In 2003, I met with a few guys from Presonus about a solution to a problem I noticed in the market aimed at the users of the Roland VS2480

recorder--that problem was a means of expanding both additional inputs with better pre-amps.  What I was asking for was quite simple---a Presonus Digimax with Roland’s RBUS format to directly interface not just with the VS2480, but any product supported by Roland’s RBUS protocol.  That discussion lead to a future product called the VFIRE, converting RBUS into firewire allowing Roland users to interface directly to a computer for pennies on the dollar, so to speak.  Where am I going with this?  THOSE conversations lead to another conversation of a large hole I saw in the market.  What I was looking for was a combination mixing console that was also an audio interface built right-in, designed to provide a direct recording link for the home studio and live performer.  Although my initial design thoughts are not identical as the StudioLive, some of my thoughts and input were introduced into this product.  I don’t take credit for it, but I do take pride in seeing many of those thoughts introduced into the first release of the Presonus StudioLive.

The Presonus StudioLive is NOT a control-surface, it is a real mixing console based on a traditional analog design that integrates all of the advantages of digital processing and the latest in firewire-based audio recording technology.  The heart of the StudioLive is what is called the “Fat Channel” where everything about the channel can be controlled.  This is one of the many advantages of digital is that you don’t need a dedicated knob for every function or parameter, which takes up a great deal of space.  While this is nothing new on a digital mixing console, the way this section is configured and designed is quite simplistic---again thought out in an analog design.  In other words, you don’t have to be an incredible engineer to know how to work the console.  From adjusting the EQ to controlling the Dynamics Processing (Compressor, Limiter, and Gate), Panning of the channels to fully assigning the channel to the Subs, Mains, or even linking up two channels for stereo linking---everything is FAST and SIMPLE on the Presonus StudioLive console.  By the way as of the latest firmware update, up to (4) Presonus StudioLive consoles can be linked up as one large console providing up to 64-analog inputs for $8,000! That is simply unheard of for a digital console.  Let’s dive into the console......

I mentioned this is really an analog mixing console combined with digital technology--unlike other digital consoles, the Presonus StudioLive does not have flying faders.  WHAT?  Listen--flying faders is great when you have a mixing console with dozens of inputs where you have a limited amount of faders to control a maximum amount of inputs, but the design of the StudioLive was to have a single fader per input channel--the way it works on an analog mixer, which is how most are used to working within a console environment.  And frankly when you add motorized faders to a console, it’s going to add quite a bit to the over-all price tag and the bottom-line cost of the product.  In the design of the StudioLive, Presonus wanted to make sure this was a console that offered the best possible sound with the most real-world features at a price that was fair and highly competitive.  In the end, I feel they made the best choice because the StudioLive is made for simplicity---not for complexity. 

StudioLive is loaded with everything needed for professional live sound production totaling 28 compressors, 28 limiters, 28 gates, 28 high pass filters, two stereo reverb/delays, two master stereo limiters and more, saving you loads of money and trips from the trailer during load in/out. All StudioLive digital effects are created and processed with 32-bit floating point precision for maximum sonic performance and enhanced musicality. StudioLive seamlessly integrates a professional digital mixer with a complete multi-channel recording system delivering the most creative environment available for both live performance and studio music production. Take your recording studio to the gig, and have your soundman record and even enhance your shows with the power of StudioLive.

StudioLive includes PreSonus' award-winning FireWire technology with JetPLL synchronization delivering 32 channels of recording and 18 channels of simultaneous playback. Each FireWire recording channel can be set to record either pre or post Fat-Channel signal processing giving total flexibility and power. StudioLive can also return 18 FireWire playback channels from your recording and production software for remixing and live performance with pre-recorded tracks, as well as studio mixing using the mixer's internal signal processing and summing algorithms.  The Presonus StudioLive also ships complete with CAPTURE multi-track recording software so you can effortlessly record your shows right out of the box. CAPTURE software was designed to interface with StudioLive perfectly to allow instant setup and recording of performances. With the look and feel of industry standard digital multi-track hard disk recorders, CAPTURE software is instantly familiar to every musician and engineer. StudioLive HDR software gives you full editing capability as well as export to wav file formats for compatibility with Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Sonar and all other recording and music production software. Or you can play back your recorded tracks into StudioLive via FireWire and mix your tracks with the mixing power and capabilities of StudioLive, then record the final mix back to CAPTURE!

One of the coolest features of the driver-set for the Studio Live is that it supports not only being connected to another (or multiples) StudioLive console---but you can connect additional Presonus Firestudio series of interfaces to add more channels for recording live or in the studio.  No other console or audio interface offers this kind of configuration possibility, it’s quite cool! 

Why would you want an audio interface for more channels instead of the StudioLive when you’re multi-tracking live?  There are many situations where you need to record a track, but you don’t need to run it through your PA system. I do a great deal of live recording where I don’t need every microphone to also go through the FOH (Front of House) system.  For example, I use a pair of Earthworks TC30 microphones to record the audience---those are solely for recording.  When I work with large choirs, I have separate microphones used for amplification that I use for recording them.  The reason is, I don’t want to deal with feedback!  This is just one of several examples of how having a separate audio interface from the mixing console is desireable.  Why spend extra money on a product when you really don’t need to?  And why would you need to spend more money on an audio DAW?

Now bundled with Presonus audio interfaces and the StudioLive console is their new CAPTURE software.  Although not an in-depth program, CAPTURE is a great place to start to easily record, edit, and mix without having to spend additional money out of the box.  Once again, SIMPLICITY is the key here.  Of course should someone want a more powerful DAW application, they can upgrade to the new STUDIO ONE software -or- buy any available DAW software such as Logic, Live, Sonar, Digital Performer, Nuendo, Cubase, Samplitude, etc. 

There is SO much more to know about the StudioLive from Presonus that I can’t write here.  If you’d like to speak with a real world expert who knows the product and understands YOUR needs, please don’t hesitate to call me toll-free at (800) 222-4700 ext 1362.

Check out this YouTube video on the StudioLive from my friend Rick Naqvi of Presonus, recorded here at Sweetwater.