Question

The reason I am asking this is because I was told that I can use the MOTU Stage-B16 as an AVB Network to add more channels to the mixer. So is that a possibility to add more channels with Motu?

Answer 1

I'd like to generalize the question, especially with respect to the RM Mixers: Can one use AVB enabled devices, such as the RM mixers at least as stagebox on a per-channel basis? So for example: Can I choose input-channel 3, 4 and 5 of the StudioLive 32 to come from input-channels 1, 2 and 8 on the RM mixer, channels 1, 2 and 6 of the StudioLive 32 from the local inputs 12, 18 and 25 and route some the returns back to the RM mixer? Should be pretty standard today - almost every mixer on the market supports this.

Sure, I understand limited channel count due to limited DSP power, but swapping in remote ports for local ones should be possible. A 64 channel setup would be nice: The idea is to just remote control the RM mixers since they offer a 64 channel mixer. Again, there I would want to replace some of the inputs with the remote ones (this time coming from the StudioLive 32) for external sources positioned at the FoH.

And, by the way: I still think using a board as a mixer that actually mixes audio signals at the FoH position is not a good idea. Stop sending all the audio through the network and let the stagebox mix instead, like the RM mixers do. That way you do not need to worry about the long (maybe not redundant) network cable anymore, since the show will keep on running as long as the stagebox is alive. Much more intelligent concept. Then maybe provide an external DSP (place it on stage!) and you can expand your channel count almost infinitely and safe (limited by e.g. AVB) and provide emulations that need heavy computing power.

Answer 2

@paulbruno: You can use a MOTU product in combination with another MOTU product and Avidd with Avid and PreSonus with PreSonus... AVB is not a standard like Dante, licensed and controlled by Audinate. AVB is more like a platform, and it is not at all final. So when it comes to products, companies can only create their own "AVB ecosystem". But there is also not really a need to let AVB products of different companies "talk" to each other. The only exception is the MOTU AVB switch as a network device (it does not produce or process audio). As it looks you would need to buy a SL 16 or another SL 32 for more input channels. How the mixers will work together, how they will integrate in the PreSonus AVB network and when this will be possible - nobody knows...

@sebastianfach: Please don't hijack a question with your own theme. Better ask your question separate or make a feature request. The new StudioLive 32 and 16 will NOT work together with the AI Rackmixers; they will get their own stageboxes (which don't need to be mixers itself). All processing happens in the mixer; if you need a controller, there is nothing else like the CS18AI for the RM mixers. A StudioLive 32 will not handle more than 32 channels, but the new mixers will give you a user layer, which you can layout as you like. Last, but not least: The request "to move channels" and "remove channels not used" is No. 1 in StudioLive Series Feature Requests.