Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Review [Extended Version]

Hey there, and thanks so much for checking out our Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 review.
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is a good budget interface option for those just starting out with their home recording studio. It is the best audio interface under $500.
Check price of Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 on Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/DoQa2
It has plenty of options for input/output and is designed for easy and convenient control to help you produce like a pro. While the proprietary Focusrite control software leaves much to be desired, it is easy to just “plug and play” with this audio interface through your DAW.
In this audio interface review, we go over some of the major features of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 and demonstrate how it works.
If you are an audio engineer that needs a budget audio interface, theFocusrite Scarlett 18i20 is a great option to consider. Check out our Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 review demo video.
What what are your opinions of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20? Do you have any tips on getting the most out of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20? Do you use a different audio interface? Let us know in the comments down below!
If you’re interested in purchasing the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 you can do so here on Amazon:
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Starting on the front on the unit on the left is dual XLR/TRS combo jacks. These also function as direct input jacks. Plug almost anything into these two jacks.
Heading right, there are two phantom power switches that power lines one through four and five through eight, respectively.
Following those are the two gain pots for the ins on the front of the unit with D/I and pad switches for each line. Moving on, there are six gain pots for the six onboard preamps.
That’s a total of eight front metering preamps on this unit! Beyond the display panel is the master volume control with dim and mute switches below.
On the far right is two seperate headphone outputs with separate volume controls and the power switch.
On the back panel there is (from the left) the port for the power lead followed by handy SPDIF and MIDI in and out jacks. An ADAT port is useful for sending eight channels through one optical cable.
Fine tune it with the option of attaching a word clock. Monitor out lines are after that followed by eight line outputs to the right. Those eight line outputs make it easy to attach external hardware to the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20.
For instance, hook up an external compressor, tape machine, or echo chamber. Finally, there are six line inputs on the far right with front panel controls.
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is a simple to use audio interface with a solution to almost every home recording studio problem. It is easy to mic up a whole drum set using this unit.
Don’t forget you can expand the unit with the ADAT cord to another eight channels. Those, plus the two SPDIF lines, can give you a grand total of eighteen different channels.
Now THAT’S flexibility and you can easily record a full band. At less than $500, it is a smart solution.
I’m Alex Scott, an award-winning musician, engineer and producer based in Denver, Colorado.
I’ve had the honor of working with many Grammy award winning and nominated artists and producers over my decade-long career as a professional in the music industry. I’m also an educator here on Consordini.
Over the last ten years, I’ve worked on hundreds of projects, from producing records with independent and major-label artists to working on indie video games, commercials, films, TV shows, and just about anything you can imagine.
I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned from my years of professional experience. Be sure to subscribe to our channel for more great content like this, including reviews, tutorials and vlogs about all things music.
Thanks for watching!
#consordini #focusrite
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[@MegaMAWG]

I have used this in my studio since my Mackie Onyx croaked a few years ago and I concur it is a great choice. Thanks for a good refresher on all it can do. I'm a big believer in occasionally going back over your gear to refresh your knowledge.

[@AKingRecordings]

I have a question. Does this piece of equipment do all the audio processing when working on a project in the DAW? For example, if I am using it with something with less performance, like a laptop, will I be able to still run large projects?

[@prod.vsnzextra9167]

Jesus thank you, I watched so many vids on something I was confused about and you answered my question! Thank you

[@user-pp5ht4ez6t]

This is a perfect video! Explained everything, finally!

[@consordini6258]

Hey, thanks so much, appreciate the kind words!

[@dannylharper6889]

Really appreciate your video.. I have 3 of these running together. The other two are the Oct-Pre's Dynamic running in and out of my analog console,

[@consordini6258]

Very cool! I'm sure it's a great setup. Thanks for watching!

[@MarvinSheats]

Looking at recording my full band and going with the Scarlett 18i20 and also the Focusrite Octo 8-Pre just for the recording drums. Thanks for the video.

[@consordini6258]

Good choice!

[@jonathansmith4394]

Marvin, I’m looking to record my full band as well and I have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. Should I also get the Focusrite octo 8-pre? I’m recording for a gospel situation. Main keys, organ, Bass, guitar, and drums all live

[@marvinsheats542]

@@jonathansmith4394 Hi, yes I would go with the Octo 8-pre because you will have more inputs for the drums. Depending on how you are miking your drums; they could take up 7 and more inputs.

