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Audio Interface

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.

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Photos

Manufacturer product photography — the drawn faceplate stays true to panel layout; these show the hardware itself.

Photo: Focusrite1 / 2
Documented outputs
1717 destination connections
Documented inputs
15Based on documented inputs
Rack space
1UBuilder checks available rail space
Power draw
UnverifiedPower requirement is not verified in the catalog
Catalog estimate
~$769.99Use retailer rows for current price and stock

01 · What it does—and what that changes in your rig.

Product overview

Start with the payoff, then work through how it functions, where it fits, and the details that change a real build.

The payoff

Audio Interface decisions, organized around the whole rig.

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.

Documented outputs
1717 destination connections
Documented inputs
15Based on documented inputs
Rack space
1UBuilder checks available rail space
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 fourth generation rear, exact official product photograph
Photo: Focusrite1U · Unverified

02 · Know the whole path before you buy.

Signal path

Learn the route as a block diagram: source, product function, transport, and destination. Select any block to see what enters, what changes, and what leaves.

Interactive block diagramAuto-looping · hover, focus, or tap to hold a stage
Port-type signalProduct functionSystem boundary
Follow one signal from source to destination

Each block answers the same three questions: what arrives, what changes here, and what leaves.

01 · Source · selected
01 · Source

15 documented inputs

XLR/TRS combo + IEC C14

Arrives as
15 documented inputs
Connector
XLR/TRS combo + IEC C14
Signal
analog audio

03 · What this product asks of the rest of the system.

Compatibility

Treat connector names as the start of the check—not the answer. These are the boundaries that determine a complete working path.

Best fit · Audio Interface

Use it when 1U and 260 mm of depth fit the case.

Plan the companion path

Complete the path with upstream and downstream gear that matches connector, direction, signal type, protocol, and wiring standard.

Connector boundary

Documented connectors: XLR/TRS combo, ¼-inch TRS, IEC C14, usb c. Match connector, direction, and signal type—not shape alone.

04 · Every connector, grouped by job.

I/O ports

Switch the product view and the documented port inventory updates with it—hardware and data stay side by side.

Every connector, grouped by job.

Switch panels to keep the hardware view and the documented port list in sync.

Front panel
Rear panel
All documented ports for Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen
PortPanelConnectorDirectionSignalChannels
INPUT 1 · FRONT MIC / LINE / INSTfrontXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 2 · FRONT MIC / LINE / INSTfrontXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
HEADPHONES 1front¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
HEADPHONES 2front¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
AC INPUT · IECrearIEC C14 inputpower—
USB · COMPUTER DATArearusb c bidirectionaldata—
S/PDIF OUTrearrca outputdigital audio—
S/PDIF INrearrca inputdigital audio—
WORD CLOCK OUTrearbnc outputdata—
OPTICAL OUT 1reartoslink outputdigital audio—
OPTICAL OUT 2reartoslink outputdigital audio—
OPTICAL IN 1reartoslink inputdigital audio—
OPTICAL IN 2reartoslink inputdigital audio—
MIDI OUTrearmidi din5 outputdata—
MIDI INrearmidi din5 inputdata—
LINE OUTPUT 9rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 10rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 7rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 8rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 5rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 6rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
ALT OUTPUT 3rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
ALT OUTPUT 4rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
MAIN OUTPUT 1rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
MAIN OUTPUT 2rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
INPUT 8 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 7 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 6 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 5 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 4 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 3 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 2 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
INPUT 1 · REAR MIC / LINErearXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—

Showing 33 of 33 documented physical ports. Scroll to review the remaining rows.

05 · Compare the decision, not just the price.

Alternatives

The rows are organized around fit, power, I/O, and system role so a cheaper unit cannot hide a more expensive workflow.

Compare
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 fourth generation front, exact official product photograph
Fit📐 1U📐 1U📐 2U📐 1U
Power⚡ Unverified⚡ 30W⚡ Unverified⚡ Unverified
Weight⚖️ 7.3 lb⚖️ 9.1 lb⚖️ 12.3 lb⚖️ 6.3 lb
I/O🔌 33🔌 24🔌 50🔌 33
Estimate💵 ~$769.99💵 ~$899.99💵 ~$2,299.99💵 ~$799.99
Deep diveCurrent selectionFull comparison →Full comparison →Full comparison →

06 · Resolve the questions that can change the purchase or build plan.

Planning questions

Short, source-backed answers surface rack fit, power, cabling, and connection details before they become surprises.

How will the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen affect rack fit and case depth?

It occupies 1U. Its documented depth is 260 mm.

How much power does the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen draw?

Its power requirement is not yet verified in the catalog.

What connections does the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen have?

33 documented physical ports, including INPUT 1 · FRONT MIC / LINE / INST, INPUT 2 · FRONT MIC / LINE / INST, HEADPHONES 1, HEADPHONES 2, AC INPUT · IEC, USB · COMPUTER DATA.

07 · See this unit inside a real rack plan.

Builder preview

Placement is only the start. Builder checks space · depth · weight, power headroom, dependencies, and compatible signal paths around this exact catalog item.Open in Builder
Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen positioned in a rack planA simplified plan shows the unit taking 1 rack units, with its documented connection path continuing to a planned destination.FocusriteScarlett 18i20 4th GenCONNECTED GEARnext signal destination1U · 260 mm deep

08 · Related gear, in the order you may need it.

Planning guides for audio interface systems.