PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 16-Channel Digital Mixer

The smallest StudioLive digital mixer packs Fat Channel processing, 50 effects presets, and a 16x16 FireWire interface into a remarkably compact footprint.

Overall User Ratings (based on 26 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(26) (see rating details)
Submitted April 30, 2014 by Ronald McIntosh, Jr. in Jackson, MS

"GLAD I GOT IT"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I needed a mixer that I could use to record 9am services. I couldn't afford the 24.4.2 to replace our current analog mixer so I grabbed the 16.0.2. I was able to record 16 tracks to Capture even though the 16.0.2 has 4 stereo inputs. I would highly recommend this or ANY Presonus mixer for whatever you need.

Musical Background:

Organ, Keys, Drums

Musical Style:

Gospel
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Submitted August 29, 2011 by a customer from aol.com

"I love this board!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I'll have it for years
Sound
This thing sounds GREAT! The X-Max pres are pretty decent but when you add the Compressor, EQs, Reverbs, and Delays, this thing sings.
Features
The Fat Channel on every channel, aux, and the Main. That alone sold me, the lights on the gel buttons are a very nice extra. I can see everything in the dark.
Ease of Use
Once i got on YouTube to figure how this thing works, I love it. It's the easiest board I've worked with.
Quality
So far so good.
Value
Great price for such a versatile piece of gear. It'll kick your home studio or live show up a few notches.

Musical Background:

Recording Engineer, Musician

Musical Style:

All
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Submitted August 30, 2012 by Gary Platt in Berkekeley, CA

"Presonus 16.0.4"

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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WOW, I've worked on BIG consoles all my life, and THIS console is every bit as good or better than ANY of them. AMAZING features, AMAZING price point. I have been giddy since I got this, and the people in our audiences say we sound incredible. I attribute that to the PreSonus 16.0.4 (and my Meyers speakers, what a combination) I could not be happier!!

Musical Background:

Music Degree / MBA degree Play numerous instruments
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Submitted March 6, 2012 by Tyler J in Salt Lake City, UT

"Buyer Beware - But Also this Board is AWESOME"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This board sounds phenomenal! Forget outboard recording gear - (unless you own an LA-2A) this thing functions and sounds fantastic before the sound even gets to the DAW. Easy to use. so WHY "Buyer Beware?" CHECK YOUR FIREWIRE CHIPSETS BEFORE YOU BUY THE BOARD. I had a presonus firepod for 3 years before I bought this board and everything worked fine - this board did not work the same. I had to buy a different firewire interface card for the system to function correctly.

Musical Background:

Professional Touring and Recording Musician.

Musical Style:

Professionally - All styles. Personal - Rock/Blues/Alternative
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Submitted April 12, 2015 by Stanley Watkins in Victorville, CA

"Loving this Mixer"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I received my mixer and with the correct firewire card, I am not experience any pop, clicks, or latency issues. The preamps sound great on this model and suits my small studio just fine. I am glad I made the purchase! If you order this mixer, go on the presonus site and look at the suggested firewire cards. You will not have a problem. I believe most problems I read about on different boards was a result of a non compatible card. Here is a link to know which cards are compatible. http://support.presonus.com/entries/21766827-Is-there-a-Firewire-Compatibility-List-for-Firewire-cards-

Musical Background:

30+ years

Musical Style:

Hip Hop, R&B, POP, Gospel
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Submitted December 3, 2013 by Nate S

"PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 Digital Mixer"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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This is a very, very good product! It's very easy to use and it will fit most small to medium venue needs. It's very easy to learn and everyone from intro level sound guys or musicians to experts can use it to it's full potential, no problem. Awesome bang for the buck value. Recording is easy and very effective for jamming and band practice. Can't say enough good things about it. HOWEVER, it is very limited compared to the 16.4.2 model. If you are looking to do more and want something that will last you for the rest of your life, I would get the next model up, the 16.4.2. You can stack that model and there are a lot more features that are available, that you won't get with the 16.0.2. The only thing I wish is that the 16.0.2 is stackable to the 16.4.2. That way if you do decide to upgrade, you don't have to get rid of one to justify purchasing another. Other than that, if you wanna go big or go home, save the extra $500 and go for the 16.4.2.

