I bought a MOTU M4 after watching reviews from this channel and I found that it had several issues I did not expect. If you use a usb-c to c cable, there is measurable distortion on channel 3. The half-band filters are minimum phase not zero phase. 0.5mS latency in the monitor mix.
I saw the new focusrite interface yesterday in the store and immediately went to see what Julian has to say, you are a legend, Julian. The most reliable source on the internet 🔥
Great video as usual and extra props for the transparency and honesty around sourcing the product. Amazing technical performance on offer for such little money these days. I'd love to see someone do a comparison between one of these and the rack mount a/d offerings from the likes of Universal/Apogee/Prism.
Finally Focusrite launches a good generation of the Scarlett, I had the 2nd generation years ago, when I tried the 3rd generation, it seemed to me to be more of the same. The automatic gain seemed to be a copy of the Audient EVO to me. I would need to see the stability of the drivers in Windows, something in which Focusrite has always faltered since 2012 with the first generations of Scarlett. Greetings from Mexico City!! And congrats for the 100K subs!!!
"There's hardly any need for a Cloudhead or a FETlifter" I don't know if that was on purpose, but it made me crack up. Thanks for yet another absolutely excellent review. This is my go-to channel for audio interface information.
Looks like they took a lot from Audients EVO series, not just the Smartgain and the LED configuration, but even the UI looks similar now. Definitely a good thing!
When I saw this come up, I had a big grin on my face. That is because, having seen that there was a 4th Gen of Scarlett available, the first thing I did was looked for a review by Julian, because he is the man! Imagine my disappointment when I saw that he hadn't posted anything for a few months. So to see this today made me very happy.
In my opinion, the question now is how it compares to the legendary Motu m4. Congrats on 100k subs btw, you obviously deserve this after providing us the best audio reviews on TH-cam !
Focusrite is wise to listen to you, as your thoughtful, thorough, and insightful videos have established you as the go to TH-cam reviewer of Audio Interfaces. Thanks
Still using my first-generation 18i8 on one of my computers. I think I bought it in 2013. After around a decade I have essentially no issues to report and no plans to upgrade. Perfect is the enemy of good.
Really depends on your setup. I like it in front because I bury this with other device, kinda like a pseudo rack style. I don't want to display a mere interface on my desk.
It depends - when you have meters as halo you got higher resolution. Also you can put Scarletts higher on your desk and still have access to everything.
Good to hear your review of this 'new' interface. Your opinions and perspectives are the yardstick by which I choose to purchase my equipment. Thank you as always for your time, effort, and comprehensive info in your great reviews.
Good to see taht some companies actually listen...the 4th gen seems to be a genuine improvement over the sometimes downgradish 3rd gen (compared to 2nd gen) and the added features should come in handy for some people. Also the oftware seems to be quite well made... I guess Focusrite is back on the competition fields. good for them. 😊 Oh...i just saw the 100k mark. Congratulations, that achievement is well deserved! 🥳
Excellent review Julian and you helped me figure out where direct monitoring had disappeared to. Neither the manual nor Focusrite support were able to enlighten me. Many thanks
Opened a ticket with Focusrite to confirm that the HP output are now separate from output 3&4. This was an issue in Gen3, you could either use output 3&4 or HPs but not both. Glad to see that is a thing of the past.
2 headphone outputs + direct monitoring DSP is VERY useful if you don't like too much video editing (plug 1 headphone out to your camera mic input). This is why I still use my super beat up UR44 over my "better sounding" Motu M2 (which has a loopback feature though, but still..).
9:58 The Rode AI-1 has had a firmware update which unlocked its mic input level significantly. To SM7B levels, apparently. Should you want to have this very useful graph updated as well.
Hi Julian, great to see you back with another review. I wish you would include a mention in all software-controlled device reviews, that the device will only work on platforms which the producer decides to support. So every time you switch to a new Windows/iOS version, there is a chance that your device is no longer compatible.
That's why I pay attention to functionality under Linux and open source drivers and software from the start. This means I am neither dependent on MacOS nor Windows and can still use the device in 20 years.
