Designed to provide a complete studio hub, Focusrite has added the Scarlett 18i20 to its series of high-quality USB 2.0 interfaces.
The unit features enough inputs and outputs to record and mix a full band, and features Focusrite analogue and digital circuit design. It offers 18 inputs and 20 outputs in total, with eight Focusrite microphone preamps with switchable phantom power. Precision A-D/D-A converters deliver high dynamic range.
The analogue mic/line inputs are fitted with combination XLR/jack input sockets, and connections for Channels 1+2 are on the front panel and offer additional Hi-Z instrument modes and a switchable 10dB pad. An additional eight channels of digital I/O (four channels at 88.2/96kHz) are provided via Adat lightpipe, with SPDIF providing an additional stereo digital input and output. Dual independent headphone outputs allow separate mixes for engineer and artist, while a dedicated monitor section, with dim and mute buttons, provides comprehensive control over studio monitoring.
Scarlett 18i20 ships with a software suite, including Ableton Live Lite music production software. Record audio and Midi, and run VST audio instruments and effects, such as the compressor, reverb, gate and EQ processors included in the Focusrite Scarlett plug-in bundle.
The unit will ship worldwide in March 2013 with an MSRP of £399.99 inc.vat/US$599.99 and $499.99 at dealers.
