Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 2nd Gen: What is SPDIF?

[sld128]

Hello,
I'm currently using the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and I love it, but being the synth lover that I am I have found I don't have enough inputs. I'm thinking of upgrading to the Scarlett 18i8 2nd Gen but I don't understand a couple of things:
What is SPDIF and why would I want SPDIF i/o on an interface?
What is an Optical Input and why would I want on an interface?
Are there any other interfaces of similar quality with more preamps/inputs that I could find for the about the same price as the 18i8? What sets the interface you recommend apart from the 18i8?

Thank you for your help, and I hope you day is great!

[James Perrett]

The SPDIF and optical connections are both digital connections. They are useful if you have another device with digital outputs like an external mic preamp or a digital recorder. They also allow you to upgrade the quality of your analogue to digital convertors by using high quality external convertors.

A common way to expand the number of inputs on an interface is to use an external preamp with an ADAT optical output like the Behringer ADA8200 or the Audient ASP800 which will give you an extra 8 mic or line inputs.

I know Blinddrew on here has a Tascam 1608 which is cheaper than the Focusrite. My preferred option would be to go for an RME Digiface USB which only has digital connections and then partner it with whichever Preamps/convertors you prefer. This may work out more expensive initially but RME have an extremely good reputation for long term support and high quality drivers (plus you can expand it to 32 inputs and outputs).

[Drew Stephenson]

Yep, you've probably only got a couple of options for cheaper high-input-count interfaces, the tascam that James mentioned (I'm happy with mine) or the Behringer UMC1820 - which i've never tried.

[sld128]

Those are really amazing interfaces, but they’re a little more than I need. I like the xlr-1/4” Jack combo on the scarletts a lot, which the tascam doesn’t seem to offer. Thanks for your insight on the practical application of the spdif and the optical - I’ll probably never use them but I also thought I’d never need to upgrade from the 2i2 haha. I will definitely consider these interface options tho, just because it’d be nice to have a rack interface

[Sam Spoons]

The Behringer UMC1820 has all combi sockets so can accept mic/line/instrument inputs on 8 channels and line inputs (usually fine for keys etc) on the other eight. A price of well under £200 has to make it a contender.

[ef37a]

Those are really amazing interfaces, but they’re a little more than I need. I like the xlr-1/4” Jack combo on the scarletts a lot, which the tascam doesn’t seem to offer. Thanks for your insight on the practical application of the spdif and the optical - I’ll probably never use them but I also thought I’d never need to upgrade from the 2i2 haha. I will definitely consider these interface options tho, just because it’d be nice to have a rack interface

It may not have 'combi' front inputs but I would say the Tascam connectivity is more flexible than the F'rite?
It has 6 line inputs at the rear and that means you can leave 3 stereo sources connected all the time. I assume the front XLRs can be switched from mic to line level duty but I have not studied the user manuals (that is YOUR job! Download them and get stuck in)

Combi XLRs are a clever invention and handy in many circumstances but of course, by definition, you can only have one plug connected at a time. And "S/PDIF"? You might have it on your synth, if so you would have a top quality connection, no level matching problems and no need to take up two analogue inputs on the AI. Many FSTVs have digital out.

Dave.

[sld128]

It may not have 'combi' front inputs but I would say the Tascam connectivity is more flexible than the F'rite?
It has 6 line inputs at the rear and that means you can leave 3 stereo sources connected all the time. I assume the front XLRs can be switched from mic to line level duty but I have not studied the user manuals (that is YOUR job! Download them and get stuck in)

Combi XLRs are a clever invention and handy in many circumstances but of course, by definition, you can only have one plug connected at a time. And "S/PDIF"? You might have it on your synth, if so you would have a top quality connection, no level matching problems and no need to take up two analogue inputs on the AI. Many FSTVs have digital out.

Dave.

On the tascam I wouldn’t imagine you can swtich since it doesnt have combo jacks? But idk this is only my second interface ever so it might surprise me. Multiple stereo inputs would be nice, but only as long as they can be switched to mono inputs. Im honestly not completely sure how often I’d need them just because most of the time a synth only has one output. I’m assuming the tascam would do that and I know ableton would recognize them as mono or stereo. Like you said that’s my job to read the manual and figure that out. The behringer is definitely a contender, the problem I have with it is that I don’t know where I’d put it? My desk has one spot that it could fit, but I’m not sure if the dimensions of the behringer so that might not work... I’ll go and look at it for sure. As for spdif, how do I know if my synth is supported? For example, I have an arturia microfreak. Do you know if that one is supported? It has a 1/8” headphone output as well as a 1/4” main output.

[Drew Stephenson]

The mic inputs on The Tascam at minimum gain are -12 dBu, the line inputs +4 dBu. In the mixer software channels can be stereo linked for gain, you would have to be wary of the phantom power though as there's no automatic cut (in the way there generally is with combi sockets).
There's also the instrument inputs on the front that can be switched to line level.

As to size, it, the focusrite and the behringer are all 19" 1u rack devices - it's only the front to back depth that varies.

[sld128]

The mic inputs on The Tascam at minimum gain are -12 dBu, the line inputs +4 dBu. In the mixer software channels can be stereo linked for gain, you would have to be wary of the phantom power though as there's no automatic cut (in the way there generally is with combi sockets).
There's also the instrument inputs on the front that can be switched to line level.

As to size, it, the focusrite and the behringer are all 19" 1u rack devices - it's only the front to back depth that varies.

