced TRS outputs (1 & 2) and phono (1-4)
- - MIDI in and out
- - Headphone amplifier with separate level control
- - Headphone monitor switch to hear either set of outputs
- - Switchable phantom power
- - Switchable 10dB pad on all inputs
- - Large monitor level control
- - Includes Xcite Pack, Ableton Live Lite and Scarlett VST/AU/RTAS Plug-in Suite
- -2 in / 4 out USB audio interface
- -96 KHz, 24-bit conversion
- -2 Focusrite microphone preamplifiers
- -Red anodised aluminium unibody chassis
- Front panel:
- -2 line/mic/instrument combination inputs - high quality XLR/ ¼ “ TRS -Jack Combo
- -2 line/inst switches
- -2 illuminating “PAD” buttons
- -2 Gain knobs
- -2 Gain halo signal indicators
- -48V Phantom power switch
- -MIDI activity LED indicator
- -USB connection LED indicator
- -“DIRECT MONITOR” control
- -“STEREO/MONO” switch for direct monitor
- -Large monitor level dial (controls headphone and line level outputs)
- -Headphone output - ¼” TRS Jack
- -Headphone level knob
- -“HEADPHONE SOURCE” switch
- Rear panel:
- -2 balanced monitor outputs – TRS (channels 1-2)
- -4 unbalanced outputs – RCA Phono (channels 1-4)
- -MIDI IO
- -USB 2.0 Port
- -Kensington Lock slot
- Included software:
- -Ableton Live Lite 8
- -Focusrite Scarlett plug-in suite
- -Novation Bass Station
- -Loopmasters content
- Mic:
- -Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
- -THD+N < 0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- -Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) < -120dB: measured at 55dB of gain with 150Ω termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- -Gain Range +10dB to +55dB (0dB to +45dB when pad is engaged)
- -Max Input Level +3.5dBu
- Line:
- -Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- -THD+N < 0.01% (‘A’ weighted measured with +16dB input gain -1dBFS at output and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- -Noise -90 dBu (22 Hz/22KHz bandpass filter)
- -Signal to Noise Ratio > 100dB
- -Gain Range -10dB to +35dB (-20dB to +25dB when pad is engaged)
- -Max Input Level +26dBu (at 1% THD+N)
- Instrument:
- -Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- -THD+N 0.0025% (‘A’ weighted measured with 16dB input gain, -1dBFS at output and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- -Noise -87dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- -Gain Range +10dB to +55dB (0dB to +45dB when pad is engaged)
- -Max Input Level +3dBu (+13dBu pad in)
- Analogue Output Performance:
- -Nominal Output Level:
- -0dBFS = +10dBu, balanced
- -0dBFS = +5.5bBu, unbalanced
- -Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
- THD+N
- < 0.0015%, balanced (-1dBFS input 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter, un-weighted)
- < 0.03 %, unbalanced (0dBFS input 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- -Output Impedance < 12Ω
- -Power Output into 32Ω 24mW
- Digital Performance:
- -Clock sources Internal clock only
- -A-D Dynamic Range 105dB 'A-weighted' (all inputs). Converter chipset A-D dynamic range 114dB
- -D-A Dynamic Range 104dB 'A-weighted' (all outputs). Converter chipset D-A dynamic range 114dB
- -Supported sample rates 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz
- Crosstalk:
- -Input to Input Better than 90dB
- -Output to Output Better than 90dB
- -Input to Output Better than 85dB
- Input Metering:
- -Ring LED lit Green Signal present (-24 dBFS)
- -Ring LED lit Red Signal overload (0dBFS), peak held for approximately 1 second
- Weight and Dimensions:
- -Height 48 mm
- -Width 210 mm
- -Depth 140 mm
- -Weight 890 g