@@OpenGL4ever Yet this dramatically reduces the number of audio devices available to you. There is no way to access the settings on this device from any non-supported OS, such as Linux or an older Windows.
@@thanqol Then that's just how it is. It's the manufacturer's problem if I don't buy their product because they don't have Linux drivers for their product. The Focusrite Scarlett series Gen 3 devices do btw. have Linux support written by the Linux community, not Focusrite. And the GUI application is even better than the windows and MacOS X one. For Gen 4 support it will take a while.
@@OpenGL4ever Yes, but this just underlines why I would like to see audio device reviewers like @JulianKrause, who is the best in the business, give some attention to software-based control implementation, so that the manufacturers would actually/hopefully pay more attention to it. Julian actually complains about the poor UI design of the Focusrite control app in one of the Gen 3 device reviews. It would be much better if Focusrite would make the relatively small effort to develop a simple API for the controls of their devices, which would make them future proof compatibility-wise.
Yes! Every time I want to see a review of an audio interface, I come to hear Julian’s opinion . Thanks for the video. Why do they always skip out on the Mix knob like the UMC204HD I’m a bit bummed out about that 😢
Thanks for the review. Good to see Focusrite made objective improvements to their interfaces. According to the Focusrite website, the Solo and 2i2 list a 50 ohm output impedance in the headphone output section vs 11 ohms on the 4i4.
Yes, your reviews are the BEST!!! I wish there were better 'pedalboard' mounted audio interfaces for those of us who use iPads as fx pedals or processors - in live performances. These (reviews of audio interfaces) are tailored to home recording, not live performances. We need BETTER interfaces for guitars /basses using iPads for live performances.
Hi , I wonder if to buy the focusrite 4i4 or UA volt 275? would you please recommend me? Thank you for doing these videos...I still dont know what to choose
Hi, could you do a review on the "iConnectivity Audio4c"?? It's almost the same price as this new 4i4 but offers way more features including the ability to use it on 2 devices at once!, I use it on my Windows laptop and iPad Pro and I can listen to both devices at once and merge/process and send audio from both devices to each other as well as the 4 inputs, plus, Hi-Z and +48V are independent from each input as well as separate mixes for any of the 4 outputs and also separate mix for the headphone out plus extensive MIDI merging and filtering for controllers with a special USB port for controllers and charging of the iPad while using it too!
Does it seem like they are doing away with their larger versions of these interfaces for the Scarlett line and saving that for only the Clarett line a a higher rice point? The lack of an optical in for an ADAT interface we used for additional inputs (i use for drumsets) is a deal-breaker for me in general.
It seems a great audio interface, but it's much more expensive than the others in the same price category. I think I will buy the UAD Volt 2. This video really helped me to choose the interface!!! Thanks
Another great review! Julian: When comparing this unit to the Motu M2 on your Headphone Output Chart, the Motu M2 has a yellow score for Output Power into 16 Ohm while the 4i4 4th gen has a yellow score for Output Impendence @ 1khz, which you say in the review can slightly impact low impendence headphones. For low impedance headphones (PC38X 28 ohms), which of these two metrics would be most impactful - would you go for the Motu M2 or the new Scarlett specifically based on low impedance headphone performance? The numbers are super close on these two units! Thanks!
Impressive update. If they'd only add a digital out, so you could send it to your preferred dac(/amp) for top notch low latency monitoring. It already has the adc done. Can't be that expensive to add an output. Great review as always.
if you are at the level where you need an external dac for a 4 channel interface you probably have bigger issues, and should probably just be investing in a better interface
at this pricepoint, better spend a bit more to get an old Roland's Octacapture, cant go wrong with it. It records amazingly, has 8 combo inputs, 8 outputs, and even does 4 stereo submixes in case you need something for live monitoring.
The air mode presence makes a lot of sense actually, it counteracts the downwards-tilted frequency response you get even in the reference environment due to room reflections from the downwards-tilted off-axis speaker frequency response.
Hi, Your channel is so informative. I have a request, Can you please review about Tascam series 102i & Motu M6. It would be great if you could review or compare them. They both offer more specs.
