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- Metro: Live Remote Mixing Over Internet
- Rackmount Mixing and Processing Power
- Control with Mac, Windows & iOS
- 16 XLR-1/4″ Combo Inputs + RCA Stereo
- 16 Recallable XMAX Mic Preamps
- 6 x 1/4″ TRS FlexMix Outputs
- 3rd Generation Fat Channel Processing
- AVB Network Ready
- Built-In SD Recorder
- Includes Power Cord and USB Cable
The PreSonus StudioLive 16R is a Series III, 16-channel 1 RU stagebox and rack mixer designed to serve as a simple stage box, rack mixer, or combination stagebox and monitor mixer. The 16R is equipped for AVB networking, allowing it to be connected to another Series III mixer via a single, lightweight Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for heavy, expensive copper snakes, and the signal degradation caused by long cable runs. All the onboard XMAX microphone preamps can be remotely controlled from the front-of-house position. In stage box + monitor mixer mode, the StudioLive 16R not only serves as a professional networked stage box, but is a full-blown monitor mixer with advanced processing and mixing power.
The StudioLive 16R offers professional-quality sound with its on-board Series III processors and 3rd generation Fat Channel, which implements a plug-in-style workflow that features vintage-style EQ and compression options on every channel, from classic tube limiters to passive EQs. In addition to channel processing, the StudioLive 16R offers 6-band, fully parametric EQ on all mix outputs. There are six FlexMixes that can be individually designated as aux, subgroup, or matrix mixes, while eight Filter DCAs offer easy and flexible control over groups of channels.
There are 16 combo XLR-1/4″ inputs (mic/line) and an additional set of stereo RCA inputs for flexibility. The six FlexMix outputs feature 1/4″ TRS connectors, while the main output offers balanced XLR connectors. A built-in SD card recorder allows you to quickly and easily record the main mix or any other stereo mix without the need for a computer. What’s more, you can simultaneously multitrack record to your laptop via USB or AVB and record in stereo to SD.
The StudioLive 16R ships with an integrated software package including Studio One Artist, UC Surface, and Capture. Studio One Artist is a full-featured DAW for recording, mixing, and playing back tracks. The software offers remote control over the XMAX preamps and the Fat Channel processing. UC Surface offers touch-control for Mac, Windows, Android, and iPad, allowing you to control the mixer wirelessly from anywhere in the room, while Capture allows you to completely automate virtual soundchecks and record shows. Additionally, the StudioMagic plug-in suite is included, which provides a wealth of fresh sounds and effects from companies such as Eventide, Lexicon, SPL, MAAG, Brainworks, and Arturia. The StudioLive 16R ships with a power cord and a USB cable.
- 18 total inputs
- 16 mic/line channel inputs + 2 RCA inputs
- 6 x 1/4″ TRS FlexMix outputs
- 2 x XLR (L/R) main outputs
- Stereo headphone output
- 16 input channels
- 1 stereo digital return (SD Card, AVB, or USB)
- 10 buses:
- 6 FlexMixes (can be designated as aux, subgroup, or matrix mixes)
- 2 internal effects sends
- Stereo main bus
- 6 Filter DCAs for easily and flexibly controlling groups of channels
- 1 Ethernet control network port
- Dynamic, self-assigned, and manual IP address modes
- 1 Ethercon AVB audio network port
- On-board stereo SD recorder
- 18 x 18 USB recording interface
- 32 x 32 AVB recording interface
- Intuitive Fat Channel signal processing on every channel with:
- A/B settings comparison
- High-pass filter and polarity reverse
- Gate/expander with sidechain
- Compressor with sidechain
- 4-band parametric EQ on inputs
- 6-band parametric EQ on outputs
- Limiter
- Delay on every input
- Delay on every output
- Professionally programmed library of presets
- Vintage EQ and compressor models available on every input:
- Passive EQ
- Vintage EQ
- Tube compressor
- FET compressor
- 8 x 31-band graphic EQs
- 2 internal effects buses: Combination of reverbs and delays with modern and vintage options
- Built-in real-time analyze
- Create, save, and edit up to 100 scenes
- Scene management with:
- Scene Safe—prevents a scene change from affecting designated “safe” channels
- Create, save, and edit channel settings and copy/paste between channels
- Advanced channel preset options can save and recall:
- Channel type and name
- Input settings (preamp, +48V phantom power, polarity, pan)
- Fat Channel A & B settings
- Bus assignments
- Aux and effects send levels and pan
- Select button color
- 8 Quick Scenes
- 8 Mute groups
- Studio-quality converters with 115 dB dynamic range
- 48 kHz operation with 24-bit resolution (44.1 kHz option coming soon)
- UC Surface touch control software for Mac, Windows, iPad, and Android
- Studio One Artist digital audio workstation software for Mac and Windows
- Capture multitrack recording software for Mac and Windows
- QMix-UC aux-control software for iOS and Android available free from Apple App Store and Google Play
PreSonus StudioLive 16R Specs
| Max I/O Capacity | |
| Number of Analog Input Channels | |
| Number of Mic Preamps | |
| Number of Analog Output Channels | |
| Faders & Level Adjustment | |
| Analog Inputs | |
| Analog Outputs | |
| Digital I/O | |
| USB I/O | |
| Wireless | |
| Rack Mountable |
| Max I/O Capacity | |
| Number of Analog Input Channels | |
| Number of Mic Preamps | |
| Number of Analog Output Channels | |
| Mix Routing | |
| Presets | |
| Faders & Level Adjustment |
| Gain/Trim Range | |
| EQ | |
| Audio Delay |
| Sample Rates | |
| Bit Depth |
| Frequency Response | |
| Max Input Level | |
| Headphone Output Power | |
| I/O Impedance | |
| SNR | |
| THD | |
| THD+N |
| Analog Inputs | |
| Analog Outputs | |
| Phantom Power | |
| Digital I/O | |
| MIDI I/O | |
| USB I/O | |
| USB I/O Capacity | |
| Expansion Ports | |
| Wireless | |
| External Display I/O |
| OS Compatibility | |
| RAM Requirements | |
| Mobile Device Compatibility |
| Input Power |
| Rack Mountable | |
| Rackmount Size | |
| Operating Conditions | |
| Dimensions | |
| Weight |
| Package Weight | |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) |
John R –
My new 16 channel mobile rig consists of a 16R, a Dell laptop and a router. 2-track mix to SD card and multitrack to Dell laptop. Wireless control with iPad. Not even a hiccup. When I’m recording a rhythm section in my studio I connect the 16R to my Presonus SL Ser 3 and use the 16R as an AVB stagebox in the drum room. Very happy with this combination.
