Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 User manual

Recording Studio
User Guide
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Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface
and Focusrite Control
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1. Gain Dial: Use this to adjust the input level of each channel. Check sound at its loudest level to
ensure there is no clipping.
2. Mode Indicator: Illuminated icons AIR, INST, PAD reflect the input settings inFocusrite Control.
3. Headphone Jack: Independent ¼" headphone jack and volume dial
4. Input jack: Channels 1-2 support XLR/TRS/TS and Channels 3-4 support XLR/TRS
5. 48V Phantom Power: for using with condenser microphones or the In-line preamps.
6. Monitor Volume: This dial controls the volume level of the speaker/monitor output.
1. ON/OFF Switch
2. USB-C Port: Connect the device to the computer with the appropriate USB cable
3. MIDI In/Out: To connect non-USB MIDI devices
4. Output Jacks: To connect speaker monitors (Channels 1 and 2 only)
5. Line Inputs: For connecting instruments via TS or TRS cables like guitar, bass or keyboards or mixers
The Interface
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4
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3
2
1
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5
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This is the application icon
you can find on the
computer desktop.
•The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface works in tandem with a
software called Focusrite Control. It allows you to customize your input
and output settings.
•Please consider reading the manual beforehand.
Focusrite Control
1. Channels 1 & 2
•These accept all input types--XLR/TRS/TS.
•If an XLR cable is plugged in, LINE and INST settings in Focusrite Control will have no effect.
•If you are connecting a Guitar or Bass via TS cable, make sure to select INST.
•If you are connecting a Keyboard or Mixer via TRS cable, make sure to select LINE.
2. Channels 3 & 4
•These accept only XLR/TRS inputs
•Do not connect instruments via TS cable to these ports, instead use Channels 1-2 or 5-8.
•If an XLR cable is plugged in, Line and Inst settings set in Focusrite Control will have no effect.
Input Setting: Channels 1-4
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•If an XLR cable is plugged into Channels 1-4,
selecting LINE or INST will have no effect.
•LINEis for balanced, line level instruments like
electric keyboards and mixers (often in stereo/two
channels)
•INSTis for unbalanced instruments like guitar or
bass that connect with a ¼" TS cable.
AIR is a digital
preamp that adds
somehigh-end
frequencies and
a volume boost to
the sound.
PAD very simply
reduces gain by
10dBfor instruments
with an output level
that is too loud.
Channel Features
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Hardware means the audio
interface. These inputs refer to
direct monitoring from the audio
interface, which occurs before the
computer in the signal chain.
Sofware (DAW) Playback means
hearing playback from the DAW that
you are using to record, which comes
after the hardware outputs in the
signal chain.
•When you enable monitoring from both sources (Hardware and Software) you will hear audio
from both sources simultaneously, which gives a doubling effect.
•Depending on your recording context, you will want to use one or the other, either Hardware
or Software playback.
•Focusrite gives you the ability to choose between these options with the click of your mouse.
Output Routing
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Add software
inputs to be sent
to playback by
clicking on the +
button.
Select the inputs
you are using by
clicking on
the same number
. If it is a stereo
instrument choos
e 1-2, etc..
Add hardware
inputs to be
sent to playback
by clicking on
the + button.
Add software
inputs to be sent
to playback by
clicking on the +
button.
Select the inputs
you are using by
clicking on the
corresponding nu
mber.
Select the inputs
you are using by
clicking on
the corresponding
number.
Adding Output Channels
To hear the microphones or instruments from a particular channel, you need to manually add those
channels to our output configuration. For example, if you have a mic plugged into Input 1 on the audio
interface, you need to select Input 1 from either Hardware Inputs or Software (DAW) Playback.
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If microphones are
plugged into inputs 1
and 2, you
should select
analogue inputs 1 and
2, to monitor directly
from the audio
interface (Pre)
If microphones are
plugged into inputs
1 and 2, you should
select inputs 1 and
2 to monitor from
the DAW you are
using (Post)
•Generally, you will only want to monitor from a single source. Monitoring from two sources
simultaneously can give a doubling sound that inaccurately represent what is being recorded.
