Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen

313

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

  • 24 bit / 192 kHz
  • 2 Scarlett microphone preamps
  • +48 V phantom power
  • Switchable air function
  • 2 Mic/Instrument/Line inputs: XLR/6.3 mm jack combo balanced
  • 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
  • MIDI input and output
  • USB-C connection
  • Input for external power supply
  • For PC/Mac
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 210 x 47.5 x 149.5 mm
  • Weight: 0.84 kg
  • Incl. USB cable (type C to A), power supply and Hitmaker Expansion Software Bundle (Ableton Live Lite, 3 months Splice Sounds membership and Plug-in bundle for songwriting, mixing and mastering, Pro Tools Artist (three-month subscription) and Avid Complete Plug-in Bundle)

Hitmaker Expansion Plugins:

  • LANDR - AI-based mastering tool (two-month subscription)
  • Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 - Amp Sim
  • XLN Audio Addictive Keys - Virtual Keyboard Instruments
  • XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock - Virtual Drum Library
  • Antares Auto-Tune Access - Vocal Tuning
  • Brainworx Bx_console Focusrite SC - Channel Strip
  • Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite - EQ and Compressor
  • Native Instruments MASSIVE, FAST Balancer
Available since August 2019
Item number 468424
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Recording / Playback Channels 8x6
Number of Mic Inputs 2
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 0
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 210 mm
Depth in mm 149,5 mm
Height in mm 47,5 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 $227 available
$245
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The third generation of the Scarlett 8

The Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, now in its third edition, is a high-quality compact USB audio interface for Mac and PC. It features two combined XLR/jack inputs on the front for connecting microphones as well as synthesizers or other line-level audio sources, four more line-level jack inputs on the rear panel, and four balanced outputs for monitoring. Furthermore, an extra coaxial S/PDIF input and output are provided. The 8i6 is equipped with two 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 two front sockets can be set to Hi-Z. The Scarlett 8i6 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.

headphone jacks on the right side of the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 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 and headphone controls of the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen

The power of eight

The Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 is a compact desktop interface and is therefore particularly suited to project studios. It is sturdily built yet lightweight and portable. The eight flexibly designed inputs should suit any purpose, and the four outputs mean you can create an alternative monitoring mix or integrate outboard effects units. Moreover, 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.

Focusrite logo on the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen

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.

front of the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen

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.

Different programs found in the Hitmaker expansion

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.

313 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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182 Reviews

A
Aaron20 11.02.2022
Nice look, build and the sound quality but was very dissapointed that the volume at the rear inputs is incredibily low. I have tried plugging in my drum machine in to th rear inputs and keyboard and the volume is unacceptable. This was a response from Focusrite: “ You do highlight a familiar point with the inflexibility of the line inputs; this is something that we are looking to potentially include in future products should this be feasible. Since these fixed gain ports are designed to accommodate such a wide range of input levels (including very 'hot' signals), when some third-party hardware such as drum machines (which are not outputting at such a high level) are being used they can be a little quieter than ideal.” From what I read in the forums a lot of keyboard players are unhappy after purchasing this interface. This interface is more suitable for recording vocals and guitars but not drum machines or keyboards. Also it is not a very straightforward way to set things in Focusrite Control. Was quite dissatisfied and didn’t expect this from Focusrite. My honest review.
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14
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CA
Reliable interface but Software could be improved.
Carl Ahn 25.02.2021
Firstly, the build quality is excellent, sound is quiet and clear and for this price it’s is a great option for a small home studio set up.

However I find the ‘Mix Control’ software quite confusing and very unintuitive.
I have to restart my mac or already have the Focusrite plugged in on start up, in order for the software to register that it the device connected. The layout of the Mix Control settings are also not user friendly at all.

Another con is that phantom power covers both inputs. It would’ve been nice to have the option to select between the two.

I have since upgraded to external hardware preamps and now mainly use the line inputs / outputs which work absolutely fine. ..once you get the hang of how to route everything with the Mix Control!
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3
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SE
I wish I bought this 30 years ago.
Steady Eddie 17.02.2022
I'm a computer moron. I've always played live and never wanted to go down the recording path. But this gadget makes it so easy. I have a iMac, and it connects without having to even think about it. Perhaps the same is true for PCs, but I don't know.
I'm very excited about being creative.
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S
Very good but..
Safwat 27.09.2020
The product is amazing in all aspects, it is very powerful, no need to add on that, but it is not suitable for high impedance Headphone, I have two 250 ohms beyerdynamic 770 and 990, the headphones out sound coming from the Focusrite is very weak and not enough for high impedance Headphone, I have bought the Focusrite after reading in their website that with 8i6 model if the device was connected to power it will be suitable to operate 600 ohms headphones, and this information is not precise. They should have mentioned that you will be able to hear sound from your high impedance headphones, but the sound may not be enough for your liking. or you will get 10% of the required power to operate your high impedance headphones.

Anyway, for my 32 ohms AudioTechnics it is working fine, and it is working seamlessly with my KRK Rokite 8 Monitors, the main output is very powerful, 30% of it blows my studio apart.
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5
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