Focusrite Scarlett Solo Review | Still Worth It In 2024?

When it comes to home studio equipment, Focusrite is one of the most well-known manufacturers of desktop audio interfaces both for musicians and podcasters. The company’s Scarlett Solo has gained a solid reputation as one of the most popular budget-friendly interfaces in the market.

Among a wide range of USB audio interfaces that Focusrite makes, the Scarlett Solo is the entry-level model targeted at songwriters. It features all the essentials you need to record studio-quality music or spoken word in the comfort of your home. However, with all the new options available on the market, is the Scarlett Solo still the best option for you? Moreover, should you opt for the Scarlett Solo, or would you be better off with an interface with more inputs and outputs?

In this post, I’ll give you a complete review of the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and say who it is for. Also, I’ll mention some of the best alternatives available on the market today, based on your needs, goals, and budget as a musician.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo’s Specs

Since its launch in 2011, the Scarlett series has gone through four iterations. The Scarlett Solo 4th-gen has been refined in almost every aspect while keeping the familiar red-and-black boxy design language.

On the front, the Scarlett Solo features a Hi-Z instrument input, a headphone jack, two gain knobs, a large output volume knob for monitoring speakers, and a smaller one for controlling the volume on your headphones. Moreover, you have an instrument button that tunes the gain Hi-Z input to make it more suitable for electric guitars and other instruments.

The 48V button allows you to send an electric current through the mic input in the back for condenser microphones that require phantom power to operate. The Air Mode boosts the high-end of your input signal for increasing presence. Also on the front panel, you have the option to monitor your input signal directly for minimized latency. On the back, the interface supports USB-C connectivity, L and R outputs for monitoring speakers, and an XLR input for connecting your microphone.

For the 4th-gen model, the Scarlett Solo offers 120dB of dynamic range. This allows you to capture the quieter parts of your input signal without losing quality in the louder parts. Moreover, the Scarlett Solo uses the same converters as Focusrite's flagship RedNet interface.

Is The 4th-Gen Scarlett Solo Worth The Upgrade?

Although the upgrades are noticeable compared to the previous generation, the third-gen Scarlett Solo still offers a lot of value and excellent quality as an entry-level audio interface. Besides the more modern design, the 4th-gen packs some hardware upgrades that make it worth the higher price tag.

The 3rd-gen Scarlett Solo comes with 104dB of dynamic range (16dB less than the 4th-gen model). Moreover, the headphone amp on the 4th generation of the Scarlett Solo has been updated for superior audio playback.

That being said, Focusrite still offers the 3rd-gen Scarlett on the market for $99. If you’re on a tight budget, you can opt for the 3rd-gen model and get plenty of bang for your buck.

Who Is The Scarlett Solo For?

The Scarlett Solo is an excellent audio interface for newbie solo artists or podcasters looking for affordable but valuable gear on the market. If you’ve just started your music production career, and you’re doing research on your first set of music production tools to invest in, the Scarlett Solo can be a solid choice. Moreover, this audio interface works as a perfect companion for those who want to stream, vlog, or make other sort of video-format content.

Who is it NOT for? If you already have decent experience in music production, including working with different studio gear, there might be better options for you on the market.

The Scarlett Solo can be a great first audio interface in your home studio environment. However, if you want to invest in building a professional studio, you’ll need an audio interface with better preamp and input options.

You don’t necessarily have to be a pro to opt for other audio interfaces. If you’re planning to use two mics or more at the same time, the Scarlett Solo isn’t for you. You might want to mic up your acoustic guitar and sing to another microphone simultaneously, or you might want to invite guests on your podcast to interview them. In such cases, you’ll need at least two XLR (mic) inputs, something that the Scarlett Solo does not offer.

Best Alternatives To The Scarlett Solo

Although the Focusrite Scarlett Solo offers a lot of value, there might be better audio interfaces for you based on your goals, needs, and budget. The best alternative to the Scarlett Solo is the Scarlett 2i2. As mentioned above, musicians who want to use two mics at the same time will find the Solo version limiting. The 4th-Gen Scarlett 2i2 offers similar specs to the Solo model, with enhanced preamps and two additional ports (one for mic and another for line). You can purchase one on Amazon for $199.

If you’re looking for an affordable option that gets the job done, the M-Audio M-Track Duo should definitely be under your radar. It is priced on Amazon for only $69 but packs a lot of practical features. It supports phantom power (48V), headphone and speaker outputs, and comes with two inputs that can be used both for instruments (line) and microphones (XLR).

For those looking for more serious studio gear without spending thousands of dollars on racks, the Universal Audio Volt 476P is one of the best four-input desktop audio interfaces on the market. Universal Audio is a household name for making industry-standard audio recording hardware, and their more affordable lineup, the Volt, is no different. The Volt 476P offers four preamps for the four inputs. Moreover, with four outputs on the back, you can monitor each microphone/instrument separately, perfect for band practices and podcast shows with more than two speakers. You can find the Universal Audio Volt 476P on Amazon for $469.