Focusrite has announced the launch and worldwide availability of its second generation of Scarlett USB audio interfaces.
While the i/o count of every interface remains the same, the second generation of Scarlett USB audio interfaces is packed full of improvements, notably delivering Focusrite’s fastest USB performance yet, with roundtrip latency measurements as low as 2.74ms.*
There are six interfaces in the range, as well as two studio pack bundles, from the Scarlett Solo (two-in/two-out, single-mic preamp), up to the Scarlett 18i20 (rack-mounted 18-in/20-out). The improvements are immediately apparent at first glance, with new metal gain controls and a sleeker red metal chassis underscoring a host of improvements to the product design. The latest Scarlett mic preamp now features a more even gain structure, so users can accurately set their levels, and the instrument input has also been completely redesigned with increased headroom so it can handle even seriously hot guitar pickups. Focusrite has provided analog protection circuitry across both the inputs and the outputs, guarding the interfaces against unwanted power surges. The Scarlett range also now operates at sample rates up to 192kHz.
Following the announcement of an alliance between Focusrite and Avid, Scarlett second-generation interfaces will also ship with Avid Pro Tools® | First. Named Focusrite Creative Pack, the exclusive offering features the free version of the industry-standard Pro Tools digital audio software, and 12 additional plug-ins, including the Eleven® Lite for real-life guitar amp emulations and Tape Echo to bring the sound of classic analog delays to mixes. Focusrite and Avid will continue to collaborate closely to ensure that all new Scarlett interfaces are compatible with each new version of Pro Tools, providing the best possible user experience. The joint commitment to testing and the inclusion of the exclusive Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack with every second-generation Scarlett interface makes them perfect partners for Pro Tools. Also provided are Ableton Live Lite, Softube’s Time and Tone bundle, the Focusrite Red Plug-In Suite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples and more.
The bus-powered range of Scarlett second-generation interfaces is available immediately, with the Scarlett 6i6, 18i8 and 18i20 following later in June. The Scarlett range is Mac- and PC-compatible, working across all major DAWs.
*Round Trip Latency (2.74ms) tested at 96kHz on OS 10.11 / Mac Pro with Logic Pro X and buffer size of 32.
Scarlett USB audio interfaces features
- New Scarlett mic preamps with a more a linear gain structure for accurate setting of levels.
- Class leading conversion up to 24-bit / 192kHz and real-world dynamic range up to 109dB.
- Super Low Latency lets users perform and record using effects in real time. No DSP required.
- Newly-designed Instrument inputs, designed to handle seriously hot pick-ups.
- Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack with 12 additional plug-ins.
- Enhanced Software, including Ableton Live Lite and Softube’s Time and Tone bundle.
- Mac and PC compatible, working with all major DAWs.
The second generation of Focusrite Scarlett interfaces is available worldwide, June 2016.
More information: Focusrite / Scarlett
