Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 (4th Gen)
Focusriteproall critical fields sourced· 4/5 specs sourced
A pro-tier USB-C interface with four mic preamps, 16 outputs, loopback, and phantom power. The four onboard preamps make it a fit for tracking a small band or capturing drum overheads without external preamps. It's more I/O than solo singer-songwriters need, who'll be well served by the smaller 4i4 or 2i2.
Specifications
| Spec | Value | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| connection | USB-C | high confidence |
| mic inputs | 4 | sourced |
| outputs | 16 | high confidence |
| phantom power | yes | high confidence |
| loopback | yes | unsourced detail |
4/5 specs sourced. Amber rows are unverified — we show them as reported, not confirmed.
Best for
- Tracking a small band or drum overheads with four 69dB preamps
Who should skip this
- Solo singer-songwriters (4i4/2i2 are plenty)
Platform support
WindowsfullmacOSfull
Compatibility
No platform-specific compatibility requirements — this works in any standard music production setup.
Upgrade path
Outgrow it and the PreSonus Quantum HD 2 is the natural next step up in audio interfaces. See it →
Sources (5 · 5 high-confidence)
Report an issue with this data →Every product carries its receipts. Field-level sources pin individual specs; flagged fields say so instead of guessing. Sources last retrieved 2026-06-12.
- primaryFocusrite - Scarlett 18i16 ($549.99, 4 mic preamps, USB-C)manufacturer · high
- connectionUSB-C per Focusritemanufacturer · high
- mic_inputs4 mic preamps per Focusritemanufacturer · high
- outputsFocusrite - 18i16 has 18 inputs and 16 outputs (incl. ADAT/S/PDIF)manufacturer · high
- phantom_power48V; 69dB 4th-gen preamps per Focusritemanufacturer · high