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Focusrite Scarlett Gen 3 Audio Interfacesplay button

Focusrite Scarlett Gen 3 Audio Interfaces

Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen - Overview // Focusriteplay button

Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen - Overview // Focusrite

Focusrite // Scarlett 3rd Generation - 18i8play button

Focusrite // Scarlett 3rd Generation - 18i8

Hitmaker Expansion - Writing, Recording, Producing with Seids: Trailer // Focusriteplay button

Hitmaker Expansion - Writing, Recording, Producing with Seids: Trailer // Focusrite

Focusrite

collapse expand iconDescription

The third-generation Scarlett 18i8 is the perfect audio interface for recording engineers and producers who need to adapt to their recording environment, wherever they are.

It offers eight analog inputs: four mic/line inputs, two high-impedance, high-headroom instrument inputs and four additional fixed-line inputs on the rear. An optical input allows for expansion of up to eight additional channels for larger recording sessions. And with improved A-D and D-A conversion, your recordings and playback will sound clear and pronounced up to 24-bit/192kHz, vital to helping you perfect your mix.

Scarlett 18i8 features four of Focusrite’s best-ever-performing third-generation Scarlett mic preamps: with optional Air setting to reproduce the Air effect of their original ISA mic preamp, giving your vocal or acoustic recordings a brighter and more open sound. There’s a pad on every mic preamp to accommodate higher-level signals without clipping.

Scarlett 18i8 offers two extra line outputs over the previous generation, and speaker switching technology for dual-monitor setups. Two independent headphone outputs allow for both engineer and artist to monitor during recording sessions, and a pair of virtual loopback inputs allows you to capture a stereo feed of any combination of hardware input and software playback channels—making podcasting, livestreaming and sampling tasks easier.

Scarlett 18i8 is designed to stand up to days on the road, and connects straight to your Mac or PC via USB cable. It comes with all the software tools you need to get started: two comprehensive digital audio workstations, and Pro Tools Artist and the Hitmaker Expansion.

If that wasn't enough, Focusrite have partnered with Splice to give 3rd Gen. interface owners a free 3-month Splice Sounds subscription when setting a new Splice account. Splice Sounds offers millions of high-quality, royalty-free one-shots, loops and presets, with new releases daily from your favorite producers, sound designers and artists. Creators use Splice to make all kinds of music, including chart-topping pop, Grammy-winning albums, underground mixtapes and cinematic scores.

And as with all Focusrite products, you’ll also benefit from a three-year warranty and award-winning customer support.

Three-Month Avid Pro Tools Artist Subscription With Complete Plug-in Bundle
A three-month subscription to Avid Pro Tools Artist and Avid Complete Plug-in Bundle, with a 25% discount on Avid Pro Tools Artist after the subscription period, or a 33% discount on Avid Pro Tools Studio.

Landr Studio, Plus Five Free Masters
Produce and release your best work with two months' access to Landr Studio, as well as five free masters you can use even when your two months subscription is over.

Hitmaker Expansion
Antares Auto-Tune Access
For everything from natural sounding, near-real-time pitch adjustment for getting the best vocal takes, to lightning-fast hip-hop-inspired pitching for adding a whole new sound to your tracks.

Relab’s LX480 Essentials
Get four reverbs, modeled on The Hit Factory NYC’s reverb unit, and used on countless hits. LX480 Essentials gives you the sounds of a studio which has played host to names from Springsteen, the Stones and Kool and the Gang to The Weeknd, Pharell, Katy Perry, and everyone in between.

Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555
The modern evolution of the iconic JCM800, brought to you by analog-modeling experts Softube. The Silver Jubilee offers everything from warm cleans, through classic crunch, and up to modern high-gain tube amp sounds.

XLN Audio Addictive Keys
Add beautifully captured piano to your tracks with the choice of one of four professional-sounding models from Steinway, Yamaha and the classic Rhodes. Plug in your MIDI controller and play; instantly be transported to a professional recording studio set up to capture one of these beautiful pianos—right from your studio.

XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock
Add the sounds of a pro drummer to your songs easily. Featuring expertly captured samples from a high-end TAMA and Pearl drums and Paiste and SABIAN cymbals, recorded at Decibel Studios in Stockholm.

