Presonus StudioLive AR16C USB 16 Channel Mixer Hybrid Mixing Desk with Multitrack Digital Recording and Bluetooth

Audio recording made easy.


Don’t let the classic analog mixer design fool you—the StudioLive® AR16c was built to record. With a pristine analog front-end, 12 high-gain XMAX mic preamps, and an 18x4 24-bit, 96 kHz, USB-C compatible USB 2.0 audio interface, its hybrid design makes it simple to record studio productions and mix live shows from a single intuitive console. Add in a musical 3-band analog EQ, mic/line boost for low-level vintage synths and broadcast microphones, all-new digital effects with rich reverbs and lush delays, Bluetooth® connectivity, and a stereo SD recorder... and you have a mixing and recording powerhouse that fulfills the needs of both modern musicians and content creators.

A full-featured audio interface.

The StudioLive AR16c audio interface operates at up to 96 kHz for high-definition mixing and recording. Record each of the 16 inputs, plus the main mix for even more flexible recording options. Play back up to four streams for monitoring previously recorded tracks—plus a click. Twelve lauded XMAX mic preamps provide all the gain you need to capture even the most subtle details without adding any extra noise. The analog mixer front-end makes connecting your gear to your computer intuitive, and creating monitor mixes is quick and easy. With a USB-C™ compatible connection, your StudioLive AR16c is ready to use as an audio interface for nearly any computer.

PreSonus—StudioLive ARc Mixers with The Revelries

Video will open in a new window

The channel that does it all… even Bluetooth connectivity!

The unique Super Channel can handle four stereo sources at once, making it easy to integrate consumer devices into your studio workflow. Connect a turntable to the RCA inputs, use the ⅛-inch stereo input to plug-in your smartphone, or forget the cable and connect it via Bluetooth wireless technology. You can also toggle between a stereo playback stream from your computer and playback from the onboard SD recorder, making rehearsal a snap.

A complete recording solution for studio and stage.

The StudioLive AR16c audio interface and analog mixer is tightly integrated with state-of-the-art recording software to help you realize your creative vision. Record multitrack live performances with one click thanks to PreSonus’ Capture™ live-recording software. Create complete studio productions with our award-winning Studio One® Artist DAW. With two professional recording applications included with your StudioLive AR16c, you’re ready to record right out of the box.

Stereo recording without a computer.

Imagine you’re rehearsing with your band and want to record your session to analyze later. Or perhaps you’re in the middle of a songwriting session and want to capture your ideas as quickly as they come to you. Either way, the StudioLive AR16c’s stereo SD recorder has you covered. Insert any SD/SDHC card and you’re ready to record your main mix to listen to later, so you’ll never forget a great song idea or an amazing guitar solo. Doing mobile interviews for your podcast? Leave the computer at home and record straight to SD.

Effects without latency.

Monitoring with reverb and delay helps to create better recordings. Any vocalist or guitarist will tell you that a little reverb makes them feel more comfortable while performing. The StudioLive AR16c mixer’s onboard effects processor lets you add high-quality reverb, delay, or chorus to any channel for a professional monitor mix. Like what you hear in your headphones? Record the Main Mix and capture the effects mix, too—with or without the dry channels—to blend with your multitrack recording. Experiment in post-production to your heart's content.

All the connections you need with a familiar look.

Packed with all the connections and controls needed to mix and record in the studio and on the stage, the StudioLive AR16c is the ultimate recording solution. The eight mono channels and four stereo channels include a musical three-band EQ, plus one of PreSonus’ famed XMAX high-gain mic preamps. Two dedicated monitor mixes with balanced outputs provide your musicians the custom mix they need. The USB-C compatible connector ensures your StudioLive AR16c audio interface will be the center of your studio for years to come. And with high-resolution 96 kHz recording, a full complement of connections, and an instantly familiar workflow, the StudioLive AR16c is the perfect recording and mixing solution for the modern musician and content creator.

 

Make your own magic.

At PreSonus, we want to make sure that our audio interfaces come with everything you need to craft your own mesmerizing spells in the studio. That’s why we include Studio One Artist with every audio interface product we make. But here in Louisiana, we have a word: lagniappe. It means "a little something extra," and it’s in that spirit that we also include the Studio Magic Suite of software with our audio interface products.

