Focusrite is delighted to announce the third generation of their best-selling Scarlett USB audio interfaces. That’s a big deal, because of the company’s unique and important position in the pro audio landscape. To understand that more fully, let’s take in a little history lesson.
Focusrite was founded by the legendary audio designer Rupert Neve in 1985. Rupert’s first Focusrite product was a set of input modules for Sir George Martin’s AIR Studios, which by popular demand developed into a line of ISA (Input Signal Amplifier) modules, the ISA110 and ISA130 — the success of which, in turn, prompted requests for an entire console. Two Focusrite Forte consoles were built initially, landing at Master Rock and Electric Lady Studios. After a company reorganization, Focusrite pushed ahead with development of the Focusrite Studio Console — of which only 10 were made. Focusrite’s goal was to build the best-sounding large-format analog recording console ever; and indeed, many golden-eared professionals consider it to be just that.
The Focusrite Studio Console was like no other. Constructed in “buckets” of eight channels that were each powered and summed locally, keeping noise to a minimum, the Studio Console used military-spec parts, gold contacts, and the renowned Lundahl 1538 input transformers for isolation and clean gain. The result was exceptional audio quality. Along with its sweet-sounding, punchy EQ, engineers loved its three stereo submix buses that could be summed to the master mix bus. The board’s devotees were amazed at the sheer size of the sound and the openness of the top end. Transparent like a modern console, yet muscular like a vintage Neve, the Studio Console offered high fidelity, but with a little bit of extra color. It was a voluptuous, warm, full-range sound with crystal-clear highs and a controlled bottom end. In other words, pretty close to perfect.
In retrospect, the Focusrite Studio Console was, in a sense, a grand capstone to the golden age of analog, setting the company up to bridge the gap between the multitrack tape-based workflows of yesteryear and the modern era of digital audio. Flash forward to today, and Focusrite is as vital as ever, offering a line of popular products designed for today’s hybrid studio — including the third generation of the world’s most popular audio interfaces.
The New Scarlett Generation 3 Range
With a host of across-the-board improvements, including upgraded Scarlett mic preamps, high-performance 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA converters, optimized preamp gain structure, vanishingly low latency, and instrument inputs that handle scorching hot pickups, the new Scarlett G3 range offers a lineup of USB 2.0 interfaces to accommodate everyone from the newbie seeking the easiest way to start recording to the studio owner who needs high channel counts. The Scarlett G3 mic preamps now offer Focusrite’s acclaimed Air mode that emulates the sound of the company’s ISA console modules to give your voice and instrument recordings a brighter, more open sound.
Offering one mic preamp and one line/instrument input, the Scarlett Solo is ideal for the podcaster or the singer/songwriter on a budget. Stepping up to the best-selling Scarlett 2i2 gives you two combo mic/line/instrument inputs — perfect if you only need to record in stereo. The 4-in/4-out Scarlett 4i4 is for musicians and producers who need a bit more connectivity, letting you record up to four mono sources or two stereo line sources, such as synths or drum machines. Equipped with two mic/instrument inputs, four line inputs and outputs, and MIDI plus S/PDIF I/O, the Scarlett 8i6 ups the ante with even more connectivity so you can keep all your hardware plugged in and ready to go.
Rocking four mic and two instrument inputs, eight line inputs, four analog outs, an ADAT input, MIDI and S/PDIF I/O, and dual headphone buses, the Scarlett 18i8 is an ideal compact audio interface for engineers and producers who have to adapt to ever-changing recording scenarios. Designed for studio or mobile rack installation, the flagship Scarlett 18i20 is a 19″ unit with eight mic/line inputs, two instrument inputs, eight channels of ADAT I/O, S/PDIF and MIDI I/O, word clock out, two headphone buses, and talkback functionality.
Focusrite’s Scarlett G3 interfaces come with an impressive software bundle designed to get you up and running fast. The package includes Ableton Live Lite, the Focusrite Red 2 & Red 3 Plug-in Suite, your choice of one of four XLN Audio Addictive Keys virtual instruments, Softube’s Time & Tone Bundle, access to the Focusrite Plug-in Collective (which offers free software downloads and generous discounts), and a free 3-month Splice Sounds subscription when setting up your new Splice account. Splice Sounds offers millions of high-quality, royalty-free loops, one-shots, and presets, with new releases daily from top sound designers, artists, and producers.
So there you have it. Whether you’re a podcaster, a songwriter on the go, a project studio owner that needs a few more channels, or a commercial facility that requires tons of I/O, the Scarlett G3 range has an interface for you that offers Focusrite’s legendary audio quality along with the features you need — and at a price that won’t blow a hole in your budget. As always, should you need advice on configuring your studio setup or mobile rig, give our friendly and knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers a call at (800) 222-4700. They’ll be happy to help. Happy recording!