8 i 8 User Guide Version 1.0 www.focusrite.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OVERVIEW Introduction Thank you for purchasing this Third Generation Scarlett 18i8, one of the family of Focusrite professional audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-amplifiers. In conjunction with the unit’s accompanying software application, Focusrite Control, you now have a compact yet highly versatile solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer.
A completely new feature on the Third Generation 18i8 is the ALT function, which provides secondary monitor speaker switching. This lets you connect a second pair of monitor loudspeakers to Line Outputs 3 and 4 and switch between the pairs to reference your mix on a different set of speakers. The ALT function is configured and selected from Focusrite Control.
GETTING STARTED With the Third Generation, Scarlett interfaces introduce a new, faster way of getting up and running, using the Scarlett Quick Start tool. All you need to do is power your Scarlett 18i8 using the mains adapter supplied, and then connect its USB port to one on your computer. Once connected, you will see that the device is recognised by your PC or Mac and the Quick Start tool will guide you through the process from there. IMPORTANT: The Scarlett 18i8 has a single USB 2.
Double-click on the icon to open the Finder window shown below: Double-click on the “Click Here to Get Started.url” icon. This will redirect you to the Focusrite website, where we recommend that you register your device: Click on “Let’s get you started”, and you’ll be presented with a form which will be partly prefilled for you automatically.
Windows only: On connecting your Scarlett 18i8 to your PC, a Scarlett icon will appear on the desktop: (Note that the drive letter may be something other than D:, depending on what other devices you have connected to your PC.) Double-click on the pop-up message to open the dialogue box shown below: Double-click on “Open folder to view files”; this will open an Explorer window: Double-click “Click Here to Get Started”.
This will redirect you to the Focusrite website, where we recommend that you register your device: Click on “Let’s get you started”, and you’ll be presented with a form which will be partly prefilled for you automatically. On submitting the form, options will be presented to either go straight to the downloads to get the software for your Scarlett, or to follow a step-by-step setup guide based on your choices.
All users: Note that a second file - “More Info & FAQs” - is also available during the initial set-up process. This file contains some additional information about the Focusrite Quick Start tool which you may find helpful if you have any issues with the procedure.
HARDWARE FEATURES Front Panel 5 7 4 6 1 3 5 7 4 7 6 6 1 2 4 7 4 10 9 8 6 3 2 11 12 12 The front panel includes input connectors for Mic, Line and Instrument signals, the input gain and monitoring controls, and headphones sockets. 10 1. Inputs 1 and 2 – “Combo” type input sockets - connect microphones, instruments (e.g., guitar), or line level signals here. Combo sockets accept both XLR and ¼” (6.35 mm) jacks.
7. PAD – four green LEDs; illuminate when PAD is selected from Focusrite Control for Inputs 1 to 4. PAD decreases the signal level going to your DAW by 10 dB; use when the input source has a particularly high level. 8. USB LED - a green LED which illuminates when the unit is recognised by the computer to which it is connected. 9. ALT – when Speaker Switching is activated via Focusrite Control, the main monitor mix is diverted from LINE OUTPUTS 1 and 2 to LINE OUTPUTS 3 and 4.
Rear Panel 21 20 19 18 15 16 14 17 13 17 13. LINE INPUTS 5 to 8 – the inputs are balanced, on ¼” (6.35 mm) jack sockets. Connect further line level sources here, using either ¼” TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs. 14. LINE OUTPUTS 1 to 4 – four balanced analogue line outputs on ¼” (6.35 mm) jack sockets; use TRS jacks for a balanced connection or TS jacks for unbalanced.
Connecting your Scarlett 18i8 Power Your Scarlett 18i8 should be powered from an external 12 V DC, 1.2 A mains adaptor. A suitable adaptor is supplied with the unit. IMPORTANT: We very strongly recommend that you only use the supplied mains adaptor. Failure to use this adaptor is likely to permanently damage the unit and will also invalidate your warranty. USB USB Port Types: The Scarlett 18i8 has a single Type C USB 2.0 port (on the rear panel).
Audio Setup in your DAW The Scarlett 18i8 is compatible with any Windows-based DAW that supports ASIO or WDM or any Mac-based DAW that uses Core Audio. After following the Getting Started procedure described on page 5, you can start using your Scarlett 18i8 with the DAW of your choice.
Once the Scarlett 18i8 is set as the preferred Audio Device* in your DAW, all 18 inputs and eight outputs will appear in your DAW’s Audio I/O preferences (note however that Ableton Live Lite is limited to a maximum of four simultaneous mono input channels and four simultaneous mono output channels). Depending on your DAW, you may need to enable certain inputs or outputs before use. The two examples below show two inputs and two outputs enabled in Ableton Live Lite’s Input Config and Output Config pages.
Examples of Usage The Scarlett 18i8 is an excellent choice for several different recording and monitoring applications. Some typical configurations are shown below. Connecting microphones and instruments Direct Monitoring set up in Focusrite Control This setup illustrates a configuration for recording a group of musicians with DAW software on Mac or PC. In this case, Inputs 1 and 2 are used for two guitars, while Inputs 3 and 4 are used for vocals.
power, but note that some older mics may be; if you have any doubt, please check the specification of your mic to ensure that it is safe to use. Input channels 1 to 4 of the Scarlett 18i8 each have a PAD function: when selected from Focusrite Control (PAD illuminates green when active), the signal level fed to your DAW is reduced by 10 dB. You will find this useful if the output level of your source is particularly “hot”, when you might notice clipping or the gain halo turning red, even at minimum gain.
