Focusrite's Scarlett 18i8 is an ideal audio interface for engineers and producers who have to adapt to ever-changing recording situations. Four award-winning Focusrite mic/instrument preamps and two instrument inputs are right on the front panel where you need them. Boasting a total of eight line inputs, an ADAT input, four analog outs, plus S/PDIF and MIDI I/O, the 18i8 gives you generous connectivity and the flexibility you need to handle challenging setups. The third-generation Scarlett 18i8 advances the state-of-the-art in USB audio interfaces with two upgraded Scarlett mic preamps, high-performance 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA converters, optimized preamp gain structure, vanishingly low latency, instrument inputs that handle scorching hot pickups, and speaker switching technology for dual-monitor setups. The mic preamps now feature Focusrite’s acclaimed Air mode that provides the coveted Air effect modeled on the company's legendary ISA console transformers to give your voice and instrument recordings a brighter, more open sound. The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is the perfect foundation for a serious home or mobile studio. Fire up the included software and start producing great-sounding music today.
The 3rd-generation Focusrite Scarlett 18i8's exterior has undergone a sleek makeover. Under the hood, though, it's been tweaked and upgraded to deliver better sonics, lower latency, and enhanced ease of use. With sample rates up to 192kHz, you've got studio-grade sound you can take anywhere. Focusrite has added their renowned Air circuit to their already-amazing Scarlett mic preamps. The instrument inputs have also been re-engineered to handle the hottest active pickups. Lastly, Focusrite has wired analog protection circuitry across the Scarlett 18i8's inputs and outputs, safeguarding your interface from damaging power surges.
You know you perform better when you've got a great-sounding monitor mix with everything you need to hear to be inspired — for example, reverb and delay on a guitar solo. The Scarlett 18i8's super-low latency lets you monitor with native plug-in effects in real time, so you can hear your parts as you envision them and record better performances. At Music Experience, we know you can't put a price on that. But if you prefer the simplicity and convenience of monitoring your input direct with guaranteed low-latency, simply engage the Direct Monitor circuit. A duo of virtual loopback inputs allows you to capture a stereo feed of any combination of hardware input and software playback channels, making podcasting, live streaming, and sampling tasks a cinch.
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is equipped with two vibrant and pristine Focusrite preamps. For over 25 years, Focusrite's award-winning pres have proven their mettle in pro studios around the world. Focusrite ports their considerable design savvy into the transparent, low-noise, low-distortion preamps in the Scarlett 18i8. This is the same technology found in Focusrite's flagship products, giving you gobs of available headroom to accommodate your dynamic, condenser and ribbon mics on any source, no matter how boisterous. Of course, you also get phantom power for your mics that require it. Add to that Focusrite's switchable Air mode, and you've got the sound that launched a thousand hits.
Your mom always said to watch your levels. Well, perhaps she didn't, but you know you should — and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 makes it easy. The 18i8's innovative halo indicators always let you know when you've got a healthy signal level for recording. If the halo is red, your signal is clipping, and you should back down your gain. The halo will momentarily turn amber as the level returns to a happy level — at which point it will turn green. Simple and intuitive, isn't it?
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 ships with a killer software bundle headlined by Ableton Live Lite and the Pro Tools First Focusrite Creative Pack. You also get Softube's Time and Tone Bundle, the Focusrite Red Plug-In Suite, and access to the Focusrite Plug-in Collective, which offers free software downloads and generous discounts. Focusrite has included everything you need to get up and running fast.
Focusrite has also partnered with Splice to give 3rd-generation Scarlett owners a free 3-month Splice Sounds subscription when setting up their new Splice account. Splice Sounds offers millions of high-quality, royalty-free loops, one-shots, and presets, with new releases daily from your favorite sound designers, artists, and producers. Artists are using Splice to create all kinds of music, from chart-topping pop, and Grammy-winning albums, to underground mix tapes, and even cinematic scores.
