Upgraded Audient ASP4816-HE and New Look ASP4816-SE Audio Consoles Now Shipping

These days, it's very rare to see new studio mixers being announced and even more if they are analog designs. That's why the announcement from British brand Audient that the ASP4816 Heritage Edition console is ready for shipping is something to take note. Previewed back in June, at the 2022 NAMM show, the new console features a brand new look and a few more tricks up its sleeve, inspired by its larger counterpart: Audient’s flagship console, ASP8024-HE.
 
"Designed from the ground up by David Dearden and featuring his legendary analog circuitry, the ASP4816-HE is the perfect centerpiece for production studios," says marketing director, Andy Allen. Upgrades include Vintage Mix Bus processing, John Hardy Op Amps on the mix bus output, powerful new additions to the Mix Bus Compressor - and much more. 

"The addition of the Vintage Mix Bus gives our customers the flexibility to add that much coveted analog color to their mixes and when utilized in tandem with the Mix Bus Compressor, they are the perfect tools to add the finishing touches to your mix," explains Andy Allen. Featuring a real Transformer Drive alongside a Low Bump and High Lift EQ - inspired by classic mastering equalizers of yesteryear - they allow for wider, more spacious mix bus tones.
 
Another enhancement - also found on the ASP8024-HE - is the bus compressor Bass Expand feature. According to Allen, "This brand new high pass filter in the compressors’ side chain tightens up your mixes and adds punch without destroying your low end."
 
The mix bus summing amplifiers have also been significantly upgraded to the renowned American John Hardy 990 discrete transistor amplifiers. "These offer increased dynamics, sweet spot and punch, ensuring your mix bus benefits from total clarity with a little bit of character," he adds.

Further improvements to ASP4816-HE include the addition of a monitoring grade headphone amplifier; latching footswitch triggers for remote, hands-free talkback; an all metal main output pot and a gain reduction VU meter. Shipping at the same time is the standard ASP4816-SE, which has had its own aesthetic redesign. With 48 inputs and 16 Console mic pres - the same as those in ASP8024-HE and across the entire Audient range - both of these inline consoles provide the versatility and sound of a large format recording console but in a compact, space-conscious package.

"They both sport a new colorway, all-new cool-white metering, easy to read labelling and a stylish, UK handmade wooden armrest," explains Allen. "With ASP4816-SE we wanted to add value to our smallest console and provide a better user experience, without affecting its affordability."

As well as their versatile array of connectivity, the signal conditioning, routing, summing, processing and monitoring capability of both the HE and SE make them suitable for both professional and project studios. The full, detailed list of features - as well as a comparison table of the two consoles - are available on Audient’s website.

The new ASP4816-SE and the ASP4816-HE are priced as follows:
ASP4816-SE: US MAP $16,999
ASP4816-HE: US MAP $19,999
www.audient.com