AUDIENT ASP4816 SE

Audient ASP4816 SE is a 16-channel fully analog in-line recording and mixing console designed by David Dearden — the same designer behind the ASP8024 — in a compact 109 x 99.5 cm footprint intended for studios where a large-format desk is neither physically nor budgetarily viable. It delivers 48 inputs to the stereo bus at mixdown (two paths per channel plus eight aux return inputs), 16 record buses, 8 subgroups, and the same discrete hybrid Class A preamp circuit that Audient uses across their entire product range, from iD interfaces to the ASP8024 console.

Dearden EQ with Air and Splittable Topology

The four-band EQ on each of the 16 channels consists of two fully parametric mid bands spanning 40 Hz to 20 kHz with ±15 dB of boost or cut and fully adjustable Q, flanked by low and high shelving bands. The Air button applies a broad, high-frequency shelf lift — useful for opening up transients and vocal presence without introducing harshness. The EQ is splittable across both fader paths: it can be independently assigned to the long fader path (mic/line) or the short fader path (DAW return), allowing simultaneous EQ on both signal paths without switching. Both long and short faders have independent pan pots and independent routing to record buses and subgroups.

VCA Bus Compressor and Monitor Section

The VCA stereo bus compressor operates pre-insert, post-fader, with adjustable threshold and ratio, auto-release mode, and a gain reduction meter — a functional mastering-style glue tool built into the console without requiring an external hardware slot. The monitor section provides four pairs of monitor outputs (Main plus three Alt) with independent level controls, six mono aux sends plus two cue sends covering both studio headphone monitoring and outboard effects simultaneously. Talkback is handled by a built-in microphone with footswitch control support — a facility rarely found in a console of this size and price class. Over 40 insert points across all input channels mean that with a suitable patchbay, the ASP4816-SE can support extensive outboard signal chain configurations without the phase or latency complications of digital routing.

KEY FEATURES

• 16-channel in-line (2 paths per channel), 48 inputs to stereo bus at mixdown
• 16 discrete hybrid Class A mic preamps, up to 60 dB gain
• 4-band splittable EQ: 2 fully parametric bands (40 Hz–20 kHz, ±15 dB, variable Q) + 2 shelving + Air
• 40 faders (long + short per channel + subgroups + master)
• 16 record buses + 8 subgroups
• 6 mono aux sends + 2 cue sends
• 4 stereo monitor output pairs (Main + 3 Alt)
• VCA stereo bus compressor — adjustable threshold, ratio, auto-release, GR meter
• Over 40 insert points (pre-fader on both mic/line and DAW return paths)
• 42 line inputs in mix configuration
• Talkback with internal mic and footswitch input
• Solo In Front (SIF)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Channels: 16, in-line (twin inputs), 40 faders
• Record buses: 16; subgroups: 8
• Mic preamp: discrete hybrid Class A, up to 60 dB gain
• Frequency response, mic in to mix out: +0 / -0.3 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz (at 6–40 dB gain)
• Frequency response, line in to mix out: +0 / -0.3 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz (at 0 dB gain)
• THD+noise at +20 dBu output (mic in): below 0.005% at 1 kHz
• THD+noise at +20 dBu output (line in): below 0.005% at 1 kHz
• THD+noise at +20 dBu output (tape in): below 0.003% at 1 kHz
• Mic EIN (20–20 kHz, 150 Ω source): below -127.5 dBu
• Bus noise (no inputs routed): below -93 dBu
• Bus noise (36 inputs routed): below -78 dBu
• Mic CMRR: 70 dB (min gain) / 75 dB (max gain)
• Crosstalk / mute attenuation (short fader, long fader, mix assign, bus assign): above 90 dB at 1 kHz
• Maximum output into 2 kΩ (mix, bus, aux): above +26 dBu
• Dimensions: 109.0 x 99.5 x 33.5 cm
• Weight: 60 kg