“If you’re happy with what you’re doing using a laptop, then you don’t need one of
these, but …I can’t live without it,’ says multi-instrumentalist Pete Townshend of his
Audient ASP4816 – although he could be talking about either of his two Audient
analogue consoles, ASP8024 or ASP4816. Townshend speaks passionately about
analogue recording using his Audient on camera.

His latest acquisition is the more compact ASP4816, which delivers Audient power
and flexibility in a much smaller frame. “It’s a big console workflow, a big console
sound – in a small footprint. It’s an amazing little board,’ he says, quipping, “For the
price of this console it’s no wonder that it’s used in so many educational
establishments. It in itself is an educational tool.’

With all the same key features as its big brother, including EQ, mic pres & in-line
architecture, the analogue ASP4816 does not scrimp on audio performance – a fact
that has not escaped Townshend. “I had a commercial studio for a long time and a
big Audient upstairs. We had a big rack of mic pres, but I never used them. I would
bang the mic in and think, “Well, that sounds great,’ and that was it! So I love the
mic amps. The pathway in, the EQ and everything about it is perfect for me.’

He describes his work flow, and how uses tape and RADAR like a tape machine,
clearly appreciating being able to work on what he calls a “traditional desk’. “I’d
prefer to have an Audient console in my studio than the money equivalent of
several fancy vintage rack boxes with big black knobs and twitching VU meters.
Vintage analogue is fab. After all I am now vintage!’ he told Audient recently. “BUT
my heart is young: give me a laptop, a good DAW, and a modern Audient console. I
get the best of analogue and digital with only me in between. Audient makes that
connection.”