The PreSonus StudioLive Digital Mixer

Transcription

1 Muse Online Live Music Magazine enews and Updates Sign up to receive our music related news Enter your address... Go Home Featured Articles Regulars/Columnists News Music Reviews Game Reviews Contact Musicians Corner Tech Reviews Tech News Tech Tutorials You are here: Home / Tech Reviews / The PreSonus StudioLive Digital Mixer The PreSonus StudioLive Digital Mixer April 7, 2011 By Nic Roos The best mixer for band-orientated live mixing and recording. In 2008 PreSonus, revered studio- 1 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

2 orientated manufacturer, released the StudioLive , their first mixer, aimed at both the live and studio market (hence the name). With more people mixing in the box on affordable DAWs the idea of working with a desk has increasingly been left to live sound and big studios. Only recently have manufacturers incorporated an audio interface into a mixer for easier connectivity to computer. The StudioLive is part of this new generation of mixers, able to function as a FOH mixer while recording onto your laptop via Firewire. Easy to use and packed with features, it s become very popular globally. To list all its features would take up the whole magazine. What follows are some highlights. Anatomy The StudioLive is a powerful 16-channel, 4-subgroup digital mixer and Firewire interface with onboard processing on each channel, six auxes and two digital effects busses. A major feature is that each channel boasts the same revered, high headroom Class A XMAX mic preamps found on PreSonus FireStudio interfaces, each with a line-in and an insert point for outboard gear.+ The high-definition AD converters, with JetPLL anti-jitter clock syncing, have an impressive 118dB dynamic range. The Fat Channel is a collection of digital processors on each channel/bus, including a gate, compressor, 4-band semi-parametric EQ and limiter, all with great presets and user presets.each channel also has phase reversal and a HP filter. There are two effects busses with dozens of reverbs and delays, also with presets and user presets. For live applications, a 31-band graphic EQ is found on the Master Section and I m told there will be a free firmware update, adding six mono graphic EQs for the six aux buses. The StudioLive s ease of use is another big feature. Unlike most digital desks where functions are controlled through a paging system on an LED screen, the StudioLive provides easy access to most controls on the board itself while only a few system functions are controlled on screen. For a desk packed with features it has an ingeniously simple layout. Each channel/bus has its own Select button which calls up that channel or bus s settings. This also allows the Fat Channel to take up more board real-estate, giving you quick access to processor parameters. Apart from the Master Section meters, there are 16 meters in the Fat Channel section that can display processor settings, channel input, output and gain reduction levels, aux output levels, aux and effects send levels as well as a fader-position locater display a cost-effective alternative to motorized faders. Channel settings can be copied to one another and mix settings for the entire board can be saved and recalled as Scenes. The StudioLive is 100% compatible with most DAWs, showing up as a multi I/O interface. 32 in/18 2 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

3 out Firewire recording and playback streams make it a versatile recorder well beyond its 16-channel designation. The StudioLive tracks at either 44.1 or 48 khz sample rates. While higher sample rates would be more luxurious (and expensive), would your computer cope with 16 tracks at 96kHz coming at it simultaneously for an hour at a one-take live show? Yeah, I didn t think so. The desk ships with a special software bundle: Virtual StudioLive allows you to control the mixer from your computer and if you download the StudioLive Remote app you can control your StudioLive in VSL through a wireless network wait for it via your ipad! This means that, should you, at a gig, need to move away from the desk to replace a faulty mic, you would still have control over the mix. Also in the software bundle are Capture, a set it and forget it live recorder designed specifically for the StudioLive, and Studio One Artist, PreSonus powerful yet bloat-free DAW designed by two top ex-steinberg designers. Also included are Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE, Toontracks EZdrummer and a special Native Instruments Kore sample set. Should you have another StudioLive on hand you can daisy-chain both together via the second Firewire port in a master/slave configuration, giving you recording and playback streams and various linking options. In Use The XMAX preamps deliver on their promise of transparency, deeper low end, smoother highs and headroom! Oh, sweet headroom! Transients are well represented. The Fat Channel processors are all high quality tools that sound surprisingly musical. The speed and ease of use cannot be overstated, with virtually no learning curve. Tracking in Capture was as simple as arming the appropriate tracks and hitting record. Tweaking is quick and easy, a twoor three-button affair Select channel, select parameter, set parameter. Simple! I felt completely focused on the music I was mixing and not bogged down by the process, as if thought and execution were one. Apart from providing great front end, the advantage of a mixer interface is its ability to mix down pre-recorded tracks too. Once mixed, desk parameters can be saved for full recall later. Similarly, in a live context, Scenes of each act s mix can be saved and recalled after sound check. Working in Studio One is a joy. 3 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

