Phonic IS16 16-Input 8-Bus Digital Mixing Console with Color Touch Screen and VGA Output; 31-band GEQ available on EFX 1 and Main Out, 15-band GEQ on EFX 2; Digital AES/EBU Input and Output

I realize this is a lengthy review, but it is very in depthI would actually rate it 3 1/2 stars, but theres no 1/2 star option. The good is that the sound quality is very good, the touchscreen is pretty easy to operate, compressor,gate and limiter SIMULTANEOUSLY available on all channels, 4 band fully parametric eq on ALL ins & outs, vga & mouse input, usb AND firewire interface, ipad remote, 8 aux sends, 24/96k. I wrestled with my decision on this before and after the purchase, there wasn''t a whole lot of info or expert reviews on the model (unlike the summit). There also was some negative comments expressed, as well as conflicting technical specs. These conflicting specs came frome Phonic themselves, and are quite troubling. Phonic states in the website description that there is an android app for remote operation, it does not exist and probably never has. Some retailing websites advertise non existant options, and Phonic advertised the product years ago citing features and options that simply don't exist. A youtube video from a NAMM show a few years back reveals this. In the video, the IS16 is stated to also be a midi controller for DAW, however it has no midi capability. Some websites still advertise this feature as wel as show pictures of an IS16 that does have a rear midi port(?)l. In the same youtube video, an upper level Phonic official advertises an option card which will allow 16 track recording direct to USB flash drive without the need for a computer. I believe this card was also supposed to expand midi capability. This card, called the mRec card, also does not exist except in the Phonic prototype. There are other youtube vids with "hipper" spokespersons. I don't know who thought that was a good marketing strategy, the guy is a joke, who is your target audience?? I actually wondered before mine arrived what was true. Was there midi? was there a card? In the ultimate slap of misinformation, the box my IS16 came in actually shows a picture of the unit with a midi port, and also advertises the mrec card. These vaporware features will NOT be implemented-EVER. Either the info was released early and features were never implemented, or it's complete bait & switch. I mostly believe the former, although one could argue that if that's the case, why hasn't Phonic corrected this after years? It really casts doubt on Phonic's credibilty, and product commitment. All that aside, it is still a capable unit and if you get it on A-zon you can get a great deal, I would never have paid the price advertised by some of the other online retailers-unless it actually had the missing features. Compared to most digital mixers in the $1300 price range that some other online retailers are selling for, it seems to lack convenient features-or trade them for less usable ones, save the 24/96. I figure at this price, it should be compared to analog live mixers. Besides, without midi for controlling automation, it's practically worthless in a digital mixdown. The only automation the mixer is capable of is (yawn) scene automation. I have used mine for live performance 20 or so fimes, and was pleased with the performance. It is laid out pretty well and fairly intuitive, but it is strangely concieved & designed. For example although all outs have a 4 band fully parametric eq, only the main output has a graphic eq. The effect processors can be used as graphic eq's also(?) There are 2 global effect processors that can be used either an effect processor OR an eq, not both. The effects themselves are pretty good and quite usable. The processors are each assignable to any 1 ( I think) output or the stereo outs. So if you use them to eq your monitors, you have no effects-and don't forget-there are 8 aux outs, 0 aux ins. I used the term "global" effect processor to indicate a processor that can be used by any & all channels. I said this because all 16 inputs have their own individual delay also. It could be cool, unless you were trying to sync delay times across channels. More assignable graphic eq's or global effecs processors would probably have been a more effecive use of resources. Especially since there are delays avaiable on the outputs too for time correction In case you are using the IS16 at an arena or stadium with multiple levels of speakers (LMAO) Touch screen navigation is good, but parameter adjusting is only ok. You select something by touching it, but to adjust you must use a data wheel. A better option is to use a mouse, you can hover over a parameter, and use the scroll wheel to adjust without clicking. You can also click to select instead of using the touchscreen, and use a vga monitor for asier viewing.. My recordings came out well, one nice thing is that a signal can be recorded even if it's NOT going through any output. Another engineering mystery is you can only record the 16 inputs with your eq & dynamics, no other effects. You can't record any outs-not even mains. You can get around this by routing control outs to channel inputs, Just don't route those channels to the main outs!! Of course if you need all 16 channels you're out of luck-unless you have a digital recording setup with AES/EBU (LOL) It could certainly be tricky trying to record usb/firewire tracks and AES/EBU mainson the same machine, or to sync the tracks. Lastly, I'll address the remote operation, and I'll admit I don't have much experience with that (no ipad). The earliest mixer versions had a html5 interface that could be used by any html5 capable web browser, which at this point is all of them I think. This means that smartphones, computers, tablets, laptops, etc could all be used regardless of operating system. The features were limited, channel/main volume and some on/off buttons for eq,effects not much really. I don't know how many machines could simultaneously access using html5, they stopped development of the interface in favor of the ipad app. I feel they missed an opportunity, and once again users are left out. The html5 interface existed, all they had to do was upgrade it, there are successful html5 digital mixers out there. If you find an old or NOS mixer, it may still have this capability. And it's a catch 