Focusrite Scarlett 18i6

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 is an 18 in / 6 out USB 2.0 audio interface designed to make home multi-track recording a breeze. Alongside two award-winning Focusrite preamps, six high-quality analogue inputs allow you to simultaneously record guitar, bass, vocals and keys. You don’t need to stop there either – pop in the ADAT optical cable from an outboard eight-channel mic pre unit such as the Focusrite OctoPre MkII and you can track the drums at the same time.

Included with the Scarlett 18i6 is Scarlett MixControl, an 18 x 6 DSP mixer. Offering a superb level of flexibility, the MixControl software enables you to create six separate mixes with ultra-low-latency. Route any combination of input signals and sequencer outputs to any of the Scarlett 18i6 outputs. Intuitive one-click configurations help you track, monitor and mix as quickly as possible.

Scarlett 18i6 comes with all of the additional tools needed to start making music straight away. Scarlett VST/AU/RTAS Plug-in Suite comes in the box, adding Focusrite compression, reverb, gating and EQ to your recording system.

Focusrite’s established Xcite+ bundle is also included. The bundle features Ableton Live Lite (for all your production, performance and compositional needs), Novation’s Bass Station soft synth and over 1 gig of royalty-free samples from Loopmasters.

Scarlett 18i6’s two award-winning Focusrite preamps ensure low noise and distortion, whilst cutting-edge digital conversion captures your audio with pristine quality. 16 additional inputs allow you to capture inspired takes, without having to constantly re-patch your studio. Combined with the very latest in USB interfacing technology, excellent routing flexibility and rock-solid driver stability, the Scarlett 18i6 is the heart of the modern recording studio.

Features

Two high-quality award-winning Focusrite preamps
The best sounding interface in its class. Focusrite's 25-year legacy forms the foundation of this new interface, with two award-winning preamps.

Total I/O count of 18 inputs and 6 outputs
All of the analogue and digital inputs you need for home multitrack recording. No need for breakout cables - every input & output has a dedicated socket.

High-quality 24-bit/96kHz USB interface
Features professional conversion and jitter elimination technology, guaranteeing pristine audio quality and reliable synchronization.

Scarlett MixControl ultra-low-latency DSP mixer/router
Provides an 18 x 6 DSP mixer with excellent routing flexibility, intuitive one-click configurations, and lower than 1.4ms latency (less than the time it takes sound to travel two feet through air!).

Scarlett VST/AU/RTAS Plug-in Suite, for use in the mix
Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with Focusrite’s Scarlett compression, reverb, gating and EQ.

Xcite+ Software Bundle
Featuring a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged soft-synth and Ableton Live Lite 8, providing an affordable upgrade path to Ableton Live.

Two Hi-Z instrument inputs
No need for a separate DI. The first two channels feature high-gain instrument inputs.

Dedicated front-panel headphone bus
Providing a fully customized monitor mix, with tactile level control available on the front panel.

Monitor levels are always within reach
A front panel volume dial provides immediate control over the main stereo outputs.

Switchable phantom power
Across both mic pre inputs, globally switchable direct from the front fascia.

Software PFL
Allows the mix engineer to easily monitor a single mixer channel or complete mix.

Microphone Inputs 1-2

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2 dB
• Gain Range: +13dB to +60dB
• THD+N: 0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise EIN: 124dB analogue to digital (measured at 60dB of gain with 150Ω termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Input Impedance: 2kΩ

DIGITAL PERFORMANCE

• A/D Dynamic Range > 110dB (A-weighted), all analogue inputs
• D/A Dynamic Range > 106dB (A-weighted), all analogue outputs
• Clock Sources: Internal Clock - Sync to Word Clock on SPDIF Input (RCA) -  Sync to Word Clock on ADAT Optical Input
• Clock jitter < 500 picoseconds
• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz
• 18 input channels to computer: Analogue (8), SPDIF (2), ADAT (8)
• 6 output channels from computer: DAW (6)
• 6 output channels from Scarlett 18i6: Analogue (4), SPDIF (2)
• 18 input by 6 output mixer

Line Inputs (Inputs 1-2)

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
• Gain Range: -10dB to +36dB
• THD+N: 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Input Impedance: >10kΩ

Line Inputs 3-8

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2 dB
• Input Level: +10dBu for 0dBFS (balanced inputs)
• THD+N: 0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -100dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Input Impedance: >10kΩ

Instrument Inputs (Inputs 1 and 2)

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
• Gain Range: +13dB to +60dB
• THD+N: 0.004% (measured with 0dBu input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -87dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Analogue Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-2)

2 Electronically Balanced Outputs

Maximum Output Level (0dBFS): +16dBu

Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2 dB

THD+N: 0.001% (0dBFS input, 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Crosstalk (Channel Isolation)

Any input to input: > 100dB

Any output to output: > 100dB

Any input to output: > 100dB

Connectivity 

IN

• No. FormatConnectorDetails
• 2Mic/Line/InstCombo XLRInc. 2 instrument inputs
• 6Line analogue¼” TRS JackOn rear panel
• 2S/PDIFRCA phonoOn rear panel
• 8ADAT OpticalTOSLINKOn rear panel
• 16MIDI5 pin DIN connectorProvides 16 channels of MIDI

OUT

• No. FormatConnectorDetails
• 2Line analogue¼” TRS JackOn rear panel
• 2S/PDIFRCA phonoOn rear panel
• 2Stereo headphones¼” TRS JackIndependent of line outputs
• 16MIDI5 pin DIN connectorProvides 16 channels of MIDI

Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-8)

• 2 Mic XLR Combo (channels 1-2) on front panel
• 6 Line ¼” TRS (channels 3-8) on rear panel
• Automatic switching between Mic / Line (channels 1-2)
• Switching between Line / Instrument Inputs (channels 1-2) via Scarlett Mix Control Application

Digital Channel Inputs (Inputs 9-18) 44.1 - 96kHz

• Stereo S/PDIF input on RCA
• 8 optical ADAT channels (4 channels at 88.2 / 96kHz)

Analogue Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-4)

• 2 ¼” TRS Jacks
• Output Level control (analogue)
• Separate Stereo Headphones Mix (outputs 3/4) on ¼” TRS with independent analogue volume control

Digital Channel Outputs (Outputs 5-6) 44.1 - 96kHz

• Stereo S/PDIF Output on RCA

Other I/O

• 1 USB Type “B” Connector
• 2 Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors: In and Out
• DC Power Input Connector (for use with supplied universal input power supply)

Front Panel Indicators

• 8 2-segment input meters, -18 and 0dBFS
• “LKD” Lock Indicator
• “USB” Host Connected Indicator
• Instrument input source selection LED for channels 1 and 2
• Phantom Power (48V) switch and LED for inputs 1 and 2

Compatibility

• MAC - OS X 10.6.5 Snow Leopard
• WINDOWS - Windows 7 (All versions), Windows Vista (32bit only), or Windows XP SP3 (32bit only)