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Miscellaneous => Recording - Studio Talk => Topic started by: Harley Hexxe on February 26, 2017, 07:00:55 AM

Title: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on February 26, 2017, 07:00:55 AM
Hey Gang,

    G.A.S. strikes! I took the plunge and ordered the 18i20 interface, and it came yesterday :whoohoo!:

    Now to get it set up and running, and let's see what we can get out of it.  Hopefully soon, I'll be able to post some clips from it.

     Harley 8)
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: rnolan on February 27, 2017, 02:03:41 AM
Hey Harley, cool, they certainly look the goods  :thumb-up: and IIRC come with a cut back version of protools ?
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on February 27, 2017, 05:37:44 AM
Hey Richard,

    Yes it does, but it's a bare-bones version of Pro Tools, the same with the version of Ableton you get with it. You have to buy your own DAW. It's alright, because down the road, I may just buy a complete version of Pro Tools to learn how to use it. In the meantime, I'm going to try to get the Cubase DAW going after I get this thing properly configured.
    I ran into a bit of a snag yesterday when I was downloading the drivers. It seems it was trying to install a USB driver that isn't for Windows, but for a Mac, and that won't work in here. I plan to go to the support page and see what kind of help that will be this morning.
   I'll keep updating this as I go along.

  Harley 8)
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: GuitarBuilder on February 27, 2017, 06:51:25 AM
Nice purchase, Harley!  I've got two of them and I know you're going to love it!
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on February 27, 2017, 07:21:43 AM
Nice purchase, Harley!  I've got two of them and I know you're going to love it!

   Hey GB,

     Two of them??? Wow, I thought this would be more than enough to get started, with maybe an OctoPre later if I need more.
      Are you using Windows to run yours?

     Harley 8)
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: MarshallJMP on February 27, 2017, 10:53:35 AM
So Harley, did you get it up and running?

@GB what daw do you use?
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on February 27, 2017, 04:40:28 PM
Not yet MJMP,

    I took the day off since I was tired from work last night. I've been working 7 day work weeks for the last 3 weeks to pick up the overtime while it's available.
    Plus, I need to order a pair of 1/4" to XLR balanced cables to connect my monitors to the Focusrite. I'm probably going to get a pair of monitor headphones as well. I'm looking at a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50X.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: GuitarBuilder on February 28, 2017, 10:26:54 AM
Nice purchase, Harley!  I've got two of them and I know you're going to love it!

   Hey GB,

     Two of them??? Wow, I thought this would be more than enough to get started, with maybe an OctoPre later if I need more.
      Are you using Windows to run yours?

     Harley 8)

No, I'm a Mac Pro guy.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: GuitarBuilder on February 28, 2017, 10:27:31 AM
So Harley, did you get it up and running?

@GB what daw do you use?

I use Studio One Pro 3 on OS X Yosemite.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: GuitarBuilder on February 28, 2017, 10:37:32 AM
Not yet MJMP,

    I took the day off since I was tired from work last night. I've been working 7 day work weeks for the last 3 weeks to pick up the overtime while it's available.
    Plus, I need to order a pair of 1/4" to XLR balanced cables to connect my monitors to the Focusrite. I'm probably going to get a pair of monitor headphones as well. I'm looking at a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50X.

Those are very nice headphones; I'd recommend the AKG K710s as well for mixing.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 08, 2017, 04:47:04 PM
Update:

    I've got the drivers downloaded and installed, and everything seems to be cool with it. I had to order a pair of TRS cable to connect to my studio monitors. Audio test shows everything is connected and working the way it should, (pretty easy in fact)! Now to download and install Cubase which I'll do tomorrow. I've also ordered a backlit keyboard for the Cubase/Nuendo DAW, and that should be here in the next day or two.

Hey GB,

    I couldn't find 710's, but I did find 701's and 712's. A bit pricey, but looks good for when I need to get into some critical monitoring. I may go with a pair of those down the road as I add more equipment to this recording setup. There are a variety of mics I'm looking at as well as, mic pre's, tube compressors, and passive EQ's. That's when I'll need more accurate monitoring.

