Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 vs MOTU M2: Metering and Converters
The MOTU M2 measures better on paper, with lower distortion and more dynamic range from its converters, and it has a proper LCD showing input and output levels rather than a ring of coloured light. The Scarlett 2i2 has the larger software bundle and the larger user base, which means more tutorials and easier troubleshooting. Both are excellent and neither is a mistake.
At a glance
| MOTU M2 USB-C audio interface | Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C interface | |
|---|---|---|
| Inputs | Two combination | Two combination |
| Metering | Full LCD, input and output levels | LED gain halo rings |
| Converter specification | Higher measured dynamic range | Good, improved in this generation |
| Loopback | Yes | Yes on this generation |
| Software bundle | Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite | Larger bundle including plugins |
| Community and tutorials | Smaller | Very large |
Choose the MOTU M2 USB-C audio interface if…
Choose the M2 if you want to see your levels rather than infer them. An LCD showing actual input and output metering removes most of the guesswork that produces recordings that are too quiet or clipped, and that is a genuinely practical advantage for someone learning. The converter measurements are also better, though the audible difference on a home recording is far smaller than the specification gap suggests.
Check MOTU M2 USB-C audio interface on Amazon
Choose the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C interface if…
Choose the Scarlett if you value support and software. The bundle included with a Scarlett is worth real money if you do not already own plugins, and the sheer number of people using them means that any problem you have has been solved publicly already. For a first interface that matters more than a few decibels of dynamic range you will never hear.
Check Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C interface on Amazon
Related
- USB vs Thunderbolt interfaces
- How to choose an audio interface
- Latency and buffer calculator
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 review: the safe default, and the MIDI ports it does not have
- MOTU M2 review: the only real front panel meter at the price
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do better converters make a hearable difference?
At this level, rarely. Both units are far better than the room, the microphone and the performance, which are what actually limit a home recording. Converter quality is real and measurable and it is the last thing to fix, not the first. Spend the difference on treating a reflection point or on a better microphone stand before worrying about it.
What is loopback and do I need it?
Loopback routes your computer's audio output back into the interface as an input, so you can record what is playing on the machine along with your microphone. It is useful for podcasts with remote guests, for streaming and for capturing a video call. If none of those apply, it makes no difference to you.
Which is better for a first time user?
The Scarlett, marginally, because of the volume of tutorials, forum answers and videos that reference it specifically. When something is not working and you do not yet know the vocabulary to describe it, that matters. The M2 is not harder to use, there is simply less written about it.
Will either work with my software?
Both are class compliant on macOS and use drivers on Windows, and both work with every major recording program. Check the driver situation for your operating system version before buying rather than assuming, since audio drivers are the most common source of trouble after a system update, and that is true of every manufacturer.
Working out your own room and signal chain? The Home Studio Build Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.