KAUSTHUB RAVI & SIVANESH NATARAJAN
SOME NICE NEW ADDITIONS TO
THE STARTER PRODUCER KIT
Focusrite Scarlett 3rd Gen
The humble Scarlett 2i2, its the first interface many of us
would have bought. Cheap, simple, easy to use and quite
simply - gets the job done for the beginner producer. The
much loved Scarlett series has received an upgrade. There
are six interfaces in the third generation of Scarletts, some
direct replacements to models in the second generation,
others replacements but with additional features like
extra line-ins. The smallest is the Solo, one of the direct
second-generation upgrades.The range then steps up
with more ins and outs, so you get the Scarlett 2i2 (two
in, two out); the 4i4 (four in, four out and which replaces
the old 2i4, adding two fixed-line inputs); the 8i6 (one of
the units on test here, which replaces the old 6i6 but adds
two line inputs); the 18i8 (18 ins, including eight ADAT
ins and eight analogue outs) and 18i20 (18 ins and 20
outs, including ADAT I/O). All the models now have the
Focusrite Air feature that the Clarett USB range had last
year. I guess its an ode to the increasingly bright modern
sound that most people are chasing. It emulates the famous
AIR Studios lift in the high mids, which is a famous
characteristic of the original Focusrite ISAs. The top four
models also boast Loopback functionality enabling you to
capture any stereo feed from any hardware or software
combo. This is a functionality that most of us look for
when it comes to aiding sampling and podcasting. The new
46
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
series has a decent bump in technical specs as well. The
Dynamic Range, Total Harmonic Distortion and overall
gain range all see a slight bump. It also comes with a a
free software bundle with Live Lite and Pro Tools First,
a Splice subscription, plus a good range of plug-ins from
Softube, XLN Audio and Focusrite.
The new range incorporates the Quick start process,
designed to get you up and running much more easily
and faster. It helps you install the interface driver as well
as all the softwares bundled within the purchase a lot
easier than it would be to just go download and license
each thing. It also explains how to setup the interface
depending on how the usage is going to be. You get asked
whether you are more of an in-the-box producer or one
who will be recording externally, and are then given all
the connectivity information, depending on the scenario
you choose. This can really be helpful for people who
are buying an interface for the first time and would like
to understand the full functionality without having to
navigate a myriad of tutorials and manuals.
The new version of the Focusrite’s Control software
allows you to set up main global device parameters –
clocking and line/instrument inputs – and also mixing
and routing options. Within this software, you get Input
Settings and Output Routing tabs. The main I/O routings,