In Summary

Taking the two smallest interfaces for creators from the Focusrite stable, each has similarities despite appearances. If you’re a solo warrior which should you go for? We go through their features and what they mean for you.

Going Deeper

It wasn’t that long ago when the words “small desktop interface” had a strong association with cost over quality; certainly a lot of pros might still think of them as a compromise. That said, as an increasing number of boxes from different names has shown, being small no longer means amateur. As the industry shifts, so too do the offerings from manufacturers to cater for solo creators with big ideas without the budget to match. This democratized landscape from the main players certainly doesn’t sacrifice audio quality .

It should be said that the ultra-budget end of things from names you’ve never heard of will continue to cost the same as a modest meal out (or less!), but there are no prizes for guessing who or what suffers in exchange.

One name that has made its way onto more recordings than many others is Focusrite. A familiar sight in bedrooms and platinum artists’ homes alike, the company’s Scarlett boxes have more recently been joined by the Vocaster range of portals to and from the DAW.

If you’re working alone, or with the odd collaborator, the Vocaster One and Scarlett Solo 4th Gen boxes are well worth a look, but how do they differ? Here we talk about them and what any differences mean for you.

On The Red Team - Scarlett Solo 4th Gen - £140 / $175

Now in its fourth incarnation, the Scarlett range has been getting creators heard for over ten years, with the Solo offering 2-in 2-out simplicity for micro productions the world over. This sports the same bright red paint job as most of its stablemates, brightening up a tough metal exterior. If the numbers sold are anything to go by, this is the blueprint (or should that be red-print?) for the little desktop box done right.

• Flagship Rednet 192kHz 24 bit converters.

• Air mode HF enhancement now with Harmonic Drive.

• All new headphone amplifier with improved performance with Hi-Z headphones.

• Loopback recording

• Focusrite Control 2 app with Direct mixer so you can hear inputs and loopback.

• Easy Start tool for those new to recording.

On The ‘Other’ Red Team - Vocaster One £150 / $190

With us since the middle of 2022, Focusrite’s Vocaster range marked a new avenue for the company, with a fresh, black ‘controller-face’ look aimed at spoken-word creators, or anyone with something to say whatever the medium. The lineup currently consists of models One and Two catering for the number of people that can be plugged in at any one time.

• Over 70dB of gain - no booster needed with dynamic mics.

• Auto Gain sets the recording level for you.

• Enhance - Three voice-optimised presets for plugin-free produced sounds.

• Mute button - Just hit the button and cut out coughs, sneezes and any other unwanted interruptions.

• Phone Connectivity - Connect your phone with a single TRRS cable and capture the whole conversation, or play music and other high quality audio from your device straight onto your show.

• Camera Connectivity - Send Vocaster audio straight to camera over a single TRS connection.

• Stereo Loopback - Grab audio from your computer and stream straight onto your show for intros, outros, and music etc

• Easy Start tool that includes Hindenburg Lite, and six months of Acast Influencer.

Which Should You Get?

Musicians And Songwriters

This group of solo creators might make fewer technical demands of their desktop interface. For them, the order of the day is simplicity, durability, and quality. Any box that sounds good and is at home either in a bag or on a tabletop is going to go a long way for anyone writing and recording their own creations.

If your recordings are frequently made on the move, Scarlett Solo 4th Gen’s all metal box will serve you well for life on the road; although Vocaster’s top-mounted controls might give it better table manners in the studio; its rubberised finish is durable but less bag-friendly opposed to red metal that is easily ‘slip-able’ between bag and table. For those after a classic audio aesthetic, Solo 4th Gen’s new Air mode with Harmonic Drive option gives three flavours to try that borrow from the company’s Neve-designed studio console.

Unlike the Solo, the Vocaster sports Focusrite’s auto-setting high gain mic amp which dynamic stage mics love (you’re going to have to pay for a 2i2 or 4i4 to get those with a red paint job). Its camera connectivity will also prove a bonus for artists who regularly stream performances on video platforms. Vocaster Two also opens up potential for two mics and two pairs of headphones for artists who like the ‘controller-face’ form factor.

Podcasters And Content Creators

This group trades in spoken word, although their output is typically more than naked speech, with music and remote guests frequently part of the mix as well. Podcast-specific interfaces are a relatively new thing, with the industry previously adopting the kind of boxes designed mainly to serve musicians. Podcast-friendly boxes can now solve some of the perennial problems that a wide range of mic, direct, and virtual sources can present.

The Vocaster has a number of technical plusses that solve some of these challenges Podcasters had been wrestling with. The Scarlett Solo might have loopback, however it does not handle cameras as well as Vocaster, or possess its Auto Gain preamp that pumps over 70dB of gain when used wide open. If you want to use one of those big mics on a big springy arm, this one’s for you.

One person-podcasters shouldn't overlook the Scarlett Solo just yet though. For mobile storytellers, its rock solid build quality has made it a stage and studio staple for a reason. Its recently-introduced 4th gen loopback also means producers can Zoom guests in without even thinking about it.

If you don’t need all of Vocaster’s camera-friendliness, and your mic is hotter than average, Scarlett Solo 4th Gen might have the face that fits. Below we look at the entire range including the additional 4th Gen enhancements on the 2i2 and 4i4.

Anything Else?

Whatever you’re using your interface for, a big consideration is the mic you will be using. If you’ve already got that nice big condenser mic to get behind, either box will serve you well, so getting the one with the right form factor is the name of the game.

If you’re working with any dynamic mic such as an SM7B, PodMic, or your regular stage dynamic, either interface will work, but the Vocaster’s gutsy mic input will help you get a healthier level into your recordings, and you can just press a button and let it get that for you.

The Scarlett Solo 4th Gen is around £10 / $8 less than the Vocaster One. Adding the cost of a modestly-priced in-line booster to get the same performance such as those from TritonAudio or SE Electronics could cost around £50 / $40, making the Vocaster’s native juiciness hard to ignore. For others, Scarlett Solo 4th Gen’s dinky red charms are going to be the way to go for mobile adventures.

A Word About This Article

As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.