1 3
WAVES  |  SKU: 23843

IONIC 16

Digital Stage Boxes

16 mic/line ins, 12 analog outs, AES I/O, dual headphone outs, +/-0.1 dB response, 44.1-96kHz, 2kohms/7kohms impedance, harmonic enhancer, 2U rack, SoundGrid ready

$4,299.00 CAD
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Talk to our experts
Our team of experts is here to support you.

Delivery & Shipping

Free Shipping in Canada with orders over $200. Conditions apply. View details here.

Financing

Affirm

Break your purchase into easy monthly payments, quick approval and no hidden fees.
Click here for more info.

Equilease

Ideal for larger purchases, Equilease offers customized leasing solutions to fit your business needs.
Click here for more info.

Returns & Policy

You can review our terms and conditions here

Description

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.

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

Specifications

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

uts

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)

Payment & Security

  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Visa

Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.

Back to top