Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 USB 2.0 Audio Interface
$549.99
Rackmount 18-in/20-out, 24bit/192kHz USB 2.0 audio interface with 8 Scarlett Mic preamps, ADAT I/O, 10 line outputs, two headphone outputs, DAW software, plug-ins, and VIs (Mac/PC)
The Focusrite Scartlett 18i20 is an 18 x 20, 1U rackmount USB 2.0 audio interface with eight Scarlett range preamps, high-headroom DIs, quality 24-bit/192kHz conversion, ultra low latency, direct hardware monitoring, ADAT I/O, word clock out, and comprehensive software bundle (Mac/PC)
If you’re on a budget looking to equip a studio with the highest quality sound possible, the rackmountable Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is a perfect choice. With eight transparent and natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamps with high-headroom instrument DIs, an astonishing round-trip latency of 2.74ms*, and class-leading sound quality and digital conversion, the 18-input, 20-output Scarlett 18i20 lets you record anything from a drum kit to multiple instruments, vocals, synths, and keyboards simultaneously. The Scarlett 18i20 has the ability to grow your studio to record larger ensembles with ADAT I/O, which enables you to connect a Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre for an additional eight Scarlett preamps. Fully compatible with all major DAWs, the Scarlett 18i20 comes with an impressive bundle of free software, including an exclusive version of Pro Tools | First, Ableton Live Lite, Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, and more.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 audio interface in one take:
- Second-generation Scarlett sound quality and ultra low latency
- Plenty of I/O and direct monitoring
- Upgraded instrument inputs
- Focusrite Control software, Red 2 & 3 plug-in suite, and much more
INSIDE THE BOX— Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Under the hood, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 features a number of technical innovations that put it at the head of the class. An updated converter design provides a wide dynamic range and sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio. Thanks to its innovative driver and conversion design, Scarlett offers a round-trip latency as low as 2.74ms (depending on DAW and software settings*). With Scarlett 18i20, you can work entirely in your DAW for overdubs and track in real time with plug-ins, without the need for outboard DSP, or disabling effects to save RAM when you track. Along with comfort effects, you can perform to a cue mix that sounds the way you want the final mix to sound.
To ensure a long recording life, the Scarlett 18i20 has circuitry on the inputs and outputs to protect against unwanted power surges, such as phantom power accidentally being plugged into the outputs, or shorted inputs with phantom power. The 18i20’s gain controls have an evenly distributed gain curve that makes it easier to set input levels with greater accuracy. Additionally, the Scarlett 18i20 adds a -10dB pad to each preamp to tame exceptionally hot signals coming in.
Plenty of I/O and direct monitoring
With a lineage dating back to the original ISA preamp modules designed for Sir George Martin’s AIR studios in 1985, the Scarlett 18i20 features eight clean, transparent, natural-sounding mic preamps that deliver exceptional headroom, loads of linear clean gain, low noise, and minimal distortion, which maintains the clarity of your productions as you layer tracks. The ADAT expansion ports allow you to add an extra eight analog inputs and outputs, which is particularly useful for anyone who wants to record higher channel counts and integrate lots of outboard gear.
When it comes to outputs, Scarlett 18i20 delivers full routing and monitoring flexibility. There are two dedicated TRS jack outputs for studio monitors featuring anti-thump circuitry for speaker protection, plus eight additional analog jack outputs, and two stereo pairs providing mirrored independent headphone outputs on the front panel. With MIDI connectivity, you can also integrate hardware synths with your DAW. A Word Clock output is also provided for syncing the Scarlett 18i20 to external digital devices.
Although all inputs and outputs on the Scarlett 18i20 are routed directly to and from your DAW for recording and playback, Focusrite Control also allows you to route input signals internally within the device to the outputs so that you can monitor the audio signals before they arrive at your DAW.
Upgraded DI performance
The Scarlet 18i20, has instrument inputs designed with guitarists in mind. They provide an additional 8dB headroom over other direct instrument inputs, which let you use guitars with the highest-output active pickups without clipping or unwanted distortion. These instrument DIs are comparable in performance to some of the world’s best dedicated direct input modules.
Focusrite Control software, plug-in suite, and more
The included ‘Focusrite Control’ is a software mixer for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control is based on the traditional workflow of hardware mixers, and also provides remote control of the Scarlett 18i20’s internal hardware functions, such as instrument input select and input pad. Also included are enough software and effects plug-ins to record and mix right out of the box. Free with the 18i20, you get an unlimited-time exclusive version of Pro Tools | First; Focusrite Creative Pack (featuring 12 additional plug-ins including the Eleven Lite for real-life guitar amp emulations); Ableton Live Lite; the Softube Time and Tone Bundle; Focusrite’s Red Plug-In Suite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples and the Novation Bass Station soft synth.
