Today we will be taking a sneak peek at Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Audio Interface!
Whether you’re setting up a new studio or upgrading an existing one, finding the ideal audio interface at the right price can be a tough job. This is where the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 audio interfaces come in. At such an affordable price, the 18i20 is Scarlett’s most flexible interface.
Specifications
This audio interface is rack-mountable and weighs about 7 pounds, which means that when placed on a rack, it won’t slide away when the buttons are pushed. Along with the 18 inputs and 20 outputs, the front panel comes with two mic preamps. It offers dual headphone outputs with dedicated control, speaker switching for dual monitor setups, a dimmer, and a unique talkback button.
The front panel is packed with knobs and buttons in such a way that nothing looks out of place. It also provides an easy-to-read LED bar-graph meter which is a satisfying way to check signals and set levels. Around the back, there are six XLR combo inputs with an additional eight channels of S/PDIF, MDI I/O, ADAT I/O, and word clock out.
Price
This high-quality audio interface with exceptional performance comes at a reasonable price of $549.99. The Air effect, the eight best performing preamps, and the sleek, ergonomic design are all available at a price that feels like a bargain.
Performance
Focusrite has integrated their well know Air circuit into their Scarlett mic preamps. The 24-bit/192 kHz converters add clarity and crispness to vocals as well as to voiceovers and instruments. When talking about circuits, another thing that people love in the 18i20 is the wired analog protection circuits that are implemented on all the inputs and outputs of the Scarlett 18i20, preventing power surges from destroying the interface.
Another aspect that got a lot of praise from the users is the Scarlett 18i20’s extremely low latency. This enables the users to record better performances as they can monitor them in real-time. With the help of Focusrite control and the virtual loopback function, the process of making podcasts, live streaming, and sampling becomes effortless.
The onboard talkback feature and the built-in talkback mic delivers a studio-like feel wherever the 18i20 is set up. The task of communicating with artists becomes very straightforward.
Extensive Software Bundle
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 comes with an exquisite software bundle mainly consisting of Ableton Live Lite and the Pro Tools First Focusrite Creative Pack. Focusrite is now also providing a free 3-month Splice Sounds subscription for users who are setting up their new Splice account.
Other tools that feature with the 18i20 include Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 Plug-in Suite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, a choice of 1 of 4 XLN audio addictive keys virtual instruments, and access to Focusrite plug-in collective, which allows the user to download other software for free or get them at amazing discounts.
Final Words
Although the Scarlett 18i20 has a lot of fancy features and an elegant design, what matters, in the end, is how it sounds. The 18i20 is tested by numerous songwriters, musicians, and producers to record and mix audio. However, at no point has it been found that the 18i20 couldn’t handle what was thrown at it.
