Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen) USB-C Audio Interface with Dual Headphone Outputs, MIDI, and Loopback

Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen): The Two-Mic, Two-Headphone Interface That Replaces a Two-Box Setup

The Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen) is built for the moment a one-person studio becomes a two-person studio. Two 4th-generation mic preamps with 69 dB of clean gain. Two independent headphone amps so a host and a guest each get their own cue mix. Two more line outputs than the 2i2 — feed two pairs of monitors, or a monitor pair plus a stage feed. MIDI In and Out on the back to wire in a synth or a drum machine. And Loopback channels so a streamer can route game audio and music alongside the mic without a second sound card. All bus-powered over USB-C, all in one anthracite chassis.

4th-Generation Scarlett Preamps and 69 dB of Clean Gain

Focusrite's 4th-generation mic preamp design delivers -127 dBu EIN (A-weighted) — the lowest self-noise floor Scarlett has ever shipped. 69 dB of gain range is enough to drive a Shure SM7B, an EV RE320, or any quiet broadcast dynamic to full level without a Cloudlifter or FetHead in the path. Combined with 24-bit / 192 kHz conversion and 120 dB of dynamic range, the 4i4 captures detail from a whispered ad-read to a kick drum punch on the same session.

Air Mode, Auto Gain, Clip Safe, and Dynamic Gain Halos

Switchable Air mode adds Presence (top-end air for vocals) and Harmonic Drive (analog console saturation) per channel — printable EQ and saturation modeled from Focusrite's ISA console heritage. Auto Gain runs a quick test signal and sets optimal preamp level in one press; Clip Safe runs 96,000 checks per second and automatically pulls the gain back when the signal nears clip. The Dynamic Gain Halos around each input knob show level in real time — green for safe, amber for close, red for clipping. The result is fewer ruined takes from misset gain.

Two Headphone Amps, Four Balanced Outputs, and MIDI for Hardware

The 4i4 doubles the output count of the Scarlett Solo and 2i2. Four balanced 1/4-inch TRS line outputs drive two pairs of monitors, or a main pair plus a stage send, or a monitor pair plus a recording booth feed. Two independent headphone amps with separate volume knobs mean a host and a guest can each dial their own monitor balance — no headphone splitter, no shared cue, no compromise. 5-pin DIN MIDI In and Out connect drum machines, synths, sequencers, and controllers without a USB-MIDI adapter cluttering the desk.

Loopback and Standalone Mode for Streamers and Live Workflows

Two stereo Loopback channels route DAW or system audio back into the interface as virtual inputs. A streamer can put game audio, a backing track, or a remote co-host call alongside the mic on the broadcast without a second sound card or virtual cable. Standalone mode runs the mic preamps without a computer connected — convert mic to line and feed a hardware mixer, a camera, or a recorder directly from the 4i4's 4th-gen preamps.

USB-C Bus Power, Mac, Windows, and iPad Support

The 4i4 runs over a single USB-C cable for both audio and power — no external adapter, no separate power brick. Class-compliant with macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows 11/10, and iPadOS on USB-C iPads. Focusrite Control 2 handles routing, monitoring, and standalone configuration on Mac and Windows. The Hitmaker Expansion software bundle — Auto-Tune Access, Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Artist (3-month), Splice Sounds (3-month), and the Hitmaker Plug-in Suite — is included via the welcome email.

Who the Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen) Is For

For the home recordist building their first multi-mic chain — two preamps, two headphone amps, software included, plug and play. For the upgrader stepping up from a Scarlett Solo or 2i2 — same Air, same Auto Gain, same Clip Safe, plus MIDI, Loopback, dual headphones, and four outs. For the comparison shopper deciding between the 4i4 and the next tier — 69 dB clean gain, -127 dBu EIN, 120 dB dynamic range, and bus-powered USB-C operation make it the spec-for-spec match at this price tier.