davidecook
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/08/10 08:52:43
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Hello Gents-
I recently come across this thread, as I am interested in the Scarlett series audio interface. I was wondering if there have been any further updates regarding the issues I've read about? I am a drummer in need of a proper audio interface for my Roland TD-20SX. I'm new to electronic drumming and PC based home studio recording. I have Sonar 8.5 PE software and a decent ASUS lappy as my overall platform. All I need now is a good VST (I'm thinking Steven Slate Drums, perhaps) and a good MIDI audio interface. Based on your experiences thus far, would any of you recommend the Scarlett 18i6 or 8i6? I wonder if the main issue is how new to market this product is. I've heard nothing but great things about Focusrite in general, but like others on this thread, I'm convinced of Firewire's obsolescence.
I guess I'm mostly interested in what updates, if any, are there on the MIDI aspects of this device and whether or not Focusrite has been forthcoming in their efforts to support and resolve these issues.
Your input, advice, and recommendations would be most welcomed and appreciated.
Many thanks,
DC
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Kreative
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/01 23:51:56
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Just got an 18i a few weeks ago and have few problems. The sound is actually pretty impressive. Initially went through some blue screen blues- but that was due to driver conflicts on boot up between my onboard Realtek audio device and Scarlett, not getting along with one another. So I went into the Device manager and disabled Realtek, and now use only Scarlett as my exclusive audio device. Problem solved. I still wonder about proper input levels and trying to get that straight , and in one DAW they seem to produce weak volume levels that require additional FX processing w/compression to boost dynamics. I'm still learning X1 and and how I should be getting that straight, also. Any input on input levels, anyone?
post edited by Kreative - 2011/09/01 23:53:29
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whack
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/04 12:51:23
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Yea, I would like to hear more on this too. I notice I have to crank the preamps up near 7/10 to get a normal signal and as for a dynamic mic level in the inputs, they require ridulous gain increase within X1 itself.
Cian
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NW Smith
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/05 11:54:52
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I am using my Scarlett in conjunction with my mixer. I haven't had any issues with the levels being too low. What specific devices are you using to go into your Scarlett?
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Chris Focusrite
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/06 06:18:44
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Kreative
Just got an 18i a few weeks ago and have few problems. The sound is actually pretty impressive.
Initially went through some blue screen blues- but that was due to driver conflicts on boot up between my onboard Realtek audio device and Scarlett, not getting along with one another. So I went into the Device manager and disabled Realtek, and now use only Scarlett as my exclusive audio device. Problem solved.
I still wonder about proper input levels and trying to get that straight , and in one DAW they seem to produce weak volume levels that require additional FX processing w/compression to boost dynamics. I'm still learning X1 and and how I should be getting that straight, also.
Any input on input levels, anyone?
Hello, The blue screen issue that you mentioned should be solved by installing our latest beta USB drivers (Focusrite USB2 Drivers 2.2b3) from here: http://beta.focusrite.com/ With regard to the input level this is normal behaviour. Please see this article for further information: http://www.focusrite.com/...en/article.php?id=1163 Best regards, Chris Focusrite Support
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Kreative
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/07 23:42:59
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Chris Focusrite
Kreative
Just got an 18i a few weeks ago and have few problems. The sound is actually pretty impressive.
Initially went through some blue screen blues- but that was due to driver conflicts on boot up between my onboard Realtek audio device and Scarlett, not getting along with one another. So I went into the Device manager and disabled Realtek, and now use only Scarlett as my exclusive audio device. Problem solved.
I still wonder about proper input levels and trying to get that straight , and in one DAW they seem to produce weak volume levels that require additional FX processing w/compression to boost dynamics. I'm still learning X1 and and how I should be getting that straight, also.
Any input on input levels, anyone?
Hello,
The blue screen issue that you mentioned should be solved by installing our latest beta USB drivers (Focusrite USB2 Drivers 2.2b3) from here: http://beta.focusrite.com/
With regard to the input level this is normal behaviour. Please see this article for further information: http://www.focusrite.com/...en/article.php?id=1163
Best regards,
Chris
Focusrite Support
I read the Focusrite article posted here, previous to Chris's post, and it confirms that cranking up inputs is neither harmful or unusual. I'm really not having any more BSOD problems since I disabled my other driver. And with experimentation, my inputs and outcomes are acceptable. I like the sound of 18i. Its robust and has punch. Its better than my M Audio Mobile Pre, for sure. That did not even come close to compare to 18i in quality. I also like the Scarlett Mix Control and included bundle of software. All in all, I think this is a pretty value packed unit w/software and all. I don't regret my purchase, and I would recommend it to others.
post edited by Kreative - 2011/09/07 23:47:55
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whack
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/09 07:29:19
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Thanks Chris for signing onto the these forums to help with these issues, its a testament to the reputability of the company.
I find that I have to crank my condensor mics up high in the preamps but for an electric guitar that it barely needs to be touched. I find that for instance putting a dynamic mic in the back inputs requires a ridiculous amount of gain i.e. in sonar also.
I would also like to ask what is the difference between "line" and "instrument" input?
(*I will test out that driver, besides the MIDI crash issue, this interface works a treat)
Cian
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Kreative
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/09 15:42:09
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whack
Thanks Chris for signing onto the these forums to help with these issues, its a testament to the reputability of the company.
