MOTU Stage-BUSB2/AVB Ethernet Audio Interface

About: MOTU Stage-BUSB2/AVB Ethernet Audio Interface

Introducing the Stage-B16

16-input stage box and audio interface with DSP, mixing, Wi-Fi control, and studio-quality analog performance

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.

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.