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Audio Interface

Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen

Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen USB Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.

Compare
Documented outputs
99 destination connections
Documented inputs
10Based on documented inputs
Rack space
Outside rackPlan a shelf, tray, or stage position
Power draw
UnverifiedPower requirement is not verified in the catalog
Catalog estimate
~$399.99Use retailer rows for current price and stock

01 · What it does—and what that changes in your rig.

Product overview

Start with the payoff, then work through how it functions, where it fits, and the details that change a real build.

The payoff

Audio Interface decisions, organized around the whole rig.

Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen USB Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.

Documented outputs
99 destination connections
Documented inputs
10Based on documented inputs
Rack space
Outside rackPlan a shelf, tray, or stage position
Focusrite product panelOutside rack · Unverified

02 · Know the whole path before you buy.

Signal path

Learn the route as a block diagram: source, product function, transport, and destination. Select any block to see what enters, what changes, and what leaves.

Interactive block diagramAuto-looping · hover, focus, or tap to hold a stage
Port-type signalProduct functionSystem boundary
Follow one signal from source to destination

Each block answers the same three questions: what arrives, what changes here, and what leaves.

01 · Source · selected
01 · Source

10 documented inputs

XLR/TRS combo + ¼-inch TRS

Arrives as
10 documented inputs
Connector
XLR/TRS combo + ¼-inch TRS
Signal
analog audio

03 · What this product asks of the rest of the system.

Compatibility

Treat connector names as the start of the check—not the answer. These are the boundaries that determine a complete working path.

Best fit · Audio Interface

Use it as audio interface tracked outside rack rails; follow the manufacturer’s mounting and form-factor guidance.

Plan the companion path

Complete the path with upstream and downstream gear that matches connector, direction, signal type, protocol, and wiring standard.

Connector boundary

Documented connectors: XLR/TRS combo, ¼-inch TRS, rca, toslink. Match connector, direction, and signal type—not shape alone.

04 · Every connector, grouped by job.

I/O ports

Switch the product view and the documented port inventory updates with it—hardware and data stay side by side.

Every connector, grouped by job.

Switch panels to keep the hardware view and the documented port list in sync.

Front panel
front connector map for Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th GenEXTERNAL UNIT · FRONTXLR/TRS comboinputXLR/TRS comboinput¼-inch TRSoutput¼-inch TRSoutput
Rear panel
rear connector map for Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th GenEXTERNAL UNIT · REAR¼-inch TRSoutput¼-inch TRSoutput¼-inch TRSoutput¼-inch TRSoutput¼-inch TRSinput¼-inch TRSinput¼-inch TRSinput¼-inch TRSinputrcaoutputrcainputtoslinkoutputtoslinkinputmidi din5outputmidi din5inputusb cinputusb cbidirectional
All documented ports for Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen
PortPanelConnectorDirectionSignalChannels
MIC / LINE / INST INPUT 1frontXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
MIC / LINE / INST INPUT 2frontXLR/TRS combo inputanalog audio—
HEADPHONES 1 · STEREO TRSfront¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
HEADPHONES 2 · STEREO TRSfront¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 3 · ALTrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 1 · MAINrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 4 · ALTrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 2 · MAINrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 5rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 3rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 6rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 4rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
S/PDIF OUTrearrca outputdata—
S/PDIF INrearrca inputdata—
OPTICAL ADAT OUTreartoslink outputdata—
OPTICAL ADAT INreartoslink inputdata—
MIDI OUTrearmidi din5 outputdata—
MIDI INrearmidi din5 inputdata—
5V DC · USB-C POWER INPUTrearusb c inputpower—
USB · HOST AUDIO / DATA / CONDITIONAL BUS POWERrearusb c bidirectionaldata—

Showing 20 of 20 documented physical ports. Scroll to review the remaining rows.

05 · Compare the decision, not just the price.

Alternatives

The rows are organized around fit, power, I/O, and system role so a cheaper unit cannot hide a more expensive workflow.

Compare
External unit
Universal Audio Apollo x16 Gen 2
RME Fireface UFX III
MOTU M4 Audio Interface
Fit📐 Outside rack📐 1U📐 1U📐 Outside rack
Power⚡ Unverified⚡ 30W⚡ Unverified⚡ Unverified
Weight⚖️ 2.8 lb⚖️ 8.6 lb⚖️ 6.2 lb⚖️ 1.5 lb
I/O🔌 20🔌 13🔌 39🔌 16
Estimate💵 ~$399.99💵 ~$3,799💵 ~$3,199💵 ~$280
Deep diveCurrent selectionFull comparison →Full comparison →Full comparison →

06 · Resolve the questions that can change the purchase or build plan.

Planning questions

Short, source-backed answers surface rack fit, power, cabling, and connection details before they become surprises.

Where does the Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen live in a complete rig?

The catalog assigns it no rack units. Builder tracks it as non-rack gear; follow the manufacturer’s mounting, case, and form-factor guidance.

How much power does the Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen draw?

Its power requirement is not yet verified in the catalog.

What connections does the Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen have?

20 documented physical ports, including MIC / LINE / INST INPUT 1, MIC / LINE / INST INPUT 2, HEADPHONES 1 · STEREO TRS, HEADPHONES 2 · STEREO TRS, LINE OUTPUT 3 · ALT, LINE OUTPUT 1 · MAIN.

07 · See this gear inside a complete system plan.

Builder preview

Builder keeps non-rack gear in the same bill of materials, budget, dependency, and connection plan as the rack-mounted system around it.Open in Builder
Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen tracked in a complete system planA simplified plan shows the gear tracked outside rack rails, with its documented connection path continuing to a planned destination.Tracked outside rack railsFocusriteScarlett 16i16 4th GenCONNECTED GEARnext signal destinationExternal system gear · no rack units assigned

08 · Related gear, in the order you may need it.

Planning guides for audio interface systems.