The 2020 Studio Magic is a major step up from the 2019 edition, and includes Ableton Live Lite, tutorials from Melodics, 6 virtual instruments, and 9 effects plug-ins in VST, AU, and AAX formats... all unlocked for use inside Studio One Artist with a retail value of over $1000 (US).

Features

Recording

  • 18x4 24-bit/96 kHz, USB 2.0 (over USB-C™ connection) audio recording interface
    • Record every channel plus the main mix
  • 2x2 SD recorder to capture the main mix
    • Supports SD™ and SDHD™ formats up to 32 GB

Mixing

  • 18-channel analog mixer
  • 12 balanced microphone inputs with XMAX mic preamps
  • 2 insert points
  • 2 instrument/line inputs
  • 16 balanced line level inputs:
    • 8 mono
    • 4 stereo pairs
  • Stereo Super Channel (Ch. 17/18) with Bluetooth 5.0 input, RCA inputs, 1/8-inch stereo input, and switchable SD/USB stereo playback
  • 8 mono and 4 stereo channels, each with level knob, pan, mute, PFL solo, highpass filter, and 3-band semi-parametric EQ
  • 2 monitor buses with dedicated channel sends, AFL solo, and balanced TRS output
  • L/R Control Room outputs with level control
  • Headphone output with level control

Signal Processing

  • Highpass filter on every channel
  • 3-band quasi-parametric EQ with sweepable mid-band on each mono channel
  • 3-band semi-parametric EQ on each stereo channel
  • Stereo effects processor with 16 presets, dedicated send and return, and bypass footswitch jack
  • Mic/line boost on stereo channels for low-level input sources and consumer devices

Included Software

  • Capture™ live multitrack recording software
  • Studio One ® Artist recording and production software (DAW)
  • Studio Magic plug-in suite

Power

  • Internal power supply
  • Standard IEC power connector

Physical

  • Sturdy metal construction
  • 60 mm faders
  • Rackmount kit included

 

Computer system requirements:

Below are the minimum computer-system requirements for use with Capture™ and Studio One®.

Mac

  • macOS® 10.11 or higher (64-bit only)
  • Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor (Intel Core i3 or faster recommended)

Windows

  • Windows® 7 x64 SP1 + platform update, Windows 8.1 x64, Windows 10 x64
  • Intel Core 2 Duo (Intel Core i3 or faster recommended)

Mac and Windows Systems

  • 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
  • 30 GB hard-drive space (Studio One)
  • Internal or external 7200 RPM storage drive highly recommended
  • Monitor with 1366x768 resolution (high-dpi monitor recommended)

The minimum system requirements may differ for DAWs other than Studio One®. Please check the requirements for your DAW of choice with its manufacturer.

Note that the speed of your processor, amount of RAM and size and speed of your hard drive will greatly affect the overall performance of your recording system. Also, a more powerful system (faster processor with more RAM) will allow for lower latency (signal delay) than you might experience while monitoring audio signals.

As a commitment to constant improvement, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc., reserves the right to change any specification stated herein, at any time, without notification.​​

 

VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

Technical Specifications

Microphone Preamp

 
Type XLR Female, Class A XMAX
Maximum Input level (unity gain) +9 dBu ±1.0 dB
Gain Control Range 43 dB (+12 to +55 dB)
Frequency Response to Analog Outputs 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Frequency Response to USB (Direct) 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/- 1.5 dB
S/N Ratio to Outputs (+4 dBu) 94 dB
THD+N (min. gain, A-wtd) < 0.01%
Input Impedance 1 kΩ
EIN (+55 dB gain, 150Ω input, 20 Hz-22 kHz, A-wtd) Mono Channels: < 128 dBu
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1 kHz, +55 dB gain) 65 dB
Phantom Power +48V, ±3V, Global
Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp  

