PreSonus takes on the X32 with StudioLive 32
A new digital console from Presonus aims to challenge Behringer's popular digital mixer
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PreSonus StudioLive 32 · Source: presonus.com
PreSonus StudioLive 32 Top View · Source: presonus.com
The Behringer X32 will go down in audio tech history for re-writing our expectations of digital consoles. Most notably, the feature set and channel count for the price hadn’t been achieved before. Whatever your feelings are about the X32, it has been a game changer. Other manufacturers have had to compete with the X32 in one way or another. The earlier PreSonus AI consoles were close, some say with better sonic qualities, but it lacked in features such as motorised faders. It feels like it has taken some time, but finally PreSonus might just have the ticket out of this X32 one-way street. Thank God the StudioLive 32 is nearly here!
PreSonus StudioLive 32
The PreSonus AI consoles are a tempting alternative to the typical ‘X32 style’ small-format digital console, but the blue series in particular is quite old now. It feels like PreSonus have taken their time to release this desk but hopefully that means it’s going to be awesome. What’s the cost? …is the question on everyones lips, but we’ll have to wait a little longer for that.
PreSonus have been running some of teasers around the release of this desk which Robin reported on. They published a couple of weird videos which we now know what all the fuss is about. It might not be the most glamorous or innovative desk in the world, but I’m really pleased to see it.
As well as apparently offering the features which we’ve come to expect, such as motorised faders and iPad control, it does have a couple of neat tricks. The desk sports a built-in recorder onto SD card. Whilst this isn’t new to the industry, the projects which you record on the StudioLive 32 can then be opened in the PreSonus Studio One DAW. Here the mix settings will ‘seamlessly’ transfer from the desk into the desktop software. This will be really helpful if you want to quickly edit and export a demo mix from a gig or a rehearsal.
Lifted from the PreSonus website, these are the key features of the StudioLive 32:
- Fully recallable, 32-channel digital mixing console
- 40 total inputs, including 32 input channels (16 mic, 16 mic/line, 1 talkback) with recallable XMAX preamps
- 33 touch-sensitive, motorized faders (32 channel, 1 master)
- 16 FlexMixes (aux mixes, subgroups, or matrix mixes)
- 4 dedicated subgroup
- 4 internal effects buses
- Three types of multitrack recording: to onboard SD Card recorder, 40×40 USB interface, and 55×55 AVB interface
- Complete solution: Includes UC Surface 2 touch-control software for Mac, Windows and iPad; Capture™ live-recording software and Studio One® Artist DAW for Mac and Windows; compatible with free QMix-UC® personal monitoring control for iPhone®/iPod® Touch, and Android™
More Information
PreSonus now offer some more information on their website. Apparently further details and presumably pricing will be announced on the 20th October.
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