I find that I have to crank my condensor mics up high in the preamps but for an electric guitar that it barely needs to be touched. I find that for instance putting a dynamic mic in the back inputs requires a ridiculous amount of gain i.e. in sonar also.
I would also like to ask what is the difference between "line" and "instrument" input?
(*I will test out that driver, besides the MIDI crash issue, this interface works a treat)
Cian
I use the instrument input setting from my Scarlett Mix Control when I have my keyboard patched into the front panel dual mic/instrument inputs on my 18i. I would imagine the line inputs are for when using a microphone. I got much more volume response with my Korg Pa500 when I switched the input from line to instrument, since I am in fact using an instrument rather than a microphone in these inputs. There is a highly different output when switching between these settings, of course.
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whack
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/12 07:22:15
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Ok, thanks creative. The instrument line probably uses a higher resistance value of something for the likes of guitars/keyboards etc.
BTW, i tried the new beta patch and although the I dont get blue screens, if the Midi cables are plugged in SONAR seems to still freeze and the interface drops out. Maybe I should disable the realtek soundcard to see if this is the real problem.
Cian
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Kreative
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/09/13 00:09:02
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whack
Ok, thanks creative. The instrument line probably uses a higher resistance value of something for the likes of guitars/keyboards etc.
BTW, i tried the new beta patch and although the I dont get blue screens, if the Midi cables are plugged in SONAR seems to still freeze and the interface drops out. Maybe I should disable the realtek soundcard to see if this is the real problem.
Cian
Yes, Cian, I think that would be best if you just disabled realtek and used the 18i as your default audio when not going mobile. It was the total fix for me. Just go into the Device Manager and disable it. It should be all you need. Let me know if it works for you.
Peace, Jon
post edited by Kreative - 2011/09/13 00:12:01
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vicsant
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/10/10 22:16:53
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Hello,
The blue screen issue that you mentioned should be solved by installing our latest beta USB drivers (Focusrite USB2 Drivers 2.2b3) from here: http://beta.focusrite.com/
With regard to the input level this is normal behaviour. Please see this article for further information: http://www.focusrite.com/...en/article.php?id=1163
Best regards,
Chris
Focusrite Support For those with the 8i6...has these latest drivers solved all your BSOD, MIDI, and latency problems? Still over the fence on whether to get the Quad Capture or the 8i6. If the new 8i6 drivers now work....then I'll probably go with the 8i6. Hoping for any additional feedback. Thanks. Vic
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Sonusoculus
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2011/10/17 17:11:45
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I received my brand new Scarlett 18i6 today. After consulting this page and a few other sources I decided to install the Scarlett MixControl from the focusrite page here and found they have a new update (October 14th to be exact). I have used the interface for 2 hours of recording using a drum machine plugged in to 4 line inputs, 1 bass guitar in another line input (through a D/I box) and 1 guitar and microphone through the two front preamp inputs. Here are my results of this extensive recording session - A thoroughly impressive and relaxed recording session. Absolutely no drop outs and no OS hiss/noise. Let me expand on this. I have a 4Gig 2.4Khz Sony Vaio running Windows 7 64bit. I previously had the M-Audio FireWire 1814 and FireWire Audiophile and had nothing but problems. OS noise bleeding through to the recordings, drop outs, BSOD and sometimes undiagnosable audio faults. This often made recording a stressful experience that I often dreaded. Made worse by the fact that it was my band that I was recording and often spent two hours recording 1 guitar layer. With this I am performing better during recording - most likely due to less stress knowing that it will be recorded and having more recording time for multiple layers. Well done Focusrite - the Scarlett 18i6 is a well made piece of equipment.
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WillFocusrite
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
2012/02/09 07:33:02
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silvercn
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18
2012/02/10 10:05:16
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Speaking of the Mix Control - what do you think of that ? It probably should not be, but seems somewhat difficult to figure out. Have you found that it influences the outputs / phones monitoring, whether you actually open it up or not? Once I was getting nothing out of one side of my cans on a playback (X1) and found out after opening up the Mix Control, that it was a setting in there !!
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NashvilleKat1968
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Re:Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 18
2013/09/22 17:21:48
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I bought my 18i6 about six months ago. I've had nothing but problems with it. I decided today to put it on Craigslist and try to get rid of the thing and find something that actually works every time without going into a big mess trying to figure something out with it. Today it was latency. I tried adjusting my buffers down to 2 ms, the lowest point at which the audio engine wouldn't cut out on me and still had the latency issue. I then tried clearing the routing preset and using the zero latency feature and still had latency. I've tried to be patient with this thing. From installation problems to the Scarlett MixControl software (I don't believe I've ever seen a worse design in my life), this has been the single most disappointing hardware I've ever purchased. I cannot tell you how forward I looked to getting this thing. That's one reason I stayed with it so long. I desperately wanted it to be the centerpiece of my home studio for years but it wasn't meant to be.
When it works correctly, everything is great. The sound is truly pristine. I really wish it would function correctly each time I need it, but it's too unreliable to be of use to me. I boxed the thing up today and decided to my old Lexicon Lambda entry-level interface to lay down a dummy vocal until I can decide what I want to replace the Focusrite with. I hate that because I love the Focusrite preamps but usefulness and reliability trumps a great sound I cannot depend upon.
Sonar Platinum Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit AMD Athlon II 630 2800 Mhz Quad Core 16GB RAM Focusrite Scarlett 18i6
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