Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen
18-Channel USB 2.0 Audio Interface with USB-C Connector
- 24-bit / 192 kHz
- 122 dB dynamic range
- Four Scarlett microphone preamps with 69 dB gain
- +48 V phantom power
- 18 physical inputs and outputs - can be used simultaneously 20 x 18 incl. loopback
- Switchable Air mode with Presence and Harmonic Drive
- Auto-gain and clip-safe function
- Dynamic level display for inputs and outputs
- Loopback
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 240 x 60.5 x 169.4 mm
- Weight: 1.494 kg
- Includes power supply, USB cable (Type C to A), Steinberg Cubase LE, Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and the Hitmaker Expansion Software Bundle (3-month Splice Sounds membership and a plugin bundle for songwriting, mixing and mastering, as well as the Avid Complete Plugin Bundle)
Connectors:
- Combo microphone/line inputs: 4x XLR/6.3 mm jack - two of which can be used as instrument inputs
- Line inputs: Four 6.3 mm jacks
- Line outputs: Four 6.3 mm jacks
- Stereo headphone outputs: Two 6.3 mm jacks
- S/PDIF input and output: Coaxial
- ADAT input and output
- MIDI input and output
- USB-C for computer connection
- USB-C input for power supply (5 V DC)
Hitmaker Expansion Plugins:
- Celemony Melodyne Essential
- Softube Flow Guitar Essentials
- Native Instruments MASSIVE
- Sonnox VoxDoubler
- Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC
- Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plugin Suite
- XLN Audio Addictive Keys
- XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock
- Relab LX480 Essentials, FAST Balancer
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Available since November 2024
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Item number 596494
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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Recording / Playback Channels 18x16
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Number of Mic Inputs 4
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Number of Line Inputs 4
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Instrument Inputs 2
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Number of Line Outs 4
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Headphone Outs 2
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Phantom Power Yes
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Number of S/PDIF Connectors 2
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Number of ADAT Connectors 2
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Numer of AES/EBU Connectors 0
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Number of MADI Connectors 0
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Ethernet 0
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Other Connectors None
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MIDI interface Yes
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Word Clock No
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Max. Sampling Rate in kHz 192 kHz
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Max. Resolution Rate in Bits 24 bit
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USB Bus-Powered Yes
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Incl. power supply Yes
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USB Version 2.0
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Width 240 mm
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Depth 169,4 mm
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Height 60,5 mm
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Connection Format USB port Type C
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Included in delivery Power Supply, USB-C Cable, USB-A to USB-C Adaptor
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Zero latency monitoring Yes
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The scarlet heart of the studio
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen is a USB audio interface with eight balanced inputs and four outputs, in addition to both S/PDIF and ADAT inputs and outputs, thus putting a total of 18 inputs and 16 outputs at the user's fingertips. The four redesigned preamps each provide up to 69dB of gain and are suitable for both microphone and line-level signals while also promising improved sound quality. Switchable 48V phantom power is provided to allow condenser microphones to be connected, and two out of the four combo socket inputs on the front can in turn be switched to Hi-Z in order for electric guitars and basses to be directly plugged in. The excellent sound provided by the Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen is due in large part to its AD/DA converters, which are the same as the ones found in Focusrite's premium line of RedNet interfaces and, with a 122dB dynamic range, can record in up to 24bit/192kHz quality. Overall, this new generation represents a functional and sonic upgrade over the previous models, which had already achieved bestseller status worldwide thanks to their sound, impressive features, and attractive price-performance ratio.
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Air modes, Auto Gain, and Clip Safe
Focusrite's outstanding reputation for building high-quality mic preamps has been established for decades at this point. The "Air" mode found in the previous generation of Scarlett interfaces, which is designed to emulate the company's classic ISA preamps, has been further enhanced here with a "Presence" function to allow an analogue treble frequency boost to be added to the channel and enhance the transparency of voices and acoustic instruments, as well as a digital "Harmonic Drive" function to make the mid-frequency response punchier and more present. Two further enhancements over the previous model are designed to optimise the user's workflow: Auto Gain analyses the incoming audio signal at the touch of a button and automatically sets the ideal gain level. Clip Safe in turn automatically detects excessively high gain levels when they occur in hectic live situations and adjusts the preamp gain accordingly in order to prevent unwanted clipping.
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Intuitive control and excellent connectivity
The compact Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen is primarily aimed at ambitious users, and thanks to its bus-powered design (USB 3.0 / 3,000mA), the interface can also be used on the go. Users also have two independent headphone preamps, A/B monitor speaker switching, Gain Halo level meters for the preamps and the output, and MIDI interfaces at their disposal. Routing, monitor mixes, and other functions of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen - including even the preamp gain levels - can be configured using Focusrite Control 2, which is available as a computer programme and an app, while the 18 inputs provide sufficient flexibility for more complex multi-track recordings and the four analogue outputs allow signals to be sent to alternative monitor setups and external effects units.
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About Focusrite
Founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve, Focusrite quickly made a name for itself with high-quality analogue consoles. Today, the company markets audio interfaces, mic preamps, consoles, analogue EQs, and channel strips as well as hardware and software for digital audio processing. The company is based in High Wycombe, England, and has won numerous industry awards. In addition to the Focusrite Pro line, the company also has subsidiaries that include Adam Audio, Novation, and iOS app creator Ampify Music.
Hit the ground running
So that users can start recording as soon as they've unpacked the interface, Focusrite has put together a comprehensive software package comprising perpetual licences for the DAWs Ableton Live Lite, Steinberg Cubase LE and Avid Pro Tools Intro+ for Focusrite. Also included is the Hitmaker Expansion plug-in bundle, which offers a wide range of tools for making and producing music, including Softube Flow Guitar Essentials for realistic guitar sounds, Celemony Melodyne Essential for pitch and timing correction of vocals and instruments, Relab LX480 Essentials for reverb effects, and virtual drum and piano plug-ins from XLN Audio. The bundle also contains the Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite, featuring digital models of the EQ and compressor from Focusrite's Red hardware series. Rounding off the bundle is a two-month subscription to LANDR Studio, along with five masters that remain redeemable even after the subscription has ended – for adding the final polish to any project.
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