Presonus StudioLive AR8c

15

8-Channel Analogue Mixer with USB Audio Interface

  • 8 x 4 USB 2.0 (USB C) audio interface (24 bit / 96 kHz)
  • Multi-track recording on Mac and PC
  • SD card recorder / player with 24 bit / 44.1 kHz (recording: WAV, playback: WAV and MP3)
  • Bluetooth 5.0 receiver
  • 4 Microphone inputs (XLR) with Class A microphone preamps
  • 48 V phantom power can be switched on globally
  • 6 Balanced line inputs (2 mono channels, 2 stereo channels)
  • 2 Instrument inputs (channel 1 and 2)
  • Channels 1 and 2 with high pass filter
  • Super Channel (channel 7/8) with different input options: RCA input (L / R)
  • 3.5 mm Stereo jack socket
  • Switchable playback of Bluetooth sources and SD card or USB playback stream from the computer
  • Main output L / R (XLR) with LED level display
  • Stereo headphone output
  • Digital effect (16 presets)
  • System requirements: Mac OS X 10.11 or newer / Win 7, 8 and 10
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 284 x 313 x 89 mm
  • Weight: 3.2 kg
  • Includes Studio One Artist + Studio Magic Plugin Suite (DAW software)
Available since February 2020
Item number 483360
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Simultaneous channels 5
Mic-In 4
Mono Line-in 4
Stereo-In 3
Hi-Z Input 2
Phantom Power 48V
Master Out XLR
Aux Ways 2
max. Pre Aux Channels 1
PC Interface USB-C
Interface Input 8
Interface Output 4
Multitrack-Recording Yes
USB/SD Direct Recording SD
Rec Out (Analog) No
Low Cut Yes
Inserts No
Direct Out No
Parametric EQ No
Compressor No
Panorama Yes
PFL Yes
FX Processor 1
USB Playback Yes
Bluetooth Playback Yes
Lamp connection No
Footswitch Switch
Matrixmixer No
Bag No
Zones 0
19" Rackmount No
Width 284 mm
Depth 313 mm
Height 89 mm
altezza 89 mm
Weight 3,2 kg
Parallel usable Channels 5
Mic Ins 4
Mono Line Ins 4
Stereo Ins 3
Number of Pre Aux max. 1
Audio Interface Input 8
Audio Interface Output 4
Multitrack Recording 1
USB/SD Direkt Record SD
Effect Processor 1
USB Play Yes
Bluetooth Play Yes
Lamp Connector No
Foot Switch Switch
Rackmount No
110V Power Supply Yes
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$399
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A compact mixer with sophisticated features

The Presonus StudioLive AR8c packs a clever combination of analogue and digital features into a compact mixing desk that is built like a standard small analogue mixer with eight channels but houses a digital effects processor with 16 reverb, delay, and chorus effects as well as an SD card recorder/player and a fully-fledged USB audio interface under the bonnet. And as an added bonus, the AR8c also has a built-in Bluetooth 5 receiver, and it additionally features four XMAX microphone preamps of the same kind that Presonus uses in its high-end studio equipment. Despite its diminutive dimensions, the AR8c can absolutely be used to create high-quality audio content, be it in the form of music, podcasts, or live streams for a YouTube channel.

An all-in-one audio tool

The Presonus StudioLive AR8c is like the Swiss Army knife of audio interfaces: It is extremely compact and incredibly versatile. Presonus has cleverly integrated the digital features into the analogue console workflow, and even novice users will find their way around the StudioLive AR8c in no time at all. In addition to the main XLR outputs, the signal can be routed to the separately controllable FX and AUX outputs, which enables a variety of routing scenarios such as running signals through an external effects unit or creating a headphone mix for musicians. The highlight, however, is the "Super Channel": Four stereo sources can be routed to stereo input 7/8 - the stereo RCA and stereo mini jack inputs, the SD card player, and the Bluetooth receiver.

A successful blend of analogue and digital

The Presonus StudioLive AR8c successfully balances ease of use with a comprehensive range of features and functions, which makes it the ideal tool for musicians, podcasters, and YouTubers who don't want to delve too deeply into the technical stuff but still need a versatile audio tool. The StudioLive AR8c is just as suitable for use in a home studio as it is for mixing live events, where background music is often required in addition to vocal microphones. And users must not be deceived by the AR8c's small footprint: This compact mixer is completely on a par with its larger siblings in the StudioLive series when it comes to operational reliability and sound quality.

About Presonus

Presonus is a US company founded in 1995 by Jim Odom and Brian Smith in Baton Rouge, Lousiana. The firm designs hardware and software at both professional and more affordable levels for musicians and producers. Presonus first made a splash in the mid-1990s with the DCP8, an eight-channel analogue compressor/limiter/gate with fader and mute automation that could be digitally controlled by MIDI. In the early 2000s followed a series of microphone amplifiers and the first audio interfaces for the then-emerging home studio scene. Today, the company's product range includes audio interfaces, microphone preamps, digital mixing consoles, and studio monitors as well as the established DAW software Studio One.

