Focusrite was founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve. Originally, Sir George Martin asked Neve to build console extensions and modules for the Neve consoles at AIR Studios in London and Montserrat. These consoles and extensions are still in use at AIR Studio 1 in Lyndhurst and elsewhere. Since 1985, Focusrite has continued to provide innovative, intuitive, easy-to-install, and user-friendly solutions for the masses.

2011 was a significant year for Focusrite with the release of the very first generation of Scarlett. At the time, the user experience with audio interfaces was very unpredictable. Sometimes they worked, sometimes they didn’t. For Focusrite, this wasn’t good enough. They decided to release a portable, durable interface with a brushed aluminum chassis, and most importantly: with stable and solid drivers.

In 2016, the second generation was unveiled, with improved audio performance and the ability to record up to 196kHz.

Finally, since 2019, the third generation of Scarlett has been launched, with even more appeal for a wide range of artists. Focusrite created the Easy Start Tool, making the installation and setup of your interface even easier. Many improvements have also been made, including USB-C connectivity and audio enhancements. Focusrite also introduced the Air function, which delivers a classic sound and adds another dimension to the recording quality already offered by the Scarlett interfaces.