Musical Background:

20 years

Musical Style:

indie, electronic, rock, blues, hip hop
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Submitted February 6, 2014 by William J in Tuscaloosa, AL

"Awesome Digital Mixer!!!!! Why Use Anything Else??"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I recieved my StudioLive 16.0.2 on tues and I was up and running the next day no problem. I purchased to 16.0.2 to get accustomed to the Presonus user interface. I didn't want to get in to deep with a 16.4.2, 24.4.2 or a 32.4.2. This mixer is just like an analog board because there is very little you need the LCD screen for. Everything is done on the FAT Channel which is always accessible just as an expensive analog board. I'm also gonna sell all of my outboard gear; EQ's, Compressor, Limiter etc. This board has everything I need to run small sound gigs & studio sessions. The Best features for me are the ability to record live gigs with capture & also Virtual Sound Check. These features coupled with the ease of use is worth the price of any StudioLive. The XMAX Pre's are also great. Bottom Line this ,in my opinion, is most efficient board on the market. If you want safe investment this is it. Other companies(Behringer) may have similar products for cheaper but i'm going with a "PROVEN" Presonus company over a spotty track record.
Sound
The Sound is amazing! Is it the best? No. But it's the most flexible for the cost. Money Can Buy Better But Why Waste Money When All U Need Is Right Here?
Features
All features have been thought out and are very useful!
Ease of Use
Anybody can learn this board in a matter of days. Its as easy as you wanna make it. Obviously some things are advanced but in a short amount of time all can be easily accomplished.
Quality
Very well made. It Sounds looks & feels very professional.
Value
Best Value on the market

Musical Background:

Drummer, Keyboardist, Producer & Engineer

Musical Style:

Jazz, Gospel, Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Funk, R&B, Soul & anything else that pays.
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Submitted February 20, 2014 by Pasquale Liuzzi in North Haven, CT

"Great Piece of Equipment"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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This mixer's full of a ton of useful features, excellent compression and pre EQs for recording purposes as well as live performances. However, it's a bit confusing on adding effects to each track, the manual isn't all that helpful and neither are the 20 minute long video tutorials PreSonus has available. All in all it is an excellent mixer for recording , very impressed with the results, take a listen to it in action here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-vDrjDRTI

Musical Background:

I'm a drummer, been playing live shows since I was 13 and drumming since I was 9

Musical Style:

Indie Alternative Rock
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Submitted October 20, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com

"Once you try it you will never go back to analog for recording."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I plan on keeping it for a long time. However, if I do set it aside it will be to do an upgrade on one of the bigger mixers that Presonus has out.
Sound
The quality of this mixer is great. I am using it mainly in a home recording studio set up and it works great with all my recording software. As far as using it live to mix bands I will be willing to buy the 16.4.2 or the 24 channel Presonus mixers later on.
Ease of Use
Navigating around is simply by the touch of a button.
Quality
As far as I can tell the mixer is made great.
Value
Of course I will rate it low cause no one wants to pay out any high price for anything. Then again for the most part this mixer is well worth it.
Manufacturer Support
I am a big fan of Presonus, but I wish you could daisy chain it to another one or perhaps another Presonus interface to get more channels. This is the only fault I have with this mixer.
The Wow Factor
Just looking at the Presonus mixers made me want one just by how it was designed.

Musical Background:

Active Musician and Studio Owner

Musical Style:

rock and country
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Submitted August 14, 2016 by Steven R in Bradenton, FL

"Studio Live Makes me sound amazing"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Id been working and learning mixing on my own songs and things sounded thin all the time. that is until I got my lovely Presonus Studio Live 16.0.2 from zZounds. the difference from my old mackie analog mixer and M-audio card to the studio live was more than just night and day, the difference was incredible. its my mixer my interface and the new love in my studio.

Musical Background:

30 years playing percussion and singing 5 years recording at home

Musical Style:

silly genre boxes you cannot contain me I love all music!!!
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Submitted February 28, 2016 by Mike H in Winfield, KS

"StudioLive 16.0.2"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I have a home studio and was looking for a multichannel interface, the StudioLive is perfect. It is much easier to use than my previous I face and has plenty of channels for my drum kit. After shopping around I decided on the unit as I can record and do live sound if need be. I use Studio One for production so it was basically plug and play, also didn't have to deal with latency issues. Great product and awesome service.