Scarlett 18i20 included software:
- Focusrite Control – Routing and monitoring application
- Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite
- Softube Time & Tone Pack
- Pro Tools First | First Focusrite Creative Pack
- Ableton Live Lite music making software
- 2 GB of Loopmasters sounds and samples
- Novation Bass Station VST and AU plug-in synthesizer
OUTSIDE THE BOX—Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 interface
The Scarlett 18i20 front panel has two XLR/1/4″ combo jacks for mic/instrument; two +48V phantom power switches for channels 1-4 and 5-8 respectively, two gain knobs for front-panel mic/inst inputs, two -10dB pad switches, six rotary gain controls for rear-panel combo inputs 3-8; eight 5-segment LED input meters; USB active LED, Word Clock sync LED, main monitor level control, Dim and Mute switches, which control monitor outputs, two TRS headphone jacks with individual volume controls, AC power switch and LED, and rack ears for mounting in a standard 19″ equipment rack.
The Scarlett 18i20 rear panel includes two-channel RCA S/PDIF input and output, USB 2.0 port, standard MIDI I/O ports, two balanced 1/4″ monitor outputs, eight balanced 1/4″ inputs, ADAT optical I/O ports, BNC word clock out, and standard AC power IEC receptacle.
Scarlett 18i20 key features:
- Eight Scarlett mic preamps with plenty of even gain, exceptional headroom, low noise and minimal distortion
- Two instrument inputs with increased headroom for the hottest active pick-ups
- Class-leading digital conversion at up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Lowest round-trip latency* in its class lets you perform and produce using effects in real time with no need for DSP
- ADAT expansion ports allow you to add an extra eight analogue inputs and outputs
- Ten balanced analog outputs, including a dedicated stereo pair with anti-thump circuitry
- Two headphone outputs with dedicated volume controls
- Focusrite Control software to easily configure your monitoring and routing setups
- Includes Pro Tools | First – Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite
- All the additional software and loops you need to record
- Use it with all major DAWs on Mac and PC
- MIDI I/O connectivity
- Stereo S/PDIF I/O and Word Clock output for connecting and syncing other digital devices
- *Round-trip latency was measured at 2.74ms, working at 96kHz with a 32 samples buffer on Logic Pro X, running on a Mac Pro and OS 10.11
Scarlett 18i20; what’s comes in the box:
- Scarlett 18i20 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface
- USB Cable
- Power Supply
- Bundle code for your free software
Plus! Get monthly offers from Focusrite’s Plug-in Collective – an incredible plug-in deal every month, made possible by the extremely low latency of Focusrite’s interfaces. Learn more here.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 specifications:
- Inputs: 8 analog, 8 ADAT, 2 S/PDIF
- Outputs: 10 analog, 8 ADAT, 2 S/PDIF
- Mixer: Fully assignable 18-in/10-out software mixer (Focusrite Control)
- Supported sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
- Clock jitter: <250ps
Microphone Inputs
- Dynamic Range: 109dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5dB/-1.5dB
- THD+N: <0.002% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter)
- Noise EIN: -127dB (A-Weighted)
- Maximum input level: +8.5dBu (without pad)
- Gain range: 50dB
Line Inputs 1-2
- Dynamic range: 109dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5dB/-1.5dB
- THD+N: <0.003% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter)
- Maximum input level: +22dBu
- Gain range: 50dB
Line Inputs 3-8
- Dynamic range: 110dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5dB
- THD+N: <0.003% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter)
- Maximum input level: +16dBu
- Gain range: 50dB
Instrument Inputs
- Dynamic range: 109dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5dB/-1.5dB
- THD+N: <0.003% (minimum gain, -1dBFS input with 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter)
- Maximum input level: +12dBu
- Gain range: 50dB
- Impedance: 1M ohm
Line Outputs (1-10)
- Dynamic range: 109dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, ±0.5dB
- Maximum output level: +16dBu
- THD+N: <0.001% (minimum gain, -1 dBFS input 1kHz, with 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter)
Headphone Outputs
- Dynamic range: 108dB (A-weighted)
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, ±0.5dB
- Maximum output level: +13dBu
- THD+N Outputs: <0.001% (minimum gain, -1 dBFS input 1kHz, with 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter)20
Dimensions: 19″ x 1-3/4″ x 11-1/4″ (482 mm x 45 mm x 286 mm)
Weight: 7.21 lb. (3.27 kg)
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 system requirements:
Mac OS:
- Apple Macintosh with a USB 2.0 or 3.0-compliant USB port and an Internet connection; OS: Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)
Windows:
- Windows compatible computer with a USB 2.0 or 3.0-compliant USB port and an Internet connection; OS: Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit), 8.1 and 10
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Additional information
| Weight | 8 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2 x 19 x 12 in |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit |
| Sample Rate | 192kHz |
| Headphone Jack | 2 |
| Monitor Outs | 2 |
| Work Clock | Yes |
| Preamps | 8 |
| Pro Tools HD | No |
| Phantom Power | Yes |
| Connection Type | USB |
| I/O | 18 in x 20 out |
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