What skill level do I need to operate this mixer?

The StudioLive 16.0.2 is designed for intermediate to advanced users and professionals who are comfortable with channel routing, gain staging, and mixing fundamentals. Its straightforward channel layout and real-time faders make it approachable, but you'll benefit from prior mixing experience.

Can I use this for both live sound and studio recording?

Yes. FireWire connectivity lets you record directly into a DAW on a computer, while simultaneous main and monitor outputs support live mixing on stage or in a venue. You can track while running monitors, or use it as a standalone mixer without a computer.

What kind of audio quality should I expect from the preamps?

The preamps deliver exceptionally low noise (EIN of +125 dB unweighted to direct output) and minimal distortion (less than 0.005% THD), with a clean signal path and high headroom up to +16 dBu on mic inputs. This transparent design captures detail without coloration, ideal for vocals, acoustic instruments, and drums.

What inputs and outputs does it have?

You get 16 XLR mic inputs with phantom power, 4 balanced 1/4-inch line inputs, 2 unbalanced RCA line inputs, main XLR and 1/4-inch stereo outputs, 2 aux mono outputs, and 2 monitor stereo outputs. FireWire provides 16 channels of digital I/O for recording and playback.

Does every channel have EQ and dynamics?

Yes. Each of the 16 channels includes a three-band parametric EQ, a compressor with adjustable attack and release, and a noise gate/expander for clean signal shaping during both live performance and recording sessions.

Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 16x2 Firewire Performance and Recording Dig

This product has been discontinued.

Technical Specifications

Microphone Preamp

Type XLR Female, Balanced
Frequency Response to Direct Output (at unity gain) 20 Hz-40 kHz, 0 / -0.5 dBu
Frequency Response to Main Output (at unity gain) 20 Hz-20 kHz, ±0.5 dBu
Input Impedance (Balanced) 1 kΩ
THD to Direct Output (1 kHz at unity gain) <0.005%, +4 dBu, 20 Hz–20 kHz, unity gain, unwtd
THD to Main Output (1 kHz at unity gain) 0.005%, +4 dBu, 20 Hz-20 kHz, unity gain, unwtd
EIN to Direct Output +125 dB unwtd, +130 dB A-wtd
S/N Ratio to Direct Output (Ref = +4 dB, 20 kHz BW, unity gain, A-wtd) -97 dB
S/N Ratio to Main Output (Ref = +4 dB, 20 kHz BW, unity gain, A-wtd) -94 dB
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1 kHz at unity gain) +65 dB
Gain Control Range (± 1 dB) -16 dB to +67 dB
Maximum Input Level (unity gain) +16 dBu
Phantom Power (± 2 VDC) +48 VDC

Line Inputs, Balanced

Type ¼" TRS Female, balanced mono
Frequency Response to Direct Outputs (at unity gain) 10 Hz-40 kHz, 0 / -0.5 dBu
Frequency Response to Main Outputs (at unity gain) 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0/-0.5 dBu
Input Impedance 10 kΩ
THD to Direct Output (1 kHz at unity gain) <0.0007%, +4 dBu, 20 Hz-20 kHz, unity gain, unwtd
THD to Main Output (1 kHz at unity gain) <0.005%, +4 dBu, 20 Hz-20 kHz, unity gain, unwtd
S/N Ratio to Direct Output (Ref = +4 dBu, 20 kHz BW, unity gain, A-wtd) -105 dB
S/N Ratio to Main Output (Ref = +4 dBu, 20 kHz BW, unity gain, A-wtd) -94 dB
Gain Control Range (± 1 dB) -20 dB to +20 dB
Maximum Input level (unity gain) +22 dBu

Line Inputs, Unbalanced

Type RCA Female, unbalanced (stereo pair)
Maximum Input Level +22 dBu

Main Outputs

Type XLR Male, balanced (stereo pair); ¼” TRS Female, balanced (stereo pair)
Rated Output Level +24 dBu
Output Impedance 100Ω

Aux Outputs

Type ¼” TRS Female, balanced (mono)
Rated Output Level +18 dBu
Output Impedance 100Ω

Monitor Outputs

Type ¼” TRS Female, balanced (stereo pair)
Rated Output Level z +18 dBu
Output Impedance 100Ω

System Crosstalk

Input to Output (Ref = +4 dBu, 20 Hz-20 kHz, unwtd) -90 dBu
Adjacent Channels (Ref = +4 dBu, 20 Hz-20 kHz, unwtd) -87 dBu

Noise Gate (Expander)

Threshold Range -84 dB to 0 dB
Attack Time Adaptive (0.2 - 2.5 ms)
Release Time 70 ms
Expander Attenuation Range 02:01

Compressor

Threshold Range -56 dB to 0 dB
Ratio 1:1 to 14:1
Response Time (Attack/Release 0.2 ms / 1.0s (“Tight”) to 180 ms / 1.0s (“Smooth”)
Auto Attack and Release Attack = 10 ms, Release = 150 ms
Curve Types hard and soft knee

Type 2nd-order shelving filter (Q = 0.55)
Low (Low-pass or Bandpass) 36 to 465 Hz, ±15 dB
Mid 260 Hz to 3.5 kHz, ±15 dB
High (High-pass or Bandpass) 1.4 kHz to 18 kHz, ±15 dB

Digital Audio

ADC Dynamic Range (A-wtd, 48 kHz) 118 dB
DAC Dynamic Range (A-wtd, 48 kHz) 118 dB
FireWire S400, 400 Mb/s
Internal Processing 32-bit, floating point
Sampling Rate 44.1, 48 kHz
A/D/A Bit Depth 24 bits
Reference Level for 0 dBFS +18 dBu

Clock

Jitter <20 ps rms (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Jitter Attenuation >60 dB (1 ns in ≈ 1 ps out)

Power

Connector IEC
Input-Voltage Range 100 to 240 VAC (factory-configured for country of destination)
Power Requirements (continuous) 100W

Physical

Length 15.56 inches (397 mm)
Width 16 inches (406 mm)
Maximum Height 5.5 inches (140 mm)
Weight 20 lbs.

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