Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, a USB audio interface for Mac and PC, is the flagship of the acclaimed Scarlett interface series. It features eight balanced line inputs for connecting synthesizers or other line-level audio sources and ten balanced outputs. In addition, it features a digital stereo input and output in S/PDIF format and an eight-channel ADAT I/O. The eight analogue inputs are combined XLR/jack sockets and can thus be used with microphones. The 18i20 features eight high-quality Scarlett microphone preamps with switchable 48V phantom power, as well as the brand-new Air Mode. Electric guitars and basses can also plugged in directly, since the impedance of the two front sockets can be set to Hi-Z. The Scarlett 18i20 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.

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.

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.