Focusrite Scarlett 8i6

The Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 is an 8 in / 6 out audio interface with outstanding sonic performance and flexibility at a truly affordable price. Part of Focusrite’s new range of USB audio interfaces, the Scarlett 8i6 is designed to make home studio recording and mixing easy without sacrificing audio quality.

Twenty-five years of mic pre excellence form the foundation of this new interface, with two award-winning Focusrite preamps. Combined with a host of additional I/O options, the Scarlett 8i6 helps you get the tracks you want without having to constantly re-patch your studio.

Alongside the two high-quality mic preamps, two additional analogue inputs, four analogue outputs, S/PDIF and MIDI open the door to true multi-track recording. Two Hi-Z instrument inputs let you plug straight in without the need to buy additional DI boxes, and two virtual Loopback inputs are also available for routing digital audio between software applications - ideal for capturing online audio.

Included with the Scarlett 8i6 is Scarlett MixControl, an 18 x 6 DSP mixer. Offering a level of flexibility that is remarkable at this price point, 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 8i6 outputs. Intuitive one-click configurations help you track, monitor and mix as quickly as possible.

Scarlett 8i6 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.

Two Focusrite preamps ensure low noise and distortion, whilst cutting-edge digital conversion captures your audio with pristine quality. Combined with the very latest in USB interfacing technology, excellent routing flexibility and rock-solid driver stability, the Scarlett 8i6 is the heart of the modern home studio.

 

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 > 109dB (A-weighted), all analogue inputs
• D/A Dynamic Range > 106dB (A-weighted), all analogue outputs
• Clock Sources: Internal Clock Sync to Word Clock on S/PDIF Input (RCA)
• Clock jitter < 500 picoseconds
• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz
• 8 input channels to computer: Analogue (4), Loop-back (2) and S/PDIF (2)
• 12 output channels from computer: DAW (12)
• 6 output channels from Scarlet 8i6: Analogue (4), S/PDIF (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 3-4

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2 dB
• Gain Range: Switch-able between +16dBu or -10dBV for 0dBFS (balanced inputs)
• THD+N: 0.003% (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 1-4)

• 4 Electronically Balanced Outputs
• Maximum Output Level (0dBFS): +12dBu
• 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

CHANNELS AT A GLANCE

IN

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

OUT

• No. FormatConnectorDetails
• 4Line analogue¼” TRS JackOn rear panel
• 2S/PDIFRCA phonoOn rear panel
• 16MIDI5 pin DIN connectorProvides 16 channels of MIDI

Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-4) 

• 2 Mic XLR Combo (channels 1-2) on front panel
• 2 Line ¼” TRS (channels 3-4) on rear panel
• Automatic switching between Mic / Line (channels 1-2)
• Switching between Line / Instrument Inputs (channels 1-2) via Scarlett MixControl Application
• Switching between +16dBu (low) and -10dBV (high) gain on inputs 3-4 via Scarlett MixControl Application

Digital Channel Inputs (Inputs 7-8) 44.1 - 96kHz

• Stereo S/PDIF input on RCA Analogue

Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-4)

• 4 ¼” TRS Jacks
• Output Level control (analogue) for outputs 1 and 2 
• Stereo Headphones on ¼” TRS (also routed to Outputs 3 & 4) 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

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

System Requirements

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