FetLifter & CloudHead… 😂 love it! Thank you for the review, you are the undisputed benchmark here. Thank God you‘re not into podcast recorders, that‘d be the end of my channel 🫣😂 (Just kidding, I actually would love to see your takes on the Rødecasters/ Podtraks/ Mixcasts/ Gigcasters of this world, especially when it comes to how they stack up in your wonder-charts). Huge congrats on the 100k subs, well deserved!
Hello, Julian. The 18i18 and 16i16(substitutes the 8i6) 4th gen are about to come out. Will you be reviewing those? I hope you will. Best regards and keep up with the amazing work.
Another great video, thank you for putting in all the work! As of now the Motu M4 is cheaper to get than the Scarlett 4th gen 4i4. I would typically use this sort of interface when traveling and to be able to use both of my reference cans, one pair at 32 ohms and the other around 70 ohms, without bringing a dedicated headphone preamp will keep me using Motu interfacees. The 4th gen 4i4 might drive the 32 ohms without trouble, but I would always be wondering and that will inevitably mess with my workflow. An thanks Julian for cutting through the bs and presenting the raw data, I have learned a lot about the inner workings of interfaces from you.
![[Eng Sub] FOCUSRITE Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen audio interface](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FDfHW9ZfybY/mqdefault.jpg)
Julian, your channel is the reference when it comes to detailed audio reviews. Many thanks for doing things differently!
That's so true. Eve me with a bad English always check his reviews
bin fast eingeschlafen ...
I bought a MOTU M4 after watching reviews from this channel and I found that it had several issues I did not expect. If you use a usb-c to c cable, there is measurable distortion on channel 3. The half-band filters are minimum phase not zero phase. 0.5mS latency in the monitor mix.
My ears are the reference and my work flow. There are many dynamics that which card suits your needs? So, Julian can only be reference to his ears.
@@Purrrelll wow deep
The GOAT returns. Love your reviews, been looking for a new interface since Im getting started with my music journey
I saw the new focusrite interface yesterday in the store and immediately went to see what Julian has to say, you are a legend, Julian. The most reliable source on the internet 🔥
100K! Congrats brotha. Well deserved.
I really appreciate your extremely thorough reviews.
Congratulations on hitting 100k, Julian! Very much deserved!
Thank you Ed! :)
Great video as usual and extra props for the transparency and honesty around sourcing the product. Amazing technical performance on offer for such little money these days. I'd love to see someone do a comparison between one of these and the rack mount a/d offerings from the likes of Universal/Apogee/Prism.
“But MOST importantly, a HIGHLY secure Kensington locking point” 😎 made me giggle hahaha
I thought Focusrite wouldn't surprise me with the new Scarlett line, but they did!
Finally Focusrite launches a good generation of the Scarlett, I had the 2nd generation years ago, when I tried the 3rd generation, it seemed to me to be more of the same. The automatic gain seemed to be a copy of the Audient EVO to me. I would need to see the stability of the drivers in Windows, something in which Focusrite has always faltered since 2012 with the first generations of Scarlett.
Greetings from Mexico City!! And congrats for the 100K subs!!!
"There's hardly any need for a Cloudhead or a FETlifter"
I don't know if that was on purpose, but it made me crack up.
Thanks for yet another absolutely excellent review. This is my go-to channel for audio interface information.
what i highly respect in you is your transparency. the way you mark videos as ads when you receive the product for free
and the content quality
Looks like they took a lot from Audients EVO series, not just the Smartgain and the LED configuration, but even the UI looks similar now. Definitely a good thing!
When I saw this come up, I had a big grin on my face. That is because, having seen that there was a 4th Gen of Scarlett available, the first thing I did was looked for a review by Julian, because he is the man! Imagine my disappointment when I saw that he hadn't posted anything for a few months. So to see this today made me very happy.
Congrats on 100k!
Thank you Bark!!!
@@JulianKrause no thank you..... I was hoping for this video soon, and you delivered as always.
I wasn't expecting Focusrite to drop the fourth-generation Scarlett line, but now I want the fourth-generation Scarlett Solo!
