Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen USB-C Audio Interface with MIDI
The Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen is a USB-C audio interface with four inputs, four outputs and MIDI ports: it connects two mics or guitars, a synth or drum machine in stereo to your computer, and sends audio to two pairs of monitors or out to an effects pedal. It is the workstation of the musician who writes with hardware as much as with a microphone.
What sets it apart
- Two 69 dB mic, line or instrument preamps
- Two rear line inputs set aside for synths and drum machines
- Four line outputs: two monitor pairs or an effects send
- Separate mixes for headphones, monitors and outputs 3-4
- MIDI In and Out to drive a keyboard or sound module
- Auto Gain and Clip Safe on both preamps
Your hardware gets its own inputs
On a two-input interface, plugging in a stereo synth ties up both preamps and leaves no room for a vocal. The 4i4 adds two line inputs on the back, meant for a keyboard, a module or a drum machine. The synth stays connected full time, and the front preamps stay free for mic and guitar.
The MIDI In and Out ports round out the setup: your software sends notes to the synth, or receives them from an older controller keyboard with no USB port.
Four outputs, several ways to use them
Outputs 3 and 4 get a mix of their own. Connect a second pair of monitors to check a mix on different speakers, or send a track out to a pedal or amp and bring the result back through an input: that is reamping.
The headphones have their own mix too, set in Focusrite Control 2. The player hears what helps them perform, without changing what comes out of the monitors.
A preamp that holds up
Both preamps offer 69 dB of gain with a noise floor of -127 dBu A-weighted. Auto Gain sets a mic's level by listening to it, Clip Safe watches it during the take, and the Presence or Harmonic Drive Air modes give a voice or guitar more depth.
Specifications
| Preamps | 2 (mic, line or instrument), 69 dB gain |
|---|---|
| Additional line inputs | 2, on the rear panel |
| Line outputs | 4 balanced, independent mixes |
| Headphones | 1 output with its own mix |
| MIDI | In and Out |
| Preamp noise floor | -127 dBu A-weighted |
| Dynamic range | 116 dB A-weighted (mic), 120 dB (outputs) |
| Mic frequency response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±0.06 dB |
| Conversion | 24-bit, 44.1 to 192 kHz |
| Power | USB-C bus (1.5 A) or optional 7.5 W external supply |
| Dimensions and weight | 180 × 130 × 60 mm, 798 g |
| Included software | Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, Hitmaker Expansion |
What it's for
- Electronic music studio: stereo synth and vocal connected full time
- MIDI sequencing of a synthesizer or sound module
- Mix checks on two pairs of monitors
- Reamping a guitar recorded direct
- Live performance with stage software and a headphone return mix
Compared with other manufacturers
From other manufacturers, desktop interfaces with four inputs and MIDI differ in these ways:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| MOTU | M4 | Four inputs and four outputs, level meters on an LCD screen |
| Audient | iD14 MkII | ADAT optical input to add eight channels |
| Universal Audio | Volt 276 | 76-style compressor built into the preamps |
| Arturia | MiniFuse 4 | Built-in USB hub for connecting a keyboard |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between the Scarlett 4i4 and the 2i2?
- The preamps are the same. The 4i4 adds two rear line inputs, two more line outputs and MIDI In and Out ports, which the 2i2 does not have.
- Can I connect two pairs of monitors?
- Yes. Outputs 1-2 and 3-4 each get their own mix in Focusrite Control 2, so you can compare a mix on two pairs of speakers.
- Does the 4i4 need a power supply?
- No, your computer's USB-C port is enough: it draws 1.5 A. It also accepts a 7.5 W external supply, handy when the host device delivers little current.
- Can I connect a synth without using up the preamps?
- Yes, that is what line inputs 3 and 4 on the back are for: the synth stays plugged in and both front preamps remain free.
Avis clients
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