    Harley 8)
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 09, 2017, 01:03:58 PM
Hey Harley, don't forget to download the free focusrite stuff they give to focusrite owners !!!

Say may I ask what cubase keyboard you ordered? I interested in a backlit one but I can't find them over here.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 09, 2017, 01:12:59 PM
Is it the one from editors keys?
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 09, 2017, 05:13:23 PM
Hey MJMP,

      So far, most of the stuff Focusrite has been offering has been 3rd party apps and such, is that what you mean?

     The keyboard I ordered is the Logickeyboard Astra, for Cubase/Nuendo. It does have the editors keys. It's pretty nice, just came today. There are 8 dealers in Belgium for these. I'll list them for you.


 
Redcorp SA
Rue Emile FĂ©ronstraat 168
   1060 Bruxelles
   Belgium
Web www.redcorp.com
Phone +32 2 558 30 00
 
Vianto
Weggestraat 13
   2170 Merksem/Antwerpen
   Belgium
Web www.vianto.be
Phone +32 3 641 63 33
 
Easy M
Fraikinstraat 12
   2200 Herentals
   Belgium
 
Web www.easy-m.be
Phone +32 1 428 66 66
 
Double Precision
Muinkkai 73
   9000 Gent
   Belgium
 
Web www.doubleprecision.be
Phone +32 9 233 51 59
 
Diginet
Aarschotsestraat 87A
   1801 Peutie
   Belgium
 
Web www.diginet.be 
Phone
+32 2 257 01 82
 
ES Broadcast Media
Technologielaan 3
   3001 Heverlee
   Belgium
 
Web www.broadcast-media.eu
Phone
+32 1 640 40 20
 
Integra
Naamsesteenweg 386
   3001 Heverlee
   Belgium
 
Web www.integra-belgium.be
Phone
+32 16 38 72 70
 
 Optivoks
Jean Roelantsstraat 20
   1830 Machelen
   Belgium
 
Web www.optivoks.com
Phone
+32 2 252 13 53

     I hope one of these are close to you. You should be able to check out everything they do at one of these sites.
     The keyboard comes with two USB plugs, one black, and one grey. The black is just the standard plug in for the keyboard, the grey is where you get the backlit feature. It also comes with a transparent rubber keyboard cover to cover all the keys, and keep any dust and other junk from getting into your keyboard.
   I'm glad I ordered this. It makes it much easier to use the laptop, and I prefer my trackball mouse which is a lot better than the little pad on the laptop.

   Harley 8)
 







Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 10, 2017, 04:00:19 AM
Yeah that what I mean.

BTW none of those dealers carry either something for pc or cubase.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 10, 2017, 08:49:02 AM
Yeah that what I mean.

BTW none of those dealers carry either something for pc or cubase.

That's bizarre, Logickeyboard lists them as dealers for their products. :dunno:
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 10, 2017, 10:39:56 AM
Yeah that's Belgium.That's why I never order anything over here, I usually order my stuff in the Netherlands or Germany.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 10, 2017, 04:11:20 PM
That would be frustrating as hell.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 14, 2017, 01:10:39 PM
UPDATE:

     Okay, I have everything installed and hooked up, and I tried a preliminary recording run through with one of my rigs and did a few tracks to see how it sounds. For a first run at it, not too bad!
    I have to experiment with mic placement with my SM-57, but I'm getting the feeling that I might also need to invest in a Royer 121.
    Overall, I think I made the right choice with the Focusrite 18i20. The British certainly know a thing or two about recording equipment! It's a great little unit with a lot of potential. Very Neutral in it's recording quality, so what you put in is what you get out. It's got me thinking about adding a bit more to it like Mic Pre-amps, Passive EQ's, and a vactrol Compressor, and above all, better microphones! There's a lot of potential here that I didn't think I would have with a PC based recording setup. (It's a hard transition from old school recording to the new way of recording when you know the fidelity of the old school ways)!
   Next on the agenda: combining live mic placement with direct recording to get the truest recording of the actual sounds I'm hearing in the open room. I also think a bit of room treatment is in order here, so I'll keep you updated.

