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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen

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$224.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (31)

6 Reviews

Newer option

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen

$118.00 - $189.99

5.0 (44)

Find out who is using Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen

6 community setups

2 wishlisted

107 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

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5.0 (71)

$224.99 3 available New

$104.59 3 available Used

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Average Price: $165

Standard/Professional

$150

$501+

Price Tier

In the Audio Interfaces category, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen is your gateway to professional-grade recording, offering a seamless blend of reliability and innovation. This versatile audio interface is perfect for musicians and producers who require portability without compromising on quality. With its robust build and sleek design, the Scarlett 2i2 is made to withstand the rigors of both home studios and on-the-go recording sessions.

Equipped with two upgraded Scarlett mic preamps, it ensures your recordings are crystal clear, capturing every nuance of your performance. The ultra-low latency allows for smooth monitoring with native plug-in effects, providing a real-time recording experience without delay. Whether you're a seasoned producer or a beginner, the Scarlett 2i2 offers an intuitive setup that gets you started quickly, so you can focus on what's most important—your music.

Compact yet powerful, the Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen is compatible with all major DAWs on both Mac and PC, making it a flexible addition to any musician's toolkit. Its USB-powered design means you can take your studio anywhere, eliminating the need for external power sources.

Key Features:

Two Scarlett mic preamps with improved gain structure
Ultra-low latency for real-time recording
Compatible with all major DAWs on Mac and PC
USB-powered for portability
Sleek and durable design suitable for home and mobile studios

Product specs

Brand	Focusrite
Model	Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen USB Audio Interface
Finish	Red / Black
Year	2016 - 2018
Made In	United Kingdom
Categories	Audio Interfaces
Bit Depth	24-bit
Bus-Powered	Yes
Compatibility	Windows, macOS
Computer Connectivity	USB
Electronics	Analog, Digital, Solid State
Format	Desktop Standalone
Number of Analog Inputs	2
Number of Analog Outputs	2
Number of Channels	4
Number of Digital Inputs	0
Number of Digital Outputs	0
Number of Headphone Outputs	1
Number of MIDI Inputs	0
Number of MIDI Outputs	0
Number of Mic Preamps	2
Sample Rate	192 khz
Simultaneous I/O	2 x 2

FAQs

What are the main connectivity options for the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen?: The Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen connects to your computer via USB and features two analog inputs and two analog outputs. It also includes a headphone output for monitoring.
Is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen compatible with both Windows and macOS?: Yes, the Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen is compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it versatile for different user setups.
Does the Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen require an external power supply?: No, the Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen is bus-powered via USB, so it does not require an external power supply.
What is the sample rate and bit depth of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen?: The Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen supports a sample rate of up to 192 kHz and a bit depth of 24-bit, providing high-resolution audio recording and playback.
How many mic preamps does the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen have?: The Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen is equipped with two high-quality mic preamps, suitable for capturing clear and detailed audio recordings.
Can the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen be used in standalone mode?: Yes, the Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen can operate in standalone mode, allowing it to pass audio without being connected to a computer, useful for expanding preamp capabilities.

Videos

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BenoniStudio

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - Setup & Demo

BenoniStudio

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Review (2nd Gen) + Guitar Tests

Masters-of-Music

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface Review / Explained

Podcastage

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) Unbox and Workout

Your Home Recording Studio

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) Review - Still Worth It?

Björn Petersen

Reviews

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PROS

Trusted brand with a history of durable products
High-quality preamps for the price
Low latency, suitable for mono or stereo recording
Easy setup on Mac without requiring software
Ideal for home recording environments
Aesthetically pleasing design

CONS

Headphone amp may not support high impedance headphones
Some issues reported with Windows support

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen.

Comparisons

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Owners note that the Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen remains competitive against newer models, with only marginal improvements in newer generations.
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The 3rd Gen 4i4 offers better value than the 4th Gen 2i2 at a similar price, featuring full output routing and more channels for extensive use.
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RME interfaces are favored by some for quality over Scarlett, though budget considerations often impact this choice.
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Value and pricing

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The 2i2 2nd Gen and Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen both average $70 used, suggesting similar perceived value in the second-hand market.
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With discounts, a new Scarlett Solo 4th Gen can be bought for $125, creating a decision point between new functionality and used affordability.
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User experience

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The 2i2 2nd Gen is still considered perfectly usable for basic recording needs, despite being a budget option and second-hand purchase.
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Some users report the 4th Gen's redesigned gain halos as more informative for monitoring input levels compared to older models.
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Owners report no performance impact of Scarlett interfaces on modern PCs, suggesting no need to upgrade solely for PC compatibility.
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Features and functionality

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The 4th Gen includes remote-controlled mic preamps with 69dB gain, auto gain, clip safe, and loopback, enhancing usability for both vocalists and guitarists.
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0 0

Gen3 and later models handle hot pickups better due to increased headroom, reducing clipping issues prevalent in Gen1 and 2.
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The "Air mode" on newer models emulates a transformer, but opinions vary on its value for upgrading.
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Use cases and applications

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The 2i2 4th Gen's anti-clip feature is specifically beneficial for high-output pickups, resolving overload issues noted with hot humbuckers.
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Upgrading is beneficial if more inputs/outputs are needed or if recording hot pickups, otherwise Gen2 remains effective for basic use.
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Software and compatibility

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Owners appreciate the 4th Gen’s mixing software and lower latency, making it suitable for direct guitar input into software like Bias/TH-U and DAWs like Ableton.
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Newer Scarlett models can record computer audio directly, potentially improving quality over software solutions like Audacity.
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Build quality

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The repositioning of XLR inputs to the back of the 4th Gen helps maintain tidier cable management, although preferences for front placement vary among users.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 31 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

dorgsan

838

almost 6 years ago

Almost perfect

Low latency. Can record two audio sources in mono or one in stereo. The only drawback: with only one pair of outputs it's hard (although not impossible) to send audio from your DAW to external gear

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Indie rock Hard rock Classic rock