In my opinion, the question now is how it compares to the legendary Motu m4.
Congrats on 100k subs btw, you obviously deserve this after providing us the best audio reviews on TH-cam !
Focusrite is wise to listen to you, as your thoughtful, thorough, and insightful videos have established you as the go to TH-cam reviewer of Audio Interfaces. Thanks
Hi Julian! Your interface reviews are awesome! Thank you for sharing!
Vielen dank für das video ich habe lange überlegt ob ich es kaufen soll
I think, it's not just the audio interface that got an upgrade this year, but the this guy also made improvements in motion 12:53 👍🏻😊👍🏻
Still using my first-generation 18i8 on one of my computers. I think I bought it in 2013. After around a decade I have essentially no issues to report and no plans to upgrade.
Perfect is the enemy of good.
not a single mention on the independent headphones channel vs the 3rd gen when it was shared with outputs 3-4.
Great review. The only problem is the typical Focusrite layout. I like to have buttons and meters on the top, like the Audient and SSLs.
Really depends on your setup. I like it in front because I bury this with other device, kinda like a pseudo rack style. I don't want to display a mere interface on my desk.
@@bassyey Yes. It is no big problem. I have the Clarett 8pre in a rack. Allways a solution...
It depends - when you have meters as halo you got higher resolution. Also you can put Scarletts higher on your desk and still have access to everything.
you know he had to do it 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Great video. It would be interesting to see NEUMANN MT 48 on your tests.
Every your video is a great pleasure to watch!! Thank you, Julian!!!
Good to hear your review of this 'new' interface. Your opinions and perspectives are the yardstick by which I choose to purchase my equipment. Thank you as always for your time, effort, and comprehensive info in your great reviews.
Super Kanal. Danke für Deine Reviews und herzlichen Glückwunsch zu 100k. Verdient. Liebe Grüße. Carsten ✌🏼
Good to see taht some companies actually listen...the 4th gen seems to be a genuine improvement over the sometimes downgradish 3rd gen (compared to 2nd gen) and the added features should come in handy for some people.
Also the oftware seems to be quite well made...
I guess Focusrite is back on the competition fields. good for them. 😊
Oh...i just saw the 100k mark.
Congratulations, that achievement is well deserved!
🥳
4th gen is a downgrade ... what are you talking about those effect buttons are useless for professional recording
I'm so excited for the new loopback feature and improved headphone output quality. I think this will be my next interface
Excellent review Julian and you helped me figure out where direct monitoring had disappeared to. Neither the manual nor Focusrite support were able to enlighten me. Many thanks
Julian can we please have a chart or resource for latency results too? Would be very useful
Wake up babe, new Julian video
Excellent video covering this new audio interface. I plan to use it with a SM7B so was glad to see you had that same setup.
oh excellent, was thinking og getting the 2i2, love that you are doing this review
SMASHED THE LIKE BUTTON even before watching!! Was excitedly waiting for this, haha. 😂
(Edit: Now anxiously waiting for the 2i2 & Solo reviews, haha.)
Opened a ticket with Focusrite to confirm that the HP output are now separate from output 3&4. This was an issue in Gen3, you could either use output 3&4 or HPs but not both. Glad to see that is a thing of the past.
2 headphone outputs + direct monitoring DSP is VERY useful if you don't like too much video editing (plug 1 headphone out to your camera mic input). This is why I still use my super beat up UR44 over my "better sounding" Motu M2 (which has a loopback feature though, but still..).
my man Julian is back with a detailed review. FTW!!!
9:58 The Rode AI-1 has had a firmware update which unlocked its mic input level significantly.
To SM7B levels, apparently.
Should you want to have this very useful graph updated as well.
Hi Julian, great to see you back with another review. I wish you would include a mention in all software-controlled device reviews, that the device will only work on platforms which the producer decides to support. So every time you switch to a new Windows/iOS version, there is a chance that your device is no longer compatible.
That's why I pay attention to functionality under Linux and open source drivers and software from the start. This means I am neither dependent on MacOS nor Windows and can still use the device in 20 years.