Harley 8)
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: rnolan on March 15, 2017, 04:06:01 AM
Hey Harley, I was given a pair of Rode NT 5s a while ago, they are a very nice (and small) condenser, sounded very good on the cab (and also very versatile).  I also bought a Chinese EV RE320 ($280 AUD ish), it's a cheaper version of the EV RE20 (arguably the best dynamic mic ever) and has a nice bass drum switch (which is what I typically use it for, but it would work really well on cabs). Anyway as you know there are lots of mics to pick from...
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 15, 2017, 08:04:05 AM
Oh yeah Richard,

     There are a ga-ZILLION mics out there these days, and it would be impossible to name them all. I don't know about the NT 5's but one that I am looking at is the NTK, that seems to be a good mic at an attractive price. Some other mics I have my eye on are these:

    Sennheiser MD 441 U --- a mic I've used in studios in the past and it's awesome!
    Telefunken CU-29
    Telefunken M80
    Shure SM-52
    AKG C414
    Neumann TLM 103
    Royer R-121
    Lauten Audio LA-320

  There are a few more 'must have' mics that I'll probably get next like three more SM-57's. They are hard to beat.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: rnolan on March 16, 2017, 04:13:58 AM
Absolutely Harley, and as you say, hard to go past the old reliable 57 (which is still my favourite snare mic).
The ones I've use from your list:
The Senni MD 421 is also worth looking out for (very hi SPL handling), and there are more of them around than the 441 (which is basically a weather proof version of the 421  :dunno: ), word of warning with both of these though, (you may have come across already ??) is they often break where the clip slots into the mic (nice idea, not very robust  :facepalm: ) ahh gaph tape is your friend (again lol).
The AKG C414 is also a mic I'm familiar with, very nice mic IMHO.

The Rode mics are made in Australia, Swiss guy came here years ago....  they sell more overseas than domestically (well there's only 22 mil people in Australia). Great mics at very reasonable prices (particularly for how good they are).  I also have a Rode NT1, kind of Neumann U87 equivalent (but better IMHO and allot cheaper..), it's great for lots of things but particularly vocals.

Anyway, as you say, there are a gazillion to pick from...
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 16, 2017, 05:02:19 AM
Hi Richard,

   Yes I know about that issue with the 441-U, but since I would only want it for studio use, it should be fine. I've used those a lot in the past.
   I know Rode mics are made in your neck of the woods. I looked into the NT1, and it's a Solid State mic. Very reasonably priced too. But I'm looking for tube dynamics and warmth, so that's what has me looking at the NTK. That should come a bit closer to the U 87, and since $3600.00 is out of my price range, that's why I'm looking into these alternatives.
   The CU-29 can get one aspect of the Telefunken U 47, but for a fraction of the price. I could always pick up a NT1 later on just to give it a go.

  There are a lot of mics out there but some I wouldn't use if you paid me. Blue mics are one of them. The sales guy I'm dealing with at Sweetwater has one, and he told me he only uses it if he has nothing left. And, I wouldn't waste my time with any of the USB mics, especially the condensers.

   Harley 8)
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 16, 2017, 09:57:34 AM
I have a Rode NT2a very happy with it, very good mic.Also have audix mics for drums, a few D2,D4,D6,i5 and ADX51 condensers.The i5 works very well together with the SM57.
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 16, 2017, 04:37:39 PM
Who makes the i5?
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 17, 2017, 04:57:03 AM
Audix   http://www.audixusa.com/index-15.shtml
Title: Re: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 17, 2017, 05:11:17 AM
That's a very interesting mic. I looked at a few other Audix mics, but not that one.
  That's why I was looking at the Royer Labs R-121. It's a large ribbon mic that works well with the SM-57 when mic'ing guitar cabs.