[@douglaslawrie3449]

I am excited to get one of these. I got another old FireWire 8 channel interface secondhand so I can hook it up to this with ADAT and record my band. Just gotta save a few more pennies

[@fernandorensi]

Great video. Thank you very much!

[@consordini6258]

Glad you liked it!

[@jersmith1486]

does anyone know how to mute inputs 1 & 2? on both my Scarlett and Sapphire interfaces (both have 8 inputs) I can't mute or turn off monitoring. I use reaper and I right click the arm button and the monitoring is not checked.

[@alvarosdrums]

What a nice Video 🤝 I need to connect the whole band in my 18i20. About ( 5 quarter inch ) and 6 XLR I’m not too familiar with external Preamp connection. Would i be able to get signal from from the Direct Box and connect to it or Any type of Quarter inch cable. I Need some help Buddy 🤝

[@agesonjohanesburg2915]

Nice vid! I am BRAND new.. Can I mic up my drums, DI bass, mic up guitar and vocals.... then how do make custom monitor ( or headphone ) mixes for each member ? Do I need daw for this? Thx

[@marcwashington9733]

What about adding more speaker monitors? I have a pair of 8 inch monitors. I want to buy another pair and one 12 inch sub woofer. In addition I have an external synthesizer that I want to plug in as well. More than likely one MIc . So with that said will this device work for the hook up that I need??

[@razzerraw1108]

Would this require more power when plugged up than a Scarlett 2i4 for instance? Just starting to take Electricity demands and my electric bills into consideration!

[@michel_laforge]

For people who might be looking at picking one of these up, a few words of caution. On paper, it is a GREAT value. But in my experience, I have found it to be very unreliable. My unit turns disconnects and reconnects intermittently to my PC AND my Mac. I get weird sample rate issues and distortion from the outputs even though the inputs are well below peaking. Sometimes it remembers its last configuration, sometimes it doesn't. This is a major problem if you're thinking of setting this unit up in say, a band room, because you have to reconfigure it via a computer. One of the headphone jacks stopped working a couple years into owning it. I usually mix with monitors so it hadn't seen a ton of use. I'd guess under a hundred plug ins and outs for sure. The midi out doesn't provide power, and while that technically isn't standard midi protocol, it does limit what you can do with the midi signal the focusrite outputs. If you're thinking of using a midi splitter (ie Midi Solutions Quadra Thru) it won't work. No other midi gear I own does this. Support was mediocre. I was told to roll back Windows patches, reinstall my OS (what?!) or to try older Focusrite drivers. I did all those things, none of them helped. They did take a lot of time though. When it does work, it works fine. Unfortunately I spend more time trying to get it to work than I did making music last year. I've started saving up and will not own another Focusrite product for a long time.

[@consordini6258]

Yikes - sorry to hear you've had so many issues with it. For what it sounds like you need, I would maybe recommend something a bit higher-end. This is a great unit for beginners, but for something more serious it may be worth it for you to step up to something from UA or Antelope. Cheaper gear usually comes with cut corners, unfortunately. I can't say I've had many issues with our 18i20 but we don't really use it that much. In any case, hope it all works out for ya, and thanks for watching and lending your experience!

[@michel_laforge]

@@consordini6258 I've come to realize that as well, but it's kind of like selling someone a car and engine that just stops working sometimes. That car company would go out of business even if it was only the case on their cheapest model. If what you're selling can't do what you say it will, then redesign it into something that will. I'd have gladly waited to save more for another more reliable unit but the packaging on this focusrite unit said it would work. It's really sad because before this product I'd had other focusrite gear that I really enjoyed and worked well. Too bad, really.

[@producerone6813]

That really sucks. I've owned mine for about 7 years now, zero issues. Both Mac and PC work excellent. Sometimes you get a bad one ;) I also use it as a mobile recording studio and use my iPad to run it. Recorded full bands live and studio work, not a bad machine at all!

[@michel_laforge]

@@producerone6813 Absolutely! I know a lot of people who've had them and loved them. And I know about as many who've had issues with them too. Glad you got on well with yours!

