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Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th gen audio interface
The Scarlett 4i4 audio interface comprise ultra-low-noise mic preamps with a large 69dB gain range. It also has Hi-Z, line and MIDI connections for guitars, synths, and controllers. The Air mode, with Presence and Harmonic Drive, gives a big console sound when recording. Auto Gain and Clip Safe take care of the audio levels. The audio interface allows the headphones, monitors, and line outs to each get their own mix.
The device
Image: Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th gen
Image: Focusrite Scarlett front panel
Image: Focusrite Scarlett back panel
Loopback for streaming
The Loopback function of the Scarlett offers an easy way of streaming performances live to the Internet. When the function is active, incoming audio signals to the Scarlett (such as microphone, guitar or line source) are merged with the signal coming from audio playback software like Cubase or another DAW inside the computer. The merged signal will then be sent back to the computer (Loopback channel 5/6) for online streaming via your software of choice (e.g., through Zoom, or OBS). See also the signal flow below.
Image: principle of loopback routing
With Loopback, you can capture computer audio and record it into your recording software on separate channels alongside your connected mics or instruments. To use Loopback select inputs channels 5-6 in your (DAW) software. Loopback works by ‘looping back’ audio outputs from your computer to virtual input channels within your Scarlett. Any computer audio can be recorded into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). You can also use Loopback to create a mix of any audio sources on your Scarlett, instruments connected to the preamps or audio from your computer. With Loopback, you can mix instruments and backing tracks for your online concerts or balance your microphone and game audio for your live stream.
When recording the loopback channels in your recording software, be sure to either set the output of the recording channel to none or to an output/playback channel that is not in your Focusrite Control 2 Loopback Mix. Otherwise, you will cause a feedback loop. See also [here].
On Windows, when using software that is not recording software, the loopback channel will not appear, and you might only be able to select input 1+2 of the device. Please follow this article to expose the loopback channels as input, to then be able to select them in your Windows Application.
Image: loopback routing (channel 5/6)
Image. Left: if the Loopback channels are not visible in Windows, then right-click on the Focusrite icon in the taskbar and select ‘Expose/hide windows channels’ and enable ‘Loopback L + R’. Right: after enabling the Loopback channel will appear as a Windows recording device.
Image. Left: Mix C is setup for Loopback. In this example, Analog inputs 1, 3 and 4 are send to channel 5 and 6 (the Loopback channel). Any audio from the computer on Playback channel 1-2 and/or 3-4 will also be send to the Loopback channel. Right: Mix A has an identical mix but is send to the headphone outputs. Both Mix A and Mix C are active at the same time.
Setup in my studio
See Solutions to stream your DAW.
Video
Technical Specifications
Overview
- Number of Microphone Preamps 2
- Phantom Power Yes
- Instrument Inputs 2
- Line Inputs 4
- Air Mode Yes
- Auto Gain Yes
- Clip Safe Yes
- Line Outputs 4
- Headphone Outputs 1
- Loopback Yes
- MIDI Yes
- Connectivity USB Type-C
- Protocol USB 2.0
- Simultaneous I/O 6 x 6 (including Loopback inputs)
- A/D Resolution 24-bit/192 kHz
- Bus Powered Yes (1.5A)
- 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
Microphone inputs
- Frequency Response 20-20kHz ± 0.06dB
- Dynamic Range 116dB (A-Weighted)
- THD+N-100dB @ 8dB gain
- Noise EIN-127dBu (A-Weighted)
- Maximum Input Level 16dBu
- Gain Range 69dB
- Impedance 3kΩ
Variable Line inputs
- Frequency Response 20-20kHz ± 0.05dB
- Dynamic Range 115.5dB (A-Weighted)
- THD+N-100dB @ 8dB gain
- Maximum Input Level 22dBu
- Gain Range 69dB
- Impedance 60kΩ
Fixed Line inputs
- Frequency Response 20-20kHz ± 0.02dB
- Dynamic Range 115.5dB (A-Weighted)
- THD+N-105dB
- Maximum Input Level 22dBu
- Impedance 60kΩ
Instrument inputs
- Frequency Response 20-20kHz ± 0.15dB
- Dynamic Range 113dB (A-Weighted)
- THD+N-80dB @ minimum gain
- Maximum Input Level 12dBu
- Gain Range 62dB
- Impedance 1MΩ
Line outputs (Balanced)
- Frequency Response 20-20kHz ± 0.02dB
- Dynamic Range 120dB
- THD+N-112dB
- Maximum Output Level 16dBu
- Impedance 100Ω
Headphone outputs
- Frequency Response 20-20kHz ± 0.1dB @ 33Ω / 300Ω
- Dynamic Range 112dB @ 33Ω / 115dB @ 300Ω
- THD+N-99dB @ 33Ω / -108dB @ 300Ω
- Maximum Output Level 5dBu into 33Ω / 11dBu into 300Ω
- Maximum Output Power 57mW into 33Ω / 27mW into 300Ω
- Impedance 11Ω
Analogue to Digital Converter
- THD+N-110dB
- Dynamic Range 120dB
Digital to Analogue Converter
- THD+N-115dB
- Dynamic Range 130dB (A-Weighted)
Power
- USB 1.5A
- External (Optional )7.5W
Documentation and Manual
