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Steinberg UR242 vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen)

Product Comparison: Steinberg UR242 vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen)

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Steinberg UR242 4-Channel USB Interface

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Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

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General Specifications

Brand

Steinberg

Focusrite

Model

UR242

Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen)

Origin

Germany

China

About the Product

The UR242 offers musicians and producers far more than just a portable I/O device, or even an audio interface; the UR242 is a mobile production solution. That’s because it combines fantastic-sounding I/O and durability with advanced DSP-based FX that can be used with your DAW software, and that at a price point that is still easily affordable.

Second generation 2 in / 2 out USB 2.0 audio interface with one Scarlett mic pre amp and one instrument input, 24bit/192kHz & USB bus powered. Pro Tools | First & Ableton Live Lite recording software, plug-ins and samples included. Mac & PC compatible.

Key Specs

Form Factor

Desktop

Control Interfaces

XLR or 1/4" Combo

XLR or 1/4" Combo, 1/4" TRS, RCA

A/D Resolution

24bit/192kHz

Number of Preamps

Simultaneous I/O

4/2

2/4

Form Factor
Number of Preamps

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Steinberg UR242 4-Channel USB Interface

Right away you see the quality of the device, as the device comes in a rugged full metal body which looks like it can stand the test of time.
One of the most important qualities of an interface. and in this regard the UR44 shines again. The pres are very quiet both at low and high gain settings. I can compare with the Presonus 44VSL which had pres which were far more noisy.
Good I/O options: 4 mic, 2 line input and Midi I/O. Plenty for my needs. 2 headphone outputs with 2 mixes is again a killer feature. Invaluable while recording music with other people.
It offers EQ, compression, high pass filter, phase and guitar amp both while monitoring and recording (You can use these effects as an insert).
The DSP control interface is amazing and does what it does brilliantly.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

This thing is great, very clean 24-bit audio in and out. Flawless plug-and-play setup, easy, nice form factor, etc.
Focusrite is known for making high quality equipment and this is no different. I purchased this preamp to use with my AT4040 mic. The device is very well made and easy to use.
The preamps have a somewhat neutral tone, ranging on warm, the outputs are clean and linear, and the software compatibility has been top-notch.
I'm absolutely delighted with this interface. It has done everything I've asked of it, and done it well. The preamps are clean and quiet, analog headroom is impressive, and the unit is solidly constructed.
Just with SCSI cards long past dinosaur, a broken headphone port, lack of preamps, not official drivers and so forth it, was just finally time to make a move to current settings.

Size & Weight

Height

4.1 in.

1.85 in.

Width

13.1 in.

8.27 in.

Depth

8.1 in.

5.43 in.

Weight

4.2 lbs.

1.92 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Steinberg UR242 4-Channel USB Interface

Build wise, this is a solid piece of hardware, very well built. Props to Yamaha and Steinberg for that. Buttons are very responsive and have good travel, knobs are tight but lightweight, all the connector ports are sturdy and don't budge at all.
As other reviewers (here and elsewhere) have mentioned, this is not particularily portable, mainly because of the external power source required, but it also isn't hard to move around and could work as aportable interface if need be.
Sounds great, very rugged and portable.
Bit heavy but I sincerely recommend it if you are looking for a portable but professional sound card.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

I love the small size and the simplicity of the Scarlett Solo as well as its excellent audio quality, and use it now as my primary audio interface.
Makes music sound 5x better! and in a small compact size!
Love the red color and the small size also makes this very easy for traveling.
The only reason i'm not giving it a one star is because it looks nice as a paper weight.
What a piece of junk this 2i4 is. It does look cool and works well as a paper weight, though not quite heavy enough to anchor my boat.

