Scarlett 18i20 is a 1U USB-C audio interface with 8 microphone preamps, 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs, 8 line inputs, 10 analogue outputs, 2 headphone outputs and 24-bit/192 kHz A-D/D-A converters, plus ADAT, S/PDIF and MIDI connectivity.

Overview

Scarlett 18i20 is a studio audio interface with high channel count and professional features, including a built-in talkback microphone and monitor switching.

Eight 3rd Generation Scarlett microphone preamps provide enough I/O to record a full band. Air mode recreates the characteristic effect of Focusrite ISA microphone preamps and is designed for recording vocals and guitars.

High-impedance instrument inputs with high headroom are suitable for recording guitar and bass without clipping. Ten balanced outputs with Anti Thump speaker switching are designed for monitoring and FX sends.

Two powerful headphone outputs with independent level controls allow monitoring, mixing and mastering. The built-in talkback microphone makes communication with the band easy during recording sessions. Loopback is designed for streaming and sampling.

The package includes software and plugins, including Ableton Live Lite, Avid Pro Tools Intro+ and Hitmaker Expansion with plugins from Antares, Brainworx, Softube, Landr, XLN Audio, Relab and others.

Key Features

• Eight inputs and ten outputs; eight 3rd Generation mic pres, two Hi-Z instrument inputs and ten balanced outputs, plus ADAT input and output for up to eight additional channels in each direction.
• Air Mode for vocals and acoustic instruments.
• 24-bit/192 kHz converters for studio-quality sound.
• Two powerful headphone outputs with independent level controls.
• Focusrite Control for easy audio routing and monitor mix creation.
• Loopback for streaming and sampling.
• Built-in talkback microphone.
• Flexible connectivity with MIDI and S/PDIF.
• USB-C connectivity, compatible with macOS and Windows.
• Includes Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, Cubase LE and Hitmaker Expansion, with plugins from Antares, Softube, Landr, XLN Audio and more.
• Three-year warranty and award-winning customer support for life.

Specifications

Overview

• Connectivity: USB Type-C
• Protocol: USB 2.0
• Form factor: Rack mount (1U)
• Simultaneous I/O: 18 x 20
• A/D resolution: 24-bit/192 kHz
• Number of preamps: 8
• Phantom power: Yes
• Number of pads: 8
• Instrument inputs: 2
• Line inputs: 8
• Analogue outputs: 10
• Headphone outputs: 2
• Main/Alt speaker switching: Yes
• Talkback: Yes
• Digital inputs: S/PDIF and 2 x ADAT
• Digital outputs: S/PDIF and 2 x ADAT
• Loopback: Yes
• MIDI I/O: Yes
• Bus powered: No
• Included PSU: Yes

Supported sample rates

• 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz

Microphone inputs

• Frequency response 20 Hz-20 kHz: ± 0.1 dB
• Dynamic range: 111 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: <0.0012%
• Noise EIN: -128 dBu (A-weighted)
• Maximum input level: 9 dBu (at minimum gain)
• Gain range: 56 dB
• Impedance: 3 kΩ

Line inputs

• Frequency response 20 Hz-20 kHz: ± 0.1 dB
• Dynamic range: 110.5 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: <0.002%
• Maximum input level: 22 dBu (at minimum gain)
• Gain range: 56 dB
• Impedance: 60 kΩ

Instrument inputs

• Frequency response 20 Hz-20 kHz: ± 0.1 dB
• Dynamic range: 110 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: <0.03%
• Noise EIN: 12.5 dBu (at minimum gain)
• Maximum input level: 9 dBu (at minimum gain)
• Gain range: 56 dB
• Impedance: 1.5 MΩ

Line/monitor outputs

• Dynamic range (line outputs): 108 dB
• THD+N: <0.002%
• Maximum output level (0 dBFS): 15.5 dBu
• Impedance: 430 Ω

Headphone outputs

• Dynamic range: 104 dB (A-weighted)
• THD+N: <0.002%
• Maximum output level: 7 dBu
• Impedance: <1 Ω

Compatibility

• Windows: Intel, AMD, and Arm64 processors supported
• macOS: Apple Silicon and Intel processors supported