Musical Background:

Semiprofessional

Musical Style:

All styles
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Submitted October 25, 2012 by Steve W in FAIRPORT, NY

"very nice"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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I am very happy with the new mixes. As I am new to digital boards, I am going through a learning curve. So far so good. The sound quality is excellent and much cleaner than the Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro I have been using. This is not a knock on Mackie, but the Presonus is a newer design. I also like the fact that I can get rid of a rack of effects. My goal has been to have better, lighter and smaller equipment and this fits.

Musical Background:

been playing for 40 years, gig on a regular basis

Musical Style:

rock, blues
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Submitted May 15, 2014 by TONY TROMBO in SPRING HILL, TN

"THE BEST FOR THE MONEY!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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The 16.0.2 is a great mixer! Small in size and with well thought out design. VERY quiet board! Turn it all the way up... no hiss! The SMAART technology feature is very useful. MIDI IN is helpful. I've yet to find why there's a MIDI OUT, as the board doesn't seem to transmit any MIDI data. great for the money!

Musical Background:

Radio Show host

Musical Style:

www.TonyTrombo.com
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Submitted March 25, 2012 by Victor Tarassov in Princeton, NJ

"1602 Roks"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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We just decided to go digital for out set ups for live and we had a pleasant experience using it to record as well. We play a lot of smooth jazz and nuevo flamenco rumba style music. Two guitars, bass, percussion into the board and we could not be happier with the sound. We run the board to two QSC K 8 Speakers.

Musical Background:

30+ Years

Musical Style:

Neuvo Flamenco, Jazz, Rock
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Submitted May 14, 2014 by Warren T in San Antonio, TX

"StudioLive 16.0.2"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I would say flawless. The firewire connecting is a bit iffy. Though it does work it gets to cracking up with low latency use.

Musical Background:

guitarist/pianist. 8 yrs. project studio engineer.

Musical Style:

Blues, Christian, Rock, hip-hop.
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Submitted November 25, 2013 by Michael B in Boulder, CO

"Great Product"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I would not hesitate to recommend this product. And, of course, the zZounds service was excellent.

Musical Background:

I am not a musician.
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Submitted August 29, 2015 by Tony Trombo in Spring Hill, TN

"Great mixer for 16 months..."

Overall: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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I really LOVE this mixer! It did everything thing I could want (lose the Firewire Presonus... it's ancient) but it only took 16 months (4 months out of warranty) and it died. I would have had it repaired, but only the factory can do the work, and there's a $250 charge (plus parts) so not worth it for a $999 mixer. I sold it and bought the Behringer XR18. Better, cheaper, 3 year warranty. A better value.

Musical Background:

Recording studio owner.
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Submitted March 15, 2014 by wes j in bethlehem, PA

"great mixer"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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new purchase. there is a learning curve with it but works well great sounds perfect for home studio

Musical Background:

jam at home

Musical Style:

all types of music
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Submitted May 14, 2014 by Keith Nowalski in Henderson, NV

"PreSonus StudioLive16.0.2"

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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I love the PreSonus 16.0.2 everything I want, but I should have gotten the 16.2.4 because it has a little bit more I would like to have.

Musical Background:

A-1 Sound Engineering

Musical Style:

Gospel, R&B, Reggae and Jazz
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Submitted January 10, 2013 by Jason F in New Castle, PA

"Excellent product"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I love my studiolive 16.0.2. I useit as my I/O interface and amplification for jamming in my home studio. I love the features, it feels solid, the preamps are good (for me an upgrade), it's very easy to use, the fat channel effects and eq are perfect, and the connectivity with the computer works wonderfully. The only two issues I've had is when I turn off the computer or soundboard, to get it to reconnect I have to unplug and replug the firewire cable. The issue is that presonus' customer service has early hours and I tend to always need help later in the day. Overall this is wonderful and I would definitely recommend this.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist and occasional professional

Musical Style:

rock and pop
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Submitted November 9, 2015 by Tod M in Barre, VT

"Perfect for Live Small Clubs and Project Studios"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I really like this thing. I have mostly for live mixes so far but it seems to work nicely in my project studio as well. I play in three different acts, solo acoustic, lead singer and guitar in a power trio and as drummer in a jam band and I love the fact that I can easily setup scenes, and save them for the next gig, then switch those scenes on the fly. Channel presets are just icing on the cake. I setup a scene in advance of the first show with the jam band, and only had to tweak a few things because the presets were so good. Then I just resaved it. I've been using digital mixers for a long time, starting with the Roland VM series and this thing is actually easier to use than an analogue desk. Yes, I said EASIER. Don't fear the digital! The only complaint so far is the limited effects available. Just delay and reverb almost feels like you are being punished for not buying the more expensive PreSonus. On the other hand, very user friendly compression and limiting on each channel more than makes up for it.

