This was posted 2 years 6 months 6 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Focusrite 3rd Generation Scarlett Audio Interface 18i8 $511.59 Delivered @ Amazon UK via AU

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(First post, sorry in advance if I've made any mistakes.)

I was looking around for a Focusrite audio interface deal including secondhand/refurb, but people aren't selling them cheap - they're highly rated and a top quality product. Was going to go with the 8i6 for $375.49 (which is also the cheapest I could find) until I found this deal on the 18i8 - it boasts a number of balanced inputs and outputs that I won't be worrying interfaces in the future, and can use for recording bands/church (Yes, this is defs overkill for most home studios).
The closest price I can find for the 18i8 is $590 from Music City.

Most people using mics with a PC will only want something like the Scarlett Solo or 2i2, the 4i4 is probably appropriate if you want to start recording quality sound, and the 8i6 should cover most home studios. The 8i6 is great for people who want to use condenser microphones but also record instruments, as it has balanced inputs (for cleaner signals), something most of the smaller versions don't have.

Other models:

Released in 2019, this generation has USB-C. Be wary that a new generation might be coming, as 2016 was the gen 2 release, and gen 1 in 2011 - seems like we're about due for a new release, but maybe the specs won't change much.

18i8 Specs:

Supported sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz

Microphone Inputs:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz ± 0.1dB
- Dynamic Range: 111dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: <0.0012%
- Noise EIN: -128dBu (A-weighted)
- Maximum Input Level: 9dBu (at minimum gain)
- Gain Range: 56dB
- Impedance: 3kΩ

Line Inputs 1-4 (Variable Gain)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz ± 0.1dB
- Dynamic Range: 110.5dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: <0.002%
- Maximum Input Level: 22dBu (at minimum gain)
- Gain Range: 56dB
- Impedance: 60kΩ

Line Inputs 5-8 (Fixed Gain)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz ± 0.1dB
- Dynamic Range: 110.5dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: <0.002%
- Maximum Input Level: 18dBu (at minimum gain)
- Impedance: 44kΩ

Instrument Inputs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz ± 0.1dB
- Dynamic Range: 110dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: <0.03%
- Maximum Input Level: 12.5dBu (at minimum gain)
- Gain Range: 56dB
- Impedance: 1.5MΩ

Line/Monitor Outputs
- Dynamic Range (Line Outputs): 108dB
- THD+N" <0.002%
- Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS): 15.5dBu
- Impedance: 430Ω

Headphone Outputs
- Dynamic Range: 104dB (A-weighted)
- THD+N: <0.002%
- Maximum Output Level: 7dBu
- Impedance: <1Ω

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • +2

    I have the Clarett 2Pre and I love it.

  • +1

    Mate this is brilliant. I was just in the US looking at these (but with the exchange rate it was not worth it).

  • +6

    I know these interfaces don't compare in price, as they're more expensive, but I would highly recommend getting an audient interface instead.

    I think the issue is that Focusrite dominate the market because it's all anyone knows, especially those starting out googling about interfaces so it's what everyone gets at first, but yeah if you want something a bit better for the price the audient smashes it out of the water in terms of recording clarity.

    With that said, the Focusrite isn't a bad interface at all. This is just my two-cents as someone who does a lot of music production.

    • +2

      Yeah, just upgraded my 4i4 to an iD14. Clear difference.

      • how good are the headphone dac amp in the iD14?
        i know interface is mainly for input, are there much difference between 200$ range vs 400$?

    • +2

      I turfed Focusrite after 2 different models for a MOTU M4. Haven't had stability issues since, and the monitor balanced output is cleaner, as well as a better headphone amp (which doesn't mean much to me but nice to have).

      Maybe was just my motherboard (ASUS ROG Z390-E) that was upset with the Focusrites, but my experience was never good. I reinstalled Windows, changed that much software, changed that many settings and cables and still couldn't get rid of artifacting in my recordings and playback. Then I upgraded to a Gen 3 and had the same issue so wasn't the device.

      MOTU has been rock stable since day one on the same machine with no changes.

      • +1

        I've been looking for a good interface ever since I picked up the SM7b from the last ozbargain deal.

        Focusrite seem to be heavily promoted, I suspect a lot of paid reviews going on when real people say MOTU or audient are better.

        I managed to get a Motu M4 for $340 at amazon (shipped by amazon.co.uk), unfortunately they immediately sold out, otherwise I would have posted the deal here.

        Better specs than the 4i4, plus the lcd screen, and the only interface that I haven't seen people complaining about terrible driver support.

      • +1

        I’ve been chasing a M2 at a decent price for 12months.

    • I returned one of these and got an Audient EVO8 after having issues with the driver stopping randomly every 1-2 hours, can confirm it's a comparable bit of kit with a nicer design IMO (Cables routed around the back, USB-C, silent and detented control wheel)

      Can also recommend MOTU in this price range, which are nicer than the Audient for build quality.

      All three brands have comparable software, functional and not complicated. Sad about the driver for the Scarlet though, the red matched my tower LEDs…

    • What about the Evo 4? I was going to get the 2i2, but i feel like the Evo 4 beats it across the board
      https://www.amazon.com.au/EVO-Interface-production-audio-int…

      Thoughts?
      Using it for Podcasting and Guitar recording (separate ventures)

      • I searched for “separate ventures” in Apple Music and Soundcloud but came up with nil results.

        Where’s your recordings hosted?

  • Nice find OP

  • I wonder if there is an interface with optical input and an AES EBU digital output?..

  • +1

    Behringer U-PHORIA UMC404HD is $225 on Amazon, looks similar. I have smaller one, quality is good.

    • I have this. The Focusrite has 8 inputs compared to the 4 on the Behringer. Looks like they both have 4 outputs, though the Behringer has more connectivity options and has inserts for each channel (I'm not sure how useful those would be though, never used mine).

    • Been looking at the Behringer UMC202HD, had any experience with this one?

      • it is ok, but im not pro user, better search forums

  • what exactly does one use this for?

    • +1

      A standard response will be "if you don't know you do not need it". It is to connect things with other things. For example, a microphone to a recorder.

      • +3

        nah… "if it is here in Ozb we need to buy it and find out later what it is" :)

    • +1

      Generally for sending a microphone or instrument signal to a PC at a reasonably high quality. You can also monitor (listen live) to what you're recording with very low latency.

      They also double as a soundcard/mixer if you're already using it for the above.

      Mainly for musical or podcast applications. There are USB mics that do a lot of this "well enough" for your average Twitch streamer these days.

  • Ever since an update recently for my GoXLR mini it constantly failed, should I get one like this instead then hmm

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