Audio interface
An audio interface functions similarly to a recorder, but for home or studio use, as it doesn’t record internally. Instead, it transfers audio directly to a connected computer. Why is it essential? Primarily, if you’re diving into video editing with XLR condenser microphones and XLR-powered speakers, an audio interface becomes indispensable. It provides precise, reliable audio output, ensuring consistency across your projects while offering extensive control over your sound. Acting as the central hub for microphones, speakers, headphones, and other audio equipment, it enhances both recording and playback quality. Among the many brands available, Focusrite stands out as the go-to choice. Known for their reliability, affordability, and range of models, Focusrite interfaces cater perfectly to various needs, making them the ideal pick for professionals and beginners alike.
Best budget
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is one of the most affordable audio interface available, making it an excellent choice for solo creators or small-scale projects. Despite its budget-friendly price, it delivers impressive audio quality and features that cater to the needs of individual users. With 2 inputs and 2 outputs, it allows for the connection of a single microphone via its XLR input and an additional recording device or instrument through its TRS input. Its output supports stereo configurations, ideal for connecting a pair of speakers or studio monitors. The Scarlett Solo features one high-quality mic preamp with phantom power, making it compatible with condenser microphones. It is compact, lightweight, and highly portable, making it perfect for home studios or creators on the go. The interface also includes a large output volume knob for easy control and individual gain knobs for each input, ensuring precise adjustments during recording. With a 120 dB dynamic range, it ensures clean and detailed sound, whether you're recording vocals, instruments, or podcasts. While it lacks advanced features like MIDI I/O or multiple headphone outputs, the Scarlett Solo is an excellent entry point into professional audio recording. Its straightforward design and dependable performance make it a practical and efficient tool for creators looking to step up their audio game without investing heavily.
Best Value
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is widely regarded as the best value audio interface for creators, offering an excellent balance of features and affordability. Like the Scarlett Solo, it provides 2 inputs and 2 outputs, but with the added advantage of dual preamped XLR/TRS combo inputs. This makes it ideal for recording two microphones, instruments, or line-level devices simultaneously, giving it greater versatility for music production, podcasting, or filmmaking. Each preamp delivers 69 dB of gain range and includes Focusrite’s signature Air mode, which enhances high frequencies for a brighter, more open sound. Phantom power is also available for condenser microphones, ensuring compatibility with professional gear. The 2i2 maintains a 120 dB dynamic range, ensuring clean and noise-free audio, while clip-safe indicators on the gain knobs prevent distortion during recording. On the output side, the Scarlett 2i2 supports stereo playback, making it perfect for connecting to powered studio monitors or headphones for precise monitoring. It features a dedicated headphone output with independent volume control, which is a step up from the Solo. Its compact design, sturdy build quality, and USB bus-powered operation make it highly portable and easy to set up in any workspace. The Scarlett 2i2 also supports Focusrite’s Control software for enhanced routing flexibility and features a loopback function for capturing system audio—a useful tool for streamers and content creators. Overall, its dual preamps, additional features, and unbeatable audio quality make the Scarlett 2i2 the go-to choice for those looking to get the most out of their audio interface.
Best Solo creator
The Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 is arguably the best audio interface for solo creators seeking advanced capabilities. While still compact and user-friendly, it offers significant upgrades over the Scarlett Solo and 2i2, making it ideal for musicians, podcasters, and filmmakers who need more flexibility in their setups. The 4i4 features 4 inputs and 4 outputs, with two preamped XLR/TRS combo inputs, allowing for simultaneous recording of two microphones or instruments. Additionally, it includes two extra line inputs for synthesizers, drum machines, or other audio sources, expanding creative possibilities. The preamps offer up to 69 dB of gain with Focusrite’s Air mode for a brighter, more detailed sound. Phantom power is available for condenser microphones, ensuring compatibility with professional gear. The dynamic range of 120 dB ensures clean and accurate sound reproduction, while clip-safe indicators on the gain knobs help prevent distortion during recording. On the output side, the Scarlett 4i4 provides two balanced outputs for connecting studio monitors and an additional pair of line outputs for routing audio to external processors or other devices. A dedicated headphone output with independent volume control ensures precise monitoring, even in noisy environments. What sets the Scarlett 4i4 apart is its MIDI I/O, which enables seamless integration with MIDI controllers, keyboards, and other hardware. It also supports Focusrite’s Control software, offering advanced routing and loopback functionality, ideal for content creators who need to capture system audio or manage multiple audio sources with precision. Despite its advanced features, the Scarlett 4i4 remains portable and bus-powered, making it a versatile choice for creators working in home studios or on the go. With its expanded inputs and outputs, MIDI capabilities, and exceptional audio quality, it’s the ultimate tool for solo creators who want professional-grade results.
Our pick
The Scarlett 16i6 strikes the perfect balance between features, price, performance, and future-proofing, making it our top pick. One standout feature is the added independent headphone line out, allowing two people to monitor audio simultaneously with separate volume controls. This is invaluable for collaboration, offering the ability to adjust volume independently for better scaling across different levels. With up to 16 outputs, it opens the door to surround sound setups like 5.1, making it an excellent choice for those planning to upgrade their audio capabilities in the near future. It boasts two preamps with 69dB of gain range, Air Presence, and Harmonic Drive for enhanced sound quality. While limited to only two preamps, this should suffice for most users. Its 122dB dynamic range, loopback functionality, MIDI I/O, and user-friendly desktop control further solidify its position as a versatile and reliable audio interface for creators.
Best overall
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 is essentially identical to the 16i16 but includes two additional XLR preamped inputs with independent gain control. This addition allows for the simultaneous use of up to four phantom-powered microphones, making it ideal for creators who require more flexibility. However, this enhanced capability comes at a noticeable price increase compared to the 16i16. Unless four preamped inputs are absolutely essential, the 16i16 will likely meet most users' needs. If those inputs are necessary, the 18i16 becomes the best overall audio interface, offering a perfect middle ground between professional-level functionality and desktop-friendly portability. With features like 122dB dynamic range, independent headphone outputs, and up to 16 simultaneous outputs for advanced setups, it bridges the gap between compact design and robust performance.
For professionals
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 marks the transition into full professional audio production. This model is not designed for solo creators or small studios but rather for large-scale projects and professional environments where multiple inputs and outputs are critical. With 8 high-quality Scarlett microphone preamps, this interface allows for extensive multi-microphone setups, making it suitable for recording live bands, orchestras, or complex audio configurations. It features a 122dB dynamic range, ensuring crystal-clear audio, and its wide mic pre-gain range of 69dB offers precise control over input levels. The 18i20 comes equipped with dual headphone outputs, built-in talkback functionality, and comprehensive output metering for monitoring levels. It also includes MIDI and S/PDIF I/O, along with dual ADAT ports for expanding the number of available channels. Its 18 inputs and 20 outputs enable advanced routing, including setups for surround sound mixing or multi-room configurations. The independent headphone outputs allow engineers and collaborators to monitor audio at personalized levels, while speaker switching enables seamless transitions between different monitor setups. This model is tailored for professional studios, post-production environments, or companies handling complex projects that demand multiple microphones, instruments, and simultaneous outputs. Its rack-mountable design and robust feature set make it the ultimate choice for those who need unparalleled flexibility and connectivity in a professional setting.