Musical Background:

Professional multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer and engineer w/over 30 years

Musical Style:

Rock, Pop, Country, Jam Band, Blues, Alt, Modern Rock
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Submitted July 5, 2013 by Victor Tarassov in Princeton , NJ

"PreSonus Studio Live 16.0.2"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I love this mixer it makes me sound the way I sound in the studio live. I Amax preamps really are clean and sound great. The smaller size is what I was looking for. The other mixers were just too big with a case to lug around. I use this mixer with my band two flamenco guitars, with mic and pickups and one drives a synth, bass and percussion and 2 vocals. We also run backing tracks at times. We are all very happy with out Studio Live 16.0.2 our sound guy likes using the iPad with the mixer. We use the Studio Live with 2 QSC K10, QSC K8 and Ksub.

Musical Background:

Pro Musician 35 years

Musical Style:

Flamenco, Jazz, Latin, Rock, New Age, World,
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Submitted July 4, 2013 by Victor Tarassov in Princeton, NJ

"PreSonus Studio Live 16.0.2"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I love this mixer it makes me sound the way I sound in the studio live. I Amax preamps really are clean and sound great. The smaller size is what I was looking for. The other mixers were just too big with a case to lug around. I use this mixer with my band two flamenco guitars, with mic and pickups and one drives a synth, bass and percussion and 2 vocals. We also run backing tracks at times. We are all very happy with out Studio Live 16.0.2 our sound guy likes using the iPad with the mixer. We use the Studio Live with 2 QSC K10, QSC K8 and Ksub.

Musical Background:

Pro Musician 35 years

Musical Style:

Flamenco, Rock, Jazz, Latin, Easy Listing, New Age
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Submitted July 4, 2013 by Victor Tarassov in Princeton, NJ

"PreSonus Studio Live 16.0.2"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I love this mixer it makes me sound the way I sound in the studio live. I Amax preamps really are clean and sound great. The smaller size is what I was looking for. The other mixers were just too big with a case to lug around. I use this mixer with my band two flamenco guitars, with mic and pickups and one drives a synth, bass and percussion and 2 vocals. We also run backing tracks at times. We are all very happy with out Studio Live 16.0.2 our sound guy likes using the iPad with the mixer. We use the Studio Live with 2 QSC K10, QSC K8 and Ksub.

Musical Background:

Pro Musician 35 years

Musical Style:

Flamenco, Rock, Jazz, Latin, Easy Listing, New Age
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Submitted March 21, 2016 by Tod Moses in Barre, VT

"Great Mixer But Bad PreSonus Support"

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
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I like a lot of things about this mixer and I could go on and on about that because it really is great for the price but there are plenty of others doing that hear so I will - sadly - focus on the bad part. Five months old and the XLR input on channel 5 is broken, the jack doesn't lock in. I am very careful with my gear and this may have been only the second (certainly no more than a dozen) time that I ever used that input. But that's not the real issue. The real issue is that PreSonus tells me that it will take 2-3 weeks once it shows up on their bench to get it repaired and back out to me. That means is much as a month from the time it leaves my door till the time I am using it again. So if you rely on your mixer in a way that means you are screwed without it for a month, I strongly suggest you look elsewhere. Which is a shame because otherwise, it's a great device.

Musical Background:

Full Time Pro

Musical Style:

All of the above
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Submitted August 21, 2012 by Pi b in Laurinburg, NC

"Presonus studio Live 16.0.2"

Overall: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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Neat purchase, good Board....My learning curve is quite steep....not sure how I can use this ans an internet Broadcast host board. I'm still learning how to use the minimum features.
Sound
not sure yet
Features
seems sturdy, and looks great but not up & working full time yet
Ease of Use
Don't know
Quality
cosmetically it sure looks good
Value
Typical selling price
Manufacturer Support
Tough to get support...they sure know more about this than me. About (2) days for e-mail support.......Seems like, infinity, to get tech support over the phone, (not toll free, by the way) all I've been able to do is sit on hold, sure would like an opportunity to talk to someone from tech support, I'm trying to use this board
The Wow Factor
Looks good

Musical Background:

Internet DJ

Musical Style:

hip hop, old school R&B, Jazz fusion
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