Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen vs MOTU M2

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 15 published reviews

Focusrite

Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

The Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is a well-priced, compact home-recording interface with clean converters, versatile inputs, and helpful gain tools, but limited software monitor mixing.

Best for: Beginners and home studio users recording vocals, guitars, or instruments.
Skip it if: You need four mic preamps or advanced software monitor mixing.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

MOTU

M2

The MOTU M2 delivers excellent sound and low latency in a compact two-channel package, with standout metering and loopback but limited expansion.

Best for: Solo recording, podcasting, streaming, and compact home-studio sessions
Skip it if: You need multiple inputs, expandable I/O, or advanced software routing

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the MOTU M2

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Specs side by side

Spec	Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen	MOTU M2
MIDI	No	Yes
Mic inputs	2	2
Type	Audio interface	Audio interface
Best for	Podcasts, Streaming, Music	Podcasts, Streaming, Music
Phantom power	Yes	Yes
Guitar input	Yes	Yes
Loopback	Yes	Yes
Built-in effects	No	No
USB-C	Yes	Yes

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

Excellent preamps and converters support clean, low-noise recordings. 1 3 4 5
Two combination inputs accept microphones, instruments, and line-level sources. 1 3 5
Two-stage Air modes add presence and optional harmonic character. 1 2 5 7
Auto Gain and Clip Safe help simplify gain staging. 1 2 4 5
Low latency supports practical live monitoring during recording. 1 2 4
Flexible DAW-return mixing is limited compared with hardware cue controls. 1 2
Clip Safe still depends on sensible initial gain settings. 2 5
Two microphone preamps limit multi-microphone recording flexibility. 1 3
Third-generation owners may find the improvements incremental. 5 6

MOTU M2

Excellent DAC/ADC performance and clean, low-noise preamps for the price. 1 3 6 7
Very low latency suits real-time recording and virtual instruments. 1 2 4 7
Loopback simplifies recording computer audio for streaming and podcasts. 1 2 4 5
Full-color meters provide clear, precise input and output monitoring. 1 3 4 5
Compact, sturdy chassis offers MIDI and flexible monitor connections. 2 3 4 5
Only two inputs and no ADAT expansion restrict larger setups. 2 5 8
No dedicated software provides advanced mixing or routing control. 1 7
No USB-C cable is included in the box. 1 3
Headphone monitoring can distort at high output levels. 4

Ranked in our guides

Guide	Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen	M2
Best audio interfaces	#1	#10

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 15 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.