Focusrite announces the worldwide availability of its 2nd generation of Scarlett USB audio interfaces, packed full of improvements. Most notably, it delivers Focusrite’s fastest USB performance yet, with roundtrip latency measurements as low as 2.74 ms. Following the announcement of an alliance between Focusrite and Avid, Scarlett 2nd generation interfaces will also ship with Avid Pro Tools.
More details from Focusright (www.focusrite.net):
There are six interfaces in the range, as well as two studio pack bundles, from the two in, two out, single mic preamp Scarlett Solo up to the rack-mounted 18 in / 20 out Scarlett 18i20. The improvements are immediately apparent at first glance, with new metal gain controls and a sleeker red metal chassis underscoring improvements to the product design. The latest Scarlett mic preamp now features a more even gain structure, so you can accurately set your levels, and the instrument input has also been completely redesigned with increased headroom so it can handle even seriously hot guitar pickups. Focusrite have 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 192 kHz.
Following the announcement of an alliance between Focusrite and Avid, Scarlett 2nd 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 so und of classic analog delays to mixes.
Focusrite and Avid continue to collaborate to ensure 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 2nd generation Scarlett interface makes them 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 2nd generation interfaces is available immediately, with Scarletts 6i6, 18i8 and 18i20 following later in June. The Scarlett range is Mac and PC compatible, working across all major DAWs.
