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.
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Four remote-controllable preamps
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122dB dynamic range
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Auto Gain and Clip Safe
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Two Air modes
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Control remotely via mobile app
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Expandable I/O
Producers. This is your Scarlett.
Four of our most detailed, ultra-low-noise preamps.
Auto Gain and Clip Safe.
All the I/O you need
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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.
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Control MIDI devices.
Use 18i16 as a MIDI interface to receive and send data to your favourite external MIDI-controllable equipment.
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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.
Get that big console sound with two re-engineered Air modes.
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.
Powerful sound, powerful control.
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.
Focusrite Control 2
Easy Start
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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.
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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
 Compare Scarlett
Scarlett 16i16 | Scarlett 18i16 | Scarlett 18i20 | Scarlett 8i6 [3rd Gen] | Scarlett 18i8 [3rd Gen] | Scarlett 18i20 [3rd Gen] | |
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Scarlett microphone preamps | 2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Dynamic range (D-A) | 122dB | 122dB | 122dB | 108dB | 108dB | 108dB |
Mic pre gain range | 69dB | 69dB | 69dB | 56dB | 56dB | 56dB |
Air Presence & Harmonic Drive | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Air Presence only | Air Presence only | Air Presence only |
Loopback | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Headphone outputs | 2 (Independent) | 2 (Independent) | 2 (Independent) | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Auto Gain | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Clip Safe | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Output metering | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
MIDI I/O | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out |
S/PDIF I/O | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out | In and Out |
ADAT I/O | In and Out | In and Out | Dual In and Out* | ✘ | In | Dual In and Out* |
Speaker switching | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Built-in talkback mic | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Focusrite Control 2 - Desktop | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Focusrite Control 2 - Mobile | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Bus Powered | ✔ (3A) | ✔ (3A) | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Simultaneous I/O | 16 in / 16 out | 18 in / 16 out | 18 in / 20 out | 8 in / 6 out | 18 in / 8 out | 18 in / 20 out |
Find out more | Find out more | Find out more | Find out more | Find out more | Find out more |
*Up to 8 channels at 96kHz