Brainworx Bx_console Focusrite SC
The preamps that made Focusrite what they are today to your music. No other plug-in offers the unique character of the iconic large-format console, with ISA 110 preamps—the origin of the famous "Air" you still hear on Focusrite interfaces today. Bx_console Focusrite SC is a full channel strip, offering EQ, de-esser, compressor, limiter, gate and expander.

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. If you’ve kept up with major music releases over the last 30 years, you’ve heard Red 2 and 3.
Open Box Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface (Gen 3) Level 1
Open Box Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface (Gen 3) Level 1
Open Box Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface (Gen 3) Level 1

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Four of the best performing mic preamps the Scarlett range has ever seen, now with switchable Air mode to give your recordings a brighter and more open sound
  • Two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass
  • Eight balanced line inputs for connecting synthesizers, drum machine and other line-level sources
  • High-performance converters enable you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • Four monitor outputs with anti-thump technology and speaker switching
    • Scarlett 3rd Gen included software:
    • Three-month Avid Pro Tools Artist subscription
    • Three-month Splice Sounds subscription
    Focusrite’s Hitmaker Expansion includes:
    • Antares Auto-Tune Access
    • Relab LX480 Essentials
    • Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555
    • XLN Audio Addictive Keys
    • XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2
    • Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC
    • Focusrite Red Plug-In Suite

    collapse expand iconSpecs

    • Connectivity: USB Type-C
    • Protocol: USB 2.0
    • Form Factor: Desktop
    • Simultaneous I/O: 18 x 8
    • A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
    • Number of Preamps: 4
    • Number of Pads: 4
    • Phantom Power: Yes
    • Instrument Inputs: 2
    • Line Inputs: 6
    • Analog Outputs: 4
    • Headphone Outputs: 2
    • Main/Alt Speaker Switching: Yes (via software)
    • Talkback: NO
    • Digital Inputs: ADAT
    • Digital Outputs: S/PDIF & 2 x ADAT
    • Loopback: Yes
    • MIDI I/O: Yes
    • Bus Powered: No
    • Included PSU: Yes

    Featured Articles

    collapse expand iconReviews

    4.14

    22 Reviews

    81%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend

    I actually upgraded to the 18i20

    Most Liked Positive Review

    5

    Check this out! Sounds great! Easy to use.

    Very easy to use right out of the box. I downloaded the wrong version of Focusrite Control at first, but when it didn't work a few times, I downloaded the correct one, and it was fine after that. I also had trouble with muting the microphone inputs when using this with QLab, but figured it out quickly. All you have to do is mute any mic input that you want to control with other software; that way, the channel that the mic is plugged into will be silent until you want to turn it on (in QLab, for example, with a Mic cue). I bought this as a stand-in for the Claret+ that I ordered a month or so ago, and which won't reach me until March. I couldn't go without an interface that long! The specs on the Claret+ are better; however, this one sounds really good, and I'll most likely hold onto the 18i8 after it arrives, so I have a more portable (and less expensive!) interface for live and remote work. Having two headphones jacks, to which you can assign different mixes, is great!

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

    1

    If Rice Krispies Made an Audio Interface......

    I really enjoyed my 2nd Gen 2i2 but needed to upgrade to something with more inputs, midi, so I opted for the 18i8 since my 2i2 was flawless ...and still had the older drivers, which I'll get to later. Removed the old drivers, even in my registry, then added the latest 3rd Gen software for the 18i8. From the moment I hooked up the 18i8 it sounded like I was playing an old LP with a periodic static pop. I tweaked everything to mitigate the noise. USB power settings, windows sounds off, windows power management set to "nuclear power plant," etc. to no avail. I even went as far as disabling USB 3.0 as someone suggested. Maybe I got a bad unit? It can happen. Exchanged it for another 18i8. Same issue. Since I'm a gamer I have 2 pc rigs, both with matching stats. One for gaming, and one for recording. One with Win10, and one with Win 7. Neither rig or operating system seemed to be the problem with the static popping sounds. So I plugged in my 2i2 just to see if the noise would go away. Nope. Same issue. It's probably the drivers for the 3rd Gen? Regardless, disappointed. Exchanged it for a TASCAM 208i and now have zero issues. Bye Focusite. Thanks for the 2i2 as it worked great, but the 3rd Gen 18i8 sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies.

