Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (4rd Gen)

18×20: Eight Focusrite Preamps and Flagship RedNet Converters for Producers and Project Studios

Offering a powerful combination of user-friendliness and an array of workflow tools for recording, podcasting, and streaming, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (4th Generation) 18-in / 20-out USB-C audio/MIDI interface lets musicians, producers, and creators capture pristine audio on a Mac/Windows/Chromebook computer or USB-C iPad—with no learning curve. The 4th Generation model features eight ultralow-noise microphone preamps with up to 69 dB of gain to capture the full potential of your mics. The flagship, RedNet 24-bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converters provide a huge dynamic range up to 122 dB, matching the quality you’d find in a pro studio. The new Auto Gain mode automatically sets your recording level, and Clip Safe mode automatically prevents your signal from clipping, ensuring that every take is a keeper. The Loopback feature lets podcasters, gamers, YouTubers, and streamers mix audio from other apps running on the computer.

Scarlett 18i20 is the perfect hub to integrate your DAW and hardware, with eight mic/line inputs, two  instrument inputs, and ten line outputs, plus two ADAT I/O, S/PDIF I/O, and wordclock Out to connect external instruments, processors, and effects, and manage complex routing with incredible ease via Focusrite Control 2 software. Offering an onboard talkback mic for communication with talent, 8-channel LED bar-graph meters, dual headphone outputs with independent level controls, and speaker switching for dual-monitor setups, the 18i20 serves as a robust foundation for serious project studios that may require expansion in the future. The interface comes with production software including Pro Tools Artist, Ableton Live Lite, and a suite of instruments, processors, and effects.

Huge, 4th-Generation 122 dB Dynamic Range

• Scarlett 18i20 4th Generation uses the same studio-grade converters as Focusrite’s flagship RedNet interfaces, found in countless high-end studios worldwide.
• Thanks to its high-performance via 24-bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converters that deliver a huge 122 dB of dynamic range, the Scarlett 18i20 is well equipped to capture any source from vocals to acoustic and electric instruments clearly and accurately, so you don’t have to worry about the interface clouding your sound.
• Eight 4th-Generation Mic/Line Preamps with Air Mode
• •With a huge 69 dB gain range, the eight upgraded 4th-generation Scarlett XLR mic preamps capture the sound of your microphones with enhanced transparency and full detail. Switchable 48V phantom power is onboard to accommodate your favorite condenser mics.
• The preamps can be controlled remotely from your computer via the Control 2 software.
• The selectable-per-channel Air Mode brings the bright and open sonic signature of a big studio console to your microphone preamps.
• Air Mode adds high-end presence and rich harmonic drive to vocals and instruments, reproducing the Air effect of Focusrite’s original ISA mic preamp.

Two Hi-Z Instrument Inputs + 10 Line Inputs

• The two 1/4″ inputs on the Scarlett 18i20 4th Generation’s front panel are specially designed to preserve the quality of your sound when connecting instruments with high impedance (Hi-Z) like electric guitars or basses—no need for a DI box or amplifier.
• At the press of a button, each 1/4″ input can be used to input line-level sources, like a mixer’s output or the line outs from guitar and bass amps.
• With six combo-XLR/1/4″ line inputs on the back of the Scarlett 18i20, you can patch in line-level sources such as external mic preamps, an outboard mixer, or synthesizer sound modules while leaving the front-panel inputs free for direct connection of mics, instruments, or other line-level sources.

10 Line Outputs

• Four, balanced 1/4″ line outputs on the rear panel enable you to connect two different monitor setups with independent mixes or patch your favorite outboard gear and effects into your DAW.

2 ADAT I/0 + S/PDIF I/O

• The two ADAT optical I/O enable you to record and playback up to eight more channels of audio at up to 96 kHz (four channels at 192 kHz), a perfect way to pipe in an external 8-channel mic preamp with an onboard A/D converter or send tracks digitally to a headphone distribution system or digital mixer.
• The S/PDIF stereo digital I/O is great for recording the output of a digital DJ mixer or an external mic preamp outfitted with an A/D converter and S/PDIF output.

User-Friendly for Both Beginners and Experienced Creators

• The Scarlett 18i20 is designed to be user-friendly and offer a streamlined experience, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced audio enthusiasts.
• Plug in and tell Focusrite’s Easy Start tool how you want to use your Scarlett, and let it guide you through all the software and setup you need, with recording tips and other helpful content along the way.
• With the Scarlett 18i20’s independent gain knobs and 8-channel LED bar-graph meters, you’ll have no trouble dialing in the perfect levels. Plus, there are no menus or complicated controls to slow you down.

Auto Gain—Let Scarlett Set Your Levels

• Hit the Auto Gain button and play for ten seconds, Scarlett will set the perfect level for whatever you’re recording.
• Set usable levels for multiple microphones instantly, so you can get complex sessions up and running quickly.

