At Focusrite, our motto is “Sound Is Everything”, and every Scarlett USB 2.0 audio interface exemplifies the importance of sound quality with top-quality precision digital conversion, with, in the case of the 18i8, four of Focusrite’s custom-designed ultra-transparent microphone preamplifiers. With 18 separate inputs in total (and eight independent outputs), 18i8 is perfect when you need to record and a significant number of sources simultaneously. You can also expand the 18i8 for even more recording flexibility. Like all Scarlett interfaces, 18i8 is fully compatible with Macintosh® (including Yosemite®), Windows® and even iOS® (Apple Camera Connection Kit required), and, with the new Red 2 and Red 3 AAX plugins that are included in the package, it’s a perfect partner for Pro Tools®.

Focusrite was founded by Rupert Neve in 1985 to create the highest quality mic preamps for Sir George Martin’s AIR Studios. Those classic, sought-after designs have informed all Focusrite mic pre designs created over the past 30 years. The mic pres included in Scarlett interfaces were designed specifically for the purpose, combining the best of our heritage design experience with the latest components and technologies for the most transparent, effective path in and out of your computer. Alongside the preamps at the heart of Scarlett 18i8 is Focusrite’s precision digital conversion, ensuring you get the very best quality for recording and replay alike. Focusrite has been building converters since the introduction of its mastering converter in 1993, and our careful choice of components and equally careful board design and multi-layer circuit boards ensure that you get superior low noise and distortion performance.

The first pair of 18i8’s four mic pres offer Mic/Line/Instrument on universal XLR/TRS connectors, while 3 and 4 offer Mic/Line capability on universal XLRs. All four are on the front panel and include pads and 48V phantom power. Four more line inputs are provided on TRS connectors. An ADAT optical digital connector provides eight additional digital inputs that can also be used with external mic preamps like Focusrite's OctoPre Mk II to increase the number of mic inputs the 18i8 can handle to 12. A stereo S/PDIF coaxial input is also included.

Two TRS monitor outputs are provided, plus stereo S/PDIF coax and two independent stereo headphone outputs – each with their own volume control, so artist and engineer can adjust their own monitoring settings. No breakout cables are required: all analogue inputs and outputs have their own connectors, and all feature Focusrite precision 24-bit, 96kHz sampling A/D and D/A conversion to get the most accurate signal possible into and out of recording applications on Windows, Mac® and now iOS apps.

Scarlett 18i8 is housed in a compact red unibody metal case to withstand the rigours of the road – and the studio. Input level controls feature signal halos – LED rings around the level control that give a simple and immediate go/no-go level indication: green means there is a recordable signal while red indicates overload. A large main monitor knob with mute button means that main monitor levels are always at your fingertips.

Included in the package is the Scarlett MixControl low-latency DSP-based software mixer and router, with intuitive one-click presets and Focusrite’s trademark low latency – under 1.4 ms. You’ll also find the Scarlett plug-in suite for VST, AU and RTAS, offering EQ, gate, compression and reverb, plus Ableton Live Lite, the Novation Bass Station soft synth and a Loopmasters sample pack.