    Filters
    Best Uses
    1. Home Studio15
    2. Professional Recording13
    3. Amateur Recording10
    4. Performances6
    5. Outdoor Events / Games3
    Cons
    1. Poor Sound Quality2
    2. Pricey / Poor Value2
    3. Unreliable1
    4. Poor support1
    5. Doesn't come with a USB-C cable!1
    Describe Yourself
    1. Experienced12
    2. Professional Musician5
    3. Novice3
    Pros
    1. Good Audio15
    2. Easy To Use14
    3. Compact10
    4. Durable9
    5. Versatile8

    Reviewed by 22 customers

    • replaced my gen1 4i4

      4

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted10 months ago

      bySteve

      fromBuckley, WA

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      Nice to have all the inputs, I replaced a mixer that ran to my Gen 1 Scarlett 4i4, the 4i4 was still working great. No more mixer needed, I have several items running to it, amp output, beat buddy , looper, acoustic pre amp DI, mic or sometimes 2 mics and the trio plus. Had problems with getting sound to work in Discord online, but started using a 3rd party app from Rouge Ameba called "loopback" , all is good now. Sound quality seems as good or better than 4i4 , air setting adds a bit of high end boost.

    • Outstanding and reliable performance

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitteda year ago

      byRick

      fromVisalia CA

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      The 18i8 is easy to connect, program, and operate. It performs as expected and the features are solid.

    • Awesome

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted2 years ago

      byKevin

      fromClarksville Tennessee

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I originally had the focusrite Scarlett 4i4, when I upgraded to the 18i8, recording became so much easier.

    • Check this out! Sounds great! Easy to use.

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted3 years ago

      byJames

      fromBerkeley, CA.

      Very easy to use right out of the box. I downloaded the wrong version of Focusrite Control at first, but when it didn't work a few times, I downloaded the correct one, and it was fine after that. I also had trouble with muting the microphone inputs when using this with QLab, but figured it out quickly. All you have to do is mute any mic input that you want to control with other software; that way, the channel that the mic is plugged into will be silent until you want to turn it on (in QLab, for example, with a Mic cue). I bought this as a stand-in for the Claret+ that I ordered a month or so ago, and which won't reach me until March. I couldn't go without an interface that long! The specs on the Claret+ are better; however, this one sounds really good, and I'll most likely hold onto the 18i8 after it arrives, so I have a more portable (and less expensive!) interface for live and remote work. Having two headphones jacks, to which you can assign different mixes, is great!

    • Great Interface

      5

      submitted4 years ago

      byNick T

      fromProvidence RI

      Using this to record bands first album. It's really great. The "air" functionality definitely improves the pre-amps. It wants a "hot mic" so likes condensers but needs another pre-amp to drive some dynamics and ribbons effectively. Overall it's great and does everything I need it to.

    • I actually upgraded to the 18i20

      4

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted5 years ago

      byKas

      fromNew York

      Great piece of equipment, if you have an extra $100 go for the 18i20 ...it has more I/o's and make things easier if you have to add extra outboard Equiptment (we always need an extra I/o 🙂)

    collapse expand iconQ&A

    Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

    • submitted8 months ago

      asked byEric

      fromOhio

      Can I use four condenser mics requiring phantom power and record them all at once with this product?

      Can I use four condenser mics requiring phantom power and record them all at once with this product?

      Open Reply - Gear-Support
      1) No, only two channels have phantom power. 2) How many track is dependant on your DAW, not the hardware.

    • submitteda year ago

      asked byLillian

      fromSalinas ca

      Does it come with the wire to inout already or do i have to buy that separately?

      Does it come with the wire to inout already or do i have to buy that separately?

      Open Reply - Gear-Support
      Yes, it does.

    • submitted5 years ago

      asked byG

      fromundisclosed

      Your description repeatedly says this has 18 inputs. This can't possibly be correct, am I right?

      Your description repeatedly says this has 18 inputs. This can't possibly be correct, am I right?

      Open Reply - Beau
      This interface actually has 8 inputs.

    • submitted5 years ago

      asked bydavid ch

      fromMiami, Fl

      thi product work on MAC OS Mavericks?

      thi product work on MAC OS Mavericks?

      Open Reply - Beau
      This interface would work on a MAC OS Maverick.