Description

Scarlett 18i16 is the complete compact studio hub for all your instruments and outboard gear. Perfect for producers, 18i16 is equipped with enough I/O to connect all your studio gear. Four of our most detailed ultra-low-noise mic preamps. Hi-Z, line, and MIDI connections for your guitars, keys, synths, grooveboxes, and controllers. With 18i16 your headphones, monitors, and line outs each get their own mix, so you can match the studio setup to the session. Expand your channel count using the S/PDIF or ADAT connections.

Air mode, with Presence and Harmonic Drive, gives you that big console sound wherever you record. Auto Gain and Clip Safe make sure you'll never need to worry about your levels. The Hitmaker Expansion software bundle has all the tools you need to record, produce, and release your tracks. And the Focusrite Control 2 desktop and mobile apps enable you to remotely control your Scarlett anywhere in the studio. 18i16 can be powered directly from a computer's USB-C port (3A), so no extra power supply is needed.

Four of our most detailed, ultra-low-noise preamps.
Plug into 18i16’s 4th-Generation remote-controlled preamps — Scarlett’s most transparent and detailed ever. 69dB of gain range provides all of the headroom you'll need to get the best result from the most dynamic performances. Control preamp levels from anywhere in the studio using the Focusrite Control 2 apps, giving you the freedom to adjust settings remotely.

Auto Gain and Clip Safe.
Let 18i16 handle your levels. Auto Gain sets your levels and Clip Safe keeps them in the sweet spot, automatically tweaking the gain if you’re in danger of clipping. You'll never lose a take again.
Play your instruments.

Connect a guitar to 18i16’s Hi-Z inputs for an amp-like feel, plug synths and grooveboxes into the eight line inputs, or use the four line outputs for your favourite outboard gear.
Control MIDI devices.

Use 18i16 as a MIDI interface to receive and send data to your favourite external MIDI-controllable equipment.
Expand your setup.

Increase your channel count with up to 10 additional inputs and outputs when using the S/PDIF and ADAT connections.

Mix your way, with independent outputs.
With 18i16, headphones, monitors, and line outs each get their own mix, so you can create the perfect studio setup for your speakers, the artist's headphones, or outboard gear — controllable anywhere in the studio via the Focusrite Control 2 apps.


Get that big console sound with two re-engineered Air modes.
Presence mode boosts your signal’s high-end, bringing the sound to the front of the mix. Create intimate vocal recordings, capture every detail of acoustic guitars, and hear your drum overheads shimmer.

Presence and Harmonic Drive mode boosts mid-range harmonics in your sound, making its unique character shine through the mix. Try it on guitars, vocals, or anything else that needs a little more punch.

Huge 122dB dynamic range for incredible recordings.
Scarlett delivers incredible audio quality, with converters direct from our flagship RedNet interfaces — as found in high-end studios around the world.

Powerful sound, powerful control.
Two custom-designed headphone amps deliver clear, powerful sound for high-impedance headphones, offering the best playback ever from a Scarlett.

Alt monitor switching lets you A/B your mixes between two speaker pairs — essential for studio setups with multiple monitors.
All the software you need to make a hit record.
Once you've got started with Ableton Live Lite, three months of Pro Tools Artist, or six months of FL Studio Producer Edition recording software (all included), the Hitmaker Expansion bundle has everything you need to bring big studio sound to your songs, with an unbeatable range of record-making studio tools from the biggest names in the business. Focusrite Control 2
Focusrite Control 2 is a powerful app that easily manages Scarlett 4th Gen interfaces on Windows and macOS devices. Pair the iOS and Android app to your desktop computer to remotely control your Scarlett from anywhere in your recording space.
Easy Start
Need help getting set up? Just tell our Easy Start tool what you want to do and we’ll guide you through all the software and setup you need, with recording tips and other helpful content along the way.
Three-year warranty

Millions of music makers rely on Scarlett every day to keep the inspiration flowing. Built to the highest standards for ultra-reliable performance, every Scarlett interface comes with the peace of mind of a three-year warranty. Award-winning, global support

If you need help at any point you can reach out to our award-winning global support team. We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, so you can too – if you want.
Specifications in detail
Overview

Number of Microphone Preamps4
Phantom PowerYes (Independent)
Instrument Inputs2
Line Inputs8
Air ModeYes
Auto GainYes
Clip SafeYes
Line Outputs4
Headphone Outputs2
ADAT Inputs1
ADAT Outputs1
SPDIF Inputs1
SPDIF Outputs1
SPDIF Outputs1
MIDI Inputs1
MIDI Outputs1
LoopbackYes
ConnectivityUSB Type-C
ProtocolUSB 2.0
Form FactorDesktop
Simultaneous I/O20 x 18 (including Loopback)
A/D Resolution24-bit/192 kHz
Bus Powered Yes (3A)

Dimensions

Height60.5mm
Width240mm
Depth169.4mm
Weight1.494kg

Supported sample rates

44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz

Microphone inputs

Frequency Response20-20kHz ± 0.06dB
Dynamic Range116dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N-100dB @ 8dB gain
Noise EIN-127dBu (A-Weighted)
Maximum Input Level16dBu
Gain Range69dB
Impedance3kΩ

Variable Line inputs

Frequency Response20-20kHz ± 0.05dB
Dynamic Range115.5dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N-100dB @ 8dB gain
Maximum Input Level22dBu
Gain Range69dB
Impedance24kΩ

Fixed Line inputs

Frequency Response20-20kHz ± 0.02dB
Dynamic Range115.5dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N-106dB
Maximum Input Level22dBu
Impedance48kΩ

Instrument inputs

Frequency Response20-20kHz ± 0.05dB
Dynamic Range113dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N-80dB @ 8dB gain
Maximum Input Level12dBu
Gain Range62dB
Impedance1MΩ

Line outputs (Balanced)

Frequency Response20-20kHz ± 0.02dB
Dynamic Range122dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N-112dB
Maximum Output Level16dBu
Impedance200Ω

Headphone outputs

Frequency Response20-20kHz ± 0.1dB @ 33Ω / 300Ω
Dynamic Range112dB @ 33Ω
116dB @ 300Ω
THD+N-100dB @ 33Ω (Minimum)
-110dB @ 300Ω (Minimum)
Maximum Output Level5dBu into 33Ω
11dBu into 300Ω
Maximum Output Power57mW into 33Ω
27mW into 300Ω
Impedance11Ω

Analogue to Digital Converter

THD+N-110dB
Dynamic Range120dB

Digital to Analogue Converter

THD+N-115dB
Dynamic Range130dB (A-Weighted)

Power

USB3A
External (Optional)15W

What's in the box

Scarlett 18i16 audio interface
1.5m USB-C to USB-C cable
USB-C to USB-A adaptor
External power supply