With over 30 years in the mic preamp game, it’s safe to say that Focusrite knows a thing or two about sounding good. The company’s fourth-generation audio interfaces come equipped with ultra-low-noise mic preamps that capture your signal in extreme detail. Whether you’re recording explosive drums, ripping guitars, or your voice for a podcast, these preamps have what it takes to make amazing recordings. Ample I/O options exist across the Scarlett series, ensuring everyone from bedroom hobbyists to working professionals gets the chance to experience Scarlett preamps in all their hi-fi glory.

At one point, recording on the incredibly rare Focusrite Studio Console was little more than a pipedream. While your odds of gaining access to one of 10 (still operational) original consoles haven’t gotten much better, Focusrite keeps the magic of this mythical recording console alive with their Air feature. Adapted from the Studio Console’s ISA 110 mic preamp and a staple of Focusrite audio interfaces, Air is an all-analog circuit designed to enhance the sound of practically anything with a single button press. Each audio interface in the Scarlett line comes equipped with Air, with plenty of benefits to be found in genres spanning bubblegum pop to warm jazz and even gut-punching grindcore.

From the entry-level Solo to the studio-worthy 18i20, going with any of Focusrite’s Scarlett audio interfaces is a surefire bang for your buck. You get Dynamic Gain Halos that make setting your levels easy and painless. Plus, the hi-Z instrument inputs are perfect for running direct or using amp sims. Though priced for part-timers, Scarlett interfaces perform just like the pros, with Focusrite’s Easy Start tool and a variety of software options included so you can get to work right out of the box.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo:

2-in/2-out — Singer/songwriters, guitarists, podcasters

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2:

2-in/2-out — Guitarists, musicians, content creators

Focusrite Scarlett 4i4:

4-in/4-out — Bands, producers, musicians

Focusrite Scarlett 8i6:

8-in/6-out — Bands, producers

Focusrite Scarlett 18i8:

18-in/8-out — Bands, producers

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20:

18-in/20-out — Producers

Antares Auto-Tune Access

Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555

Native Instruments Massive

LANDR Studio (plus five free masters)

Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC

Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite

XLN Audio Addictive Keys

XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2

Relab LX480 Essentials

Fast Balancer

Sonnox VoxDoubler