Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen – Audio Interface

OVERVIEW

The Scarlett18i20 is the industry-leading USB audio interface for project studios, with pro-grade converters taken directly from Focusrite’s flagship RedNet range. It’s ideal for tracking; the eight 4th Gen mic preamps have an impressive 69dB of gain, capable of capturing the most dynamic performances, with Auto Gain and Clip Safe modes taking care of levels so you can focus on the take. Scarlett 18i20 is also the perfect hub to integrate your DAW and hardware with more than enough analogue and digital I/O to connect a huge number of external instruments, processors, and effects, and manage complex routing with incredible ease via Focusrite Control 2 software.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

The ultimate Scarlett

Introducing Scarlett 18i20 is the industry-leading USB audio interface for project studios, with converters taken directly from Focusrite’s flagship RedNet range. It features 18 inputs and 20 outputs — including eight mic preamps, Hi-Z and line inputs, ADAT, SPDIF, MIDI, and Word Clock.

Capture everything

The 4th Generation preamps offer an impressive 69dB of headroom, so you can capture the most dynamic performances with high-quality results from any microphone. Two Hi-Z instrument and eight line inputs provide enough connectivity to keep your outboard patched in. Powerful outputs ensure clean, ultra-low distortion playback; plus, two brand new custom-designed headphone amps to drive high-impedance headphones with ease.

Audio quality beyond its class

Completely redesigned audio circuitry now includes the same professional-grade 24-bit, 192kHz converters as Focusrite’s RedNet range — the choice of multi-million dollar recording studios and broadcast facilities — and boasts an impressive 120dB of dynamic range to capture everything from a whisper to a jet engine.

Air: That big console sound

Re-engineered Air mode takes your sound’s unique character and brings it to the front of the mix, adding musical presence or rich harmonic drive to vocals and acoustic instruments; replicating the sound of driving a classic studio console.

Auto Gain: Work faster

The Scarlett 18i20 has unique workflow tools that benefit engineers of all experience levels. With Auto Gain, in just a few seconds, Scarlett will set the perfect level for whatever you’re recording. Set usable levels for multiple microphones instantly, so you can get complex sessions up and running quickly.

Clip Safe: Never lose a take

As you record, Clip Safe checks your levels up to 96,000 times a second, automatically tweaking the gain to avoid clipping, so you avoid introducing any unwanted artefacts from hard limiting. Clip Safe means you’ll never lose a take; especially in high-pressure environments such as location recording and live shows.

Talkback and monitoring tools

The 18i20 features a built-in talkback mic, A/B speaker switching for instant referencing on different monitors, and eight channels of LED bar metering which can be assigned to inputs or outputs, as well as master output metering.

Control your mixes with desktop and mobile apps

The Focusrite Control 2 software takes care of setting up routing, levels, monitor mixes, and all other functions on 18i20. It’s fast and simple to operate; and in addition to the desktop application, the iOS and Android Focusrite Control 2 apps enables engineers and performers to adjust monitor mixes and mic pre gains — Scarlett’s preamps are remote controllable — away from the computer in the live room.

Industry-leading production software

The 4th generation Scarlett 18i20 comes with Ableton Live Lite, a three-month subscription to Pro Tools Artist, three months of Splice Sounds, and a whole host of software instruments, processors, and effects from some of the biggest names in the business. Discover some of the best-loved studio tools on the planet for writing, recording, mixing, and mastering:

• Antares® Auto-Tune® Access

• Softube® Marshall® Silver Jubilee 2555

• Native Instruments® MASSIVE

• Sonnox VoxDoubler

• Landr Studio, plus five free masters

• Brainworx® bx_console Focusrite SC

• Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite

• XLN Audio® Addictive Keys

• XLN Audio® Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock

• Relab’s LX480 Essentials

• FAST Balancer

• Ableton Live Lite: The iconic DAW gives you everything you need to get started including instruments, effects and Live’s trademark clip and scene launching for taking ideas further or performance.

• Three Month Avid® Pro Tools® Artist Subscription with Complete Plugin Bundle: A three-month subscription to Avid Pro Tools Artist and Avid Complete Plugin Bundle, with a 25% discount on Avid Pro Tools Artist after the subscription period, or a 33% discount on Avid Pro Tools Studio.

• Splice Sounds: Three months Splice Sounds membership with new Splice accounts – offering millions of high-quality, royalty-free one-shots, loops, and presets, with new releases daily.

Hitmaker Expansion

• Antares® Auto-Tune® Access: For everything from natural sounding, near-real-time pitch adjustment for getting the best vocal takes, to lightning-fast Hip-hop-inspired pitching for adding a whole new sound to your tracks.

• Softube® Marshall® Silver Jubilee 2555: Time to heat up your guitar tones. Plug in and fire up a hyper-realistic model of Marshall®’s Silver Jubilee 2555 — brought to you by analogue-modelling experts Softube®. This powerhouse amp model serves up everything from warm cleans, through to classic crunch, and up to modern high-gain tube amp sounds.

• Native Instruments® MASSIVE: Want to add some real drama to your track? MASSIVE from Native Instruments® is all about the BIG synth sounds – from huge bass to scorching leads. This high-end engine delivers stunning quality and an expansive universe of sounds to power and inspire your music. If deep-diving into synthesis is not on your radar, there’s over 1300 production-ready that you can use as is, or fine-tune to perfection. 

• Sonnox VoxDoubler: Take the fast track to great sounding, standout vocals. Doubling a recorded vocal is a great way to bring contrast, drama and presence to your songs. Sonnox VoxDoubler makes it easy, with two distinct plugins that focus on widening and thickening, the most common vocal doubling techniques. Bring a professional sheen to your productions while preserving a perfectly natural sound.

