Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen

125

18 Channel USB2.0 Audio Interface with USB-C Connection

  • 24 bit / 192 kHz
  • 4 Scarlett microphone preamps
  • +48 V phantom power
  • Switchable air function
  • 4 Mic/line inputs: XLR / 6.3 mm jack combo balanced - 2 of which can be used as instrument inputs
  • 4 Line inputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • 4 Line outputs: 6.3 mm jack balanced
  • 2 Stereo headphone outputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • S/PDIF input and output coaxial
  • ADAT input
  • MIDI input and output
  • USB-C connection
  • Input for external power supply
  • For PC/Mac
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 241 x 61 x 159.5 mm
  • Weight: 1.33 kg
  • Incl. USB cable (type C to A), power supply and Hitmaker Expansion Software Bundle (Ableton Live Lite, 3 months Splice Sounds membership and Plugin Bundle for songwriting, mixing and mastering)

Hitmaker Expansion Plugins:

  • Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 - Amp Sim
  • XLN Audio Addictive Keys - Virtual Keyboard Instruments
  • XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock - Virtual Drum Library
  • Brainworx bx_oberhausen - Polysynth
  • Antares Auto-Tune Access - Vocal Tuning
  • Brainworx Bx_console Focusrite SC - Channel Strip
  • Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite - EQ and Compressor
  • Relab's LX480 Essentials - Reverb
  • Brainworx bx_masterdesk - Mastering System24 bit / 192 kHz
Available since August 2019
Item number 468426
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Recording / Playback Channels 18x6
Number of Mic Inputs 4
Number of Line Inputs 4
Instrument Inputs 2
Number of Line Outs 4
Headphone Outs 2
Phantom power Yes
Number of S/PDIF Connectors 2
Number of ADAT Connectors 1
Numer of AES/EBU Connectors 0
Number of MADI Connectors 0
Ethernet 0
Other Connectors No
MIDI interface Yes
Word Clock No
Max. sample rate (kHz) 192 kHz
Max. resolution in bit 24 bit
USB Bus-Powered No
Incl. power supply Yes
USB Version 2.0
Width in mm 241 mm
Depth in mm 159,5 mm
Height in mm 61 mm
Connection Format USB port Type C
Included in delivery USB-C to USB-A cable, Software, Power Supply
Zero latency monitoring 1
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B-Stock from $333 available
$359
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The scarlet heart of the studio

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8, a USB audio interface for Mac and PC, has eight balanced line inputs for connecting synthesizers or other line-level audio sources, and four balanced outputs for monitoring. In addition, it features a digital stereo input and output in S/PDIF format and an eight-channel ADAT input. Four of the inputs are combined XLR/jack sockets and can thus also be used with microphones. The 18i8 is equipped with four high-grade Scarlett microphone preamps with switchable 48V phantom power, as well as the brand-new Air Mode. Electric guitars and basses can also be plugged in directly, as the impedance of the four front sockets can be set to Hi-Z. The Scarlett 18i8 also looks great and is very attractively priced. An audio interface provides a connection between a computer and various external devices. The computer in turn requires special software in order to process the incoming signals. Focusrite offers a selection of software you can use to get started, including the digital audio workstations (DAWs) Ableton Live Lite and ProTools Artist, and a three-month subscription to Splice Sounds. Focusrite’s Hitmaker Expansion software bundle is also included.

inputs on the front of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen

Love is in the “Air”

Focusrite’s outstanding reputation for building high-quality mic preamps has been established for over three decades now, and much of this expertise has been included in the third generation of Scarlett interfaces via the brand-new integrated Air Mode, which when selected opens up and brightens the high end in a way that is intended to emulate their classic ISA preamps – or, as the British manufacturer puts it, to provide “unique high-end detail for vocals and acoustic guitar”. Decades of experience really do speak for quality in this case, and the AD/DA converters provide optimum clarity and detail with a maximum bit depth of 24 bits and frequency rates of up to 192kHz.

volume control and headphone outputs on the right side of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen

The power of 18

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is a compact desktop interface and is therefore particularly suited to project and professional studios. It is sturdily built yet lightweight and portable. The 18 flexibly designed inputs should be fit for any purpose, and the four outputs mean you can create an alternative monitoring mix or integrate outboard effects units. What is more, the integrated MIDI interface can be used to connect a master keyboard, for example, since a sound generator of four XLN Audio Addictive Keys is already included in the bundled software package.

inputs and controls as well as the Focusrite logo

About Focusrite

Founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve, Focusrite quickly made a name for itself with high-quality analogue consoles. Today, the company markets audio interfaces, mic preamps, consoles, analogue EQs, and channel strips as well as hardware and software for digital audio processing. The company is based in High Wycombe, England, and has won numerous industry awards. In addition to the Focusrite Pro line, the company also has subsidiaries that include Adam Audio, Novation, and iOS app creator Ampify Music.

