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DJ Tech Reviews

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

A two-input USB-C interface with Auto Gain and Clip Safe that takes a mixer's stereo feed; no MIDI.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) at an angle

Photos: Focusrite Audio Engineering

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10 of 11 professional reviews recommend it
Best for
Streaming or recording a DJ mixer's stereo output, or two mics, on a laptop.
Skip it if
You need MIDI, more than two inputs, or a separate headphone cue.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 11 professional reviews and 76 owner reviews: plenty of evidence.

Ten of eleven professional reviews recommend it for clean preamps with enough gain for low-output mics, Auto Gain and Clip Safe, and a solid build, and owners repeat the clean sound and easy setup. The repeated reservations are no MIDI, Auto Gain that sets levels on the low side, and owner reports of dropouts or crashes, mostly on Windows.

10 recommend1 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • Clean, low-noise recordings for the price
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Solid metal build that travels well
Show 6 more
  • Auto Gain and Clip Safe make safe levels easy for beginners
  • Air mode adds presence to vocals and life to DI guitar
  • 69 dB of gain drives low-output mics such as the SM7B without a booster
  • Headphone amp drives high-impedance headphones
  • Loopback captures computer audio for streams and recordings
  • Two line inputs take a DJ mixer's stereo output for streaming or recording mixes

What to know first

  • Audio dropouts, crackles or crashes that need a reconnect, mostly on Windows
  • Auto Gain sets levels on the low side and needs adjusting
  • No MIDI ports
Show 4 more
  • Direct monitoring had no adjustable mix at launchFixed
  • Drops out on USB ports that cannot supply enough power without the separate supply
  • Clip Safe can pull the gain down further than needed
  • Mic XLR inputs moved to the back panel
See the 11 reviews behind this

11 professional reviews (10 recommend, 1 mixed, 0 avoid; three cover the Solo, 2i2 and 4i4 together and three review the 2i2 Studio bundle); 76 owner reviews read at Thomann (59, English and German) and Guitar Center (17)Compiled 2026-10-14How this is compiled

Prices

Before you buy

Released
August 2023
Status
Current

Works with

  • Focusrite Control 2 (Mac/Windows)Free

    Free app that registers the 2i2, updates its firmware, unlocks sample rates above 48 kHz and controls the preamps remotely; on Windows it installs the driver Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Cubase LEIncluded

    Bundled recording software, with the Hitmaker Expansion plug-in bundle, as licence codes after registration Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite), checked 2026-10-14

  • DJ mixers and other line sourcesTwo line inputs

    The two front 1/4" jacks take line or instrument level, so a stereo source such as a mixer's booth or record output uses both; a jack disables that channel's XLR input Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • Streaming and recording softwareLoopback built in

    Loopback inputs 3-4 return the computer's own audio, or the Direct Monitor mix, to OBS, a DAW or other software without cables Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • iPhone and iPadOfficially supported

    Focusrite supports the 2i2 4th Gen on iPhone and iPad; a USB-C charger on the 5V DC port powers it when the phone or tablet cannot Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite Help Centre), checked 2026-10-14

  • DJ software headphone cueingNot supported

    Outputs 1 and 2 share the same feed as the headphone output, so DJ software cannot send a separate cue to the headphones Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

You’ll also need

  • Speakers or headphonesNot in the box

    The box holds the interface, a USB-C to USB-A cable and paperwork; outputs are two 1/4" TRS line outputs and a 1/4" headphone jack Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • RCA to 1/4" jack cables for a DJ mixerNot in the box

    The line inputs are 6.35 mm (1/4") jack sockets, so a mixer's RCA outputs need adapting cables Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • A USB-C power supply (optional)Not in the box

    The 5V DC port takes a USB-C supply when a computer cannot provide enough power, and for standalone use Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • A phono preamp for turntablesNot built in

    A turntable's phono-level output is too weak for the interface's inputs; a phono preamp feeds a pair of line inputs Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite Help Centre), checked 2026-10-14

  • A 3.5 mm to 1/4" headphone adaptorFor 3.5 mm plugs

    The headphone output is a 6.35 mm TRS jack; Focusrite recommends headphones up to 300 ohms Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (2i2 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

Key specs

Inputs
2 x XLR mic (rear), 2 x 1/4" TRS line/instrument (front); a front jack disables that channel's XLR
Outputs
2 x 1/4" TRS balanced line outputs, 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output (shares the line outputs' feed)
Audio interface
24-bit/192 kHz; 4 in x 2 out over USB, including 2 loopback inputs
USB
1 x USB-C (USB 2.0) for power and data, 1 x USB-C 5 V DC power input
Power
USB bus power, 900 mA; optional external 5 V DC supply, 4.5 W
Mic preamps
2 x remote-controlled; 69 dB gain range; EIN -127 dBu (A-weighted); 48 V phantom power; Auto Gain, Clip Safe, Air
All 13 specifications
Dynamic range
Line outputs 120 dB; mic inputs 116 dB (A-weighted)
Maximum input level
Mic +16 dBu, line +22 dBu, instrument +12 dBu
Headphone output
32 mW into 33 ohms, 22 mW into 300 ohms; 50 ohm output impedance
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.06 dB (mic inputs)
Software
Focusrite Control 2 (Mac/Windows); Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Cubase LE included
Dimensions (W x D x H)
180 x 117 x 47.5 mm (7.09 x 4.60 x 1.87 in)
Weight
595 g (1.31 lb)

13 of 13 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

Rory TassellWritten from the sources on this page, not from a loan unit.

Ten of eleven professional reviews recommend it, citing clean preamps with 69 dB of gain, Auto Gain and Clip Safe, and owners repeat the clean sound, easy setup and solid build. How-To Geek is mixed over the missing MIDI ports and basic monitor mixing, reviewers and owners find Auto Gain sets levels low, and ten owners report dropouts or crashes, mostly on Windows. Buy it to take a DJ mixer's stereo output into a laptop for streaming or recording.

What it is

Status, October 2026: current. Focusrite still sells the Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen).

What it is

The Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) is a two-input, two-output USB audio interface from Focusrite (Focusrite product page). Focusrite announced it on 31 August 2023 with the Scarlett Solo and Scarlett 4i4, and MusicRadar describes it as a direct replacement for the third-generation 2i2.

Each of its two channels has an XLR mic input on the back and a 1/4" line/instrument jack on the front; plugging into the jack disables that channel's XLR. The remote-controlled preamps have a 69 dB gain range, 48 V phantom power, Air mode, Auto Gain, which sets the level from ten seconds of signal, and Clip Safe, which turns the gain down to prevent clipping. Two balanced 1/4" TRS line outputs and a 1/4" headphone jack carry the same feed, each with its own level control.

It records at up to 24-bit/192 kHz over USB-C and runs on bus power, drawing 900 mA. A second USB-C port takes an optional 5 V supply when a computer, phone or tablet cannot power it, and for standalone use. Two loopback inputs return the computer's own audio for streaming or recording. Focusrite Control 2 for Mac and Windows sets it up and controls the preamps, and Focusrite supports the 2i2 on iPhone and iPad. Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Cubase LE come with it as licence codes after registration.

It measures 180 x 117 x 47.5 mm and weighs 595 g. The box holds the interface, a USB-C to USB-A cable and paperwork; the 2i2 Studio bundle adds a CM25 MkIII condenser mic and SH-450 headphones.

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