Focusrite has expanded its Scarlett line of audio interfaces with the release of the Scarlett 16i16, 18i16 and 18i20, offering greater connectivity to meet the demands of the modern project studio.

Scarlett’s fourth generation debuted in 2023 with the Solo, 2i2, 4i4, Solo Studio, and 2i2 Studio, building on Focusrite’s legacy in professional audio: best-in-class audio specifications, enhanced creative capability and powerful workflow tools. The three new interfaces add further analogue inputs and outputs, front-panel monitor switching and mute control, S/PDIF and Adat connectivity, additional headphone outputs, and a built-in talkback mic on Scarlett 18i20.

All Scarlett 4th Gen interfaces feature re-engineered audio circuitry and professional-grade converters (taken from Focusrite’s flagship RedNet interfaces), which deliver up to 122dB dynamic range.

With up to 69dB of mic preamp gain on tap, they are designed to work optimally with any microphone. Custom headphone amplifiers with independent volume controls drive high-impedance headphones louder and with more clarity than any previous Scarlett.

Scarlett’s 4th Gen mic preamps feature a re-engineered Air mode, based on the sound of Focusrite consoles. Each one now includes a selectable all-analogue Presence mode, and a new DSP-based Harmonic Drive mode for added richness.

The range also introduced two new features designed to ensure artists and producers never miss a perfect take: Auto Gain analyses ten seconds of incoming audio before setting the perfect level, while Clip Safe automatically readjusts it to prevent clipping. Tools that help artists to record themselves easily, as well as experienced engineers quickly setting multiple gains in high-pressure environments.

The included Focusrite Control 2 software takes care of setting up routing, levels, monitoring mixes, independent outputs, and routing options. In addition to the desktop application, the iOS and Android Focusrite Control 2 apps enable engineers and performers to adjust monitor mixes and mic preamp gains while away from the computer.

The new Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen is an update to the flagship 3rd Gen model, a rackmount USB audio interface featuring 18 inputs, including eight 4th generation Scarlett preamps and 20 outputs. 18i20, not only has an impressive amount of analogue and digital I/O, but features additional workflow enhancements that make it a perfect fit for even the most complex project studios: a built-in talkback mic; A/B loudspeaker switching for comparative listening on different monitors; and eight channels of LED bar metering, assignable to inputs or outputs as well as master output metering.

Scarlett 18i16 is a desktopUSB audio interface with 18 inputs, including four 4th Gen Scarlett preamps, and 16 outputs for multitrack recording. Designed for producers, 18i16 is a DAW hub, providing analogue and digital I/O to connect a large number of external instruments, processors and effects. Complex routing can be managed using the included Focusrite Control 2 software for desktop and mobile devices.

Scarlett 16i16 is a desktop-format USB audio interface that shares the same feature set as 18i16 but is slightly more compact, with 16 inputs, including two 4th Gen Scarlett preamps, and 16 outputs.

All Scarletts come with Ableton Live Lite, three months of Pro Tools Artist recording software, and six months of FL Studio Producer Edition. Also included is a curated selection of production software from Focusrite, Softube, Native Instruments and Antares. In addition, there are five free masters from Landr that can be used at any time, plus a two-month subscription to Landr Studio, offering unlimited music distribution on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and TikTok.

Key features:

• 122dB dynamic range, using flagship RedNet range converters.
• Remote-controlled preamps with 69dB gain.
• Wireless control over inputs and monitoring mixes.
• Re-engineered Air mode with Presence, and all-new Harmonic Drive.
• New Auto Gain and Clip Safe modes can handle up to eight mics at a time.
• Clip Safe monitors recording levels and automatically adjusts the gain to prevent clipping.
• New custom headphone amplifier.
• Redesigned Dynamic Gain Halos with output as well as input metering.
• : A/B speaker switching, built-in talkback mic on 18i20.
• Midi in/out plus S/PDIF and Adat in/out.
• Refreshed Easy Start tool.
• Bundle of plugin instruments and effects, including Antares Auto Tune.

More: https://focusrite.com