Get started right away

The newly designed “gain halos” (the red and green LED rings around the gain controls on the front panel) are intended to make it easier to adjust gain settings, so that budding producers can start recording immediately after buying the interface. To make things simpler still, Focusrite has included a “Quick Start Tool” and put together an impressive and comprehensive package of free software, some in the box and some available for download, which includes Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Artist, Focusrite Red Plugin Suite, Focusrite Control, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, a three-month subscription to Splice Sounds, and a software tool of four XLN Audio Addictive Keys of your choice.

Different programs found in the Hitmaker expansion

Hitmaker Expansion

The Hitmaker Expansion contains software tools for further enhancing your music productions: Guitar sounds with Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555, tuning options for vocals with Antares Auto-Tune, reverb effects with Relab's LX480 Essentials, the XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock kit, and the XLN Audio Addictive Keys Studio Grand Piano. Additionally, an EQ and compressor are offered with the Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, a full channel strip offering an EQ, de-esser, compressor, limiter, gate, and expander with Bx_console Focusrite SC, and finally, two months with the Landr Studio mastering tools with five free masters to add the finishing touch to your projects. With the Hitmaker Expansion, you get both the interface and a selection of tools, so you have all the software you need to get started.

front of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen

In the spotlight: Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, 18i8, and 18i20

The third generation of Scarlett interfaces comprises the Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, 18i8, and 18i20 as well as two bundles, the Solo Studio and 2i2 Studio, each of which includes a microphone and headphones. The abbreviations 2i2, 4i4, etc. specify the number of inputs and outputs. In other words, “2i2” stands for two (i)nputs and two outputs, and 4i4 accordingly stands for four (i)nputs and four outputs. The “Solo” bends the rules in this respect, since it actually features two inputs and two outputs – the name instead suggests that it is intended for solo artists or singer/songwriters.

125 Customer ratings

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60 Reviews

L
Superb - A great upgrade on smaller versions.
LocoRoco 29.09.2021
I upgraded from the old Scarlett solo for two reasons - I needed more input and I needed an improved workflow.

This allows me to feel like I've got a little studio at my desk. I have my synths, mic and instrument cables all neatly plugged in and ready to go.

The software for setting up your output mix is a little complicated at first and doesn't seem to fit my screen perfectly, but it allows me to customize the 2 headphone mixes.

It fits on my rollout desk next to my midi keyboard like a dream.

I've had 0 dropouts or failures with it after 6 months of use.
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6
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VR
Impressive
Vic Rose 25.01.2021
A cool confident product with almost analogue appeal. I simply love touching this thing, the knobs are smooth and I get the same from a milimeters shift that I would get from a whole centimeter on other devices. 8 in 8 out with multiple headphone sockets this beast of home studios performs as good as it looks, once you update and register its software, do not attempt to plug and play without adding its digital components, you was warned.
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FS
More than enough
Folia Soundstudio 07.10.2022
The 3rd generation of Scarlett interfaces is simply best in its class. Clean sounding, stable working. The mixer is a bit limited, but I'm being spoiled by RME TotalMix, so I expect same functionality everywhere.

The only serious flaw that it sometimes causes issues, when you are working both with ASIO driver in your DAW and Windows driver for your system sounds at the same time. People report it online, I also encountered that.
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Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen: Your Studio's Powerhouse
Taltul 08.08.2023
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen is a game-changer, delivering top-notch audio quality, versatile features, and a sleek design. With pristine preamps, it captures every detail of your recordings, while its flexible inputs and outputs accommodate various setups. The USB-C compatibility ensures low latency, and the Air mode adds a touch of brilliance to your sound. Whether you're a musician or podcaster, this interface elevates your studio to new heights.
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