Focusrite Scarlett 18i8chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many users struggle to get inputs 3 through 8 to record or play back correctly in DAWs like Studio One, Logic, and Pro Tools, or in apps like OBS and Zoom, often with sound cutting out or not registering at all.

@brahmazing07

This really helps, especially to our church. can I ask how we can use our scarlet I8i8 gen 2 properly we are having trouble for quite some time using it live via Zoom while we're in live settings. \nMaybe we're using it wrong, because when we use it playing mic and instruments (acoustic guitar, piano) directly connected to a mixer then to focusrite then to laptop (sound directly to zoom) the sound going to zoom have a poor audio the sound is not mixing but they can only hear the guitar but the mic and others gets choppy. 😢😢😢\n\nHopefully you can read this and can offer some help. We appreciate your response. ❤launch

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August 3, 2024

@prodcountryjames

I’m having a feedback issue, when I insert more then one hardware on a track I will get a double. I then would go to Focusrite control to turn fader down which allows me to hear nothing on that channel. I’ve tried muting also still nothing. All my inputs and out puts matches with Protools. My connections is correct, I’m using balanced cables. \nFocusrite control line outputs matches playback inputs. I’m using Focusrite clarett 8pre all connections is used.launch

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September 5, 2023

@Only_Kino

For some reason whenever I go into OBS - My 3+4 inputs are picked up through the 1+2 inputs, but not the other way around. Is there are particular reason for this? I have my piano in input 3, guitar in input 4 and my mic in input 1 - Should I switch them about so my mic is in 3 and my instruments are in 1+2? Would that maybe fix the issue? o: Any1 who knows?launch

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June 3, 2023

@Kontaineroz

I want to record 4 people on my podcast but only able to record sound from line 1-2. As far as line 3-4 goes we only get playback to the headphones but the sound is not recorded onto DAW..... any tips? TIAlaunch

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December 20, 2021

Several users complain the interface only has 2 main line outs despite 8 total outputs, calling extra ADAT capacity less useful than more outs, and unfavorably comparing it to the cheaper 6i6 model.

@granddadet80

Got the same audio interface. BUT what a fckn shame this one has only 2 outs when 6i6 got 4!!! The 8 outs from 18i8 are 2 outs + 2 Phones in stereo so 4 + 2 in SPDIF. Useless. I need 4 outs, Focusrite is not clear at all considérons this point. 6i6 is far more convenient in 99% of cases. Damn it!launch

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November 1, 2022

@juanbustamante

I got this and havent used it because im reformating my mac, but a friend told me that it is VERY important to have a lot of outputs on interfaces. How do you feel on the output options that the 18i8 gives you?launch

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June 16, 2017

@das_zweite_gesicht

Thanks for the review, Todd! Well built interface, also the sound quality is great. But it has only 2 line outs and the useless ADAT digital IO, i really don't know the situations where i can use ADAT - i'd rather have more line outs in order to use it for send-return chains. But that's my personal subjective complaints, still great interface for such a price point =)launch

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April 25, 2017

Rear-panel inputs 5-8 lack the gain knobs found on the front combo inputs, making it harder to get a proper signal from instruments connected there.

@DDrumminGuitarrista

Excellent video! Question, anything specific I need to know about inputs 5-8 on the back? I have a Roland electronic drumset with eight outputs (one for each drum instrument), the instruments connected to the first four inputs on the front of the interface are good, can hear it through the DAW and direct monitoring but the inputs on the back are not giving me anything. Thanks again!👍launch

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December 29, 2021

@PatrickJohnEramis

Good day, bro. 🖐️ How can we have a proper signal if we'll plug certain instrument at the back, i mean the other 4 inputs that are not combo jack. Since they don't have any gain knob to tweak like the other 4 combo inputs at the front. Hope you could help.launch

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February 6, 2021

Users report significant trouble getting the interface's loopback and multi-mic inputs to work correctly with Streamlabs and OBS on Mac, with inputs not appearing or behaving unpredictably.

@Juliano_DJOL

Man streamlabs sucks ass on mac and obs does too neither one wanna work right with my 18i8! You can forget that loopback option on mac in obs cause it may be impossible to get that input to show up in either obs, sometimes I think I can hear the input but with no control smh!launch

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December 7, 2021

@darrenrita

Is there an easy way to stream with 4 mics into obs? I have a live streamed podcast that I used to use the scarlett 2i2 for in order to be able to interview people. I recently upgraded to the 18i8 gen 3 for the ability to have 4 potential mics and therefore more guests on stream at the same time, but I am not really sure how to set up, because OBS is not getting anything from the third mic. Any tips would be awesome and thank you for this thorough video, there is a ton of great stuff here!launch

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March 29, 2021

One user reports the ADAT input and SPDIF input cannot be used simultaneously, causing a persistent 'no hardware connected' error until the SPDIF connection was removed.

