FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Focusrite Scarlett – The Second Generation

Number-one selling USB interface range, now better, faster and easier

InfoComm, Las Vegas, NV, June 8, 2016 – Focusrite(booth C10516) is proud to announce the launch and worldwide availability of its second generation of Scarlett USB audio interfaces, the number-one-selling range of audio interfaces in the world. 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.

KEY FEATURES OF THE RANGE:

  • 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.

Focusrite Interface History:

Focusrite collaborated with Digidesign, now Avid, in 2000, to deliver the original Mbox®, the hardware of which was entirely a Focusrite design. Since then, Focusrite has introduced a wide range of interfaces on multiple protocols, from USB and Firewire to Thunderbolt and Ethernet. The Scarlett range, famous for its exceptional mic preamps and distinctive red metal chassis, was first introduced at NAMM in 2010 and has gone on to become the number-one USB interface range in the world. Focusrite interfaces now extend up from the iTrack range of iOS interfaces to the modular audio-over-IP RedNet range, used for live, broadcast, recording and installations across the globe.

Avid, Digidesign, Eleven, MBOX and Pro Tools are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

Photo file: ScarlettRange_2ndGeneration.JPG

Photo caption: The second generation of Focusrite Scarlett interfaces

For further information, head to or contact:

USA: Hannah Bliss +1 (310) 322 5500 //

Robert Clyne +1 (615) 662-1616 //

About Focusrite

The Focusrite brand was established in 1985 and the founding principles of the company were to develop products that sounded more musical, in addition to just measuring well – today, we still carry these founding principles forward in our class-leading and award-winning designs. We measure our success by the success of you, our clients, and you will find Focusrite product prominent in professional and project studios throughout the world. Based just outside of London, we work with the best design talent throughout the world to bring you the tools to enhance the way you work. Our product is made with pride and principle in a highly automated ISO 9002 factory with significant level of test by engineers who themselves are musicians and understand the part our product plays in your process.