The third - generation Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is an ideal audio interface for recording engineers and producers on the go. It has eight analogue inputs, including four mic/line inputs, two high - impedance instrument inputs for guitar or bass, and four fixed - line inputs at the rear. An optical input can expand up to eight extra channels for large - scale recordings. With enhanced A - D and D - A conversion, your recordings and playback will be crystal - clear up to 24 - bit/192kHz, helping you perfect your mix. It features four top - performing third - generation Scarlett mic preamps with an optional Air setting to give your vocals or acoustic recordings a brighter, more open sound. Each mic preamp has a pad to handle high - level signals without clipping. The Scarlett 18i8 offers two more line outputs than the previous generation and speaker switching for dual monitors. Two independent headphone outputs let the engineer and artist monitor during recording. Virtual loopback inputs make podcasting, live streaming, and sampling easier. Designed for road use, it connects directly to your Mac or PC via USB. It comes with essential software like Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First Focusrite Creative Pack, Softube’s Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite’s Red Plug - in Suite, and a choice of one of four XLN Audio’s Addictive Keys. Focusrite has also partnered with Splice to offer a free 3 - month Splice Sounds subscription for new users. And as with all Focusrite products, you get access to the Plug - in Collective, a two - year warranty, and award - winning customer support. Key features include four great mic preamps with switchable Air mode, two high - headroom instrument inputs, eight balanced line inputs, high - performance converters for up to 24 - bit/192kHz recording, and four monitor outputs with anti - thump technology and speaker switching.
Using the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is a breeze. First, connect it to your Mac or PC via the provided USB cable. Make sure to plug in the power supply as it's not bus - powered. For recording, you can use the four mic/line inputs for microphones or line - level sources, and the two high - impedance instrument inputs for your guitar or bass. If you're doing a large - scale recording, use the optical input to expand the channels. When using the mic preamps, you can switch on the Air setting for a brighter sound. Remember to use the pad on each preamp if you're dealing with high - level signals. For monitoring, you can use the two independent headphone outputs for the engineer and the artist. The speaker switching feature is handy for dual monitor setups. When it comes to software, install the included Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First Focusrite Creative Pack, and other plugins. Sign up for your free 3 - month Splice Sounds subscription. For maintenance, keep the device in a clean and dry place. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or humidity. If you encounter any issues, reach out to Focusrite's award - winning customer support. And don't forget to take advantage of the Plug - in Collective for free software downloads and discounts.