Thanks to you, Scarlett has already helped make more records than any other range of interfaces in history. And with the 3rd Generation, you’ll sound better than ever. Featuring six configurations of ins and outs with the best performing Scarlett mic preamps the range has ever heard, now with Air, high headroom instrument inputs, and high-performance converters, Scarlett is enabling millions of musicians, songwriters and producers to record, mix and play back audio in studio quality everywhere, all the time. The 3rd Generation Scarlett 18i8 gives you all the tools to record all your instruments in studio quality, anywhere. With its high channel count, compact size and a huge selection of software in the box, 18i8 is ready to record your band wherever you are.
18i8 has a way in for everyone, with four mic/line inputs, two of which double as instrument-ins, and four fixed line-ins. Then, you have four balanced line-outs and speaker switching plus two independent headphone outs to monitor, mix and play back however you want. Whatever you’re recording, wherever you are, you can take your whole studio with you.
We’ve been making mic preamps for 30 years, and the 3rd Gen mic pre is the best Scarlett has ever heard. The 24-bit/192kHz converters give your recordings clarity and detail. Air mode breathes life into vocals, adding unique high-end detail. Our decades of experience mean Scarlett sounds just like you.
With ADAT, you can grow your recording capabilities even further. Want to mic up an entire drum kit? Add an eight-channel mic pre such as Scarlett OctoPre or Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic and never miss a beat.
Focusrite Control makes it simple to route your audio and cue mix, loopback and monitor mixes, from your Mac®, PC, iPad®, iPhone® or iPod touch®. Send, stream, sample – simple.
Incredibly reliable, Focusrite hardware won’t let you down. If, however, you come across a problem you can rely on our global support team and your two-year warranty to get it sorted. Sound.
Your 18i8 interface comes with a whole range of recording software, sounds and plug-ins to choose from:
Avid® Pro Tools® | First Focusrite Creative Pack:
hundreds of virtual instrument sounds, 500MB of loops, and great-sounding effects
Ableton® Live Lite™:
industry-leading music-making software
Three Month Splice Sounds Subscription:
Get access to millions of high-quality, royalty-free one-shots, loops, and presets, with new releases daily
XLN Audio Addictive Keys:
choose one of four inspiring virtual keyboard instruments
Softube Time and Tone Bundle: three of Softube's world class reverb, delay and distortion plug-ins, and an an easy-to-use mastering tool
Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite:accurately models our classic Red 2 equaliser and Red 3 compressor
Focusrite Plug-in Collective: receive free versions of the most innovative software, as well as benefiting from discounts
Focusrite Control: route your audio and cue mix, loopback and monitor mixes, from your Mac®, PC, iPad®, iPhone® or iPod touch
When you buy any Focusrite hardware you gain access to the most innovative music software brands on the market. Plug-in Collective keeps you up to date on the latest tools, offering you new free downloads every couple of months, along with generous discounts. Let’s stay together.
| Computer Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Desktop |
| Simultaneous I/O | 18 x 8 |
| Number of Preamps | 4 |
| Phantom Power | Yes |
| A/D Resolution | Up to 24-bit/192kHz |
| Analog Inputs | 4 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/Hi-Z), 4 x 1/4" (line) |
| Analog Outputs | 4 x 1/4" (line out) |
| Digital Inputs | 1 x Coax (S/PDIF), 1 x Optical |
| Digital Outputs | 1 x Coax (S/PDIF) |
| Headphones | 2 x 1/4" |
| MIDI | In/Out |
| USB | 1 x Type USB-C |
| Software | Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First Creative Pack, Red Plug-in Suite, Focusrite Collective access |
| OS Requirements - Mac | macOS 10.12 or later |
| OS Requirements - PC | Windows 10 v1809 or later |
| Power Supply | 12V DC power supply (included) |
| Depth | 7.56" |
| Width | 9.02" |
| Height | 2.6" |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs. |
| Manufacturer Part Number | AMS-SCARLETT-18I8-3G |
