Waves IONIC 16

The Waves IONIC 16 is a premium 16-in / 12-out SoundGrid stagebox designed to bring high-fidelity audio to any live sound setup, particularly when paired with the eMotion LV1 mixer. Housed in a sturdy 2U rack-mount chassis, IONIC 16 delivers ultra-clean sound thanks to its custom-engineered Waves Signature Preamps, which offer ultra-low noise, fast response, and rich headroom. Each mic/line input includes selectable impedance settings (classic or modern) and optional harmonic enhancement for added analog warmth-ideal for tailoring sound to different voices and instruments.

With seamless integration into SoundGrid systems, IONIC 16 features 16 mic/line inputs, 12 analog outputs, AES3 digital I/O, and 2 independent headphone outs. You can select output headroom levels, control each channel's gain in precise steps, and monitor signal presence and clipping per input-all from the front panel. Built to tour, it offers both internal and optional redundant power, Ethernet connectivity up to 100 meters, and support for sample rates up to 96 kHz. Whether you're running FOH, monitors, or recording, IONIC 16 delivers the sound quality and control pro engineers rely on.

• High-performance 16 in / 12 out SoundGrid stagebox

• Designed for seamless integration with Waves eMotion LV1 mixer

• 16 mic/line inputs with original Waves Signature Preamps

• 12 balanced analog line outputs (XLR)

• Stereo AES digital input and output (XLR)

• 2 independent headphone outputs with adjustable gain

• Switchable analog-modeled harmonic enhancement per input

• Input impedance selector: classic 2000 ohms or modern 7000 ohms

• All-mic inputs feature selectable phantom power and transformer simulation

• High-resolution preamps with fast transient response and ultra-low noise floor

• Supports sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kilohertz

• SoundGrid-compatible via 1 gigabit Ethernet

• Dual power: internal AC and optional external DC (with redundancy)

• Rugged 2U road-ready rack-mountable design

KEY FEATURES:

• High-performance 16 in / 12 out SoundGrid stagebox

• Designed for seamless integration with Waves eMotion LV1 mixer

• 16 mic/line inputs with original Waves Signature Preamps

• 12 balanced analog line outputs (XLR)

• Stereo AES digital input and output (XLR)

• 2 independent headphone outputs with adjustable gain

• Switchable analog-modeled harmonic enhancement per input

• Input impedance selector: classic 2000 ohms or modern 7000 ohms

• All-mic inputs feature selectable phantom power and transformer simulation

• High-resolution preamps with fast transient response and ultra-low noise floor

• Supports sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kilohertz

• SoundGrid-compatible via 1 gigabit Ethernet

• Dual power: internal AC and optional external DC (with redundancy)

• Rugged 2U road-ready rack-mountable design

ANALOG INPUTS:

• Type: XLR/TRS combo mic or line

• Input gain: adjustable from minus 3 dB to plus 60 dB in 1 dB steps

• Input impedance: XLR: 2000 or 7000 ohms, selectable per input, TRS: 14600 ohms

• Input sensitivity: XLR: minus 33 dBu to plus 27 dBu, TRS: minus 27 dBu to plus 33 dBu

• Frequency response: plus minus 0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, plus 0.1 / minus 1 dB from 10 Hz to 40 kHz

• Dynamic range: greater than 110 dB (20 kHz bandwidth, 0 dB gain)

• Equivalent input noise: minus 130 dBu (60 dB gain, 0 ohms, A-weighted)

• Total harmonic distortion and noise: minus 100 dB (997 Hz, 18 dBu, 20 kHz BW)

• Common mode rejection ratio: 50 dB (20 Hz to 1 kHz, 0 dB gain)

• Crosstalk: greater than 90 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz, 27 dBu input, 0 dB gain)

• Per-channel signal and clip indicators

• Phantom power: 48 volts, switchable per input

• Input transformer simulation: switchable per input

• Harmonic enhancer: switchable per input

ANALOG OUTPUTS:

• Type: Balanced XLR

• Output level: 18 dBu or 24 dBu, selectable per output

• Output impedance: 150 ohms

• Frequency response: plus minus 0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 48 kHz, plus 0.1 / minus 1 dB from 10 Hz to 40 kHz at 96 kHz

• THD plus noise: minus 100 dB at 24 dBu, minus 105 dB at 18 dBu

• Crosstalk: greater than 90 dB

• Residual output noise: minus 87 dBu (A-weighted)

HEADPHONE OUTP:

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• Adjustable output gain up to 6 volts

• Output impedance: 20 ohms

• Frequency response: plus minus 0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 48 kHz, plus 0.1 / minus 1 dB from 10 Hz to 40 kHz at 96 kHz

• THD plus noise: minus 80 dB (3 volts, 30 ohms load, 997 Hz, 20 kHz BW)

DIGITAL I/O (AES3):

• Stereo AES input and output (XLR)

• Input and output impedance: 110 ohms

• Input supports automatic sample rate conversion

• Output sample rates supported: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kilohertz

CONNECTIVITY & CONTROL:

• Ethernet: 1 gigabit EtherCON port (SoundGrid)

• Status LEDs for signal, clip, and network

• Compatible with SoundGrid network and Waves eMotion LV1

• Control panel access via LV1 inventory or local driver interface

POWER & PHYSICAL:

• Power input: 100 to 240 volts AC (auto-switching, internal), 24 volts DC (redundant, via 4-pin XLR external input)

• Power consumption: 0.5 amp at 100 volts AC / 0.25 amp at 240 volts AC

• Operating temperature: 0 to 35 degrees Celsius

• Dimensions: 482.1 mm (W) x 305.9 mm (D) x 87 mm (H)

• Weight: 5.3 kilograms (11.7 pounds)