VS
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4e Génération) or Audient iD14 MKII?
The definitive comparison. Find out which of these two heavyweights is really right for your needs.
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4e Génération)
92
The industry-standard audio interface, reviewed and improved.
Advantages Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4e Génération)
- Fourth-generation preamps with Air mode: this is the interface communities recommend by default to beginners, and the reputation holds over time.
- Automatic gain calibration and clipping protection: two features that prevent ruined takes and form this generation's real contribution.
- Built-in MIDI inputs and loopback: a controller keyboard plugs in with no extra interface.
Drawbacks
- Inputs 3 and 4 are line level, with no preamp: a microphone will not work there, and that surprise comes up regularly in purchase feedback.
- The unit runs noticeably warm over long sessions — often mentioned, without reliability being called into question.
Price & specs
Starting price
Free plan No
Audient iD14 MKII
94
Preamps worthy of a studio console on your desk.
Advantages Audient iD14 MKII
- Class-A console preamps carried over from the brand's large consoles: the single real argument that sets this interface apart from its direct competitors.
- Two inputs with return and insert, expandable in ADAT up to ten inputs: enough to add external preamps without changing interface.
- Clean conversion and low latency, regularly cited by users recording voice live.
Drawbacks
- USB-C only and bus-powered: on an older machine or through a tired hub, dropouts are reported and a healthy port is required.
- The in-house mixing software is required for advanced routing, and its logic is regularly described as unintuitive at first.
Price & specs
Starting price
Free plan No
At a glance
| Criterion | Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4e Génération) | Audient iD14 MKII |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | — | — |
| Free plan | No | No |
The final verdict
The decision depends above all on your profile and the way you intend to use it.
Choose Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (4e Génération) if:
The best entry point for a home studio: reliable, well documented and expandable enough for one or two microphones. If you need to plug in three or more, this is not the right model — inputs 3 and 4 will not power them.
Choose Audient iD14 MKII if:
The one to buy if your priority is voice capture quality and you are willing to learn the routing software. For a simple 'plug in and record' need, a more direct interface will cost less for an equivalent result.