4 Think Cubase meets Pro Tools without the bloated extras. It s incredibly stable with a drag and drop GUI and includes great sounding sample packs, soft synths, instruments, comprehensive plug-ins and third-party VST and AU compatibility. More than just a recorder, sequencer and mixing tool, the Pro version of Studio One allows you to master and sequence whole albums. Conclusion While similar mixers exist in the same price range, such as the Phonic Summit, some with more features, the StudioLive looks like the best mixer for band-orientated live mixing and recording. The pre-amps alone, with their smooth transparency and generous headroom, set it apart from the competition but in conjunction with the Fat Channel s wealth of processors, the tremendous (shall I repeat it?) tremendous ease of use, its recording capabilities and integrated software, the StudioLive is a big winner. Of course, if 16 channels aren t enough for you, there is the StudioLive , adding, amongst other things, another eight channels to play with. It would have been nice to be able to use the StudioLive as a control surface in Studio One or other DAWs. I m told there are as yet no plans for this kind of upgrade but it is not entirely out of the question. Alternatively, do it the old fashioned way of automation in real time during final mix-down. Personally, I m blown away. It s easy to see why the StudioLive is so popular. Anyone working with bands in South Africa s small but thriving music scene should definitely sit up and take notice. For more information, visit SA Distributor: Tuerk Music Tel : Web : 4 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

5 Suggested retail Price: StudioLive R 25,995 StudioLive R 35,995 Written By : Nic Roos Filed Under: Tech Reviews Tagged With: deejay, digital mixer, dj, dj gear, muse magazine, nic roos, presonus, review, studiolive, tech review, tuerk music Comments: Like Be the first of your friends to like this. 5 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

6 Add a comment... Posting as Steve Oppenheimer (Not you?) Comment Post to Facebook Facebook social plugin Search this site Search this website Search Connect with Muse 6 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

7 Muse Magazine on Facebook Like 2,721 people like Muse Magazine. Mel Kim Lwazi Andrew Garreth Valentin Erin Hugo Facebook social plugin Recommend 2,721 people recommend this. Be the first of your friends. 7 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

8 Recent Posts Most Read Green Day s official trailer for Uno! is now live! PreSonus Adds Powerful New Free Features to StudioLive Mixers Simphiwe Dana releases brand new single for Youth Day Matchbox Twenty to release new album NORTH 4 September 2012! TC Electronic announces LM2 Radar Loudness Meter Plug-in Katy Perry relies on DPA s headset mics for California Dreams tour Rolling Stone Magazine to Launch in SA WIN: VIP Tickets to Rocking The Daisies Plus An Awesome RTD Hamper Instrument Review: Hammond SK1 Kings Of Leon Competition Page through the Latest Edition 8 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

9 Categories Archives Event Reviews (3) Featured (108) Game Reviews (48) Interviews (4) Music Reviews (203) News (486) Regular Features (41) Tech News (146) Tech Reviews (143) Tech Tutorials (19) June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 December 2010 October 2010 August 2010 June 2010 April of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM

10 December 2009 RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE Editorial: PO Box Tableview 7439, South Africa SALES: PO Box 4758 Tygervalley 7536, South Africa GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Copyright 2011 MUSE Magazine All Rights Reserved Customised by Terri Love Designs 10 of 10 6/15/12 9:28 AM