Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen vs MOTU M2
A side-by-side look at Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen and MOTU M2 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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MOTU M2
The 2-input interface that set a new benchmark for its price class
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Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen | MOTU M2 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Producers and podcasters who want best-in-class measurement specs and a real metering display in a compact two-input box |
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
MOTU M2
- 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs with 48V phantom power
- ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC technology
- 24-bit / 192 kHz, 120 dB dynamic range
- -129 dBu EIN mic preamp noise floor
- Full-color LCD level meters for all inputs and outputs
- 2.5 ms ultra-low round-trip latency at 96 kHz
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
MOTU M2
Pros
- Best noise specs at this price - real advantage with low-sensitivity mics
- Full-color LCD meters are genuinely useful day-to-day
- Ultra-low latency at 96 kHz
- USB-C and iOS compatible
Cons
- Two inputs only
- Windows driver experience historically less polished than Focusrite
- No MIDI I/O
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 MOTU M2 if
Producers and podcasters who want best-in-class measurement specs and a real metering display in a compact two-input box.
When MOTU released the M2, it embarrassed interfaces twice the price with its noise specs. The -129 dBu EIN is genuinely exceptional - low-sensitivity dynamics like the SM7B gain a perceptible noise advantage over competing interfaces at this tier. The…