Let’s be honest, upgrading our gear is one of the most exciting parts of being a musician or content creator.
And with the release of the 4th generation Focusrite Scarlett Solo budget audio interface, many are wondering if it’s worth making the switch from their trusty 3rd, or older, generation.
Well, let me break it down for you and help you decide if this upgrade is truly worth it. And let’s find out if it actually sounds better, or if it’s just a marketing gimmick.
What’s new in the 4th generation?
The company is bragging about its completely re-engineered preamps and circuitry, claiming to provide more headroom, gain, and output levels.
The entire Scarlett 4th Gen range now uses converters from Focusrite’s flagship RedNet range. This advanced circuitry is expected to produce a cleaner signal from analog to digital, reducing the likelihood of static hiss or other unwanted noise.
They also re-engineered the Air more, which adds more definition in the upper frequencies on voiceovers and solo instruments, providing a more open and airy sound.
The headphone amp is louder too, being capable of driving higher impedance headphones where the 3rd gen’s headphone amp struggled. My 250-ohm headphones definitely sound a lot louder now.
One cool thing they changed is that they’ve now split their inputs. So, the 4th gen sports dedicated XLR input on the back and quarter-inch Jack input on the front. This allows for convenient connectivity of both microphones and instruments simultaneously.
There are some more features they’ve added, but my most important question was about the sound quality.
Prices
Does it sound better than the 3rd gen?
I did multiple tests, comparing recordings from both the 3rd and 4th gen, and also listened through a lot of A/B tests on YouTube.
Well, it definitely sounds a bit louder. Line outs, input gains, headphone out, everything. The 4th gen has noticeably more volume.
As for the audio quality, things get a little tricky.
Some may argue that the differences are subtle, but that all depends on the source material and your ears.
I recorded acoustic guitar with both the 3rd and 4th gen, and for me, the differences were noticeable.
The guitar sounded fuller, more detailed, and more “airy” on the 4th gen with Air mode on. However, the Air can sound a little harsh at times, so it’s not always necessary to use. I had to turn it off on my other guitar which already has a bright tone.
I also recorded electric guitar through an amp and microphone, and here I like the 3rd gen more. The 4th gen added too much brightness and harshness, while the 3rd gen had a warmer, more natural sound.
I also tested with 4 different voices, and the differences were, well, interesting. The Mic I used was a Rode NT-1 for all tests, using the same gain and volume settings.
One thing to note is that the 4th gen definitely has a higher dynamic range compared to the 3rd gen. This means it can handle louder inputs without distorting as much.
My voice sounded a bit clearer and more defined on the 4th gen, but I can’t say I liked it more than the 3rd gen. The 3rd gen had a warmer, smoother sound that I preferred for vocals.
My friend, on the other hand, preferred the 4th gen for his voice as it brought out more clarity and detail.
Female vocals sounded great on both, but I have to give the edge to the 4th gen for adding that extra headroom and detail.
So, what can we conclude from all this?
One thing is clear, there are some noticeable differences in sound between the 3rd and 4th gen Focusrite Scarlett Solo interfaces.
But the differences may not be as significant as some may think. Both interfaces offer high-quality sound and perform well in various recording scenarios.
Yes, the 4th gen may have a slightly higher dynamic range, but that doesn’t mean you should rush out to upgrade if you already have the 3rd gen.
Ok, maybe if you’re a perfectionist and want that extra bit of headroom, then go for it.
Or if you own the original 1st or 2nd gen, then an upgrade to the 4th may be very well worth it.
If you don’t have an audio interface yet and are considering a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, both the 3rd and 4th gen will serve you well. 3rd gen is much cheaper now, so it’s a good option for those on a tight budget.
And if you’re a complete beginner, no matter which gen you choose, you probably won’t notice much or any difference in sound.
Overall, it’s safe to say that both the 3rd and 4th gen Focusrite Scarlett Solo interfaces are solid choices for basic home recording setups.
Hope this post helped you make a decision, happy recording!