Interfaces

Analog Inputs

2 x XLR-1/4" combo, 2 x 1/4" (line in)

Analog Outputs

1/4" headphones, 2 x 1/4" (lineout)

4 x 1/4" (line out)

Digital Inputs

USB

MIDI I/O

In/Out

What customers say about "Interfaces"

Steinberg UR242 4-Channel USB Interface

The DSP interface has no glitches at all. It works beautifully to set your mic/input levels before opening up your studio software.
6 Inputs (4 with Preamp) and 4 Outputs, Enough to get most things done if you're a home studio or on the road musician.
Good I/O options: 4 mic, 2 line input and Midi I/O. Plenty for my needs. 2 headphone outputs with 2 mixes is again a killer feature. Invaluable while recording music with other people.
Headphone outputs are not the loudest: My older interfaces, be it the Presonus 22VSL or the Yamaha Audiogram 3, gave me a louder headphone output. So again look into the specs for your requirements.
My older interfaces, be it the Presonus 22VSL or the Yamaha Audiogram 3, gave me a louder headphone output. So again look into the specs for your requirements.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

On the back, the ports are rearranged slightly, and the ¼' audio output sockets no longer protrude half a centimeter.
I definitely recommend this to anyone. However, I'd sooner suggest a Firewire or Thunderbolt model, if you have access to those ports.
I also like the MIDI interface option for allowing me to connect older keyboards for notation software, and it gets bonus points for it looking good next to an iMac.
Great and affordable audio interface! I needed an updated audio interface that had usb, dedicated line out for my studio monitors, and midi for my controller. The Scarlett 2i4 did all of those with great quality and an affordable price.
You can not record properly a keyboard with the Scarlett Solo (some keyboard voices that are stereo), because you don't have two line-in level inputs.

Features

Extras

DSP-powered with FX, iPad capability, Loopback function, Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip, REV-X reverb

Two natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamps with plenty of even gain, Two newly-designed instrument input, designed for seriously hot pick-ups, Class-leading conversion and sample rates up to 192kHz / 24 bit, Super-low latency* for using your plug-ins in real time without the need for DSP, Cue mix switching, with four analogue outputs, MIDI I/O connectivity, ideal for sending/receiving MIDI notes from a Stage Piano, Compact and tough enough to take anywhere, Includes Pro Tools | First - Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite, All the additional software and loops you need to start recording

Power Supply

12V DC

USB

Phantom Power

Yes

Bus Powered

Yes

OS Requirements - Mac

Mac OS X 10.5.8/10.6/10.7/10.8/10.9/10.10/10.11

Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)

OS Requirements - PC

Windows XP/Vista/7 SP1/8/8.1/10

Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit), 8.1 and 10

Phantom Power
Bus Powered

What customers say about "Features"

Steinberg UR242 4-Channel USB Interface

DSP is fast becoming a standard feature in interfaces even at this price range. UR44 kicks the butt of most interfaces in this regard. This interface works in conjunction with the dspMixFX software interface.
It is simply rock solid while in use. The drivers are well written leading to very low latency performance. The software control never failed on me. The AD/DA conversion is top notch.
It is simply rock solid while in use. The drivers are well written leading to very low latency performance. The software control never failed on me. The AD/DA conversion is top notch. I use it with the Studio One DAW, and it hasn't caused me problems one single time.
I wish reverb could have been recorded as well on each individual channel. It sounds so good. But I am asking for too much at this point. :)
The DSP? Don't bother.the Reverb just sounds distorted and there is just enough delay to add phasing to vocal monitoring. (I was really excited about this feature. Very disappointing)

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

This was not only powerful enough to render multiple MIDI tracks with almost no latency, but gave me the ability to record multiple instruments at the same time. And all at the same time.
Configures nicely with all my software. Highly recommend . I got the 2i4 because of it's added cue mic feature.
For the Price, it does the job, I like the additional features it has like the dry signal, the monitor volume control(very convenient) and the option to lower the volume sensitivity if your guitar pickups are hot.
Master volume and individual input volume knobs go red when your signal is too hot. I love that feature. This thing delivers what it promises for a great price. I love it.
I think direct monitor is an awesome feature (it wasn't on the M-box), so I don't have to constantly go to sound settings to monitor the sound.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

2 year(s)

Certifications

FCC

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download

MSRP