[@lightafluident.9950]

I hope the one I ordered works flawlessly because I'm giving my Mbox Pro 3rd generation away to a buddy of mine who is overseas and wants to start a studio. I don't care about using the preamps in the Focusrite because I use external mic preamps from Warm Audio and Art. Man you make me really leary about owning one.

[@jason1maze]

Have you ran into or heard of any issues with the 18i20 and Mac OSX High Sierra 10.13.6? I updated my os not too long ago and I've noticed a lot of clicks and pops with it while recording with Live 10. At this point I'm considering going back to 10.12 instead:/

[@EliseBourn_Music]

Hey! Thanks so much for your video! There's just one thing I didn't quite get: with inputs 1 and 2, say I want to plug a guitar in it, do you suggest going through a separate DI or does the "inst" button activate an internal DI?

[@consordini6258]

Yes, the INST button switches the 1/4" input to a Hi-Z input for DI guitar and bass.

[@PointFortinSDAChurch]

Works well. Ever tried using it as a mixer in a live event? There’s a flange sound when connected with the DAW. It only outputs like that, not record. Any tips to eliminate the flange sound??

[@moliver_xxii]

with the software "focusrite control" you can assign inputs or software sounds to outputs you can also add one "custom mix" to outputs where you can hear the software at the same time as the inputs. are you using the inputs of the DAW software to use the DAW as a mixer? maybe the slight delay you get that gets back mixed with the non delayed inputs give you that effect! SOOO... check out the Focusrite Control software to see id you have "Software Playback" or "Custom Mix"

[@bwmac]

Thank you for the review. My question is why use a device like the 18i20 over a usb mixer. Thanks again

[@consordini6258]

It's much more flexible than a USB mixer in some ways. All of the inputs and outputs can be assigned in any order and to anything - multiple sets of speakers, outboard gear, cue mixes, etc. It doesn't have built-in EQs like some mixers have but it's a lot more versatile in how you can set it up.

[@arminakvan424]

Hello Im trying to stream my little rock band, Is this gear right for me ?

[@musicmanxii]

If you connect to a mixer, would you be able to separate the channels on the mixer into different tracks using this interface? Trying to find the best way to record drums without using all of the inputs on the interface

[@consordini6258]

Not quite. If you connect the stereo output from the mixer to 2 channels, all you'll get is just that - your drums mixed down to 2 channels. Each individual mic must be connected to a separate input on the interface. Hope that helps!

[@ArtifisticA]

Was wondering if this will work on Windows 7. My studio runs on Windows 7 and was hoping if I got this it wouldn't make me update it

[@consordini6258]

It should, it's a class-compliant USB2 device so you shouldn't have any issues.

[@pursuityouthministries9612]

If I buy this in Europe, will it also work on an American power supply when I am in the states?

[@consordini6258]

Yes, it should be auto-switching with the correct IEC cable.

[@yaroproductions2559]

Can you produce in surround sound with this one on cubase?

[@consordini6258]

Don't quote me on it, but I think that should be possible.

[@jasonzerafa8784]

Can the line outputs be set to unbalanced? Need at list 2 unbalanced outs to send to 1/4 in machine

[@consordini6258]

They are always balanced, but that doesn't mean you can't connect them. You can just do the old 'plug it in halfway' trick that you do with patch bays.

[@moliver_xxii]

in the manual it says you can use a mono "TS" (as opposed to stereo or "TRS") 1/4" jack... i did and had no problem. so far...

Hi, how many pairs of monitors I can connect it?

[@producerone6813]

Depends on what external gear you're using as well.....with the device itself, you could potentially run 5 pair of stereo monitors. Or can break those out to mono and have 10 buses.

[@pastoreshectorymildredorte5131]

Wish someone, could give step by step guide, where to plug certain intsruments and mics, to get bthe sound going.

[@chrisbravo3392]

Mic inputs = instruments and mics. Mic outputs=monitors / outboard gear like reverbs and compressors. Not sure what you mean where to plug certain instruments. You can plug them anywhere as long as it’s in the inputs.

[@marlowename3713]

So if I’m in a band where should I plug in the mics, guitars and bass to record?

