Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 User Manual
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Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 User Manual

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1 8 i 8
User Guide
www.focusrite.com
Version 1.0

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Summary of Contents for Focusrite Scarlett 18i8

  • Page 1 1 8 i 8 User Guide www.focusrite.com Version 1.0...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Using the Scarlett 18i8 as a stand-alone mixer........

  • Page 3: Overview

    Although all inputs and outputs on the Scarlett 18i8 are routed directly to and from your DAW for recording and playback, you can configure the routing within your DAW in order to meet your precise needs.

  • Page 4: Box Contents

    - before they arrive at your DAW, should you need to do so. The Scarlett 18i8 also has connectors for sending and receiving MIDI data; this lets you use it as a MIDI interface between your computer’s USB port and other MIDI equipment in your system.

  • Page 5: 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.
  • Page 6 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.

  • Page 7: Windows Only

    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”;...
  • Page 8 Your OS should automatically switch the computer’s default audio inputs and outputs to be the Sound Settings Scarlett 18i8. To verify this, right click on the Sound icon on the taskbar and select and set the Scarlett as the Input and Output Device.

  • Page 9: All Users

    In order to force your Scarlett 18i8 out of MSD mode without first registering it, hold down the 48V button for Inputs 1 and 2 while disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable, and then continue to hold the same 48V button for a further five seconds.

  • Page 10: Hardware Features

    INST – the input configuration for the jack contacts at Inputs 1 and 2 can be selected in software from Focusrite Control. The red LEDs illuminate when INST is selected. With INST selected, the gain range and input impedance are altered (relative to LINE), and the input is made unbalanced.
  • Page 11 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.

  • Page 12: Rear Panel

    44.1/48 kHz sample rate or four channels at 88.2/96 kHz. These are simply additional inputs (13 to 20) to the Scarlett 18i8. The optical input can also be used as an S/PDIF input if you need to connect equipment with an optical S/PDIF output. Note that the optical input is disabled when sample rates of 176.4/192 kHz are in use.

  • Page 13: Connecting Your Scarlett 18I8

    USB Port Types: The Scarlett 18i8 has a single Type C USB 2.0 port (on the rear panel). Once the software installation is complete, simply connect the Scarlett 18i8 to your computer; if your computer has a Type A USB port we recommend you use the Type A-to-Type C USB cable provided with the unit.

  • Page 14: Audio Setup In Your Daw

    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. To allow you to get started if you do not already have a DAW application installed on your computer, both ProTools | First and Ableton Live Lite are included;...

  • Page 15: Loopback Inputs

    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).

  • Page 16: Examples Of Usage

    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.

  • Page 17: Low Latency Monitoring

    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.

  • Page 18: Connecting Scarlett 18I8 To Loudspeakers

    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.
  • Page 19 When is disabled, Line Outputs 1 to 4 are all initially muted (for safety); you will need to unmute the appropriate outputs in Focusrite Control. Please see the Focusrite Control manual for more details of Speaker Switching.

  • Page 20: Using The Adat Connection

    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 a separate 8-channel microphone preamplifier equipped with an ADAT output –...

  • Page 21: Using The Scarlett 18I8 As A Stand-Alone Mixer

    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.

  • Page 22: Focusrite Control

    Focusrite Control in full detail, together with examples of application. To open Focusrite Control: Installing Focusrite Control on your computer will place an FC icon on the dock or desktop. Click the icon to launch Focusrite Control. Assuming that your Scarlett interface is connected to your computer with the USB cable, the Focusrite Control GUI (Graphical User Interface) will appear as shown below (Mac version illustrated).
  • Page 23 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 . INPUTS OUTPUTS Input 1...
  • Page 24 At 88 .2 kHz and 96 kHz sample rates: CH NO . INPUTS OUTPUTS Input 1 Output 1 + S/PDIF 1 Input 2 Output 2 + S/PDIF 2 Input 3 Output 3 Input 4 Output 4 Input 5 Headphones 1 L Input 6 Headphones 1 R Input 7...

  • Page 25: Specifications

    Configuration Inputs 18: analogue (8), ADAT (8), S/PDIF (2) Outputs 10: analogue (4), headphones (2 x 2), S/PDIF (2) Fully assignable 20-in/8-out software mixer (Focusrite Mixer Control) Digital Performance Supported sample rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz...
  • Page 26 Instrument Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB Dynamic Range 110 dB (A-weighted) < 0.03% (minimum gain, -1 dBFS input with THD+N 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...

  • Page 27: Physical And Electrical Characteristics

    TOSLINK optical connector carrying 8 channels @ 44.1/48 kHz Optical input or 4 channels @ 88.2/96 kHz in ADAT format 2 x phono (RCA) or via Optical input (selected via Focusrite S/PDIF I/O Control) 1 x USB 2.0 Type C connector...
  • Page 28 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...

  • Page 29: Troubleshooting

    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.

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