Overview; Introduction; Features - Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 User Manual

OVERVIEW

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this Scarlett 18i20, one of the family of Focusrite professional computer
audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-amplifiers. You now have a
compact yet highly versatile solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer. You
can also use the Scarlett 18i20 as a "stand-alone" interface to any other type of recording device,
once you have configured it using Scarlett MixControl software.
This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the hardware and software to help you achieve a
thorough understanding of the product's operational features. We recommend that you take the time
to read through the user guide, whether you're new to computer recording or a more experienced
user, so that you are fully aware of all the possibilities that the Scarlett 18i20 and accompanying
software has to offer. If the main User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be
sure to consult http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase, which contains a comprehensive collection of
answers to common technical support queries.

Features

The Scarlett 18i20 hardware interface provides the means for connecting microphones, musical
instruments, line level audio signals and digital audio signals to a computer running compatible
versions of Mac OS or Windows via one of the computer's USB ports. The signals at the physical inputs
can be routed to your audio recording software / digital audio workstation (referred to throughout
this user guide as the "DAW"); similarly, the DAW's monitor or recorded outputs can be configured
to appear at the unit's physical outputs.
Audio sources – mics, instruments, etc. - connected to the physical inputs can be recorded in your
DAW and then replayed from there to the physical outputs. The physical outputs can be connected to
amplifiers and speakers, powered monitors, headphones, an audio mixer or any other analogue or
digital audio equipment that you wish to use. Although all inputs and outputs on the Scarlett 18i20
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.
The Scarlett 18i20 also has connectors for sending and receiving MIDI data, and for transmitting
word clock to ensure synchronisation with other items of digital audio equipment.
The accompanying software application, Scarlett MixControl, provides further routing and
monitoring options, as well as the ability to control global hardware settings such as sample rate
and synchronisation.
All inputs on the Scarlett 18i20 are routed directly to your DAW software for recording, but Scarlett
MixControl also allows you to route these signals internally within the device to the outputs so that
you can monitor the audio signals with ultra-low latency - before they arrive at your DAW.
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