Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 USB Audio Interface

Full Description

Two award-winning Focusrite preamps and a host of other I/O combine with the latest in mix control software to deliver seamless integration, excellent routing flexibility and rock-solid driver stability.

Alongside the two high-quality mic preamps, two additional analogue inputs, four analogue outputs, S/PDIF and MIDI open the door to true multi-track recording. Two Hi-Z instrument inputs let you plug straight in without the need to buy additional DI boxes, and two virtual Loopback inputs are also available for routing digital audio between software applications: ideal for capturing online audio.

The two Focusrite preamps ensure low noise and distortion, whilst quality digital conversion ensures pristine quality as your audio flows between the analogue and digital domains. Combined with the very latest in USB interfacing technology, excellent routing flexibility and rock-solid driver stability, the Scarlett 8i6 is the heart of the modern home studio.

Included with the 8i6 is Scarlett MixControl, an 18 x 6 DSP mixer. Offering a level of flexibility that is unmatched at this price point, it enables you to create up to six separate mono mixes with ultra-low latency, then route any combination of input signals and sequencer outputs to any of the Scarlett 8i6 outputs and recall intuitive one-click configurations that help you track, monitor and mix as quickly as possible.

Scarlett 8i6 comes with all of the additional tools needed to start making music straight away. Scarlett VST/AU/RTAS Plug-in Suite comes in the box, adding Focusrite compression, reverb, gating and EQ to your recording system.

Focusrite's Xcite+ bundle is also included. The bundle features Ableton Live Lite (for all your production, performance and compositional needs), Novation's Bass Station soft synth and over 1 gig of royalty-free samples from Loopmasters.

To take a look at a comparison chart of the Focusrite Scarletts please download the PDF below.

Features and Specifications

• Two high-quality award-winning Focusrite preamps
• Total I/O count of 8 inputs and 6 outputs
• High-quality 24-bit/96kHz USB interface
• Pro conversion and jitter elimination technology
• Scarlett MixControl ultra-low-latency DSP mixer/router provides an 18 x 6 DSP mixer with excellent routing flexibility
• Lower than 1.4ms latency
• Scarlett VST/AU/RTAS Plug-in Suite: Scarlett compression, reverb, gating and EQ
• Xcite+ Software Bundle includes royalty-free loops and samples, Novation Bass-station soft-synth, Ableton Live Lite 8
• Two Hi-Z instrument inputs
• Dedicated front-panel headphone bus
• Switchable phantom power
• Software PFL allows the mix engineer to easily monitor a single mixer channel or complete mix
• Dimensions: 215mm x 45mm x 220mm (8.5 x 1.8 x 8.7 inches)
• Weight: 1.5kg / 3.3lbs

Channels at a glance

In:

• 2 Mic/Line/Instrument Combo XLR including 2 instrument inputs
• 2 Line analogue 1/4" TRS Jack on rear panel
• 2S.PDIFRCA phono on rear panel
• 2 Loopback virtual internally routed software inputs
• 16 MIDI 5 pin DIN connector provides 16 channels of MIDI

Out:

• 4 Line analogue 1/4" TRS Jack on rear panel
• 2S/PDIFRCA phono on rear panel
• 16 MIDI 5 pin DIN connector provides 16 channels of MIDI

Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-4)

• 2 Mic XLR Combo (channels 1-2) on front panel
• 2 Line ¼? TRS (channels 3-4) on rear panel
• Automatic switching between Mic / Line (channels 1-2)
• Switching between Line / Instrument Inputs (channels 1-2) via Scarlett MixControl Application
• Switching between +16dBu (low) and -10dBV (high) gain on inputs 3-4 via Scarlett MixControl Application

Digital Channel Inputs (Inputs 7-8) 44.1 - 96kHz

• Stereo S/PDIF input on RCA

Analogue Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-4)

• 4 ¼? TRS Jacks
• Output Level control (analogue) for outputs 1 and 2
• Stereo Headphones on ¼? TRS (also routed to Outputs 3 & 4) with independent analogue volume control

Digital Channel Outputs (Outputs 5-6) 44.1 - 96kHz

• Stereo S/PDIF Output on RCA

Other I/O

• 1 USB 'Type B' Connector
• 2 Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors: In and Out
• DC Power Input Connector (for use with supplied universal input power supply

Front Panel Indicators

• 2 two segment input meters, -18 and 0dBFS
• LKD Locked Indicator
• USB Connected Indicator
• Instrument input source selection LED for channels 1 and 2
• Phantom Power (48V) switch and LED for inputs 1 and 2

System Requirements

• MAC: OS X 10.6.5 Snow Leopard
• WINDOWS: Windows 7 (All versions), Windows Vista (32 bit only), or Windows XP SP3 (32bit only)