Instrument Inputs

 
Type ¼” TS Female, Unbalanced, Hi-Z
Maximum Input Level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N) +9 dBu ±1.0 dB
Gain Control Range 43 dB, ±1 dB (+12 to +55 dB)
Frequency Response to Analog Outputs 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Frequency Response to USB (Direct) 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Dynamic Range (min. gain, A-wtd) > 105 dB
Dynamic Range (mid. Gain, unwtd) > 108 dB
THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, A-wtd) < 0.01%
THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd) < 0.01%
Input Impedance > 1 MΩ
Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp  

Line Inputs

 
Type ¼” TRS Female, Balanced
Maximum Input Level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N) +26 dBu ±1.0 dB
Gain Control Range

Mono Channels: 40 dB, ±1 dB (-5 to +35 dB)

Stereo Channels: 0 dB or +10 dB (+10 dB Boost)

Frequency Response to Analog Outputs 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Frequency Response to USB (Direct) 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
S/N Ratio to Analog Outputs (+4 dBu) 85 dB
THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, A-wtd) < 0.01%
Input Impedance (Balanced) 10 kΩ
Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp  

Main, Control Room, Monitor, and FX Outputs

 
Type (Main Outputs) XLR Male, Impedance Balanced
Type (Control Room, Monitor, FX Outputs) ¼” TRS Female, Balanced
Rated Output Level (Main Outputs) +24 dBu, ±1.0 dB
Rated Outputs Level (Control Room, Monitor, FX Outputs) +18 dBu
Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Dynamic Range (A-wtd) > 108 dB
THD+N (Bandwidth 20 Hz - 20 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd) < 0.01%
Output Impedance 100 Ω

Headphone Output

 
Type ¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced
Maximum Output Level 150 mW/channel @ 60 Ω
Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Dynamic Range (A-wtd) > 103 dB
THD+N (Bandwidth 20 Hz - 20 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd) < 0.01%

System Crosstalk

 
Input to Output (Ref = +4dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unwtd) -90 dBu
Adjacent Channels (Ref = +4 dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unwtd) -85 dBu

Signal Level LED

 
Signal -30 dBFS (pre-EQ)
Clip -3.0 dB before clip (pre- or post-EQ)

Channel EQ

 
Low Cut 100 Hz, -18 dB/Octave
High Shelving ±15 dB @ 10 kHz
Mid Peaking (Mono Channels) ±15 dB @ 140 Hz to 3.5 kHz (variable)
Mid Peaking (Stereo Channels) ±15 dB @ 2.5 kHz
Mid-Band Q Boost: 1.0, Cut: 2.5
Low Shelving ±15 dB @ 100 Hz

Digital Audio

 
Host Interface USB 2.0
ADC Dynamic Range (Component) 114 dB
ADC Dynamic Range (Measured: A-wtd, 48 kHz) 105 dB
DAC Dynamic Range (Component) 114 dB
DAC Dynamic Range (Measured: A-wtd, 48 kHz) 105 dB
Signal-to-Noise (a-weighted) -96 dB
Bit Depth 24-bit
Internally Supported Sample Rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Jitter < 80 ps RMS (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Jitter Attenuation > 60 dB (1 ns in => 1 ps out)

SD Recorder

 
Supported Media Format FAT16 formatted SD™ card, FAT32 formatted SDHC™ card
Media Storage Capacity SD card: 2 GB; SDHC card: 32 GB
Recording File Format Stereo WAV
Playback File Formats Stereo WAV, MP3 (96-320 kbs, 32 / 44.1 / 48 kHz)
Sampling Rate (WAV) 44.1 kHz
Bit Depth

Recording: 24-bit

Playback: 16- or 24-bit

Power/Environmental

 
Connector IEC
Input Voltage Range 90 to 240 VAC
Recommended Ambient Operating Temperature 0˚ to 40˚ Celsius / 32˚ to 104˚ Fahrenheit

Physical

 
Height 3.5” (89 mm)
Width (Chassis only) 18.9” (480 mm)
Depth 15.6” (397 mm)
Weight 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg)

As a commitment to constant improvement, PreSonus® Audio Electronics, Inc., reserves the right to change any specification stated herein, at any time, without notification.

SD Logo is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC

SKU PRE-SL-AR16C
Brand PreSonus
Shipping Weight 6.5000kg

Be The First To Review This Product!

Help other Music Factory Direct users shop smarter by writing reviews for products you have purchased.

Write a product review