@@OpenGL4ever Yet this dramatically reduces the number of audio devices available to you. There is no way to access the settings on this device from any non-supported OS, such as Linux or an older Windows.
@@thanqol Then that's just how it is. It's the manufacturer's problem if I don't buy their product because they don't have Linux drivers for their product.
The Focusrite Scarlett series Gen 3 devices do btw. have Linux support written by the Linux community, not Focusrite. And the GUI application is even better than the windows and MacOS X one. For Gen 4 support it will take a while.
@@OpenGL4ever Yes, but this just underlines why I would like to see audio device reviewers like @JulianKrause, who is the best in the business, give some attention to software-based control implementation, so that the manufacturers would actually/hopefully pay more attention to it. Julian actually complains about the poor UI design of the Focusrite control app in one of the Gen 3 device reviews. It would be much better if Focusrite would make the relatively small effort to develop a simple API for the controls of their devices, which would make them future proof compatibility-wise.
Great breakdown Julian and congrats on hitting 100k subscribers!
Thank you so much!
Just bought this yesterday, I’m shocked with how powerful this thing is
Like to see a user guide to using MIDI with the interface. Ok there is probably many out there, but by THIS GUY👍🏻
Best reviews on the internet. No competition.
Thank you, I've really struggled to get my head around audio and what to look out for, your videos have / are helping loads!
Congratulations on your 100k Subs !
Thanks man :)
"Let's focus on focus rite, right? Alright" ahaha loved it
Great review!
Tooooiiing !!! jajaja
Danke!
Immer wieder gern!!😃
great review
Yes! Every time I want to see a review of an audio interface, I come to hear Julian’s opinion . Thanks for the video. Why do they always skip out on the Mix knob like the UMC204HD I’m a bit bummed out about that 😢
Great video Julian. Thankyou. I purchased a 4i4 4th gen after struggling with my budget m audio duo, really the difference is staggering.
Thanks for the review. Good to see Focusrite made objective improvements to their interfaces.
According to the Focusrite website, the Solo and 2i2 list a 50 ohm output impedance in the headphone output section vs 11 ohms on the 4i4.
Just purchased one can’t wait for it to get here 🔥
Yes, your reviews are the BEST!!! I wish there were better 'pedalboard' mounted audio interfaces for those of us who use iPads as fx pedals or processors - in live performances. These (reviews of audio interfaces) are tailored to home recording, not live performances. We need BETTER interfaces for guitars /basses using iPads for live performances.
Julia Krause you continue to put out great content for us audio nerds. Keep it coming!!
Yessss here we go! Danke!
Thx for this review, when is the 8i6 g4 coming?
Great update❤ Thank you, Julian!
How can I connect with you?
Congrats on 100K subs. I am listing you since you had below 10K subs.
I find out the 4th gen is out and I was hoping for your video
Thanks
Great show and the moderator has a top haircut !
Hi , I wonder if to buy the focusrite 4i4 or UA volt 275? would you please recommend me? Thank you for doing these videos...I still dont know what to choose
Hi, could you do a review on the "iConnectivity Audio4c"?? It's almost the same price as this new 4i4 but offers way more features including the ability to use it on 2 devices at once!, I use it on my Windows laptop and iPad Pro and I can listen to both devices at once and merge/process and send audio from both devices to each other as well as the 4 inputs, plus, Hi-Z and +48V are independent from each input as well as separate mixes for any of the 4 outputs and also separate mix for the headphone out plus extensive MIDI merging and filtering for controllers with a special USB port for controllers and charging of the iPad while using it too!
I was waiting for this review.
Every company making audio interfaces needs to consult you first!
Congrats for 100k, Julian!
NICE" welcome back!
Awesome job, awesome hair and awesome dude! As always, your content is very vauable.
Does it seem like they are doing away with their larger versions of these interfaces for the Scarlett line and saving that for only the Clarett line a a higher rice point? The lack of an optical in for an ADAT interface we used for additional inputs (i use for drumsets) is a deal-breaker for me in general.
was waiting for this 🙏
Spectacular review as always. Thank you for all your efforts. Bravo sir!
