Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition: is Focusrite’s blue collector’s edition worth it?

40 years of Focusrite: why the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition exists

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition is part of the brand’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Rather than designing a brand-new interface, Focusrite has revisited its most widespread model, weaving in clear references to its history and the ISA range.

ISA, Rupert Neve and the 110 / 130 modules

Before USB interfaces, Focusrite first made its name with ISA console modules, originally designed by Rupert Neve for a high-end recording console. The ISA 110 (preamp/EQ) and ISA 130 (compressor) modules played a major role in building the brand’s reputation in professional studios.

The Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition echoes this heritage visually: its ISA blue chassis is a nod to Focusrite’s early console channel strips, and the silkscreening on the underside is inspired by the ISA 110 circuit diagrams and the original studio console.

The symbolism of moving from red to blue

The classic red Scarlett units reference the Focusrite Red range, which marked an important phase in the brand’s development. For this anniversary edition, Focusrite returns to its historic blue:

• ISA blue aluminium chassis instead of the usual red.
• Historic “ff” logo engraved on the top panel, originally used to represent “foundation first”.
• Technical silkscreening on the bottom, inspired by ISA circuitry and the studio console.

Taken together, these elements are a direct reminder of Focusrite’s origins for this USB interface aimed at the home-studio market.

What changes (and what doesn’t) on this Scarlett 2i2

In terms of hardware and audio, the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition is still a 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2. The differences are in the finish, the presentation box and the software bundle, not in the core specifications.

New blue livery, vintage logo and collector’s box

The main elements that set the anniversary edition apart from the standard red Scarlett 2i2 are:

• ISA blue aluminium chassis with a special 40th anniversary finish.
• Historic “ff” logo engraved on the top of the interface.
• Circuit-diagram silkscreening inspired by the ISA 110 and the Focusrite console on the underside.
• Black and gold gift box specific to this limited edition.

On a home-studio desk, this blue version clearly stands out visually from the red Scarlett 2i2, while keeping the same compact footprint.

Specs: 2 in / 2 out, 4th-gen preamps, 192 kHz converters, Auto Gain, Clip Safe…

The technical specifications of the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition are identical to the standard 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2:

• 2 Scarlett 4th Gen mic preamps, with 69 dB of gain range and very low noise.
• Combo mic/line/instrument inputs:
  • 2 instrument/line inputs on front-panel 6.35 mm jacks (Hi-Z for guitars, basses, etc.).
  • 2 mic inputs on rear-panel XLR, for tidier fixed cabling.
• 24-bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converters with up to 120 dB dynamic range, derived from the RedNet series.
• Air mode, inspired by the original Focusrite preamps, adding top-end lift and harmonics.
• Auto Gain to automatically set input level after a short reference take.
• Clip Safe to continuously monitor the signal and adjust gain if clipping is about to occur.
• Dynamic Gain Halos around the gain knobs, giving real-time visual feedback on your levels.
• 2 balanced line outputs on 6.35 mm jacks for your studio monitors.
• Dedicated stereo headphone output with its own volume control.
• USB-C connection (USB 2.0), bus-powered over USB with the option for external power.

The interface is controlled via Focusrite Control 2 (Mac/Windows, with companion mobile apps), which also gets a special ISA-inspired skin for this edition.

Standard Scarlett software bundle plus Anniversary extras

Like the other 4th Gen Scarlett interfaces, the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition comes with a complete software bundle to get you started in your home studio:

• Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs):
  • Ableton Live Lite.
  • Pro Tools Intro+ for Focusrite.
  • Six months’ access to FL Studio Producer Edition.
• Hitmaker Expansion, with a selection of plug-ins and services for writing, recording, mixing and mastering (LANDR, Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Addictive Drums 2 Studio Rock, Antares Auto-Tune Access, Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC, Focusrite Red 2 & 3, Relab LX480 Essentials, Native Instruments Massive, FAST Balancer, etc.).

The Anniversary Edition adds three exclusive extra plug-ins to this bundle:

• Sonnox Voca, a dedicated vocal processor.
• Acustica Rust EQ, a character-focused software equaliser.
• Softube Opto Compressor, a software optical compressor.

These three plug-ins round out the Hitmaker Expansion bundle and are the main software difference between the standard 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2 and the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition.

The real added value of this limited edition: the included plug-ins

From an audio performance perspective, the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition is no different from the regular 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2. The enhanced software bundle, however, can make a real difference for a home studio focused on vocals and mixing.

Sonnox Voca: a dedicated vocal processor

Sonnox Voca is a plug-in designed specifically for vocal processing. Bundled with this limited edition, it gives you a specialised vocal processor right out of the box, to complement the tools already included in the supplied DAWs.

Acustica Rust EQ: a colour-oriented software EQ

Acustica Rust EQ is a virtual EQ from Acustica Audio. Included with this blue Scarlett 2i2, it adds a colour-focused equaliser to the Hitmaker Expansion bundle, with no extra purchase required.

