Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 USB Audio Interface Details

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 is an 18 in / 6 out USB 2.0 audio interface designed to make home multitrack 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.

Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 USB Audio Interface 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.

Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 USB Audio Interface Specifications

• 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
• Dimensions (W x H x D)
  • Unboxed: approx. 215mm x 45mm x 220mm (8.5 x 1.8 x 8.7 inches)
  • Boxed: approx. 335mm x 275mm x 125mm (13.2 x 10.8 x 4.9 inches)
• Weights
  • Net Weight: 1.5kg / 3.3lbs
  • Gross Weight: approx. 2.39kg / 5.3lbs
• 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)

Click here to view all Focusrite products