Owner's Manual

28
All the channels on your interface are able to accept dynamic or condenser microphones. The
Combo-type connectors sense either an XLR plug or a jack plug, and reconfigure the pre-amplifier
for mic or line operation automatically. The channels which additionally have the INST function use
the same connector. If you are connecting a microphone with an XLR plug, the INST/LINE switch will
have no effect.
Pad
Some of the channels on your Scarlett interface (model dependent) may have a PAD function: when
selected, 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. On the Scarlett 18i20 you can also select PAD from the front panel. Each
channel with the PAD function has a green PAD LED which illuminates when PAD is active.
Air
An important feature of all 3rd Generation Scarlett interfaces is Focusrite’s exclusive AIR function.
Individually selectable on all mic input channels, AIR subtly modifies the preamp’s frequency response
to model the sonic characteristics of our classic transformer-based ISA microphone preamps. When
recording with good quality microphones, you will notice an enhanced clarity and definition in the
important mid to high frequency range, just where it is most needed for vocals and many acoustic
instruments.
On some Scarlett models, you can also select AIR from the front panel of the interface. Each channel
with the AIR function has a front panel yellow AIR LED to indicate when AIR is selected.