Focusrite Red 16Line Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

Focusrite Red 16Line
The Focusrite Red 16Line is a 64x64 Pro Tools | HD and Thunderbolt 3 interface with Dante expansion, 121dB dynamic range, ultra-low latency, Red Evolution mic preamps, and flexible DAW switching, a flagship solution for modern professional studios.

Focusrite Red 16Line Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface Details

The Focusrite Red 16Line is a 64-in/64-out Pro Tools | HD and dual Thunderbolt 3 audio interface designed to deliver the very best in conversion, latency, and workflow flexibility. With expertly chosen high-performance converters, the Focusrite Red 16Line offers over 118dB dynamic range on A-D conversion and 121dB on D-A conversion, ensuring pristine accuracy and transparency. Its ultra-low round trip latency revolutionises tracking and mixing by allowing engineers to work entirely within the DAW, monitoring with plug-ins in place, without needing to set up separate input-monitoring paths.

Focusrite Red 16Line provides seamless integration between Pro Tools | HD and Thunderbolt systems thanks to its inclusion of DigiLink connectors alongside Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. Users can switch between DAWs in seconds via RedNet Control or the front-panel menu, removing the need for hardware reconfiguration. In addition, the built-in dual-port Dante interface allows expansion into networked audio systems, enabling larger setups over Ethernet at higher sample rates with minimal latency.

Analogue I/O includes 16 line-level inputs and 16 line-level outputs via DB25 connectors, alongside dedicated main monitor outputs. Two digitally controlled Red Evolution microphone preamps provide up to 63dB of ultra-clean gain with full functionality including phantom power, phase reverse, high-pass filter, and stereo linking. The signature “Air” mode recreates the sonic character of Focusrite’s classic ISA transformer-based preamps.

Other highlights include dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy-chaining, two front-panel instrument inputs, two independent high-fidelity headphone outputs, and three high-resolution LCD displays for detailed metering. The Focusrite Red 16Line also ships with Focusrite’s acclaimed Red 2 and Red 3 EQ and compressor plug-ins, as well as the Hitmaker Expansion plug-in suite, bringing a professional-grade toolset directly to the DAW.

With its combination of best-in-class audio conversion, ultra-low latency, powerful preamps, and versatile connectivity, the Focusrite Red 16Line is Focusrite’s flagship interface for professionals working across both traditional and networked studio environments.

Features

  • Connectivity: Pro Tools | HD DigiLink, Thunderbolt 3, and Dante expansion simultaneously
  • Audio conversion: 118dB A-D, 121dB D-A (A-weighted)
  • Ultra-low latency: Track and mix with plug-ins in real time
  • Analogue I/O: 16 line inputs, 16 line outputs, plus 2 main monitor outputs
  • Mic preamps: 2 Red Evolution preamps with 63dB gain, phantom power, HPF, phase reverse, and Air mode
  • Dante networking: Dual-port Dante connectivity for scalable Ethernet audio
  • Thunderbolt: 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy-chaining additional devices
  • Monitoring: 2 high-fidelity headphone outputs and 3 LCD metering displays
  • Instrument inputs: 2 front-panel high-impedance instrument inputs
  • Digital I/O: ADAT, S/PDIF, word clock, and loop sync
  • Plug-ins: Red 2 EQ, Red 3 compressor, and Hitmaker Expansion bundle
  • Warranty: 3-year Focusrite warranty

Specifications

Released in: 2017
Made in: U.K.
  • Simultaneous I/O: Up to 64 x 64 channels
  • Line inputs: 16 (DB-25, electronically balanced, +18/+24dBu switchable)
  • Line outputs: 16 (DB-25, electronically balanced, +18/+24dBu switchable)
  • Monitor outputs: 2 x 1/4″ TRS stereo jack (+18dBu reference level)
  • Mic preamps: 2 Red Evolution digitally controlled preamps, 0–63dB gain
  • Instrument inputs: 2 x 1/4″ TS, >+15dBu max input, 2.3MΩ impedance
  • Headphone outputs: 2 x 1/4″ TRS stereo, 114dB dynamic range, 32–600Ω impedance
  • Dante I/O: 32 x 32 channels, dual RJ45 ports (Cat 5e and above)
  • Thunderbolt: 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports (up to 64 x 64 channels)
  • Pro Tools | HD: 2 x Mini DigiLink ports, up to 64 x 64 channels
  • ADAT: Up to 16 x 16 channels (SMUX support at higher rates)
  • S/PDIF: 2 x RCA I/O (up to 96kHz)
  • Word clock: BNC in/out, loop sync supported
  • Sample rates: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192kHz, 24-bit
  • A/D dynamic range: 118dB (A-weighted)
  • D/A dynamic range: 121dB (A-weighted)
  • Mic EIN: <-129dBu (A-weighted, typical)
  • Frequency response: 20Hz – 35kHz ±0.2dB
  • Included software: RedNet Control, Red 2 EQ, Red 3 compressor, Hitmaker Expansion
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