Clip Safe—Make Every Take a Keeper

• While you’re playing, Clip Safe is all ears. Checking your levels up to 96,000 times per second, Clip Safe will automatically adjust the gain if you’re at risk of clipping, ensuring that your recordings remain distortion-free even when performing at higher volumes.

Two Independent Headphone Outs

• Two powerful, custom-designed headphone amps with a huge dynamic range sets the stage for loud, clear, and accurate playback and monitoring through any headphones.
• Separate knobs are provided for quick and independent adjustment of your speakers and headphone volumes.

Take Control of your Mixes with Control 2 Software—Latency-Free Monitoring

• The Focusrite Control 2 software simplifies setting up routing, levels, monitor mixes, and other functions on the Scarlett 18i16, direct from your Mac/Windows computer.
• User-selectable direct routing and six internal mixers enable you to send audio wherever you need it. You can hear your live-input signal with no distracting echo or latency.

Loopback for Podcasters, Gamers, YouTubers, Streamers

• Loopback lets you record other audio sources from within your computer (e.g., the audio output from a web browser) using the Scarlett’s virtual stereo inputs, which have no physical connectors on the hardware interface itself but may be selected in the DAW as signal sources.
• Podcasters can use it to record guests via video call. Gamers can record gaming audio plus a mic separately. YouTubers can record a mic over a video. You can also combine computer audio with your mic for streaming.

A/B Speaker Switching and Built-In Talkback Microphone

• The Alt button enables you to switch between 2 pairs of studio monitors.
• The convenient built-in talkback mic lets you communicate directly with musicians.

5-Pin DIN MIDI I/O

• On the Scarlett 18i20’s back panel, you’ll find traditional 5-pin MIDI I/O ports, perfect for hooking up a MIDI keyboard controller, a synthesizer/workstation, or a sound module, for MIDI recording, editing, and sequencing.

Standalone Mode

• The Scarlett 18i20 4th Generation can work in standalone mode and still pass audio from the inputs to the outputs without the need for a computer.
• Pro Tools Artist (3-month subscription with Avid Complete Plug-In Bundle)
• Ableton Live Lite recording software.

The Hitmaker Expansion bundle has everything you need to bring big studio sound to your songs, with an unbeatable range of record-making studio tools from the biggest names in the business:

• Get exceptional vocal tracks with Antares Auto-Tune Access and Relab LX480 Essentials reverb.
• Sonnox VoxDoubler offers two distinct plug-ins that focus on widening and thickening, the most common vocal doubling techniques for bringing a professional sheen to your productions while preserving a perfectly natural sound.
• Sculpt your sound with EQs and compressors from Focusrite Red 2 and 3 Plug-In Suites, and preamps from Brainworx Bx_console Focusrite SC.
• Then, heat up your guitar tones with a hyper-realistic model of Marshall’s Silver Jubilee 2555, brought to you by analog-modeling experts Softube.
• Need drums? XLN Audio’s Addictive Drums 2 lets you add the sounds of a pro drummer to your songs easily. Featuring expertly captured samples from high-end Tama and Pearl drums and Paiste and Sabian cymbals recorded at Decibel Studios in Stockholm.
• Synths and Keys? You’re well covered with the legendary MASSIVE from Native Instruments and XLN Audio’s Addictive Keys.
• Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-In Suite features a pair of meticulously captured digital models of the truly iconic EQ and compressors, which have made the Focusrite name a staple in world-class facilities across the globe.
• Relab’s LX480 Essentials gives you four reverbs modeled on The Hit Factory NYC’s reverb unit, and used on countless hits.
• Want great sounding mixes fast? FAST Balancer accelerates the production process by using powerful AI that listens to your instrument or vocal tracks and serves up three selectable options to enhance the track and help it shine in the mix.
• Produce and release your best work with two-month access to Landr Studio and five free masters you can use even when your two-month subscription is over. Landr Studio provides everything you need to mix and master your tracks, including unlimited MP3 mastering and unlimited distribution on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, TikTok, and many more.

Other software:

• Splice Sounds (3-month membership) offers millions of high-quality, royalty-free one-shots, loops, and presets, with new releases daily.
• Enjoy a 3-Year Warranty
• Wherever you happen to be in the world, you can rely on a 3-year warranty if any Focusrite hardware needs repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault.

FEATURES

• Producers and Project Studios
• External Power, Mac/Windows/iPadOS
• 8 Mic/Line Preamp, 2 Hi-Z Instrument In
• 2 Headphone Out, 10 Line Out
• 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA Conversion
• Auto Gain and Clip Safe Modes
• Air Mode, Virtual Loopback
• Speaker Switching, Built-In Talkback Mic
• 2 ADAT + S/PDIF I/O, Wordclock Out, MIDI
• Ableton Live Lite, Hitmaker Expansion