
Audio Interfaces
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen
$170 approx. price
Available at
(paid link)
Who it's for:
For beginners who need to record one source at a time: vocals or an instrument. It's the simplest interface in the Scarlett line, and it does that job well.
What stands out:
It has its own driver through Focusrite Control 2, which keeps it stable on Windows without relying on generic drivers like ASIO4ALL.
Air mode adds presence and brightness to the signal, emulating the sound of a classic analog console, which can make a difference especially on vocals. Auto Gain sets your level automatically before you hit record.
It comes with Pro Tools Artist or Ableton Live Lite, plus the Hitmaker Expansion bundle with plugins for recording, mixing and mastering.
What's missing:
It has just one mic input and one instrument input, so you can only record one source at a time. In my opinion it's a little expensive for what it delivers, but it's not a bad interface.
Bottom line:
Simple and functional if you record by yourself, one source at a time. It's not the best value in its category, but it does the job with good quality.