Focusrite Scarlett 18i8, User Manual

Page 1: ...User Guide www focusrite com Version 1 0 1 8i8 ...

Page 2: ... your Scarlett 18i8 13 Power 13 USB 13 Audio Setup in your DAW 14 Loopback Inputs 15 Examples of Usage 16 Connecting microphones and instruments 16 Low Latency Monitoring 17 Connecting Scarlett 18i8 to loudspeakers 18 Using the ADAT connection 20 Using the Scarlett 18i8 as a stand alone mixer 21 FOCUSRITE CONTROL 22 SPECIFICATIONS 25 Performance Specifications 25 Physical and Electrical Characteri...

Page 3: ...he driver so in either case you only need to install Focusrite Control to get up and running This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the hardware 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 awa...

Page 4: ...y 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 Box Contents Along with your Scarlett 18i8 you should find External 12 V DC mains Power Supply Unit PSU USB cable Type A to Type C Getting Started Information printed...

Page 5: ... C port on the rear panel connect it to your computer using the USB cable provided Note that Scarlett 18i8 is a USB 2 0 device and thus the USB connection requires a USB 2 0 compliant port on your computer Your computer will initially treat your Scarlett as a Mass Storage Device MSD and during its first connection the Scarlett will be in MSD Mode Quick Start Tool We have tried to make registering ...

Page 6: ...rea to get the software for your Scarlett or to follow a step by step setup guide based on your choices Once you have installed the Focusrite Control software to setup and configure your interface the Scarlett will be switched out of MSD mode so that it no longer appears as a Mass Storage Device when connected to your computer Your OS should automatically switch the computer s default audio inputs...

Page 7: ...ote 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 ...

Page 8: ...arlett or to follow a step by step setup guide based on your choices Once you have installed the Focusrite Control software to setup and configure your interface the Scarlett will be switched out of MSD mode so that it no longer appears as a Mass Storage Device when connected to your computer Your OS should automatically switch the computer s default audio inputs and outputs to be the Scarlett 18i...

Page 9: ...n do so at https customer focusrite com user register You will need to enter the Serial Number manually this number can be found on the base of the interface itself and also on the barcode label on the side of the box We recommend that you download and install our Focusrite Control application as this will disable MSD mode and unlock the full potential of the interface Initially when in MSD mode t...

Page 10: ...er at the XLR contacts mic inputs of the Combo connectors in pairs 1 2 3 4 The 48V indicators illuminate red when phantom power is selected 4 GAIN 1 to GAIN 4 adjust the input gain for the signals at Inputs 1 to 4 respectively The gain controls have concentric tri colour LED rings to confirm signal level green indicates an input level of at least 24 dBFS i e signal present the ring then turns ambe...

Page 11: ...ch between your main monitors and the secondary pair ALT illuminates green when selected This function may also be selected from Focusrite Control 10 MIDI LED a green LED illuminates when MIDI data is received at the MIDI IN port 11 MONITOR main monitor output level control normally adjusts the level at Outputs 1 and 2 on the rear panel but will follow selection of ALT mode 9 and will also control...

Page 12: ...t 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 16 USB 2 0 port Type C connector connect the Scarlett 18i8 to your computer with the cable supplied 17 MIDI IN and MIDI OUT standard 5 pin DIN sockets for connection of external MIDI equipme...

Page 13: ... 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 If your computer has a Type C USB port please obtain a Type C to Type C cable from a computer supplier USB Standards Note that because the Scarlett 18i8 is a USB 2 0 device the USB connection requires ...

Page 14: ...http focusrite com get started where Getting Started videos are available Operating instructions for Ableton Live Lite and ProTools First are beyond the scope of this User Guide but both applications include a full set of Help files Instructions are also available at www avid com and www ableton com respectively Please note your DAW may not automatically select the Scarlett 18i8 as its default I O...

Page 15: ...ts enabled in Ableton Live Lite s Input Config and Output Config pages Typical name Terminology may differ slightly between DAWs Loopback Inputs You will notice that two additional inputs Inputs 11 12 will be listed on the Input Config page of your DAW s I O Preferences These are virtual loopback inputs within software not additional physical inputs They can be used to record DAW tracks from sourc...