A Jack-of-all-trades for home recording

Many a piece of studio equipment can be accurately described as a one-trick pony - but there is no danger of that for the Presonus StudioLive AR8c. In addition to its obvious applications - as a mixer and USB interface for recording podcasts or streaming on YouTube, for instance - it is also a great companion for singer-songwriters, who can use the AR8c to mix and simultaneously record their live shows and to capture ideas on the go and continue to work on them later in their home studio using the Studio One Artist software. Drummers can use the AR8c for practising, e.g. by recording their playing to a backing track from a smartphone (via Bluetooth). This compact StudioLive model is also a great choice for solo entertainers or duos, because thanks to the Super Channel, no valuable channels are sacrificed for playing background music during breaks in the performance.

15 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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9 Reviews

HR
Lots of functions, but also some issues
Huub R 27.07.2020
I really like the versatility of this mixer: lots of input options, multitrack USB (Windows drivers work fine), built-in SD recorder and AUX/FX/Phones/Main/ControlRoom outputs. Having all this functionality in a single mixer is the reason I bought this model, and it does not disappoint. I like to easily switch between working with and without a computer/DAW, and this mixer is ideal in that regard.

What does disappoint is the following:
-The balance of the different channels is not calibrated. For instance on channel 5/6, with the PAN set to CENTER, the right channel is about 1.4 dB louder than the left channel. I've found this to be the case in three different AR8c mixers, so it's not just mine. This can be 'fixed' by slowly panning to the left using a mono source until the VU meters line up, but I think this is sloppy for a mixer in this price range.
-There is no display for the SD recorder. I use it to record my playing when I don't want to use a computer, and you can immediately listen to it, but finding older recordings is a hassle since there's no visible track number or date etc, so my advice would be to use a mic to voice-stamp the recording at the start.
-The mix knobs are ofcourse not as nice as faders, but it saves space so it's fine. But I've noticed that you always need to use two fingers to turn the knobs, because with a single finger the knob tilts slightly, pushes into the sides and can't be turned anymore due to friction.

In the end the benefits outweigh the issues, and since this is the only mixer in this pricerange with these features I've decided to keep it.
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M
Piece of junk with one great feature
Mantriur 12.10.2020
The AR8c has one thing going for it: Marrying an 8/4 USB interface with a hardware mixer. I'm a sucker for hardware controls, but I also need to route audio in creative ways in my home office. It is unique in that regard, and really does offer a lot of flexibility. Unfortunately, the good ends there.

- Build quality is abysmal. Pots are flimsy and wobbly, even labels are off.
- Components are out of spec, stereo distribution is uneven.
- Headphone amp is weak, roughly the level of a USB powered device, and a THD-fest.
- Line audio isn't linear, bass-heavy, and not suitable for audio production.
- SD records at 44.1khz, distribution rather than production rate.
- Effects engine makes me long for my '98 Sound Blaster Live.
- Bluetooth works well, if you ever need to mix audio from your phone with an extra level of compression.

It does reduce the mess of cables around my desk. It is only for that reason that I'm keeping it ... until it breaks, which I expect it will sooner rather than later.
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A
Low noise mixer
Alexanderius 13.08.2021
Super clean sound.

Line level connectors have only +10 boost option, no pre-amps, keep in mind.
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F
Hervorragend geeignet für kleines Home-Recording-Studio
Frab 31.12.2020
Ich habe mir das StudioLive AR8c gekauft, um mein jahrelanges Home-Recording-Set bestehend aus Mischpult Yamaha MG124 und USB-Interface Edirol UA 101 zu ersetzen. Mit der alten Kombination war ich eigentlich zufrieden und erzielte sehr gute Ergebnisse beim Home-Recording (2 Micros und 1 PU für A-Gitarre und 1 Micro für Gesang). Einzig die etwas unübersichtliche Verkabelung beider Geräte war gelegentlich nervend. Mit der Aussicht nun alles in einem Gerät vereint zu bekommen, habe ich mir das AR8c zugelegt.
Nach nun ausgiebiger Testung des neuen Gerätes kann ich aus meiner Sicht nur Positives berichten. Das AR8c macht einen sehr robusten, wertigen Eindruck. Sowohl als Mischpult als auch als Interphase macht es das, wofür es vorgesehen ist. Die Soundqualität bei Aufnahme und Mischen ist hervorragend. Die Interaktion mit dem PC ist bestens. Hervorzuheben sind die Möglichkeit das Summensignal in Stereo direkt auf eine SD-Karte aufzunehmen und das Gerät über Bluetooth mit dem Smartphon zu verbinden.
Einziges Problem aus meiner Sicht war der in der Anleitung angegebene ASIO-Treiber (PreSonus FireStudio) den man von der PreSonos-Home-Page herunterladen kann. Mit diesem Treiber war eine Verbindung mit der von mir benutzten DAW (Cubase Studio 4) nicht möglich. Stattdessen war eine Verbindung mit den ebenfalls angebotenen Treiber StudioLive AR Asio erfolgreich. Um das herauszubekommen, hat mich etwas Zeit gekostet.
Zusammenfassend kann ich aber sagen, dass das StudioLive AR8c meine Erwartungen voll und ganz erfüllt hat. Ich kann es als Basis für ein kleines Home-Recording-Studio uneingeschränkt empfehlen.
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