Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen Best Price
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen is a powerful and versatile 18-input, 20-output USB audio interface aimed at professional home studios and musicians. This third generation model builds on the success of the popular Scarlett range with improved converters, lower latency, and new Focusrite MixControl software.
In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, sound quality, software bundle, and overall performance of the 18i20 to see how it stacks up against competitors and if it’s worth the investment for home studio owners and gigging musicians.
Key Features
- 18 inputs and 20 outputs
- 24-bit/192kHz conversion
- 4 newly designed mic preamps with Air mode
- 2 independant headphone outputs
- 8 analog outputs
- 8 line inputs
- 2 instrument inputs
- MIDI I/O
- Monitor mixing and FX software included
- USB-C connectivity
Sound Quality and Conversion
The Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen utilizes the latest high performanceFocusrite converters to deliver pristine audio quality with 119dB dynamic range on the inputs and 121dB on the outputs. This puts it right up there with some of the best interfaces in its class like the Presonus Quantum and RME Babyface Pro.
The mic preamps have also been redesigned and now feature Air mode which emulates Focusrite’s classic ISA preamp sound. This adds a subtle sheen and warmth to vocals and acoustic instruments, making them sound more professional. The instrument inputs also sound clear and responsive, translating guitar and bass tones accurately.
- Sound better than ever with Air on 18i20’s eight mic pres
- Plug in and produce with eight line inputs and eight line outputs
- Record and play back in studio quality – 24-bit/192 kHz converters
- Super low latency, class-leading drivers
- Two hi-Z instrument input to preserve your guitar tone
For monitoring, the 18i20 provides two independent headphone outputs with separate mix controls so two performers can dial in their own cue mixes. The main outputs feed speakers confidently even when pushing high volumes without any distortion or harshness. Overall, the sound quality lives up to Focusrite’s excellent reputation.
Connectivity and Software
The Scarlett 18i20 utilizes a USB-C connection to hook up to your computer. It’s compatible with USB 3 ports and also works with Thunderbolt 3 computers for plug-and-play connectivity. There are also optical ADAT inputs and outputs for expanding the I/O capabilities by connecting external mic pres or ADAT compatible gear.
Bundled software includes Focusrite Control for routing and low-latency monitoring, and the Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite of effects and amp sims. However, the most exciting inclusion is a Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack license for getting started with Avid’s industry standard DAW.
Ease of Use
Despite the abundance of inputs and outputs, the 18i20 maintains a clean, logical layout on the rear panel which makes it easy to hook up. The front panel provides instant access to headphone and line input monitoring levels.
The Focusrite Control software provides matrix-style routing between all the inputs and outputs as well as monitor mix controls. It offers full customization for your workflow but may require some learning curve for new users. Fortunately, the 18i20 comes with printed documentation walking you through the basics of setting up your interface.
Who is it for?
With its robust I/O count, great converters, and pedigree mic preamps, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen is ideal for home studio owners who need to record drums, guitars, vocals, and other instruments simultaneously. Musicians with bigger rigs and those collaborating with multiple performers will benefit.
While it’s full-featured for professionals, the intuitive software and layout also make this a great step-up model for beginner and intermediate producers ready to upgrade from entry-level interfaces.
Comparison to Other Models
The 18i20 sits above Focusrite’s Scarlett Solo, 2i2, and 8i6 interfaces, offering more I/O and headroom for larger recording sessions. It compares well to competitors like the PreSonus 1824c but adds nicer preamps and ADAT expandability.
The Clarett OctoPre gives you 8 mic pres for a bit less, but no additional line inputs or MIDI. Moving up, the RME Babyface Pro FS provides pristine conversion in a portable interface but fewer physical inputs. Overall, the 18i20 hits a nice sweet spot of value in the crowded prosumer interface market.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with professional grade converters
- Versatile high headroom mic preamps with Air mode
- Plenty of I/O for complex recording sessions
- Independent headphone mixes for performers
- Bundled software adds value including Pro Tools First
- Rugged metal construction
Cons
- Focusrite Control has some learning curve
- No dedicated power switch
- Small screen for mixer view
Conclusion
With upgraded converters and mic preamps, seamless USB-C connectivity, and well-designed software control, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 continues to be one of the best prosumer interfaces available. It provides an exceptional value for home studio owners who need plenty of I/O, great mic pres, and excellent sound. Despite some interface software quirks, the 18i20 gets the fundamentals right and will provide many years of high-quality service.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen:
What computer connectivity does it use?
The 18i20 uses USB-C connectivity which is compatible with USB 3 ports or Thunderbolt 3 computers.