•Important Note: If you are using MIDI instruments or audio effects in the DAW, you will need to
monitor from the Software Playback to hear them, since all those elements exist virtually in the DAW.
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This controls outputs 1-2, your primary outputs for speak
monitors. This should always be set to stereo.
This controls auxiliary outputs 3-4 which you will likely never
need to use. These outputs are only used if there are output
devices plugged into outputs 3-4.
This controls headphone output 1 on the audio interface. This
should generally be to set to Custom Mix and Stereo.
This controls headphone output 2 on the audio interface. This
should generally be to set to Custom Mix and Stereo.
The green light indicates that Focusrite Control is connected to
the Scarlett 18i8.
The Output Control Panel
The output control panel allows you to switch between the configurations of each output
S/PDIF is an optical output that is not used by the library. If you are
aware of this kind of output and intend to use it, you probably
don’t need this user guide.
Activating Loopback enables recording audio from other
applications on your computer, like your internet browser or
Zoom. Loopback uses virtual inputs 11 and 12.
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Loopback
Important Note: You must mute the loopback tracks in your DAW or else you will create terrible
feedback which can damage your ears or equipment. Before playing back your recording,
remember to disarm your track, and go back to Focusrite Control and mute Loopback.
Because of the risk of forgetting to mute/unmute or reconfigure channels for playback please
only do Loopback recording via Headphone monitoring. This means you should either turn off
power to the speakers or mute the speakers in Focusrite Control.
Loopback allows the user to record audio directly from the computer, such as from apps, web
browsers, or from sites like YouTube. The Scarlett 18i8 uses channels 11 and 12 for loopback.
These are virtual inputs that have no physical counterpart on the audio interface itself.
You will have to enable channels 11 and 12 in audio preferences of whichever DAW you are using,
and then select those channels in your input configuration. Loopback must also be selected
and unmuted in Focusrite Control.
Loopback In Audition
In Reaper, the virtual inputs Channels 11 and 12 will display as Loop 1 and Loop 2 in the audio
channel configurations. Go to Edit→Preferences→Audio Channel Mapping and under Device
Channels, select Loop 1 and Loop 2 by clicking on the pointers at the far right of the menu.
In a new Multitrack session, mute a stereo track to prevent feedback, and arm the
track. Click record and then play the source audio.
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11
In Reaper, the virtual inputs Channels 11 and 12 will display as Loop1 and Loop 2 in the Audio Device
configurations. First, select Focusrite USB ASIO as the Driver, then go to Options → Preferences →
Device and under inputs, for first, select 11: Loop 1 and for last, select 12: Loop 2.
Loopback In Reaper
Loopback in Ableton Live
In Ableton, you will have to enable Channels 11 and 12 in input configurations. Go to
Options→Preferences→Audio→Input Config and click on 11&12.
Once your channels are
configured, send channels
11 & 12 to an audio track
in your Ableton project,
remembering to arm the
track, but mute it as well.
In your track, make sure to arm
AND mute the track before
recording. Hit record and then
play the source audio.

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Loopback In Audacity
Audacity is capable of loopback recording without using the audio interface.
Go to Edit→Preferences→Devices and for Host, select MME or Windows DirectSound
and for Recording, select Stereo Mix. Click record and any audio playing from applications
within your computer will be recorded into a new stereo track.

Troubleshooting
Problem:Cannot hear or receive input from the mic/instrument
Things to check on the Audio Interface:
Is the monitor volume or gain turned down?
Does the mic require phantom power,
but phantom power is not activated?
Are you using the Cloudlifter or Fethead?
These both require phantom power.
Is the audio interface plugged into a
power source, turned on, and connected to
the computer via USB-C?
Is Focusrite Control open on your computer?
Find this icon on your desktop and click to open.
Is the monitor output (Speakers or
headphones) muted in Focusrite Control?
Have you selected the corresponding output
channels in Focusrite Control?
(see page 6-7)
Things to check in Focusrite Control:
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Things to check in Audacity:
Did you set up your audio device
preferences correctly?
Go to Options → Preferences→ Devices
Check that you have selected the correct playback and
recording devices.
Have you enabled software playthrough in
Audacity preferences?
Go to Edit→ Preferences→ Recording and check the
box that says Software playthrough of input.
