MOTU STAGE-B16 Stage Box USB2 / AVB Ethernet Audio Interface

From the most critical and demanding studio environments to the world's biggest stages, the Stage-B16 delivers the same superb analog quality as MOTU's new line of award-winning audio interfaces, in a rugged stage box form factor with powerful, flexible AVB networking.

 

Three products in one

• Stage box: 16-input stage box with AVB Ethernet "digital snake" connectivity.
•  Rackmount mixer: DSP-equipped 48-input 12-bus digital mixer with wireless control.
• Audio interface: Universally compatible USB audio interface for Mac and Windows.

 

Studio-quality analog performance

Up to 192 kHz Performance suitable for the most demanding situations

The Stage-B16 sets a new standard for analog audio performance in a stage box. The 8 XLR analog outputs deliver a stunning 123 dB DR, a level of measured performance normally found only in products costing thousands.

 

Precision Digital Trim™

Precision remote control of preamp gain

Digitally controlled analog preamp gain provides accurate adjustments in 1 dB increments from web app software running on your laptop, tablet or smartphone, with the ability to save gain settings.

 

16 studio-grade mic inputs

Ultra-clean preamps for studio and stage

The 16 individual mic preamps deliver 117 dB dynamic range (DR), with -110 dB THD+N (-1 dBFS, unweighted, 1kHz). Each input is equipped with 63 dB of preamp gain, individual 48V phantom power and -20dB pad.

The ultimate stage box 

Run 16 mic signals to front of house — or anywhere in the network

The Stage-B16 sets a new standard for what it means to be a stage box. With AVB networking technology, you can run mic signals over standard Ethernet cabling to a front-of-house mixing console up to 100 meters away, plus any other destinations on the network, such as the monitor mix console or a computer-based recording rig. For small- to mid-sized applications, the Stage-B16 takes care of all live sound mixing duties, controlled wirelessly from your laptop, tablet or smartphone — all with audio quality that's so good, it belongs in a world-class recording studio.

 

DSP-powered mixing

Console-style mixing with 48 channels and 12 busses

The mixer in the Stage-B16 is identical to the mixer found in MOTU's flagship 1248 and 16A interfaces. If you know your way around a large-format mixing console, you'll feel right at home. If you've ever wished to mix on a large console, the driver's seat is now yours.

 

Modeled analog EQ and compression

 Vintage processing with 32-bit float precision

British analog mixing consoles are renowned for their musical EQ profiles. The Stage-B16 meticulously models these classic EQs to give you the very same, magical EQ response found on these coveted desks. Each input channel also provides a classic compressor with peak/RMS operation.

Groups and the Main Mix bus are equipped with MOTU's Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary Teletronix™ LA-2A™ optical leveling amplifier, known for its highly sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC) characteristics.

 

Web app control

Control everything from your laptop, tablet and smartphone

The software that you use to control the Stage-B16 doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the Studio-B16's on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from the web app software running in your favorite web browser on a laptop, tablet or smartphone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform — Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android — as long as it shares the same network.

 

Stand-alone mixing with wireless control

Control everything from your iPad or iPhone

Connect an Apple Airport™ or other Wi-Fi router directly to the Stage-B16 with a standard Ethernet cable and control the Stage-B16's powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smartphone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing! 

Ethernet 'snake' and audio networking

 Connect using long cable runs with ultra-low latency

The Stage-B16 provides "digital snake" connectivity using AVB Ethernet, the new industry standard developed by the IEEE for professional audio networking. Run cable lengths up to 100 meters with standard CAT-5e or CAT-6 ethernet cables and ultra-low, sub-millisecond latency. Route audio from an AVB network over an entire performance venue or recording facility.

Connect up to five MOTU interfaces 

using a MOTU AVB Switch (sold separately).

Build a network with multiple interfaces, computers, and AVB switches using standard network cabling, with ultra-low network latency, even over long cable runs (100 meters point to point). Stream hundreds of audio channels among devices and computers on the network.

Universal connectivity

Class compliant USB 2.0 plus audio over Ethernet

The Stage-B16 connects to your computer with audio class compliant hi-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0 and iOS) for across-the-board compatibility now and in the future. Alternately, if you have a Mac running OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later, you can use a standard Ethernet cable for operation as an audio interface. Either way, the Stage-B16 is compatible with all audio software.

Quick Setup presets

Completely transform your MOTU interface with one click

The Stage-B16 is so flexible, it can serve many roles — in the studio, on stage, and throughout an installation. The Quick Setup menu lets you instantly reconfigure the Stage-B16 for many common situations, from operation as a standard audio interface to serving as a network "snake" from one location to another. Once a preset is chosen, you can easily customize the routing grid and mixer settings to further suit your specific needs — and then save your own custom presets.

 

Specifications

Sample rates	44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
Mic inputs	16 x XLR mic inputs  Preamp gain: 0 to +63 dB (digitally controlled)
Analog outputs	8 x XLR line out  Max level: +20 dBu (digitally adjustable -4 to +20)  1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone
Digital output	2 x XLR female AES/EBU out (4 ch) up to 96 kHz
Total I/O	16 in and 12 out (28 total) at 1x sample rates  16 in and 12 out (28 total) at 2x sample rates  16 in and 8 out (24 total) at 4x sample rates
Computer I/O	1 x USB 2.0 audio class compliant        USB 3.0 and iOS compatible  1 x AVB Ethernet (requires OS X Yosemite)
Computer I/O channels	USB 2.0 (44.1 to 48 kHz): 64 in/out  USB 2.0 (88.2 to 96 kHz): 32 in/out  USB 2.0 (176.4 to 192 kHz): 24 in/out  AVB Ethernet: 16 to 128 in/out, depending on        host computer speed
MIDI I/O	1 x MIDI IN  1 x MIDI OUT  16 MIDI channels to/from computer host
Headphone	1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone (assignable)
Phantom power	16 x individual +48V
Front panel	1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output  1 x digital rotary encoder • phone volume  2 x switches • (1) Mute All and (1) Show 48V  16 x activity LEDs • (16) input, (8) output, (2) AES  1 x female Ethernet 'EtherCon' port  2 x male XLR AES/EBU outputs (4 channels)  8 x male XLR analog outputs  16 x female XLR mic inputs with indiv. 48V/pad  Rack-mount brackets and handles (optional)
Power	International 100-240V autoswitching supply  50-60 Hz • 0.5A max