Welcome to our Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen review! Within this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deep into every facet of this impressive audio powerhouse. For music producers, podcasters, or anyone seeking to enhance their sound quality – this is the article you’ve been waiting for.
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen stands out as a remarkable piece of hardware. It offers unrivaled power and superior sound quality with its four-mic preamps, various channels, and ultra-fast connectivity. With its pro-level features yet user-friendly interface, it is indeed a masterpiece that accommodates both beginners and professionals.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Channels | 18 in / 8 out |
| Microphone Preamps | 4x Focusrite 3rd Gen Scarlett mic preamps with Air |
| Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) | 24-bit/192kHz |
| Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) | 24-bit/192kHz |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C |
| S/PDIF | In/Out |
| ADAT | 2x Optical ADAT input |
| MIDI I/O | In/Out |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 390 x 181 x 48 mm (15.35 x 7.13 x 1.89 in) |
| Weight | 2.8 kg (6.17 lb) |
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen: A Quick Overview
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen is a versatile audio interface designed to meet the needs of both home studio enthusiasts and professional musicians. With eight inputs and four high-grade microphone preamps featuring the Air mode, it provides rich sound quality and flexibility for various recording environments.
The device comes equipped with both analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) converters operating at a pristine 24-bit/192kHz resolution, ensuring your audio is captured with incredible clarity.
Connectivity options are plentiful on the Scarlett 18i8, including USB Type-C for fast data transfer, ADAT inputs for additional expandability, and MIDI I/O for seamless hardware integration. Compact yet robust in build, it measures approximately 390 x 181 x 48 mm and weighs around 2.8 kg, making it portable enough for any setup while retaining professional-grade sturdiness.
Whether you are recording vocals or instruments, this audio interface offers tremendous value with its high-quality components and extensive connectivity options.
Design, Inputs, and Outputs
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen is indeed a work of art in design. With a sleek red metal casing, it stands out clearly and boldly. The front part of this device sports four Microphone Preamps inputs, fitted with combo XLR/TRS connectors. These are all unique to the 3rd Gen range.
Next to these are switches for line/instrument selection together with knobs for gain control. Each channel contains an LED halo that changes color to indicate the level of input signal. At the far right-hand corner, there are switches for +48V phantom power and direct monitoring.
Looking at the rear side of it we’ll find an abundance of output ports! Two main monitor outputs (quarter-inch TRS), four line outputs (also quarter-inch TRS) as well as SP/DIF digital input/output that provides two channels each way – one optical ADAT input offering eight more!
For digital inputs, there’s a USB Type-C connector flanked by five-pin MIDI connectors for In/Out operations and also two ports capable of handling optical ADAT input.
In simple terms, Input means where you can connect your microphones or guitars into and Output indicates where your sound will come out from – like speakers or headphones.
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Features
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen is jam-packed with impressive features, setting it apart from other industry competitors. This audio interface is versatile and high performance. Let’s take a closer look at some of its key features:
- Channels: The device houses an impressive 18 input channels and eight output channels. This provides you with ample space to connect several devices, making it ideal for complex recording setups.
- Microphone Preamps: The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen comes well-equipped with four esteemed Focusrite preamplifiers. They are third-generation units that feature Air mode, significantly enhancing the quality of sound produced by your microphones.
- High-resolution ADC and DAC: High-quality sound goes without saying when dealing with this flagship model from Focusrite. It boasts a remarkable Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), both providing a substantial bit depth of ninety-two kilohertz on twenty-four bits.
- Connectivity: Flexibility in connectivity options makes it user-friendly for a broad spectrum of users. The interface incorporates USB Type-C connectors which guarantees swift data transmitting rates.
- S/PDIF and ADAT Inputs: These offer additional options to route signals, providing more flexibility when setting your equipment up for recording sessions or live performances.
- MIDI I/O – MIDI input/output functionality allows you to operate multiple devices simultaneously, catering to all your recording needs swiftly and effectively.
This device measures at dimensions of ‘390 x 181 x48 mm’ hence offering portability besides being lightweight at approximately ‘2.8 kilograms’. In conclusion,the features combinely give the operator complete control over their sound in different environments.
Microphone Preamps
To keep it simple, microphone preamps (short for preamplifiers) are crucial devices in any audio recording setup. You may wonder, ‘what does a preamp do?’ Well, its primary job is to amplify the low-level signals received from microphones to a level that is more easily processed by other equipment like mixers and audio interfaces.
In our Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen review, these microphone preamps form a crucial feature of the interface. Tucked away under its sleek casing are four of Focusrite’s 3rd Gen Scarlett mic preamps with Air. It’s interesting to note that these are considered as some of the finest options available in today’s market.
Firstly, they offer a fantastic signal-to-noise performance. This means when you connect your mic and start recording, not only do they boost the weak mic signals efficiently but also ensure minimal noise infiltration into them. The result is clearer sound with minimal interference.
Secondly, the unique ‘Air’ mode feature in these preamps adds an extra edge to your sound. When activated it can transform your humble home recordings by giving them a richer and open sound often associated with professional studio recordings.
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Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality audio recording with a sample rate of up to 192 kHz and 24-bit resolution | May be complicated for beginners due to the number of ports and functions |
| Great connectivity options with PC or Mac, USB Type-C or Type-A | Price might be high for hobbyists or beginners |
| Packs versatile features like four microphone inputs, eight line outputs, two high-level instrument inputs | Software bundle may require time and effort to fully exploit all features |
| The software package included helps create professional-quality productions easily | Needs external power source which limits mobility |
| Outstanding build quality is durable for demanding setups on-the-go | Not portable as smaller interfaces in the series |
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Conclusion
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen has proven itself to be an exceptional audio interface. It’s suitable for any musician or audio engineer, whether beginner or professional. The device’s preamps offer crystal clear sound quality and the extensive input/output options ensure total flexibility for any recording situation.
The addition of the Air mode feature enhances its functionality, adding brightness to vocals and instruments when required. Plus, with various software included with this device, it becomes an even better bargain than others in the market may offer.
All in all, our Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen review concludes that it is one of the best choices on the market if you’re looking for high-quality sound and wide-ranging functionality.
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