Using The Adat Connections - Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 User Manual

3. Using the ADAT connections

In addition to the eight analogue inputs, the Scarlett 18i20 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. Using a
separate 8-channel microphone preamplifier equipped with an ADAT output – such as the Focusrite
OctoPre MkII – provides a simple and excellent method of expanding the Scarlett 18i20's input
capability.
Inputs 1 & 2 on front panel
Octopre
8ch Mic Amp
Computer
Inputs 1 & 2 on front panel
running DAW
and Scarlett
Mix Control
The OctoPre MkII's ADAT output is connected to the Scarlett 18i20's ADAT input with a single TOSLINK
optical cable. Stable word clock synchronisation may be achieved by connecting the Scarlett 18i20's
WORD CLOCK OUT to the OctoPre MKII's WORD CLOCK IN and setting the OctoPre MkII to use this
as its sync source; alternatively, the Scarlett 18i20 may be set (in Scarlett MixControl) to synchronise
via Channel 1 of the incoming ADAT bitstream.
TIP: when interconnecting two digital devices by any method, always ensure that both are set to
use the same sample rate.
The additional inputs realised by use of the ADAT port may be routed using Scarlett MixControl in
exactly the same manner as the other inputs. The additional inputs can form part of any musician's
headphone mix, as required.
If a suitable ADAT "break-out" box is available, the ADAT output port may be used in the opposite
manner; for example, additional outputs from the DAW may be converted into the analogue domain
to allow the use of an external hardware mixing console to mix down a large number of DAW tracks.
Wordclock link Optical ADAT connection (TOSLINK)
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