@jonathanredman8497

As said before here, it drove me to desparation but I realised you cannot use adat in and the spdif in at the same time. Disconnected my spdif and the \"no hardware connected\" problem went away. Interested to know if Focusrite acknowledge this as a bug?launch

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April 6, 2018

A user recording synthesizers found the line inputs recorded at a very low level even at full synth volume, calling the result nearly unusable.

@SamSam-ofthe-WhamBam

I picked up a couple new synthesizers that I THOUGHT I could record with the line inputs on my Focusrite Scarlett 8i6. But with the synth at full volume it records at -30 db which I consider pretty damn useless. Are all line inputs so quiet? I'm not sure what to replace this POS with!launch

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September 16, 2023

One long-time user who examined the interior described the fit and finish, including plastic knobs, as cheap compared to older discontinued interfaces from another brand.

@marcjohanssen5139

I picked-up a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 for around $200 on eBay to use it as a \"digital bridge\" of sorts, as I am not currently using its preamp section. From a Universal Audio Apollo 8p audio interface, I take a 24-bit 44.1k ADAT optical/digital signal OUTPUT and send it via fiber optic cable INTO THE SCARLETT 18i8. FROM THE SCARLETT 18i8, I take its S/PDIF coax digital OUTPUT and connect it to a Tascam DR-100mkII portable recorder, while also using an Apple Camera Connection Kit (CCK) USB-to-Lightning adapter, a 2nd digital audio path goes into a 5th Gen 64GB iPod Touch that's running the MultiTrack DAW App by HarmonicDog - this provides 2 additional backup recording possibilities while recording to Cubase 8 Pro running on a MacBook Air i7 tethered to the Apollo 8p via Thunderbolt. OPINION: The overall fit & finish of the Scarlett series (with the exception of its red anodized case) is rather cheezy. The plastic knobs do not exude quality. The internals (yes, I've peered inside) look run-of-the-mill, assembly-wise. Compare this to the quality and user experience provided by the hardware of the now discontinued tc electronic Konnekt24D/Konnekt8/Konnekt Live/Impact Twin firewire interfaces (from 2006 ->) and Focusrite could learn a thing or 2 from tc electronic. Incidentally, I still own a Konnekt24D, as it is cross platform, has many ins/outs and tc still provides drivers for it. That said, the Focusrite Scarlett series does provide good bang-for-the-buck and even better bang if you purchase a pre-owned Scarlett model - you may even be able to jump-up 2-3 models above the NEW Scarlett model you are considering when buying used.launch

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January 15, 2016

A detailed comment argues Focusrite's demo videos oversimplify achieving EQ'd, low-latency monitor mixes, requiring extra mixing console gear that isn't mentioned, inflating real-world cost.

@MythHealer

Its not that simple, and Focusrite should be more forthcoming with how they advertise their equipment. \nA few things that new buyers need to be aware of:\n\nThe only way you can utilize the Focusrite pre-amps (the only reason you buy Focusrite) is if you connect your microphones directly to the units XLR inputs. When the microphones are connected directly to the unit (not to a mixing console) how are you going to adjust EQ for the band members monitoring system? Zero latency is great, but Focusrite creates zero latency by sending the input to the output, and bypasses the software (this is also why it can work as a stand alone unit). \n\nA configuration that will work, but it is going to feel awkward for many sound engineers. \n\n1) Connect your microphones to your Focusrite XLR inputs. \n2) Send the outputs of your 18i8 (or 18i20) to the line ins of your console of choice. \n3) The Focusrite will rout the audio to your computer for recording... while simultaneously allowing you independent mix control through a mixing console. There are several ways you can set up headphone mixes, and each has its pros/cons.\n\n\nOption A\n -Utilize the console's headphone jack out, and that will give you ONE stereo monitor mix with the ability to adjust EQ on all instruments. \n\n\nOption B \n -Utilize both the console's headphone jack out (headphone mix 1) & the L/R output (headphone mix 2) to achieve TWO headphone mixes. \n\nNotice how I covered the EQ available in the above configuration? I don't consider monitoring with flat (no EQ) on all instruments a pleasant experience. You want your musicians feelin' the vibe as much as possible, and a cold/harsh monitor mix is what a home recording dude gives their musicians, not a professional engineer/producer. \n\nYou can monitor off the Focusrite headphone jacks, but do you really want to be listening to latency after adjusting EQ?? Zero latency is only possible when you bypass the computer/software, and that option removes any EQ features (not the best quality headphone mix when you do this). \n\nIn conclusion, these recording sessions require a great deal more configuration experience, and I am disappointed in Focusrite for putting out such misleading videos...\n\n\nDid the band members have their headphones plugged into the Focusrite jacks, and then recorded without any EQ??? Really? ... or was some additional equipment utilized? By the time you are done purchasing everything you REALLY need to achieve a professional recording experience/result, your cost may be way more than what you would have paid.... had you gone the Presonus 16-4-2 rout.launch

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August 29, 2015