Connecting Scarlett 18i8 to loudspeakers The 1/4” LINE OUTPUTS 1 and 2 jacks on the rear panel will normally be used to send audio to monitoring speakers. Self-powered monitors incorporate internal amplifiers with a volume control, and may be connected directly. Passive loudspeakers will require a separate stereo amplifier; in this case, the rear panel outputs should be connected to the amplifier’s inputs. Active Speakers All the line output connectors are 3-pole (TRS) ¼” (6.
NOTE: You run the risk of creating an audio feedback loop if loudspeakers are active at the same time as a microphone! We recommend that you always mute (or turn off) monitoring loudspeakers while recording, and use headphones when overdubbing. Speaker Switching (Main/ALT) The 18i8’s ALT function makes adding a second pair of monitors very easy: simply connect the second pair to LINE OUTPUTS 3 and 4.
Inputs 1 & 2 on front panel Scarlett Octopre 8ch Mic Amp Optical ADAT connection (TOSLINK) Computer running DAW and Focusrite Control Up to 16 Mic/Line Sources Using the ADAT connection In addition to the eight analogue inputs, the Scarlett 18i8 has an optical ADAT input port which can provide an additional eight audio inputs at 44.1/48 kHz sample rate or four at 88.2/96 kHz. (Note that the optical ADAT input port does not support 176.4/192 kHz sample rates.
Using the Scarlett 18i8 as a stand-alone mixer The Scarlett 18i8 has the ability to store a mix configuration defined in Focusrite Control within the hardware. This feature lets you configure it – for example, as an on-stage keyboard mixer – using your computer, and then upload the configuration to the device itself. Then you can use the Scarlett 18i8 as a simple local mixer as part of your keyboard rig to control the overall mix of multiple keyboards.
FOCUSRITE CONTROL Focusrite Control software allows flexible mixing and routing of all audio signals to the physical audio outputs, as well as control of output monitor levels. Sample rate selection and digital sync options are also available from Focusrite Control. NOTE: Focusrite Control is a generic product, and may be used with other Focusrite hardware interfaces.
The following table provides the channel routings when preset option “Direct Routing” is selected in Focusrite Control; see the screen image on page 22. At 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sample rates: CH NO.
At 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz sample rates: CH NO. INPUTS OUTPUTS 1 Input 1 Output 1 + S/PDIF 1 2 Input 2 Output 2 + S/PDIF 2 3 Input 3 Output 3 4 Input 4 Output 4 5 Input 5 Headphones 1 L 6 Input 6 Headphones 1 R 7 Input 7 Headphones 2 L 8 Input 8 Headphones 2 R 9 S/PDIF 1 10 S/PDIF 2 11 Loopback 1 12 Loopback 2 13 ADAT 1 14 ADAT 2 15 ADAT 3 16 ADAT 4 At 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sample rates: 24 CH NO.
SPECIFICATIONS Performance Specifications NOTE: All performance figures measured in accordance with the provisions of AES17, as applicable. Configuration Inputs 18: analogue (8), ADAT (8), S/PDIF (2) Outputs 10: analogue (4), headphones (2 x 2), S/PDIF (2) Mixer Fully assignable 20-in/8-out software mixer (Focusrite Control) Digital Performance Supported sample rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz Microphone Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz - 20kHz ± 0.
Instrument Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB Dynamic Range 110 dB (A-weighted) THD+N < 0.03% (minimum gain, -1 dBFS input with 22 Hz/22 kHz bandpass filter) Maximum input level +12.5 dBu at minimum gain Gain Range 56 dB Line Inputs 5 to 8 Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB Dynamic Range 110.5 dB (A-weighted) THD+N < 0.
Physical and Electrical Characteristics Analogue Inputs 1 & 2 Connectors XLR Combo type: Mic/Line/Inst, on front panel Mic/Line switching Automatic Line/Instrument switching Via software from Focusrite Control Phantom power Shared 48 V phantom power switch for inputs 1 and 2 Analogue Inputs 3 & 4 Connectors XLR Combo type: Mic/Line, on front panel Mic/Line switching Automatic Phantom power Shared 48 V phantom power switch for inputs 3 and 4 Analogue Inputs 5 to 8 Connectors 4 x balanced ¼” TR
Front Panel indicators USB power Green LED Gain Halos Tri-colour LED rings (concentric with GAIN controls) Phantom power 2 x red LEDs Instrument mode 2 x red LEDs AIR mode 4 x yellow LEDs Pad active 4 x green LEDs MIDI data received Green LED ALT speaker mode Green LED Weight and Dimensions WxHxD 241 mm x 61 mm x 159.5 mm 9.49 in x 2.40 in x 6.28 in Weight 1.335 kg 2.
TROUBLESHOOTING For all troubleshooting queries, please visit the Focusrite Help Centre at https://support.focusrite.com/ where you will find articles covering numerous troubleshooting examples. COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES Your Scarlett 18i8 has a two-year warranty, valid anywhere in the world, against manufacturing defects. Full Terms and Conditions can be found at https://focusrite.com/warranty. Focusrite is a registered trade mark and Scarlett 18i8 is a trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited.
