A Compact Command Center for Your Studio
The Audient ASP4816-SE (Standard Edition) is a fully analog, 16-channel in-line recording and mixing console that provides the features of large-format boards in a space-saving compact chassis. In the years since its introduction, the original ASP4816 has been battle-tested in professional studios worldwide, delivering superior ergonomics, rock-solid reliability, and punchy, crystal-clear sonics, session after session. Today’s ASP4816-SE represents the definitive evolution of David Dearden’s original design, and incorporates cutting-edge features as well as numerous technical and operational refinements that certify the board’s reputation as a modern classic. With its efficient in-line architecture and compact footprint, the fully analog Audient ASP4816-SE delivers world-class audio performance, unprecedented flexibility, and intuitive workflow options. Packed with innovative features to keep your sound on the cutting edge, the ASP4816-SE makes an ideal nucleus for serious home and project studios.
Related Videos: ASP4816-SE 16-channel Recording Console - Standard Edition
Designed for modern DAW-based workflows
The ASP4816 Standard Edition is designed to integrate seamlessly into your digital workstation setup, providing a classic, flexible analog front and back end for authoritative, vintage-inspired sound. Divided into channel and master sections, the ASP4816-SE features 48 mix inputs, 16 Class A mic preamps, 16 recording buses, six pre/post aux sends, and two pre/post cue sends. At the top of the 16 channel strips are the meters, which display DAW return level by default, but can be flipped to show mic or line levels via the meter switch. Taking inspiration from legendary vintage gear, the ASP4816-SE brings you the best of old and new — sonically and visually.
Flexible, powerful, and musical 4-band EQ
The ASP4816-SE features 4-band equalization that offers two fully parametric bell-curve bands that extend from 50Hz to 20kHz. These are flanked by LF and HF shelving bands (with a minimal signal path) that are, respectively, selectable at 50Hz or 100Hz and 10kHz or 18kHz (with the Air switch engaged) — great for adding weight and air to program material. Together with the parametric bands, this forms a highly musical sculpting tool that makes it easy to achieve your desired results fast. A unique feature of the ASP4816-SE allows you to split the equalization across both the long and short faders, giving you impressive flexibility to assign EQ wherever it is needed.
Efficient in-line architecture
As you record, overdub, and make rough mixes, you’re developing a concept of your final mix — or at least, you should be. In the cognitive sciences, this is called structural visualization, and it’s an aptitude shared by architects, astronauts, and yes — successful recording engineers. The ASP4816-SE’s efficient in-line architecture assists you in this endeavor by presenting you with both long and short faders on a single channel strip, delivering the same functionality as a traditional large-format split console in half the space. This makes it easy to jump-start the mixing process even as you’re tracking. Rather than the hard-to-reach monitor level controls of a split board, the ASP4816’s small faders are readily accessible to tweak in real time as you’re recording. During tracking, the small faders are commonly assigned to monitor duties, but you can flip the assignments, using them for input and the large faders for monitor mixing. Add to that the console’s splittable EQ and Aux sends, and you can start nailing the perfect mix right from the get-go!
Mix bus compressor with Bass Expand
Audient’s mix bus compressor adds punch and VCA “glue” for assertive, radio-ready mixes that blast right out of the speakers. It’s the elusive, larger-than-life “rock ’n’ roll” dynamic that has pumped up countless hits that were recorded on classic analog consoles in the 1980s and ’90s. But this mix bus compressor is not simply a reiteration of a vintage design. Its circuitry has been optimized and the inclusion of Audient’s exciting Bass Expand highpass filter in the compressor’s sidechain gives it the uncanny ability to tighten up the low-frequency range of a mix without any loss of bottom-end punch. This is always helpful for mastering purposes — and particularly critical for bass-heavy productions. Complete with an excellent new gain-reduction VU meter for instant visual feedback, the Audient mix bus compressor is a valuable and versatile tool you won’t want to mix without!
The perfect command center
With its versatile connectivity and powerful signal processing, routing, summing, and monitoring capabilities rivaling that of large-format consoles, the ASP4816-SE is the perfect compact command center for professional studios with space and budget considerations. Indeed, many of the professional engineers and producers here at Sweetwater have an ASP4816 installed in their home, project, or commercial studio. Give your Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 to find out what the Audient ASP4816-SE can do for your studio.
Audient ASP4816-SE 16-channel Recording Console Features:
- In-line architecture with dual inputs on each channel
- 16 Audient Class A Mic Preamps
- 40 Faders; per-channel LED meters
- 42 Inputs; 48 Inputs at mixdown
- 16 Record Buses; 8 Subgroups
- 6 Aux buses, 2 Cue sends
- 4 stereo Monitor outputs
- Comprehensive Monitor Control
- 4-band EQ
- Stereo VCA Mix Bus Compressor with Bass Expand
- Footswitch for Talkback control
- 3-year limited warranty