Okay that’s helpful. One last question: I know focusrite has their app called focusrite control or something of that nature that allows for a virtual channel to playback audio for streamingand such. Does the tascam or behringer have a similar software?

[ef37a]

Sld, I would like to explain a couple of things regarding the Tascam's line inputs.

I said they could handle "three stereo sources" that does not imply they are "stereo" inputs, they are six discrete mono inputs that you could pair up in the DAW for a stereo source.

I know of no audio interfaces that have physical mono/stereo switches for line inputs.

If you wanted to feed a single, mono source into two inputs, not a problem you just need a suitable 'Y' splitter cable. They can be had TS jack plug to 2x TS plug or RCA phono to 2x TS plugs. Some RCA to TS plug adapters are always handy to have around.

The Tascam does have +4dBu/-10dBV switching, useful because many synths, AFAICT produce much less than +4dBu.

The Focustite Control software seems to be praised and damned in equal measure. I have a Mk1 8i6 and have tried Mix Control, it baffles this old valve amp jockey but YMMV!

Not sure I understand the phantom power 'problem'? I guess I shall HAVE to dld the book now and have study!

Reet Monkey! I have found what I need to know. The XLR inputs on the 16-08 are JUST microphone inputs so there is no problem with phantom power* and in any case the 48V can be switch on/of in banks of four.

There are 6 balanced jack inputs on the back and eight balanced outputs. There are two instrument/ line jacks on the front panel and so I think the Tascam at least equals the analogue input count of the Focusrite? It does not have S/PDIF nor ADAT but you professed ignorance of these things.."what you never had"?

I hope all that sheds some light on the matter?

*IF I had a very old ribbon mic worth north of £3000 I would not put spook juice on it. Everything else? Fine. (HAD I such a mic I would hardwire it to a capacitor isolator box!)

Dave

[Drew Stephenson]

My point about phantom power was that if you'd already filled up the line and instrument inputs, and figured you'd use a trs to xlr to plug a line source into the mic inputs (with the gain all the way down and watching the output volume on the source), you'd need to make sure that you'd remembered to disable phantom power.

[ef37a]

My point about phantom power was that if you'd already filled up the line and instrument inputs, and figured you'd use a trs to xlr to plug a line source into the mic inputs (with the gain all the way down and watching the output volume on the source), you'd need to make sure that you'd remembered to disable phantom power.

Yes but a phantom powered XLR mic input will ALWAYS potentially have phantom power on it so don't use it for a line input unless you know WTF you are at! There are always DI boxes if 8 line ins is not enough.

The Tassy does at least have 4 by 4 bank spook switching. Does the F'rite?

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

You know this, I know this, but...
Hence the advantage of combi sockets where it is almost always automatically disabled.
But yes, i think the focusrite has switchable banks of four.

[ef37a]

You know this, I know this, but...
Hence the advantage of combi sockets where it is almost always automatically disabled.
But yes, i think the focusrite has switchable banks of four.

Sorry Drew, we seem to be at Xpurples....I thought you meant adapting a line feed to connect via XLR? If so, 48V is always a possibility. By definition you cannot plug TRS into the Tascam's mic inputs.

The Focusrite has 8 line inputs OR 8 mics, not both. (it does have optical tho'but)

I see the ability to have all the line and mic inputs plugged up all the time as very valuable? The combi XLR is, as I said a clever and useful device but was after all part a cost saving exercise.

Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

Back to the Behringer then

[ef37a]

Back to the Behringer then

Well yes but the Tascam STILL beats it hands down for analogue inputs AND you can have mic and line ins permanently connected. (big plus for me)

Yes the Behringer has ADAT but if I wanted such an interface and had the money for one of the others I would go Tassy...Frite if I foresaw needing another 8 pre amps down the line.

Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

Yes, I get that, and I'm not aware of any line input ADAT devices.....

[ef37a]

Yes, I get that, and I'm not aware of any line input ADAT devices.....

Sorry, don't follow?

Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

Sorry Dave, I just meant that the Berry claims 18 inputs but only has 8 analogue so if you need extra line inputs you'd need to use digital, either SPDIF or ADAT, plenty around with extra mic preamps but neither are particularly abundant with line inputs.

[sld128]

Guys I decided: I’m gonna buy the 18i8. This was insightful but I just gotta go with my gut and stick to good old fashioned brand loyalty. Thank you all for your wonderful help

[Drew Stephenson]

It's a fine bit of kit, you won't be unhappy with it.

[ef37a]

It's a fine bit of kit, you won't be unhappy with it.

Indeed, we have here simply been debating the pros and cons of connection regimes. These have no impact on audio performance and all the interfaces mentioned will give excellent results.

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

Indeed, we have here simply been debating the pros and cons of connection regimes.

Those long winter evenings just fly by round here!

[ef37a]

Indeed, we have here simply been debating the pros and cons of connection regimes.

Those long winter evenings just fly by round here!

Winter Drew? I don't think we have officially done with summer yet?

Dave.

[John Willett]

Hello,
I'm currently using the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and I love it, but being the synth lover that I am I have found I don't have enough inputs. I'm thinking of upgrading to the Scarlett 18i8 2nd Gen but I don't understand a couple of things:
What is SPDIF and why would I want SPDIF i/o on an interface?
What is an Optical Input and why would I want on an interface?

S-PDIF stands for: Sony - Philips Digital Interface and is the standard stereo digital connections for consumer audio. Connectors are normally a phono (Cinch) connector or a Toslink optical connector. Some devices have both wired and optical cobbectors.

S-PDIF carries, basically, the same information as the professional AES format, but also includes things like track numbers.