[@consordini6258]

Into the inputs. But I would say that if you're not sure how to do that already, I would recommend starting with a much smaller and simpler interface to understand the basics of how they work before getting something like this.

[@timdanyo898]

@@consordini6258 you could have short XLR snake cable running from the back that has the inputslabeled for easy back panel access to the inputs. You'd just connect to the snake with another XLR cable running from your mic or whatever.

[@MrHumphrey2000]

I have this product it’s amazing , is it worth upgrading to the 3rd generation ? And can I connect to multiple sets of monitors with this ??

[@judsongooderham6631]

2nd gen is still really good. U don’t need the third gen unless you’re rolling in the money lol

[@dvlschrm]

Dose the 8 line in the back allow me to plug in multiple speakers?

[@consordini6258]

The line outs do, yes. The line inputs are just that - inputs.

[@dvlschrm]

@@consordini6258 thank you! 🙌🏻

[@bubinga_basher]

I'm just starting to record drums after playing for...a long time (cough). I've been working with Studio One. How would I be able to record with just the 18i20, and no computer?

[@jaclob_]

you can’t do that, you need a computer because what an audio interface does, it sends the sounds into something the computer understands.

[@bubinga_basher]

@@jaclob_ Yes, I got that part. I should have clarified. There's supposed to be a way I can record exactly what I'm hearing through the interface. So, if I set up my template, how can I record to Studio One without having Studio One process the audio for no latency? One recrded, could I then add effects?

[@jaclob_]

@@bubinga_basher you could try turning down your sample rate if you’re having problems with latency but i’m not exactly too sure.

[@bubinga_basher]

@@jaclob_ I can get decent recordings with low latency set, however once I start with the plug ins, the latency gets bad. I starting using a different kit, and as long as the levels are good, it sounds great. There's a way I'm supposed to be able be able to direct monitor.

[@jonathansmith4394]

So can I record my whole band on this?

[@grantharrismusic]

You’ve got 8 mic preamps on board and you can extend that to 16 via adat. If that’s enough for your band then the answer is yes.

[@michaeljaca7831]

That's 2nd gen, there is a 3rd gen which is about $50 more.

[@McOuroborosBurger]

Consordini Musical instruments 3rd gen has Thunderbolt 3. I plan on getting 2 for being able to record live shows on my MacBook Pro using protools with drums, guitar, bass, Vox, bgv, keys, and audience.

[@jacktv6363]

What are the line inputs for?

[@jacktv6363]

I see now

[@BEATYVISIONCLOTHING]

Why do all musicians (good ones anyway) have Ninja/Samurai swords sitting around?lmao

[@BEATYVISIONCLOTHING]

@@consordini6258 I am in school for Audio Production and video game sound design is one of the classes in the curriculum so that is nice to know. I too have swords from martial arts training (Tae Kwon do, Tang Soo Do and Wing Chun) so that's why I was curious! The first part of your response was not only hilarious but kind of seems like the truth sometimes...lmao

[@cobyutterback]

This Is HANDS DOWN the most difficult piece of gear to use ever! The user guide is HORRIBLE !!!

[@WV591]

in this day and age if interface doesn't use USB 3.0 then it's useless not worth the dime.

[@kealiijustinwitczak4998]

The 3rd gens are all usb 3.0

[@SimonPlaysDrums]

The Version 3 Socket might be USB C now but the actual interface speed is still USB 2.0 (see specs). That's all the speed it needs anyway! So not an issue as far as being outdated goes.@@kealiijustinwitczak4998

[@ryevick]

At Focusrite, you'll get an audio interface with outdated USB 2.0 connectivity instead of the the current USB 3.0 or USB 3.2. We could make it faster but, we just don't. You'll also get outdated plug-in suites with your purchase that you can't even use like the Focusrite Red 2 & Red 3 Plug-in Suite but in the end it really won't matter because your audio interface will soon become a brick that will not even work with your continually updated OS because... we just stop giving you the support you need and we will soon delete your interface completely off of our own website. We will try to sell you a new one soon though and we'll do the same thing to you with it. At Focusrite we care... about pocketing your money. 👍 😉

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Exactly right. Thank God they are concentrating on making money.

[@theoneandonlybright6145]

whats wrong with the plugins?