See Audacity Quick Start Guide, page 2
Is your track muted?
Have you tried rebooting the DAW, making
sure the audio interface is plugged in first.
Save any changes, quit Audacity, connect the audio
interface to the computer, and then restart
Audacity. Check your audio device setup in
Preferences.
Things to check in Reaper:
Did you set up your audio device preferences
correctly?
Go to Options → Preferences→ Devices
For Driver, select Focusrite USB AISO
Is your track armed?
Is your track muted?
Have you set up your channel configuration
correctly?
Go to Options→ Preferences→ Devices
Check that the input range (first and last) uses
Channels 1-8 and the output range is 1-2.
Are you using a Mac? Have you given Reaper
permission to use the Microphone?
Go to System Preferences →Security &
Privacy→ Microphone, find Reaper and tick the box
to give the app access.
Things to check in Adobe Audition:
Did you set up your audio device
preferences correctly?
Go to Edit → Preferences → Devices
Are you monitoring through Software
in Focusrite Control? Have you enabled the
Monitor Input Button?
Is your track armed?
Is your track muted?
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Did you set up your audio device preferences
correctly?
Go to Options → Preferences→Audio Device
See Audacity Quick Start Guide, page 2
Is your track armed?
Or is you track muted?
Have you set up your channel configuration
correctly? You have to tell Ableton which input
on the interface goes where by selecting that
channel from the dropdown menu.
Is your monitor set to Auto? Go to Options→ Preferences→Devices
See Audacity Quick Start Guide, page 3
Things to check in Ableton Live:

Audacity
Quick Start Guide
1. Open Focusrite Control
Audacity is a freeand easy-to-useDAW that is excellent for beginners and for simple
recording projects. Audacity is suited to single-track recording, meaning, only one
input can be recorded at a time.
Select your monitor outputs
(headphones or speakers), and
make sure that the outputs you
select are unmuted.
From Output Routing, choose Software (DAW)
Playback and select the same channels you are
using on the audio interface. Add channels by
clicking on the +
The audio setup pictured above is for monitoring from Headphone 1 which
is listening to Input 1 on the audio interface. Speaker monitors are muted.
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2. Open Audacity
3. Audio Device Setup: Go to Edit → Preferences → Devices and select Focusrite USB Audio
for Playback and Recording, and then click OK.
To hear playback while you are recording you need to enable software playthrough. From the
same Preferences Menu, go to Recording and check the box Software playthrough of input,
and click OK.
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4. Insert a new track: Go to Tracks → Add New and select Mono or Stereo
5. Use the transport bar to record, stop, and playback your recording.
You are all set. Make sure to save your work to an external drive or cloud
storage provider. Save your work often.
6. Hit record to test your microphone input level. You should see a waveform appear.
7. Playback your test recording and observe the playback level meter. This should be "in the green"
with a peak volume level of less than –6dB.
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Ableton Live 11
Quick Start Guide
1. Open Focusrite Control
Select your monitor outputs
(headphones or speakers), and
make sure that the outputs you
select are unmuted.
From Output Routing, choose Software (DAW)
Playback and select the same channels you are
using on the audio interface. Add channels by
clicking on the +
The audio setup pictured above is for monitoring from Headphone 1 which is listening
to Input 1 on the audio interface. Speaker monitors are muted.
Ableton Live is a powerful and versatile software designed for music projects, especially for
electronic music and software instruments. It has an expansive collection containing
thousands of virtual instruments and audio effects to take your creativity to the next level.
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2. Open Ableton Live
3. Audio Device Setup: Go to Options → Preferences → Audio
In the audio tab, for Driver Type, select ASIO; for
Audio Device, select Focusrite USB ASIO.
Ableton Live offers two different views for recording: Session View and Arrangement View. Each
view shares the same set of tracks. Session view is comprised of clips, where multiple melodies,
loops, and ideas can be stored and looped within a single track. Arrangement view is where you can
record these ideas to a traditional linear recording format, where multiple tracks can be arranged
and mixed.
You can toggle between these two views by using the Tab key, or by clicking on the top right-
hand corner.
Session View
Arrangement View
Clips
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