How many mics can you record at once?
With 4 mic preamps plus 8 line inputs, you can record up to 12 mono sources simultaneously.
Does it come with any software?
Yes, it includes Focusrite Control software plus Ableton Live Lite and Softube Time & Tone bundle plugins. It also has a Pro Tools First license.
Is Thunderbolt better than USB?
Thunderbolt has lower latency and can transmit more bandwidth. However, for the 18i20 USB provides plenty of speed and stability. Thunderbolt compatibility is convenient if you own a new Mac.
Can you expand the number of inputs?
Yes, using the ADAT optical in and out you can add up to 8 channels of additional I/O from external mic pres or ADAT compatible gear.
Are there any compatible accessories?
Focusrite offers the Red 8Pre expander and the RedNet series for adding more I/O. The 18i20 is also compatible with the Clarett Thunderbolt interfaces.
What are the dimensions?
The 18i20 is 12.6 x 8.58 x 1.73 inches (320 x 218 x 44 mm).
Comparison Table
| Feature | Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 | PreSonus Studio 1824c | MOTU M4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $599 | $219 |
| Mic preamps | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Line inputs | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| Instrument inputs | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Max sampling rate | 192 kHz | 96 kHz | 96 kHz |
| ADAT I/O | Yes | No | No |
| MIDI I/O | Yes | No | No |
| Included software | Pro Tools First, Ableton Live Lite | Studio One Artist | MOTU Performer Lite |
Conclusion
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen interface provides professional quality audio conversion in a feature-packed unit with plenty of I/O for studio recording and live performance. It’s a versatile option for home studio owners who need great mic preamps and flexible routing options to capture high-quality tracks. Musicians with more complex setups will appreciate the abundance of inputs and outputs combined with exceptional sound. Despite a few minor drawbacks, the 18i20 delivers outstanding performance and value for a mid-range interface.
- Sound better than ever with Air on 18i20’s eight mic pres
- Plug in and produce with eight line inputs and eight line outputs
- Record and play back in studio quality – 24-bit/192 kHz converters
- Super low latency, class-leading drivers
- Two hi-Z instrument input to preserve your guitar tone
- Bass Sound: Enjoy clear sound and superior comfort with the OneOdio Studio Monitor Headphones. Equipped with large 50mm speaker drivers and neodymium magnets, pro-10 deliver powerful bass, clear vocals, and crisp highs for a balanced stereo sound.
- Built for Comfort: The soft, padded ear cushions are designed to provide long-lasting comfort and effective noise isolation. The adjustable, stretchable headband allows you to easily find the perfect fit and angle for your listening pleasure.
- Single-side Monitoring: The 90° swiveling ear cups allow for single-ear monitoring, making it ideal for DJing or mixing. The self-adjusting and flexible headband ensures a fatigue-free listening experience, even during extended sessions, making these headphones perfect for mastering and mixing.
- Compatibility: Pro-10 wired headphones work exclusively in wired mode and are compatible with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, audio interfaces, DJ mixers, amplifiers, and any device that features either a 3.5mm or 6.35mm audio jack.
- Share Audio Port: With a shared audio port, easily connect another pair to share music or videos—no splitters or special cables needed.
- Pro performance with great pre-amps - Achieve a brighter recording thanks to the high performing mic pre-amps of the Scarlett 3rd Gen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Solo 3rd Gen.
- Get the perfect guitar and vocal take with - With two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice and instruments without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos.
- Studio quality recording for your music & podcasts - Achieve pro sounding recordings with Scarlett 3rd Gen’s high-performance converters enabling you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities.
- Low-noise for crystal clear listening - 2 low-noise balanced outputs provide clean audio playback with 3rd Gen. Hear all the nuances of your tracks or music from Spotify, Apple & Amazon Music. Plug-in headphones for private listening in high-fidelity.
- Everything you need: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, FL Studio Producer Edition and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of effects, software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools With Scarlett 3rd Gen, you have all the tools you need to start recording right, now - We’ve partnered with our favorite industry partners to provide you with plenty of sound content and software so that you can create and record music right away.