• Landr Studio, plus five free masters: Produce and release your best work with two-month’s access to Landr Studio, as well as five free masters you can use even when your two month’s subscription is over. Landr Studio provides everything you need to mix and master your tracks, including unlimited MP3 mastering, and unlimited distribution on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, TikTok, and many more.

• Brainworx® bx_console Focusrite SC: The preamps that made Focusrite what we are today to your music. No other plugin offers the unique character of the iconic large format console, with ISA 110 preamps — the origin of the famous ‘Air’ we still hear on Focusrite interfaces today. bx_console Focusrite SC is a full channel strip, offering EQ, de-esser, compressor, limiter, gate and expander.

• Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite: Featuring a pair of meticulously captured digital models of the truly iconic EQ and Compressors which have made the Focusrite name a staple in world-class facilities across the globe. If you’ve kept up with major releases over the last 30 years, you’ve heard Red 2 and 3.

• XLN Audio® Addictive Keys: Add great sounding piano to your tracks with the Studio Grand, based on the iconic Steinway® Model D. Plug in your MIDI controller and play; you’ll be instantly transported to a professional recording studio set up to capture this beautiful piano.

• XLN Audio® Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock: Add the sounds of a pro drummer to your songs easily. Featuring expertly captured samples from a high-end Tama® and Pearl® drums, and Paiste® and Sabian® cymbals, recorded at Decibel Studios in Stockholm.

• Relab’s LX480 Essentials: Get four reverbs, modelled on The Hit Factory NYC’s reverb unit, and used on countless hits. LX480 Essentials gives you the sounds of a studio which has played host to names from Springsteen, the Stones and Kool and the Gang, to The Weeknd, Pharell, Katy Perry, and everyone in between.

• FAST Balancer: Want great great sounding mixes fast? FAST Balancer accelerates production process by using powerful AI that listens to your instrument or vocal tracks and serves up three selectable options to enhance the track and help them shine in the mix.

*All other product names and brands cited herein are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used on this page are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.

Easy set up

Focusrite’s Easy Start web tool will get 18i20 up and running with zero effort, helping you locate the drivers, take you through the installation process, and direct you towards the included software.

Enjoy three years of warranty

Wherever you happen to be in the world, you can rely on a three-year warranty if any Focusrite hardware needs repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault.

FEATURES

• 18 inputs and 20 outputs; including eight mic preamps, line, instrument, and MIDI I/O: Fully equipped for demanding project studios with ADAT and SPDIF I/O
• 4th Gen pre-amps with 69dB of gain: The legendary preamps now have even more gain and are remote controllable
• Auto Gain and Clip Safe modes: 18i20 can automatically manage levels so engineers can focus on capturing the performance
• Re-engineered Air mode with Presence and Harmonic Drive: Analogue circuitry and onboard DSP emulate the sound of studio consoles and the classic ISA
• Low latency monitoring: Direct routing and six internal mixers to send audio wherever you need to in super-low latency 
• 24-bit, 192 kHz conversion with 120dB of dynamic range: The same AD/DA converters as Focusrite’s flagship RedNet range
• Focusrite Control 2 software and mobile app: Instantly set up mixes and manage levels on your computer, or remotely from a mobile device
• Two powerful custom-designed headphone amps: Engineer and artist can independently monitor with high-quality playback on any headphones
• A/B speaker switching: Essential for serious project studios with multiple monitor rigs and control rooms
• Dynamic metering for input and outputs: Get instant visual indication of your input and output levels from the hardware
• Included production software: Comes with Pro Tools Artist, Ableton Live Lite and a suite of instruments, processors, and effects 
• Easy Start tool: Get up and running immediately with Focusrite’s driver installation and getting started tool

TECHNICAL SPECS

Product Hardware Specifications 

• Number of Microphone Preamps: 8
• Phantom Power: Yes (Independent)
• Instrument Inputs: 2
• Line Inputs: 8
• Air Mode: Yes
• Auto Gain: Yes
• Clip Safe: Yes
• Line Outputs: 10
• Headphone Outputs: 2
• ADAT Inputs: 2
• ADAT Outputs: 2
• SPDIF Input: 2
• SPDIF Output: 2
• MIDI Input: 1
• MIDI Output: 1
• Loopback: Yes
• Connectivity: USB Type-C
• Protocol: USB 2.0
• Form Factor: Desktop
• Simultaneous I/O: 20 x 24 (including Loopback)
• A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192 kHz
• Bus Powered: No

Software Compatibility

Scarlett 18i20 is class compliant so will work with Mac, Windows PC, Chromebook, USB-C iPad, and iPhone.

Power Requirements

• 100-240V, 50/60Hz 30W (IEC Cable included)

What’s in the Box

• 1 x Scarlett 18i20
• 1 x IEC Cable
• 1 x USB Cable

Single Hardware Unit (NET)

• Weight:
  • Without Accessories 3.304 kg (7.28 lbs)
  • With Accessories: 3.648 kg (8.04 lbs)
• Dimensions – Height x Width x Depth/Length:
  • 46.55 mm x 259.73 mm x 442 mm (1.83″ x 10.21″ x 17.37″)

Single Boxed Unit (GROSS)

• Weight: 4.828 kg (10.65 lbs)
• Dimensions — Height x Width x Depth/Length:
  • 349 mm x 494 mm x 99 mm (13.74″ x 19.45″ x 3.90″)