Page 16: ...may have already been recorded The front panel input sockets are XLR Combo type which accept either an XLR male connector you will probably have one on the end of your microphone cable or a 6 35 mm jack plug Note the Scarlett 18i8 has no Mic line switch the Focusrite preamplifier stage is automatically configured for a microphone when you plug an XLR into the input and for a line or instrument whe...

Page 17: ...fer which could be necessary when you record overdubs on a particularly large project using many DAW tracks software instruments and FX plug ins Common symptoms of a buffer setting that is too low include audio glitching clicks and pops or an unusually high CPU overhead within your DAW most DAWs have a CPU load monitoring feature Most DAWs will allow you to adjust buffer size from their Audio Pref...

Page 18: ...re 3 pole TRS 6 35 mm jack sockets and are electronically balanced Typical consumer hi fi amplifiers and small powered monitors will probably have unbalanced inputs either on phono RCA sockets or via a 3 5 mm 3 pole jack plug intended for direct connection to a computer In either case use a suitable connecting cable with jack plugs at one end Professional active monitors and professional power amp...

Page 19: ...en switch between your main monitors and the secondary pair by clicking on the on screen MAIN and ALT buttons When ALT is active the main mix output will be fed to the LINE OUTPUTS 3 and 4 instead of 1 and 2 and the green ALT LED will light to confirm this Main Monitors Passive Secondary Monitors Active ALT MAIN Note that as you switch between MAIN and ALT the Line Outputs feeding the pair of spea...

Page 20: ...Control Inputs 1 2 on front panel Optical ADAT connection TOSLINK Inputs 1 to 4 on front panel Up to 16 Mic Line Sources Scarlett Octopre 8ch Mic Amp The Scarlett OctoPre s ADAT output is connected to the Scarlett 18i8 s ADAT input with a single TOSLINK optical cable To synchronise the devices set the clock source of the Scarlett OctoPre to Internal and that of the Scarlett 18i8 via Focusrite Cont...

Page 21: ...figuration 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 To FOH Mixer In the example illustrated three stereo keyboards are connected to the inputs of the Scarlett 18i8 the Monitor Outputs go to the main PA system The performer can adjust the gain for two of the keyboards against the thi...

Page 22: ... suit the number of inputs and outputs and other facilities available on the hardware IMPORTANT A separate Focusrite Control User Guide can be downloaded once you have completed the on line registration process This describes the use of Focusrite Control in full detail together with examples of application To open Focusrite Control Installing Focusrite Control on your computer will place an FC ico...

Page 23: ...d 48 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 17 ADAT 5 18 ADAT 6 19 ADAT 7 20 ADAT 8 ...

Page 24: ...ut 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 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 ...

Page 25: ...ample 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 1dB Dynamic Range 111 dB A weighted THD N 0 0012 minimum gain 1 dBFS input with 22 Hz 22 kHz bandpass filter Noise EIN 128 dB A weighted Maximum input level 9 dBu at minimum gain Gain Range 56 dB Line Inputs 1 to 4 Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz 0 1 dB Dynamic Range 110 5 dB A w...

Page 26: ...ighted THD N 0 002 minimum gain 1 dBFS input with 22 Hz 22 kHz bandpass filter Maximum input level 18 dBu at minimum gain Line Outputs 1 to 4 Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz 0 1 dB Dynamic Range 108 5 dB A weighted THD N 0 002 minimum gain 1 dBFS input with 22 Hz 22 kHz bandpass filter Maximum Output Level 0 dBFS 15 5 dBu balanced Headphone Outputs Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz 0 1 dB Dyna...

Page 27: ...antom power switch for inputs 3 and 4 Analogue Inputs 5 to 8 Connectors 4 x balanced TRS jacks on rear panel Analogue Outputs 1 to 8 Connectors Outputs 1 to 4 4 x balanced TRS jacks on rear panel Stereo headphone outputs Outputs 5 to 8 2 x TRS jacks on front panel Main monitor output level control On front panel Headphones level controls Other I O Optical input TOSLINK optical connector carrying 8...

Page 28: ...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 W x H x D 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 94 lb ...

Page 29: ...our 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 All other trade marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners 2019 Focusrite Audio Engineering Limi...