Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 - Interfata audio usb

Overview

The Scarlett 8i6 is an 8 in / 6 out audio interface with outstanding sonic performance and flexibility at a truly affordable price. Part of Focusrite’s new range of USB audio interfaces, the Scarlett 8i6 is designed to make home studio recording and mixing easy without sacrificing audio quality.

Twenty-five years of mic pre excellence form the foundation of this new interface, with two award-winning Focusrite preamps. Combined with a host of additional I/O options, the Scarlett 8i6 helps you get the tracks you want without having to constantly re-patch your studio.

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.

Included with the Scarlett 8i6 is Scarlett MixControl, an 18 x 6 DSP mixer. Offering a level of flexibility that is remarkable at this price point, the MixControl software enables you to create six separate mixes with ultra-low-latency. Route any combination of input signals and sequencer outputs to any of the Scarlett 8i6 outputs. Intuitive one-click configurations 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 established 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.

Two Focusrite preamps ensure low noise and distortion, whilst cutting-edge digital conversion captures your audio with pristine quality. 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.

Key Features

Two high-quality award-winning Focusrite preamps

The best sounding interface in its class. Focusrite's 25-year legacy forms the foundation of this new interface, with two award-winning preamps.

High-quality 24-bit/96kHz USB interface

Features professional conversion and jitter reduction technology, guaranteeing pristine audio quality and reliable synchronization.

Total I/O count of 8 inputs and 6 outputs

A host of I/O options are provided*, including a unique Loopback facility for routing audio between software applications via Scarlett MixControl.

Scarlett MixControl ultra-low-latency DSP mixer/router

Provides an 18 x 6 DSP mixer with excellent routing flexibility, intuitive one-click configurations, and lower than 1.4ms latency (less than the time it takes sound to travel two feet through air!).

Scarlett VST/AU/RTAS Plug-in Suite, for use in the mix

Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with Focusrite’s Scarlett compression, reverb, gating and EQ.

Xcite+ Software Bundle

Featuring a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged soft-synth and Ableton Live Lite 8, providing an affordable upgrade path to Ableton Live.

Two Hi-Z instrument inputs

No need for a separate DI. The first two channels feature high-gain instrument inputs.

Dedicated front-panel headphone bus

Providing a fully customised monitor mix, with tactile level control available on the front panel.

Monitor levels are always within reach

A front panel volume dial provides immediate control over the main stereo outputs.

Switchable phantom power

Across both mic pre inputs, globally switchable direct from the front fascia.

Software PFL

Allows the mix engineer to easily monitor a single mixer channel or complete mix.

Specifications

We always quote 'real world' performance figures (measured to the AES17 standard). Some companies choose to quote chipset performance, which is misleading, and here's why.

Microphone Inputs 1-2

- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2 dB

- Gain Range: +13dB to +60dB

- THD+N: 0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

- Noise EIN: 124dB analogue to digital (measured at 60dB of gain with 150Ω termination 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

- Input Impedance: 2kΩ

Digital performance

- A/D Dynamic Range > 109dB (A-weighted), all analogue inputs

- D/A Dynamic Range > 106dB (A-weighted), all analogue outputs

- Clock Sources:

- Internal Clock

- Sync to Word Clock on S/PDIF Input (RCA)

- Clock jitter < 500 picoseconds

- Supported Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz

- 8 input channels to computer: Analogue (4), Loop-back (2) and S/PDIF (2)

- 12 output channels from computer: DAW (12)

- 6 output channels from Scarlet 8i6: Analogue (4), S/PDIF (2)

- 18 input by 6 output mixer.

Line Inputs (Inputs 1-2)

- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB

- Gain Range: -10dB to +36dB

- THD+N: 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

- Noise: -90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

- Input Impedance: >10kΩ

Line Inputs 3-4

- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2 dB

- Gain Range: Switch-able between +16dBu or -10dBV for 0dBFS (balanced inputs)

- THD+N: 0.003% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

- Noise: -100dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

- Input Impedance: >10kΩ

Instrument Inputs (Inputs 1 and 2)

- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB

- Gain Range: +13dB to +60dB

- THD+N: 0.004% (measured with 0dBu input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

- Noise: -87dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Analogue Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-4)

- 4 Electronically Balanced Outputs

- Maximum Output Level (0dBFS): +12dBu

- THD+N: 0.001% (0dBFS input, 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Crosstalk (Channel Isolation)

- Any input to input: > 100dB

- Any output to output: > 100dB

- Any input to output: > 100dB

Dimensions (W x H x D):

- Unboxed: approx. 215mm x 45mm x 220mm (8.5 x 1.8 x 8.7 inches)

- Boxed: approx. 335mm x 275mm x 125mm (13.2 x 10.8 x 4.9 inches)

Weights

- Net Weight: 1.5kg / 3.3lbs

- Gross Weight: approx. 2.39kg / 5.3lbs

Connectivity

CHANNELS AT A GLANCE

IN

No. Format Connector Details

2 Mic/Line/Inst Combo XLR Inc. 2 instrument inputs

2 Line analogue ¼” TRS Jack On rear panel

2 S/PDIF RCA phono On rear panel

2 Loopback Virtual Internally routed software inputs

16 MIDI 5 pin DIN connector Provides 16 channels of MIDI

OUT

No. Format Connector Details

4 Line analogue ¼” TRS Jack On rear panel

2 S/PDIF RCA 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 (32bit only), or Windows XP SP3 (32bit only)

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Setup Diagram