- Custom three-capsule array: This professional USB mic produces clear, powerful, broadcast-quality sound for YouTube videos, Twitch game streaming, podcasting, Zoom meetings, music recording and more
- Blue VOICE software: Elevate your streamings and recordings with clear broadcast vocal sound and entertain your audience with enhanced effects, advanced modulation and HD audio samples
- Four pickup patterns: Flexible cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo pickup patterns allow you to record in ways that would normally require multiple mics, for vocals, instruments and podcasts
- Onboard audio controls: Headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and mic gain put you in charge of every level of the audio recording and streaming process
- Positionable design: Pivot the mic in relation to the sound source to optimize your sound quality thanks to the adjustable desktop stand and track your voice in real time with no-latency monitoring
- [XLR Mic Input] One XLR microphone input interface is set on the gaming audio mixer, which is great to up your audio quality with your XLR setup. The XLR mixer is a stepping stone to upgrade your live streaming. Audio mixer offered built-in 48V phantom power which opens up more choices for mics. Directly use it with your condenser microphone but do not solve added peripherals. (NOT available for USB mic)
- [Individual Channel Control] Gaming audio mixer for one mic recording with smooth volume slider fader take your streaming recording to a whole new level with full pleasure. Four independent channels set on the DJ mixer give audio volume of the MICROPHONE, LINE IN, HEADPHONE, and LINE OUT channels individual control. Configurable on the PC audio mixer instead of just operating on your game or streaming software.
- [Mute and Monitor] The front mute and monitor buttons but not at the back, make it easier to get the audio interface use. Ability to mute audio, the audio mixer for streaming prevents background noise from damaging your live broadcast. Real-time feedback between speaking and hearing will not distract your attention, which encourage you to speak more confidently. The sturdy-built control button allow you to operate freely and easily during live streaming.
- [Sound Effects] The computer sound mixer supports four pre-recorded customized button that can be recorded and activated at the press of button to post production. 6 kinds of voice changing modes change your output style. 12 auto tune changes the tone of your voice. The podcast mixer being able to add different and fun effects is a huge bonus for your streaming or game voice.
- [Controllable Vibrant RGB] RGB button on the audio mixer DJ meets different live streaming themes. Lights on the video mixer is vibrant but not harsh on your eyes. Flowing or frozen RGB color rotation in a decent pace presents a greatly strong impression as a "light show" to your audience. Even a streaming equipment accessory will not be dull looking when video production.
- Adjustable Height & Solid: The height of the microphone stand with boom arm is adjustable from 28.1 inches to 89.8 inches by adjusting the knobs, perfect for people in all age groups. It features upgraded supporting structures for better load-bearing capacity, holding your microphone in position.
- Steady Tripod Stand: The high-quality thickened steel poles enhance the exceptional stability and durability of this mic stand. Compared to other lighter stands that are easy to tip over, our mic tripod stand is as heavy as 4.0lbs, serving indoor and outdoor use.
- Flexible & Detachable Boom Arm: The boom arm of the stand is adjustable from 16 inches to 30 inches in length and it can rotate 360° horizontally as well as up to 180° vertically. You can choose the best angle and length of performance by easily adjusting the knobs on the boom arm. Remove the boom arm and attach the mic clip, then you can also use it as a straight mic stand.
- Portable Carrying Bag: The package comes with a premium carrying bag and the floor mic tripod stand is easy to disassemble into several pieces which allows it to easily pack into the small carrying bag (19.5”×8.3” ) and fit anywhere, easy to transport and store.
- Wide Compatibility: Two different styles of mic clips in package are compatible with most types of microphones such as Shure SM58, Shure SM48, Shure PGA48, Samson Q2U, ATR2100x-USB, etc. The included metal 3/8” to 5/8” screw adapter is suitable for Blue Yeti, Snowball, Hyper X QuadCast, SoloCast, Shure SM7B, AT2020, Fifine AM8 and more.
- Lifetime Warranty - Enjoy worry-free after-sales support with our top-notch customer service. Our XLR microphone cables are backed by a lifetime warranty, but we’re confident in our quality and hope you’ll never need it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at support @ audio-accessory.com, and we will provide you with the best customer service.
- Kevlar-Reinforced Braided XLR Cables - AA AUDIO ACCESSORY is the first brand to introduce Kevlar into audio cables. This greatly improves the durability of XLR microphone cable, makes it withstand heavy pressure and relocations during your tour. It can withstand over 150,000 bends, which is 10 times higher than other XLR cables without Kevlar.
- Professional Gold-Plated Connector Brand - Neutrik is a renowned brand known for its high-quality XLR connectors widely used in professional audio industries. Rean, a sub-brand of Neutrik, offers the same factory production and quality standards as Neutrik, but at a more budget-friendly price point. The provided high-precision connectors of our XLR microphone cable that won't damage or get stuck in your audio gear.