Softube Opto Compressor: an optical compressor in the bundle

Softube Opto Compressor completes the trio with an optical compressor from Softube. For a home studio, it offers an additional compression option that can be used on sources such as vocals, bass or melodic instruments, directly integrated into the pack supplied with the interface.

Who does this limited edition really make sense for?

The Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition sits at around €225 from several retailers, with an official price of about €249.99 on Focusrite’s website. The red 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2 is more typically found around €179. The price difference therefore falls in the region of €40 to €70, depending on the shop.

First interface purchase: depends on your priorities and budget

For a first home-studio setup, the trade-off is between budget, the software bundle and the collector aspect:

• If your main goal is simply to get a USB audio interface for home recording with the best value for money, the red 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2 remains the cheaper option, with identical audio specs.
• If your project is more focused on vocal production (singers, voice-over, podcasting, streaming) and you want a more extensive set of plug-ins from day one, the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition can be a sensible choice, despite the slightly higher price.

In the “best beginner audio interface 2025&nbsp” category for a 2-in / 2-out setup, both Scarlett 2i2 versions therefore share the same technical foundation, with the differences coming down to the software bundle and finish.

Upgrading from an older Scarlett

For someone already using a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Gen Scarlett, moving to the 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2 brings several improvements: new preamps, more recent converters, Auto Gain and Clip Safe features, Dynamic Gain Halos and rear-panel mic inputs.

In that context, the choice between the red and Anniversary versions mainly depends on how much you care about the ISA blue design and the three extra plug-ins. For a purely technical upgrade, the red Scarlett 2i2 will usually be enough. For those interested in the limited-edition aspect and the expanded software bundle, the Anniversary Edition is a coherent alternative.

A positioning that also appeals to collectors

Finally, this anniversary edition is also aimed at long-time Focusrite users who want a commemorative piece marking the brand’s 40th anniversary. From that perspective, the blue finish, historic logo and special box are just as important as the spec sheet.

Alternatives to consider in 2×2 and beyond

UA Volt, SSL 2, MOTU M2 and other 4th Gen Scarletts

In the same price bracket as the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition, there are several 2×2 interfaces worth comparing if you’re making a more rational choice:

• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen (red): same audio specs, Hitmaker Expansion bundle, but no collector finish or additional plug-in trio.
• Universal Audio Volt (Volt 2, Volt 276): compact 2×2 interfaces with a different approach to analogue processing and software bundles.
• Solid State Logic SSL 2 / SSL 2+: USB 2-in / 2-out interfaces with SSL preamps and a studio-focused software bundle.
• MOTU M2: a well-regarded 2×2 interface in this price range, with its own converters and workflow.

These products sit in the same segment as the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition and are mainly aimed at solo musicians, duos, content creators, streamers and podcasters.

When it makes more sense to prioritise more I/O over the collector angle

If your project involves recording several sources at once (band, multi-mic drum kit, multiple synths and hardware units), it may be more appropriate to look at interfaces with more inputs and outputs, such as the Scarlett 4i4, 18i20, 18i16 or 16i16 4th Gen.

In that case, the extra budget might be better invested in a more fully featured interface rather than in a limited edition of a 2×2 model, depending on the specific needs of your home studio.

Standard Scarlett 2i2 vs Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition: the differences at a glance

FAQ: Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition

Are the audio specs of the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition better than the standard 2i2?

No. The Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition uses the same architecture as the standard 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2: same number of inputs and outputs, same 4th Gen Scarlett preamps, same 24-bit / 192 kHz converters, same Air, Auto Gain, Clip Safe and Loopback features. The difference is in the finish and the software bundle.

Is the blue edition genuinely limited or numbered?

Focusrite describes the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition as a 2-in / 2-out interface in a strictly limited edition, bundled with a special 40th anniversary gift box. Available information doesn’t mention any individual numbering visible on the unit itself, but it does confirm that this version is limited.

Can you buy Sonnox Voca, Acustica Rust EQ and Softube Opto Compressor separately?

The three extra plug-ins bundled with the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition are products developed by Sonnox, Acustica Audio and Softube. Within this interface offer, they are part of a specific bundle. Outside this Focusrite deal, they remain available through the usual sales channels of each developer, with their own licensing terms.

Is the Scarlett 2i2 enough for streaming and recording vocals/guitar in 2025?

Yes. With 2 mic preamps, front-panel instrument/line inputs, a dedicated headphone output, two outputs for your speakers, Auto Gain and Clip Safe, plus Loopback, the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition covers the typical needs of a vocals/guitar setup and a streaming or content-creation workstation in 2025.

How should you choose between the red 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2 and the blue Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition?

Both interfaces offer the same audio specifications and the same core software bundle. The choice mainly comes down to three factors:

• Whether you prefer a collector finish (ISA blue, historic logo, dedicated box) or the standard red design.
• How much you value the 3 additional plug-ins (Sonnox Voca, Acustica Rust EQ, Softube Opto Compressor) included with the Anniversary Edition.
• Your budget: the red 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2 is cheaper, while the blue version is priced higher due to its limited-edition status and expanded bundle.