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DJ Tech Reviews

Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen)

The 2i2's preamps with four line outputs, MIDI and an independent headphone mix; needs a strong USB-C power source.

Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen) at an angle

Photos: Focusrite Audio Engineering

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6 of 6 professional reviews recommend it
Best for
Cueing in DJ software, or recording mics, synths and line sources together.
Skip it if
Two inputs and two outputs are enough for you; the 2i2 does that.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 6 professional reviews and 45 owner reviews: a fair amount of evidence.

All six professional reviews recommend it for the 2i2's preamps with two more line inputs, four line outputs, MIDI and independent mixes, and owners repeat the clean sound and solid build. The repeated reservations are owner reports of Windows driver or noise problems that need a reconnect, fussiness about power, and line-only inputs 3 and 4.

6 recommend0 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • Clean, quiet preamps and recordings for the price
  • Solid metal build
  • Extra line inputs and outputs with independent mixes, including the headphones
Show 4 more
  • Easy to set up, with intuitive control software
  • MIDI in and out for keyboards and synths
  • Headphone amp drives high-impedance headphones loud enough
  • Auto Gain and Clip Safe help set and protect levels

What to know first

  • Windows driver problems, noise or distortion that need a reconnect
  • Needs a full USB-C power source; the USB-A adaptor or a weak port may not run it
  • Inputs 3 and 4 are line-only jacks, with no combo socket or gain control
Show 1 more
  • Some owners find the headphone and line outputs quiet
See the 6 reviews behind this

6 professional reviews (6 recommend, 0 mixed, 0 avoid; three cover the Solo, 2i2 and 4i4 together); 45 owner reviews read at Thomann (39, English, German, French and Swedish) and Guitar Center (6, of 9 posted)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 with the mixer and routing for the outputs, remote preamp control and firmware updates; on Windows it installs the driver Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (4i4 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • DJ software headphone cueingSeparate headphone mix

    The headphone output is independent of line outputs 1/2 and 3/4, so DJ software can send its cue to the headphones and the master to the speakers Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (4i4 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • Traktor Pro (internal mixer)Cue on own outputs

    In internal mixing mode, Traktor sends the master and the pre-listen cue (Output Monitor) to separate output pairs Manufacturer spec sheet (Native Instruments (Traktor Pro manual)), checked 2026-10-14

  • MIDI keyboards, synths and drum machines5-pin DIN

    MIDI In and Out on 5-pin DIN sockets pass MIDI to and from the computer Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (4i4 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • Streaming and recording softwareLoopback built in

    Loopback inputs 5-6 return the computer's own audio, or a custom mix from the mixer, to recording or streaming software Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (4i4 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

  • iPhone and iPadNeeds external power

    Focusrite supports the 4i4 4th Gen on iPhone and iPad, but an iPhone cannot power it alone; use the 5V DC port or a powered USB-C hub Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite Help Centre), checked 2026-10-14

You’ll also need

  • Speakers or headphonesNot in the box

    The box holds the interface, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-A to USB-C adaptor, a 15 W USB-C power adapter and paperwork Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (4i4 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

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

    Line inputs 3 and 4 and all four outputs are 6.35 mm (1/4") jack sockets, so RCA sources need adapting cables Manufacturer spec sheet (Focusrite (4i4 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 (4i4 4th Gen user guide)), checked 2026-10-14

Key specs

Inputs
2 x XLR/1/4" combo mic/line/instrument (front), 2 x 1/4" TRS line (rear)
Outputs
4 x 1/4" TRS balanced line outputs, 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output with its own mix
Audio interface
24-bit/192 kHz; 6 in x 6 out over USB, including 2 loopback inputs
MIDI
MIDI In and Out on 5-pin DIN
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, 1.5 A; optional external 5 V DC supply, 7.5 W (USB-C power adapter included)
All 14 specifications
Mic preamps
2 x remote-controlled; 69 dB gain range; EIN -127 dBu (A-weighted); 48 V phantom power; Auto Gain, Clip Safe, Air
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
57 mW into 33 ohms, 27 mW into 300 ohms; 11 ohm output impedance
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.06 dB (mic inputs)
Software
Focusrite Control 2 (Mac/Windows) with mixer and routing; Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Cubase LE included
Dimensions (W x D x H)
180 x 130 x 60 mm (7.09 x 5.12 x 2.36 in)
Weight
798 g (1.76 lb)

14 of 14 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

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

All six professional reviews recommend it, for the same preamps as the 2i2 plus two line inputs, four line outputs, MIDI and a headphone output with its own mix, and owners repeat the clean sound and solid build. The reservations are owner reports of Windows driver problems and noise that need a reconnect, power that needs a proper USB-C source, and line-only inputs 3 and 4. Buy it to cue in DJ software from a controller with no sound card.

What it is

Status, October 2026: current. Focusrite still sells the Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen).

What it is

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

Two combo inputs on the front take a mic, line or instrument signal and use the same remote-controlled preamps as the 2i2, with a 69 dB gain range, 48 V phantom power, Air mode, Auto Gain and Clip Safe. Two more 1/4" line inputs sit on the back, with four balanced 1/4" TRS line outputs and MIDI In and Out on 5-pin DIN. The 1/4" headphone output is independent of the line outputs, and the mixer in Focusrite Control 2 gives the speakers, the other outputs and the headphones their own mixes, so DJ software can send the master to the speakers and the pre-listen cue to the headphones.

It records at up to 24-bit/192 kHz over USB-C and can run on bus power, drawing 1.5 A. A second USB-C port takes the supplied 5 V power adapter when a computer, phone or tablet cannot supply enough, and the 4i4 can pass audio in standalone mode. Two loopback inputs return the computer's own audio for streaming or recording. Focusrite supports it on iPhone and iPad with external power. Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Cubase LE come with it as licence codes after registration.

It measures 180 x 130 x 60 mm and weighs 798 g. The box holds the interface, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-A to USB-C adaptor, a 15 W USB-C power adapter and paperwork.

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