StudioLive AR16c

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 three-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.

Computer system requirements:
Computer system requirements:
Below are the minimum computer-system requirements for StudioLive AR16c.

macOS®
macOS version 10.13 or later
200 MB storage space and 8 GB RAM for Universal Control (required for firmware updates)
Available USB port
Windows®
Windows 10 or later (64-Bit Only)
200 MB storage space and 8 GB RAM for Universal Control (required for firmware updates and low-latency ASIO support)
Available USB port
The above are the hardware system requirements for this product.
DAW software and Operating System requirements vary.

Click here for Studio One’s system requirements.
VST Compatible Logo ASIO Compatible Logo

VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
USB-C® is a registered trademark of USB Implementers Forum
All other trademarks are property of their respective holders
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 k?
EIN (+55 dB gain, 150? 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 M?
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 k?
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 ?
Headphone Output
Type ¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced
Maximum Output Level 150 mW/channel @ 60 ?
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.