Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 Gen4

Many ways, cleanly connected

This interface is designed for setups where you need more than just one microphone and one headphone. You work with four microphone/line preamps, two instrument inputs on the front, and additional line inputs for synths, drum machines, keyboards or outboard. The unit is particularly interesting when you want to record, route and keep multiple signal sources connected at the same time.

Even digitally, your setup stays open. Via ADAT and S/PDIF, you can easily expand the number of channels or integrate additional digital equipment. MIDI In and Out ensure that controllers, sound generators and external hardware are built directly into your production system.

Control your levels

With spontaneous takes, it’s not only the sound that matters, but also a secure level. With Auto Gain, the device quickly sets the input level appropriately, while Clip Safe adjusts in the background when the signal gets too hot. This is useful for vocals, speech, dynamic instruments and any recording where levels change quickly.

That means you spend less time on corrections before the take and can focus more strongly on performance and timing. Especially in smaller production rooms or when working with different musicians, this saves a noticeable amount of time in everyday use.

Sound with character

The four preamps work with very low noise and, with up to 69 dB of gain, offer plenty of room for different microphone types. This is complemented by the two Air modes, which add more presence to the signal and, when needed, provide additional harmonic character. This is especially useful for vocals, acoustic instruments and guitars when you want to shape the sound already during recording.

There’s also a high dynamic range of up to 122 dB at the line outputs. As a result, monitoring feels open and precise, making a clear difference when playing in, mixing and evaluating details. The converters come from Focusrite’s RedNet world and are designed for clean, transparent signal paths.

Control that thinks along with your studio

Two headphone outputs and multiple independent routing options give you plenty of freedom for monitoring. You can create your own mixes for monitors, headphones or external equipment and tailor your setup precisely to the session. This is helpful when artists need a different headphone mix than you do at your workstation.

With the Alt Monitor switching, you can quickly switch between two speaker pairs. Everything is controlled via Focusrite Control 2, and if you want, also via a mobile app in conjunction with your computer. This allows routing to be adapted flexibly without you having to work directly on the interface all the time.

Does the Scarlett 18i16 Gen4 suit you?

This solution is just right for you if you’re looking for more than a compact entry-level interface, but you don’t want to build a large rack system. The model fits well with producers, songwriters, project studios and content creators who work with multiple sources at the same time and place value on flexible input and output options.

• well suited for vocals, guitars, synths and hybrid hardware setups
• suitable for home and project studios with growing channel needs
• ideal for Windows and macOS users, including Apple Silicon
• interesting for anyone who wants to combine routing, monitoring and expandability in one device

Even if you’re already planning with external hardware, MIDI devices or additional ADAT channels, this Focusrite interface provides you with a solid and long-term usable foundation.

Features Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 Gen4

• USB-C audio interface for recording, production and flexible studio routing with 20 x 18 simultaneous inputs and outputs including loopback
• Four extremely low-noise mic/line preamps with up to 69 dB gain and remotely controllable control
• Two instrument inputs on the front for guitars, basses and other Hi-Z sources
• Eight line inputs for synths, keyboards, grooveboxes or external outboard
• Two Air modes for more presence and a harmonic character in the recorded signal
• Auto Gain and Clip Safe for quick level adjustment and protection against overload
• Two independent headphone outputs and four line outputs for separate monitoring and headphone mixes
• Alt Monitor switching for direct comparison between two speaker pairs
• MIDI, S/PDIF and ADAT connections for integration and expanding external devices
• Includes Hitmaker Expansion as well as Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Cubase LE

Technical specifications

• Product type USB-C audio interface
• Form factor Desktop
• Simultaneous I/O 20 x 18 including loopback
• Microphone preamps 4
• Phantom power Yes | independent
• Instrument inputs 2
• Line inputs 8
• Line outputs 4
• Headphone outputs 2
• ADAT 1 input | 1 output
• S/PDIF 1 input | 1 output
• MIDI 1 input | 1 output
• Air Mode Yes
• Auto Gain Yes
• Clip Safe Yes
• Loopback Yes
• Connectivity USB Type-C
• Protocol USB 2.0
• A/D resolution 24 bit / 192 kHz
• Supported sample rates 44.1 kHz | 48 kHz | 88.2 kHz | 96 kHz | 176.4 kHz | 192 kHz
• Microphone input frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.06 dB
• Microphone input dynamic range 116 dB(A)
• Microphone input THD+N -100 dB @ 8 dB gain
• Microphone input noise ON -127 dBu(A)
• Microphone input maximum input level 16 dBu
• Microphone input gain range 69 dB
• Microphone input impedance 3 kΩ
• Variable line input frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
• Variable line input dynamic range 115.5 dB(A)
• Variable line input THD+N -100 dB @ 8 dB gain
• Variable line input maximum input level 22 dBu
• Variable line input gain range 69 dB
• Variable line input impedance 24 kΩ
• Fixed line input frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.02 dB
• Fixed line input dynamic range 115.5 dB(A)
• Fixed line input THD+N -106 dB
• Fixed line input maximum input level 22 dBu
• Fixed line input impedance 48 kΩ
• Instrument input frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.05 dB
• Instrument input dynamic range 113 dB(A)
• Instrument input THD+N -80 dB @ 8 dB gain
• Instrument input maximum input level 12 dBu
• Instrument input gain range 62 dB
• Instrument input impedance 1 MΩ
• Line output frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.02 dB
• Line output dynamic range 122 dB(A)
• Line output THD+N -112 dB
• Line output maximum output level 16 dBu
• Line output impedance 200 Ω
• Headphone output frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.1 dB @ 33 Ω / 300 Ω
• Headphone output dynamic range 112 dB @ 33 Ω | 116 dB @ 300 Ω
• Headphone output THD+N -100 dB @ 33 Ω minimum | -110 dB @ 300 Ω minimum
• Headphone output maximum output level 5 dBu at 33 Ω | 11 dBu at 300 Ω
• Headphone output maximum output power 57 mW at 33 Ω | 27 mW at 300 Ω
• Headphone output impedance 11 Ω
• Analog-to-digital converter THD+N -110 dB
• Analog-to-digital converter dynamic range 120 dB
• Digital-to-analog converter THD+N -115 dB
• Digital-to-analog converter dynamic range 130 dB(A)
• Power supply via USB 3 A
• External power supply optional 15 W
• Windows compatibility Intel | AMD | Arm64
• macOS compatibility Apple Silicon | Intel
• Weight 1.494 kg
• Dimensions (W x D x H) 240 x 169.4 x 60.5 mm

What's in the box

• Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 Gen4 audio interface
• 1.5 m USB-C to USB-C cable
• USB-C to USB-A adapter
• External power supply