Unleash Your Audio Potential: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Gen 2 Usb Audio Interface – The Sound Engineer’s Dream

In the realm of audio production, the Focusrite Scarlett series has long been a beacon of excellence. With its unparalleled sound quality, intuitive design, and unmatched versatility, the 2nd generation of Scarlett USB audio interfaces has raised the bar yet again. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the sonic capabilities, feature set, and performance of the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20 2nd Gen USB audio interfaces, empowering you to make an informed decision that will elevate your audio production game.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The Focusrite Scarlett 2nd Gen audio interfaces arrive in sleek and sturdy packaging, hinting at the quality that lies within. Upon unboxing, you are greeted by the devices themselves, which exude an air of durability and professionalism. The metal chassis and solid construction instill confidence, ensuring they will withstand the rigors of the studio environment.

Feature-Rich and Versatile

The Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20 2nd Gen boast a comprehensive array of features tailored to meet the demands of modern musicians, producers, and engineers. All three interfaces feature high-quality mic preamps with Air mode, capturing pristine audio with exceptional clarity and detail. The Air mode emulates the classic transformer-based preamps found on vintage Neve consoles, adding an airy and open character to your recordings.

The 6i6 offers 2 mic/instrument inputs and 2 line outputs, while the 18i8 and 18i20 provide 4 and 8 mic/instrument inputs, respectively. The 18i8 and 18i20 also include additional line inputs and outputs, expanding your connectivity options. All three interfaces are equipped with MIDI I/O, allowing you to seamlessly integrate hardware synthesizers and controllers into your setup.

Pristine Audio Quality and Dynamic Range

The heart of any audio interface lies in its sound quality. The Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20 2nd Gen deliver exceptional sonic performance, capturing audio with pristine clarity and detail. The high-quality 24-bit/192kHz converters ensure that every nuance and subtlety is faithfully reproduced, allowing you to hear your recordings with unparalleled accuracy.

The wide dynamic range of the preamps provides ample headroom, even for the most demanding audio sources. This ensures that you can capture the full dynamic range of your instruments and vocals without distortion or clipping. The Air mode adds a touch of vintage warmth and brilliance, making it ideal for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments.

Intuitive and User-Friendly Software

Focusrite has always placed great emphasis on user experience, and the Scarlett 2nd Gen interfaces are no exception. They come bundled with a comprehensive software suite that includes the Focusrite Control application and Ableton Live Lite DAW. Focusrite Control provides intuitive control over all aspects of the interface, including input and output levels, monitoring options, and routing.

Ableton Live Lite is a powerful and user-friendly DAW that allows you to record, edit, and mix your audio with ease. The bundled software suite empowers you to start making music right out of the box, without the need for additional purchases or downloads.

Latency Performance and Stability

Latency, the delay between the input and output of audio signals, is a crucial factor for musicians and producers. The Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20 2nd Gen deliver exceptional latency performance, ensuring a seamless and responsive recording experience. The interfaces utilize USB 2.0 connectivity, which provides low latency and stable operation.

Connectivity and Expansion Options

The Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20 2nd Gen offer a range of connectivity options to meet the needs of any studio setup. The 6i6 provides 2 mic/instrument inputs and 2 line outputs, while the 18i8 and 18i20 offer 4 and 8 mic/instrument inputs, respectively. All three interfaces also include additional line inputs and outputs, allowing you to connect a wide variety of audio sources.

The 18i8 and 18i20 feature ADAT optical I/O, enabling you to expand your input and output capabilities by connecting additional preamps or converters. The ADAT expansion allows you to create a custom audio interface tailored to your specific needs.

The Verdict: A New Standard for USB Audio Interfaces

The Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20 2nd Gen USB audio interfaces represent a significant advancement in audio technology. They deliver exceptional sound quality, intuitive software, low latency, and comprehensive connectivity options, making them ideal for musicians, producers, and engineers of all levels. Whether you are recording vocals, instruments, or creating electronic music, these interfaces will empower you to achieve professional-quality results.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Q: What is the difference between the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, 18i8, and 18i20 2nd Gen?
A: The main difference between the three interfaces is the number of input and output channels. The 6i6 offers 2 mic/instrument inputs and 2 line outputs, the 18i8 provides 4 mic/instrument inputs and 4 line outputs, and the 18i20 offers 8 mic/instrument inputs and 8 line outputs. The 18i8 and 18i20 also feature ADAT optical I/O for expansion.

Q: What is Air mode, and what does it do?
A: Air mode is a feature that emulates the classic transformer-based preamps found on vintage Neve consoles. It adds an airy and open character to your recordings, making it ideal for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments.

Q: What software comes bundled with the Focusrite Scarlett 2nd Gen interfaces?
A: The Focusrite Scarlett 2nd Gen interfaces come bundled with the Focusrite Control application and Ableton Live Lite DAW. Focusrite Control provides intuitive control over the interface, while Ableton Live Lite allows you to record, edit, and mix your audio with ease.