All user reviews of 4/5 for the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20

The Scarlett-18i20 is an audio device that has a selection of inputs and outputs that can be effectively used to record a band. This device replaces heavy amounts of equipment that may you need in a studio in order to combine the mix and instead finds them all in a single audio interface. The device also has exceptional sound quality and comes with Mic pre-amps that are designed by focusrite and have an award winning sound to back them up. The audio interface also comes with a circuit design that is both analogue and digital and is therefore capable of recording audio at an extremely high quality.

Utilization

The first thing I noticed about the Scarlett-18i20 was that it had a wide selection of inputs and outputs, as well as many ways in which to tweak the volume of each of the connections. I was able to plug the audio interface directly into my computer easily and effectively thanks to the 2.0 USB connection that it had.

Key features


I found there to be 18 inputs and 20 outputs. There was also 8 Mic preamps on the device with the ability to switch them to phantom power. The audio Interface also came with analogue inputs that had a combination of XL and jack sockets. As well as this, there are also eight channels of digital I/O which are accessible via an ADAT light pipe. There are also several headphones outputs which allow you the ability to send the mix to several individuals at once. For instance, you could send the sound output to the individual artist, as well as the sound engineer.

There is also a section for monitoring and this comes with buttons that you can use to cut the sound, as well as the ability to control the studio monitors that are running from the audio interface. I also was pleased that the audio Interface worked with software such as Abelton live, and it made the process of submitting the audio into the program easier and more fluid.

Comparison

The closest audio interface that you could compare with the Scarlett-18i20 is that of the focusrite Saffire pro 40. I found the design of the Scarlett-18i20 to be very similar of the Saffire pro 40 and there was a similar amount of inputs and outputs, as well as a selection of control on the gain on the Saffire pro 40 which was similar to that of the Scarlett-18i20.

One of the main differences between the two audio interfaces is that the Scarlett-18i20 are continuing to be developed by focusrite, where as the Saffire models have stayed the same over the years, with the input design of a FireWire cable. This type of connection uses less CPU power than USB but is being discontinued by modern computers. This means that they risk being discontinued and may therefore be unsuitable for individuals who are running the latest computer software with which to use the device.

Pros and cons

This is a very well-designed audio interface with a wide variety of input and output options. I experienced very clean sound when I played guitar softly through the audio interface. However, when I began to play the guitar on a more intense level I found that clipping occurred. This can be an issue and you need to be careful that the volume on the instrument that you play into the audio Interface isn't too loud, otherwise you will get permanent clicking on your recordings and this will be undesirable in most situations.

Some individuals have also complained that the Scarlett-18i20 device did not work with their Mac computer and that they had to upload the latest drivers in order to get it working. I did not have this problem but I would imagine that it is not the most difficult procedure to carry out.

Summary

If you are interested in producing music for a band which uses many different inputs when recording music then a device such as the Scarlett-18i20 will be perfectly suited in a studio environment. The device is also light enough to carry around and this means that you can create high-quality recordings in any location. I recommend the Scarlett-18i20 audio interface for any individuals who have a desire to record music.

I bought this soundcard to have the maximum of inputs and outputs for my home-studio. In this respect, I have nothing to say. The soundcard is very good, you will be limited by the PC, not by the card itself!!! I use it with a UAD twinfinity 710 preamp and dbx 166xs compressor. Simply wow (for a home studio)!

Computer: intel core i3 3.10 Ghz, 4GB, running windows 7 64bits.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are very stable, not a single crash nor recording ruined. I don't know if they are updated frequently, there's no need to update

I use it with Cubase 6.5.

No issues recording 16 tracks at the same time. I haven't exceeded 16 playback tracks.

GETTING STARTED

Problem-free installation. Setup relatively easy (except for the software routing).

I took a quick look at the manual. Sorry!

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for 4 months now. I had had four soundcards before. And this one is the best (I only know home-studio quality soundcards).
What I like best: Its rack format, that it's internally powered, its performance, its two headphone outputs, its combo jacks on the front, its stability.
What I like least: Its finish (slippery volume controls, small and very, very fragile pad, inst and phantom power buttons!!!). I've had two broken and I don't even know why!

