Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen vs TC Helicon GoXLR Mini
A side-by-side look at Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen and TC Helicon GoXLR Mini for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen
Four inputs, MIDI I/O, and the Scarlett preamp you already trust
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TC Helicon GoXLR Mini
Streaming-optimized mixer with app-controlled routing and a MIDAS preamp
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Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen | TC Helicon GoXLR Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Producers or podcasters who need two clean mic preamps, room for outboard gear, and MIDI connectivity in one box | Streamers, podcasters, and gaming content creators on Windows who need per-app volume control, hardware faders, and a clean mic chain in one compact unit |
Key features
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen
- 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs with independent 48V phantom power
- 2 additional 1/4" TRS line inputs (rear)
- 4 balanced TRS outputs
- MIDI In/Out (5-pin DIN)
- USB-C, 24-bit / 192 kHz, 120 dB dynamic range
- Up to 69 dB of mic preamp gain
TC Helicon GoXLR Mini
- 1 XLR mic input with MIDAS-designed preamp and 48V phantom power
- 1 3.5 mm headset input
- Optical S/PDIF input for game consoles
- 4 hardware faders for per-app audio routing in Windows
- Onboard EQ, compressor, gate, and de-esser on mic channel
- 24-bit / 48 kHz conversion
Pros and cons
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen
Pros
- Two clean preamps handle dual-mic podcast setups
- Four balanced outputs for flexible monitoring routing
- MIDI I/O included - less common at this price
- Independent 48V per channel (mix condensers and dynamics freely)
Cons
- Only one headphone output
- Larger footprint than the 2i2 - takes more desk space
- Line inputs are rear-panel only - not ideal for live instrument switching
TC Helicon GoXLR Mini
Pros
- Per-application audio routing in Windows is unmatched for streamers
- MIDAS preamp quality in a compact streaming-optimized form factor
- Optical S/PDIF input handles game consoles without adapters
- Dedicated hardware faders for instant mix adjustments during live streams
Cons
- Windows only officially - macOS is not supported
- Only one XLR mic input
- GoXLR app required for routing - adds software dependency
The verdict
Choose Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen if
Producers or podcasters who need two clean mic preamps, room for outboard gear, and MIDI connectivity in one box.
The 4i4 is where the Scarlett line starts making sense for more complex setups. Two XLR preamps handle a host and a guest simultaneously, the four balanced outputs let you route to two separate monitor pairs or an external headphone…
Choose TC Helicon GoXLR Mini if
Streamers, podcasters, and gaming content creators on Windows who need per-app volume control, hardware faders, and a clean mic chain in one compact unit.
The GoXLR Mini is purpose-engineered for the streaming workflow, not the recording studio. The defining feature is per-application audio routing in Windows - you can pull up Discord, game audio, browser, and mic as separate fader channels without touching software…