Big fan man ! maybe i watch your videos from the beginning of your channel !
And now is the question: is Clarret+ still better option for home recording guitarist?
Gratuliere zu 100k
Upon seeing 4 input, I was hoping I could record my drums with 4 mics but the other 4 inputs are line inputs. Thanks for the wonderful review.
please review MOTU M2/M4 new revision, it have completly new PCB design and new components
I don't think haven't change in performance.
It seems a great audio interface, but it's much more expensive than the others in the same price category. I think I will buy the UAD Volt 2.
This video really helped me to choose the interface!!! Thanks
Another great review!
Julian: When comparing this unit to the Motu M2 on your Headphone Output Chart, the Motu M2 has a yellow score for Output Power into 16 Ohm while the 4i4 4th gen has a yellow score for Output Impendence @ 1khz, which you say in the review can slightly impact low impendence headphones.
For low impedance headphones (PC38X 28 ohms), which of these two metrics would be most impactful - would you go for the Motu M2 or the new Scarlett specifically based on low impedance headphone performance? The numbers are super close on these two units! Thanks!
Thank you for the review. Just ordered a Gen 4 (also because of Linux support).
Hello Julian, I'm eager to see your review of the 4th gen Solo, when you have time!
Impressive update. If they'd only add a digital out, so you could send it to your preferred dac(/amp) for top notch low latency monitoring. It already has the adc done. Can't be that expensive to add an output.
Great review as always.
if you are at the level where you need an external dac for a 4 channel interface you probably have bigger issues, and should probably just be investing in a better interface
Another great video Julian. Love the dad jokes in this one.
at this pricepoint, better spend a bit more to get an old Roland's Octacapture, cant go wrong with it. It records amazingly, has 8 combo inputs, 8 outputs, and even does 4 stereo submixes in case you need something for live monitoring.
Are you planning on doing a video on the Neumann MT 48? (This vid was awesome as always!)
Would love to see the Neumann MT48 next! :)
The air mode presence makes a lot of sense actually, it counteracts the downwards-tilted frequency response you get even in the reference environment due to room reflections from the downwards-tilted off-axis speaker frequency response.
Finally, the 'reference' review!
Hi, Your channel is so informative. I have a request, Can you please review about Tascam series 102i & Motu M6. It would be great if you could review or compare them. They both offer more specs.
I just stumbled on your channel - thank you - great reviews!!
When I want to know, what q device has in the belly, that channel comes first. No joke here. It is has serious as it can be.
FetLifter & CloudHead… 😂 love it! Thank you for the review, you are the undisputed benchmark here. Thank God you‘re not into podcast recorders, that‘d be the end of my channel 🫣😂 (Just kidding, I actually would love to see your takes on the Rødecasters/ Podtraks/ Mixcasts/ Gigcasters of this world, especially when it comes to how they stack up in your wonder-charts).
Huge congrats on the 100k subs, well deserved!
A very good informative review. Thanks a lot!
Just bought a 16i16 and I think it sounds great
Hello, Julian.
The 18i18 and 16i16(substitutes the 8i6) 4th gen are about to come out. Will you be reviewing those? I hope you will.
Best regards and keep up with the amazing work.
Note that the new 2i2 has 50ohms output impedance. Maybe they used a different heaphone amp in the smaller model.
Another great video, thank you for putting in all the work! As of now the Motu M4 is cheaper to get than the Scarlett 4th gen 4i4. I would typically use this sort of interface when traveling and to be able to use both of my reference cans, one pair at 32 ohms and the other around 70 ohms, without bringing a dedicated headphone preamp will keep me using Motu interfacees. The 4th gen 4i4 might drive the 32 ohms without trouble, but I would always be wondering and that will inevitably mess with my workflow.
An thanks Julian for cutting through the bs and presenting the raw data, I have learned a lot about the inner workings of interfaces from you.
congrats on 100k
4i4 4th gen is unfortunately noticeably louder than some of the others in the test. But the steinberg always makes the other interfaces feel better!