The Focusrite Red 16Line 64x64 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interfacefeatures low latency AD/DA conversion, Red Evolution mic preamps, up to 121 dB dynamic range, low round-trip latency, and expansion over Ethernet for networked audio. It provides both DigiLink connectors and Thunderbolt connections, allowing easy switching from Pro Tools | HD to a second DAW, without the need to reconfigure option cards in the interface. Simply change the host mode either in the remote control software, or on the device front panel and change DAWs in seconds.

The Red 16Line audio interface has audio converters with over a 118 dB dynamic range A/D and 121 dB dynamic range D/A (A-weighted). You can build your mix on the DAW and use it whether you are overdubbing (monitoring the input you are recording with the Focusrite Control software mixer) or playing back, with all your plug-ins in place.

The audio interface features 16 line inputs on D-sub, coupled with 16 line outputs and two main monitor outputs. The two digitally-controlled Red Evolution mic preamps provide up to 63 dB of clean gain along with stereo linking, individual phantom power, high-pass filter, phase reverse, and Air mode. With a dual-port Dante card, it allows you to expand your studio over Ethernet for more channels at higher sample rates and lower latency anywhere in your network.

A premium bonus is the Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC channel-strip plug-in, a stellar digital emulation of the legendary and rare Focusrite Studio Console. Only 10 of the consoles were ever produced, but you can access its famed sound directly in your DAW.

Connect to Pro Tools | HD, Thunderbolt enabled computers, and Dante simultaneously without option cards

High-performance audio conversion with over 118 dB dynamic range A/D and 121 dB dynamic range D/A (A-weighted)

Low round-trip latency to track through plug-ins and record virtual instruments in real time

16 line inputs on D-sub, coupled with 16 line outputs and two main monitor outputs

Two digitally-controlled Red Evolution mic preamps with up to 63 dB of clean gain, stereo linking, individual phantom power, high-pass filter, and phase reverse

Air mode on the preamps, giving recordings the clarity of a transformer-based ISA

Two Thunderbolt 3 ports as standard to connect additional Thunderbolt products

Dual-port Dante card for more channels at higher sample rates

Three LCD displays for accurate level metering

Focusrite Control software mixer for setting up monitoring and routing configurations, with remote control of preamps

Two headphone outputs

Connect multiple digital sources using word clock I/O and loop-sync I/O

Two instrument inputs on the front panel

AAX/AU/VST-compatible Red 2 and Red 3 EQ, and compression plug-ins

Includes Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC channel-strip plug-in, a stellar digital emulation of the legendary and rare Focusrite Studio Console

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Could someone explain how they get 18 Inputs? At best I see 15, and 4 of those can only be used by 1-type of input or another on the front panel.

A: The optical input is ADAT. That counts as 8 inputs alone.

Q: 2. Is this a new or refurbished unit?

A: This is a brand new product. All products purchased at B&H are brand new in the original factory box including packaging, all factory included accessories and factory warranty, unless otherwise stated to be USED, Refurbished or Demo.

Q: 3. It says it comes with Abelton Live Lite, but isn't that a free on Abelton's website? Why do they mean when it comes with a license to a free program?

A: The 18i20 includes a bundle code which allows you to download several different software programs such as an exclusive Focusrite edition of Pro Tools | First Pack, Ableton Live Lite, the Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Foscusrite's Red Plug-In Suite, and a library of LoopMasters samples. So the included bundle code allows you to access more software than just Ableton Live Lite.

Q: 4. Are the preamps powerful enough for low input/gain hungry dynamic mics, like the Shure 7M7B? Planning on using this for a 3 or 4 mic podcast.

A: The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8's preamps are technically powerful enough for a dynamic microphone like SM7b or the RE20, but best results and the lowest noise floor will still be had with a mic activator such as the CL1 CloudLifter.

Q: 5. On Windows 8.1, do the different channels appear in separate devices or do they show up as separate channels on a single device?

A: Tim, These use a focusright scarlett software as a controller that displays all the channels in a single mixer style software consol. Regards,Rob

Q: 6. Hi. How can I use this as a desktop interface. What extra gear do I need to buy to just be able to connect it to my Mac and use as a desktop interface. Thx.

A: This does not connect to your computer via USB like other interfaces. This runs on Dante, so you would need an unmanaged network switch like this one to be able to connect it to your computer. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1499551-REG/netgear_gs308_300pas_gs308_8_port_gigabit_ethernet.html

Q: 7. Are the monitor outs balanced?

A: The Monitor Output jacks on the Scarlett 18i8 are balanced 1/4 outputs.

Q: 8. What is the improvement from the 18i8 first generation to the second generation 18i8?

A: The primary improvement is sampling up to 192k/24-bit, as opposed to the first version which topped out at 96k/24-bit. Focusrite also claims to have improved headroom on instrument input and better gain structure. Also, only the second generation works with the new Focusrite software app. I've been very happy with my second-generation 18i8 (so happy that I replaced a FastTrack Ultra 8R on my music computer with a Scarlett 18i20). If you get one, I'd recommend either having a fast computer or making sure there are a minimum of background processes running when you use. I also set the ASIO buffers quite high. Hope this helps.

Q: 9. Hi Dan, does the headphone output of the RedNet X2P show up on the Dante network? or do i have to purchase the RedNet AM2?

A: You are correct, you need to purchase the Rednet AM2 for full control of the headphone out put on a Dante network. Thank you for shopping at B&H!

Q: 10. Will this work with Davinci Resolve Fairlight 19?

A: The Focusrite Red 16Line 64 x 64 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface for Pro Tools | HD (BH # FORED16LINE) will should work well with Davinci Resolve Fairlight 19 as long as the interface can be seen by the computer as a USB input device.