22 if your firmware supports html5 it probably won't support ipad remote operation. And if you update the firmware to support ipad, you lose html5 all together, so like Morpheus said, choose wisely. As I said I can't comment on the ipad remote operation, but suspect it's probably a lot like everything else with the mixer. There is no further development of the mixer other than maybe more firmware updates. A time lapse could be indicating that there will not be a successor either. Perhaps instead focusing on lower ended digital mixers or other products. When I was planning my purchase, I was looking for a digital mixer that could also be a 24/96 digital recording audio interface and daw controller. I only got 2 out of 3, but for the price, I am extremely happy. And if I didn't like the sound, the low price would not matter at all to me, I'd have sent it back. Phonic was/is an oem for yamaha and some of the design appears similar to 01V96update 2019: So after a few years, there is no question as to what this mixer can and can't do. Let me just say that I still stand behind everything I said in my initial review. The mixer has NO midi capability at all. Yes it has a usb/firewire interface for recording, but that is NOT the mrec card. The mrec card was to allow for recording direct to usb flash drive, and possibly include midi functionality(it's hard to get answers, but literature suggested this). And also concerning what "version" mixer you have-there is only V !.0 I don't know why Bobev made false claims...doesn't understand the mixer? Works for Phonic?? A side note: There is a successor to this mixer called the "helix board 32i" interestingly, it includes the ability to record direct to usb flash drive, and can be a midi controller for daw. Yes, that's right...they finally implemented the features promised so long ago.They removed most of the faders and buttons though, so it seems pretty weak as a controller. Top sample rate is now only 48k, but 32 channels. All trade offs. Here's the real kicker though...THE HELIX BOARD 32I DOESN'T SEEM TO ACTUALLY EXIST!! Except maybe on the Phonic website. They don't even have a manual for it in the downloads section. (you don't need a manual for a nonexistent product. It cannot be found for sale online or anywhere else. Recently 1 website in Japan started taking pre-orders though, so maybe it's coming? It has already been on the phonic website for more than a year though at the end of 2019

Purchased as an upgrade to my existing Phonic Summit Digital Console, which is its predecessor. The Summit has performed flawlessly with over 800 live performances under its belt and hours of tracking in the studio via FireWire to several different DAW packages/platforms. The IS16 has the following upgrades over its previous incarnation:WiFi and Ethernet connectivity for remote control via iPad.VGA and USB mouse connectivity for larger screen and input method.Faster processor, more responsive touch screen, boots much faster.Color scheme on buttons has been changed.Minor changes to icons and graphics on touch screen.31 channel GEQ on the Mains (4 position parametric EQ still available)There is a connector for an advertised LED console lamp but one was not in the box I received.The FireWire USB interface is advertised as having direct recording capabilities to SD card but there is no such feature.The way the plastic side pieces attach has been changed and the rack ears are a bit different. Rack ears are interchangeable with the previous version.Power supply is the same, corded external brick. Wish it had a normal, three-prong power cord like everything else in my rack.Interconnection of the 2 mixers can be done via FireWire for use in DAW or via AES/EBU for live performances.Linking channels for inverse ganging works but loses its setting while adjusting Aux sends where the individual channel faders appear no longer linked.My signal path looks like this -> Phonic IS16 -> DEQ2496 via AES/EBU -> Denon F650R SD recorder via AES/EBU -> back to Phonic IS16 (or to the old Summit if I need 32 channels)for AES/EBU input. I have a SD card DJ mixer (SDJ-2)plugged in to the Denon for break music between sets. This gets the sound to the IS16 via the AES/EBU chain which prevents getting any of that sound coming through the monitor channels (as it would if you used 2 track ch. 15&16). As far as FOH sound, I come off the DEQ2496 via optical cable to a SRC2496, where I then go AES/EBU to a DCX2496 which then has 6 outputs to speakers. This signal path allows for all EQ, feedback filtering, delay and all other parameters to be adjusted/modified in the digital realm from the mixing board all the way to the crossover/loudspeaker management system. As far as I can remember, the Presonus and most other boards lack the AES/EBU connectors which make my setup possible.While there is a learning curve with any new equipment, the IS16 has plenty of features to explore and utilize. There are effects available on each channel -> this alone replaces an entire rack of effects gear. 8 multi-outputs work well for monitors, in-ear monitors, aux-fed subwoofers or routing to outboard effect processing. 8 Aux sends can be assigned to multi-outputs or effects with the output routeable to mains or groups. Control Room output also good for hunting down feedback by soloing Aux or channels. SD card stores scenes, cutting down on sound check time at the same venue. Also can store EQ profiles/settings to be applied to individual channels. There are WorldCock connectors which I have never needed to use.While the Presonus units have captured a majority of the digital console market, the IS16 is a strong contender and should not be overlooked when shopping for a new digital mixing console. The pricing is good compared to others. I had been looking at the Behringer x32 system but it is much more expensive, especially if you go all-in with the digital snake and personal monitor mix boxes.Expect to spend some time with this board and the learning curve is rather steep. Once you get used to the idea of layers, get acquainted with all the routing and get some scenes saved, you'll gain a much better understanding to realize the potential of this mixing board.For a case, I use the http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B8VO20/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1