The choice between an analogue and a digital mixer for live sound use is an interesting one, especially where small-format desks are concerned, because they’ll tend to be used for a wider variety of perhaps more modest events. They’ll often be used by ‘volunteer’ operators too, who don’t spend all that much time behind the console, and will need something that’s easy to understand and operate.
That’s where the Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 comes in. A dual-purpose desk that aims to offer ‘digital facility with analogue simplicity’, the 16.0.2 is a compact, portable 16:2 design with 12 mono microphone inputs plus additional stereo input options on the highest four channels. It has plenty of built-in DSP and effects, as well as four auxiliary (aux) sends. There’s also a two-way, 16-channel Firewire interface for recording and playback, a MIDI control interface, and a dedicated talkback facility. Although it’s designed to be suitable for studio recording too, I’m going to focus here on using the 16.0.2 as a stand-alone mixer for live use.