What motivated my choice, it is primarily the number of inputs and outputs as well as the possibility of the sound card in a rack.

UTILIZATION

The drivers for the sound card are very stable, never had any problems so far, no crash, nothing.
I use the sound card with Cubase 5 and I use essentially the course scarlett mix control which is very convenient to change the routing in particular.
I can record two tracks simultaneously and read at the same time more than a dozen tracks without problems with latency set to 5ms.

GETTING STARTED

The installation was easy, you just install the various elements in order and everything goes.
To configure it took me no more than 5 minutes to understand how the Scarlett Mix Control (very important with this card) and in front of the card there is almost nothing to do.
I did not have incompatibilities and the manual explains things very well.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the card for 8 months and I have not tried other equivalent models before have I just had a little roland quadcapture before.
What I like most is the scarlett mix control software which is really convenient to use and I also like to use the card in "stand alone".
The price / quality ratio seems more than good, I can make high quality recordings for guitar and bass (the recording were used for EP)

With the experience I certainly would do this choice!

I use it in a post-production studio. 18 ins, 20 outs. Very comprehensive soundcard, Adat I/Os, SPDIF...

UTILIZATION

Very stable drivers, no dropouts, no problems in particular. Zero latency with a good computer behind. I use it with Cubase 5 64bits.

GETTING STARTED

No remarks.

OVERALL OPINION

I cannot repeat this enough, I'm a Focusrite fan. I invested on this interface for my professional studio and I will most probably add to it RME converters. The Mix Control is extremely adjustable, you can do whatever you want with it. The converters are of very good quality for the price, I'm actually surprised because I didn't expect such quality. A truly excellent choice.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
- The number of inputs / outputs, noon, the rack format, Focusrite's reputation.
- The ability to create templates for routing using the card stand alone.

Which instruments and systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ... AND For what purpose? What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard, ...)?

- At home: a JV80 for audio input (jack 6.35) + midi, bass (instrument inputs 6.35), a low multi-effect insert (6.35 jacks) output audio BX5a monitorings m (6.35 to XLR jacks) .
- On stage: electronic drum midi (on addictive drums), ableton lite sequences triggered by the drummer, drums and ableton separate outputs, audio inputs from the console for recording.

A home PC: MSI motherboard P8P67_LE + 8GB Ram + Samsung SSD + i7 core 3.22Ghz + Protools 10.
On stage on laptop (not mine, I have no references at hand).

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
Yes but with Pro Tools ... the shit that méchament (I lean more to a problem with PT more than asio drivers).

What software do you use most often?
Pro-tools 10 with amount of plugs, Ableton Live Lite.

How many tracks you get record / playback simultaneously? ...
-I tested 8, no problem (I have no ADAT devices to use the additional digital inputs).

Are they often updated?
- I have not seen any update since I bought it in late June but I do not feel that there really needs it.

What you get lag?
- On average depending on the setting between 8 and 20ms. (Usually about 11ms).

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems?
- You click, it works ...

The general configuration is easy?
-Configuration Scarlett MixControl should get the hang of, and I admit that at first I struggled a bit, but it's pretty well done.

Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
Non-

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Slightly amber-but I've seen much worse.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
- 4 months

Have you tried many other models before buying it?
I went through a EMU0404 (yuck!) and a M-Audio fasttrack pro.

What is the particular feature you like best and least?
- PLUS: the number of inputs / outputs, the sound quality.
- LESS: forced to push the knobs to have enough gain, the "I turn I turn back" 2/3 times for the usb is paid (I think it's just my usb motherboard, j ' have already seen problems with other stuff).

How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice? ...
- Quality / price hard to beat (€ 500 in Music Melody Rouen report, I prefer to go to my dealer where I've been going for over 20 years, when I have a problem, they provide, whereas with Thomann. ..), I would do this choice with his eyes closed.
- I hesitated with a more expensive mk3 motu, just a little too expensive for my means.