Toby W. –
This has got to be the most intelligent thing that’s ever fit into a single rack space. I bought this for our band (6-9 pieces depending on the show) for monitor mixes. Half of us use in ears and half wedges. We were tired of being at the mercy of whoever engineered monitors for us at any given venue, so I mounted it in a 4 space rack bag with a 16ch splitter snake. BOOM! Now we have our own monitor mixes right from our iPads, iPhones, etc., without the extra weight and space of a traditional mixing board, and we send a separate 16 channels out to FOH. If they’re using a newer studio live FOH mixer, we don’t even need the splitter snake. What a difference this has made! PLUS, we can mix FOH with it also, for our smaller gigs. If we had a full-time FOH engineer, we wouldn’t use the venue’s engineer, we would have then mix from the iPad. Kudos to Presonus on another stellar product, and allowing us to keep our sanity on stage. =D
Roman Pennington –
I am using the StudioLive 32R as a hybrid live/studio recording setup and am incredibly pleased with the performance and quality. I’ve got the box managing two separate submixes: one to the FoH for a live mix, and another goes to a ProTools rig for multi-track recording and a mixdown for a live stream audio feed. The system has proven to be rock solid. When it first came out, it only had support for 48khz, but now they also support 44.1 so I was able to replace all my previous digital interfaces in the studio with this single unit, for recording new projects, doing live sound, and mixing down older studio recordings from ProTools. The system, firmware and software continues to evolve and become more feature packed. You can’t go wrong with this unit. It replaced an entire rack of equipment in my setup. I can’t wait to ditch my snake and try their cat5-based remote boxes — that’s next on my list.
Basil wood –
Arrived on time and well packaged. Worked perfectly right out of the box. Software is easy to install and extremely user friendly. Since purchasing I’ve used it for multiple live performances and rehearsals.
LekrickP –
This thing is small, reliable, responsive and packed with features. I’m using it for front of house, monitor and rehearsal space mixes. The surface interface is adaptable and little tricky to setup, but worthwhile.
Spitfireman65 –
This is without a doubt the best rack mount mixer bang for the buck. We only tour with Oreos us and this rig is rock solid. No problems and so customizable that we haven’t even begun getting to the limitations of the mixer. Don’t waste your time with behringer/tascam/soundcraft rack mixers. Just get a presonus 16R and know that is performs circles around everything else.
JAL –
We have moved some of our events outdoors and did not wish to drag a full analog sound reinforcement system outside every week. Since we have an existing indoor Presonus fixed installation, this rack mounted unit was a good match for us. We are combing this mixer with a JBL Eon One as a center “Speaker as Monitor” connected to AUX 1.
Although there are racked mounted mixers available with built in WiFi, users complain of poor WiFi connectivity or poor mixer dependability. We racked mounted this unit along with a Dual Band WIFI router and a power strip into an SKB 4u Flyer rolling case. We connected a small bluetooth receiver to the RCA inputs in the back of the unit (Channels 23 and 24). We can stream background music from an iPhone over bluetooth before and after events. WiFi connectivity has been good and “tablet battery anxiety” can be alleviated by carrying a backup external battery pack. Setup properly, using line output, this mixer is very quiet with excellent preamps.
We are running subgroups for vocals and instruments. We have programmed in multiple mute groups including: speakers only, vocals and instruments only, FX only, complementing the existing mute all group. It is possible to keep the mute groups available above the channel sliders by using the quick view. This allows us to say, mute the effects when a vocalist needs to talk. It is important to select Device Mode –> Mixer –> Link Aux Mutes –> Main Mute Auxes if you want to link the Main channel mutes to Aux 1 (Our center channel). You can create DCA filter groups on the fly to maximize the use of the available real estate on your mobile tablet, by filtering out any channels not currently in use.
The Universal Control software did work on a Windows Surface Tablet, a Mac Portable Computer and an Apple iPad. If you loose connectivity, the mixer continues to function. When you save a scene, the scene is saved directly onto the 24R. To use a Mac, I had to update the 24R firmware connecting to a Mac over USB while the Mac computer was simultaneously connected to the Internet over WiFi. Finally, it is possible to use this 24R rack unit as a stage box and control it with a PreSonus 32SC board over Ethernet.
So are there negatives to using a tablet controlled mixer over a FOH console? Yes. First, it only makes sense that an AC powered, ethernet connected FOH console mixer with physical sliders is probably going to be more reliable than a battery powered WiFi connected tablet controlled mixer. Second, there is no actual audio signal being transferred to the tablet, so listening to a single channel using the solo button is not possible. Third, there is no audio being sent from the tablet to the mixer, so there is no built in talk back function from the tablet.
For portable sound reinforcement, the primary advantages are simplicity and safety in setup and takedown since there is no need for a snake: all mic and instrument inputs go directly to the on stage rack mounted mixer, eliminating one trip hazard.