big Fan of Focusrite

This is my second Focusrite interface. just picked up a new laptop and it didn't have firewire so I looked at the Scarlett 18i6. I already own a Saphire Pro 24 for my home DAW and video editor. the PRO 24 has worked for almost 18 months without a single problem. It has superior Pre's compared to other interfaces I have owned. I previously owned a MOTU 828 MK2 got burned and will never go back. This interface is perfect for portablility with my new core i7 lapop. and like it's firewire cousin it works flawlessly. My only wish for the future is that focusrite might develop a USB 3.0 interface someday. Just withing though.

Excellent High quality product

Right from the build quality, mic-preamps and the sound quality its top notch. Feels really good in hand. The expandability option in this is added benefit. No complaints whatsoever with this product. Gives out excellent sound quality. Would definitely recommend this interface to others. With Focusrite's brand things can hardly go wrong and that's their reputation.

What a great product!

This device allows me to integrate: the computer, hifi amplifier, microphones and my electric guitars with high quality playback and recording.
According to need, I can use it with my desktop or my laptop.
Simple installation and optimal results.
Absolutely recommended!

Just... Amazing!

So I was on the phone with Mark at Sweetwater, and I asked about the Scarlett. I'd read about their pre-amp clarity for a long time. Having never used an interface - as I JUST got into the DAW world - I decided to go with a brand that has long been well-regarded. I've heard a few home recordings using other brands, and there was always noise from jacked-up pre-amps. Not with the Scarlett! Man, is it clean! And so many inputs I can leave everything hooked up all the time. No sweat. I literally could not be happier with my choice. I run direct guitar, keyboards, bass, and mics... all with NO NOISE!
You seriously cannot go wrong with this choice.

Excellent buy!!!

I owned the steinberg mr816 about a year ago and it sounded decent but was more trouble than it was worth. Now that I'm using a laptop exclusively I decided to go with a usb 2.0 interface. I was looking into RME but couldn't justify the cost without first trying something like the Scarlett.
In my 20 years of home recording I have never been so happy. Yesterday I laid down a stereo drum track using a pair of chameleon ts-1's directly into the scarlett and was very pleased. Crystal clear, lots of headroom, absolutely silent. Just for the heck of it I went in direct with guitar and bass and couldn't believe my ears. For $300 this makes for a great DI.
On my win7 64bit system, I haven't had any trouble with the drivers. I've also been using it as a dac for playing flac files over the stereo and it sounds excellent. I was thinking of buying a squeezebox a while back but see little reason to now.
I definitly recommend trying this out before dropping 3x the money on something else. So much has changed in the last 5-10 years. It seems like you don't have to take out a loan to get a great sound these days.

Solid Product

I have not had trouble with my unit yet, It is pretty killer, and I've done plenty of recordings on it already.

As far as experimentation goes, you REALLY need multiple pre-amps or a channel strip if you want good signal from the extra inputs. I recommend buying this unit coupled with the Focusrite Octo-Pre. The gain on the rest of the inputs without the pre-amps is not quite enough.

Other than that, Once you buy this, have fun with it, it's a bangin piece of equipment especially for the price.

more for less

For the price difference between this and what I was using prior to, I found the features and quality performance to be far more exceptional than I was expecting. Easy setup with software, and cant complain about my support (sweetwater). The only reason this lost half a star is because there is no I/O switch to turn it on and off. You either unplug it or leave it in..