- Standard-Size Rean (Neutrick Connectors) - AA AUDIO ACCESSORY professional XLR cables 10ft use Rean connectors from Neutrik (RCX3F-M-012-1 and RCX3M-M-012-1), ensuring every cable you receive meets professional-grade standards. 3μm GOLD-PLATED pins suppress insertion noise and transmits clearer sound quality. Standard sizing fits any standard XLR socket, ensuring smooth plug and unplug without damage your xlr cables or microphones, amplifiers, etc.
- Multiple Shielding Against Interferenced - This professional microphone cable 10 ft features a five-layer shielding structure. We include an extra layer of OFC braided copper shielding, providing superior protection against interference from surrounding equipment and power sources. Whether in the studio or on stage, this ensures clear, noise-free audio transmission, delivering better recording and performance quality in complex environments.
- 【SMALL HIFI BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS】Small bookshelf speakers with HiFi sound quality. SW208 adopts standard bookshelf speaker system design, i.e. direct/reflective speaker system. Can be placed at will, can easily create a rich stereo sense and strong sound pressure. Well-designed premium finish wood structure and surface, elegant appearance and fashionable.
- 【30Wx2 CARBON FIBER SEPAKER UNIT】The speaker unit is designed with carbon fiber material and multi-layer voice coil technology, which is proprietary by Sanyun Company. It has excellent sound performance, warm and thick medium frequency, deep and powerful low frequency, clear and bright high frequency sound characteristics. And the speaker unit has a super durability and stability, can work steadily in any environment.
- 【24bit DAC USB CONNECTION AND BLUETOOTH 5.0】Bluetooth 5.0 connection, stable transmission. When connecting with USB cable, the built-in 24bit DAC can obtain the digital audio signal from the device directly, reducing the loss of the signal from digital to analog, maximizing the restoration of the audio source itself, and providing the best sound Performance.
- 【TREBLE AND BASS ADJUSTMENT】To achieve true HiFi sound quality, set the total volume, treble and bass adjustment knobs on the side of main speaker. Please adjust the most suitable sound according to your preferences, or adjust the best sound effect according to different sound types.
- 【QUIET STANDBY and ENERGY SAVING】Built in noise elimination system. Built-in chip, intelligent filter input audio, automatic filter to remove noise, keep the speakers absolutely quiet while standby. The design standard conforms to EU ER2 standard, saving energy. A good speaker, not only can provide good sound performance, when not in use, can quietly let you forget its existence.
- Hi-Res Sound Quality: Equipped with 50mm drivers, these wired over-ear headphones deliver exceptional sound clarity and depth, making them perfect for studio monitoring, mixing, and DJing. The high-resolution audio ensures every detail and nuance in your music is captured and reproduced with precision.
- Built to Stay Comfortable: The soft padded ear cushions are specifically designed for monitor headphones comfort and noise isolation. The headband is adjustable and stretchable for you to find the desired angle you like to fit in.
- No More Adapter: A long-style 6.6-9.8 ft coiled cord and standard-sized 6.35mm plug and a 3.5mm plug are included. These headphones can be easily connected to a variety of devices including AMPs, computers, keyboards, guitars, and laptops.
- Single-sided Monitoring: 90° swiveling earcups for single-ear monitoring anytime, keep one ear free for conversations with single-sided monitoring.
- Share Audio Port: With a shared audio port, easily connect another pair to share music or videos—no splitters or special cables needed.
- 2-channel USB Audio Interface with 1 XENYX Preamp
- Instrument Input
- Phantom Power
- 48kHz
- Plug and Play Guitar Interface for live streaming：No driver needed
- Compatible with Iphones, Ipads and Android phones with USB-C cable and Lightning converter included.
- Portable and Compact：The audio interface for guitar comes in very compact size and easy to carry around in pocket.
- Internal Recording： Easily record high quality audio right into your mobile devices, and sync audio and video. The indicator light turns from green to red when the volume is too high so as to result in distortion.
- Headphone Monitoring：You can also monitor what you are recording through a headphone.
Review
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen is a highly versatile and professional-grade USB audio interface designed for musicians, producers, and audio engineers. With its third-generation technology, the 18i20 offers exceptional audio quality, low latency, and a wide range of input and output options. It features 18 inputs and 20 outputs, including eight high-quality Scarlett microphone preamps with switchable Air mode, allowing users to achieve clear and transparent recordings or add a subtle analog warmth to their sound. The interface also includes ADAT and S/PDIF digital connectivity, making it expandable to accommodate additional gear. Additionally, the Scarlett 18i20 comes with Focusrite's innovative Control software, enabling intuitive and flexible monitoring and routing capabilities.
Review Breakdown
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Audio Quality
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Versatility
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Portability
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Features
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Ease of Use
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Value for money
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen Best Price
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$599.99
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