PreSonus StudioLive AR8 USB 8-Channel Hybrid Performance and Recording Mixer PreSonus

The StudioLive AR8 USBfrom PreSonus is an 8-channel hybrid performance and recording mixer well suited for a variety of applications including mixing and recording live shows, studio productions, band rehearsals, podcasts, and more. The mixer is packed with analog connections and digital tools that are powerful, yet easy to learn and use. The mixer features Class-A preamps and 3-band EQ.

Built by musicians, for musicians.

StudioLive^® AR8 USB 8-channel hybrid mixers make it simple to mix and record live shows, studio productions, band rehearsals, podcasts, and much more. This is a musician’s mixer: lightweight, versatile, feature-rich, and packed with analog connections and digital tools, yet easy to learn and use. Mix with PreSonus’^® famous Class A preamps and three-band EQ. Create multitrack recordings and fly in backing tracks with a 24-bit, 96 kHz, USB 2.0 digital audio interface. Record and playback in stereo with the integrated SD™ digital recorder. Stream program music wirelessly, using onboard Bluetooth^®. Compact and road-ready, StudioLive AR mixers provide a superior all-in-one solution for mixing and recording your performances.

All of the connections and controls you need.

StudioLive AR8 USB mixers are packed with the connections and controls needed to mix and record live, in the studio, and in rehearsal. Each of the two mono channels and two stereo channels includes level control; a mic input with one of PreSonus’ prized Class A preamps; three-band EQ; and more. Besides the main outputs, you get a monitor mix output with a dedicate bus for feeding a stage wedge, headphone amp, or in-ear system. Since the StudioLive AR8 USB is also a studio mixer, you also get control-room outputs with level control to feed your studio monitors.

Plug guitars and basses directly into the mixer.

Most mixers make you route acoustic and electric guitars and basses through external direct boxes before connecting to a mixer input. But with StudioLive AR mixers, Channels 1 and 2 have high-impedance instrument inputs, so you can plug a guitar or electric bass straight into the board—no direct box needed.

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It’s inputs; it’s playback; it’s the Super Channel!

Our unique Super Channel (stereo Channel 7/8) allows you to connect four stereo analog and digital sources at once, enabling you to use the mixer with your high-tech devices. Plug a media player into the Super Channel’s unbalanced RCA and 1/8-inch stereo inputs, play stereo audio from the onboard SD™ recorder or from your USB-connected Mac^® or Windows^® PC. Use onboard Bluetooth 4.1 to pair your phone to your StudioLive AR mixer and instantly have wireless access to your music library for break music, backing tracks, or ear-training. Have a song you want the rest of the band to learn? Pair your phone and start rehearsing!

Record in the studio or at the gig—with or without a computer.

Naturally, you want to record your gigs, as well as producing studio projects, podcasts, and so on. It’s smart to record your rehearsals, too. So StudioLive AR mixers offer two different ways to record. Connect a StudioLive AR8 USB mixer to your computer via USB 2.0, and you have an 8×4 multitrack digital recorder, ready to capture all input channels plus the main mix to a Mac or Windows PC with professional, 24-bit/96 kHz quality. An onboard stereo SD recorder lets you record the main mix without a computer—just hit Record and go. Recording can’t get much easier than this!

Fly in backing tracks and play break music, too!

Both the integrated USB recording interface and the SD recorder have multiple uses beyond simply recording. With just a few backing tracks, your small band can sound like a much larger act, so we enabled the USB interface to play back two stereo streams through the mixer—great for backing tracks, click tracks, or program music. Use the SD recorder to play up to 32 GB of MP3 and .WAV files for hours of program music or backing tracks without needing a computer. And don’t forget the Bluetooth feature in the Super Channel, which lets you play break music straight from your smartphone. With several ways to get the job done, you can work the way you want to.

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Integrated software makes recording a snap.

PreSonus StudioLive AR mixers are tightly integrated with state-of-the-art recording software to help you achieve your creative vision. Record with PreSonus’ Capture^™ live-recording software, then edit in our award-winning Studio One^® Artist DAW (recording and production software); both are included free.

Sweeten with digital effects for a polished, professional-caliber sound.

To get a great mix, you need high-quality effects. The StudioLive AR8 USB has you covered with an internal stereo effects processor with 16 presets, including an assortment of room, hall, and plate reverbs; chorus and delay effects; even a preset that emulates an acoustically treated studio room to provide a warmer, more intimate tone. A dedicated effects return, complete with master level fader and dedicated monitor send, lets you adjust the amount of the effects in your main and monitor mixes. You can even bypass the effects with a footswitch (optional). It’s just another way that StudioLive AR mixers enable you to build professional-quality mixes and recordings quickly and easily.

A complete solution that’s compact, easy to use, and built for the road.

Compact and built for the road, the StudioLive AR8 USB is an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution for audio mixing and recording. With a wide variety of connections, two ways to record, and a simple, elegant mixing surface, it will quickly become the heart of your live and studio sound systems. Check it out now at your favorite PreSonus dealer!

Includes Studio Magic 
Plug-in Suite.

This suite of plug-ins adds a wealth of fresh virtual instruments and effects to Studio One. Cherry-picked from the first names in virtual instruments and effects, each plug-in brings a different flavor of practical magic to your songs. These plug-ins aren’t gimmicky one-trick ponies — these are real-deal workhorses that you’ll rely on for countless mixes.

The StudioLive AR8 offers recording with or without a computer. Multitrack record and fly in backing tracks with its 24-bit/96 kHz, USB2.0 audio interface or record and playback a stereo mix with the integrated SD digital recorder. Additionally, the mixer features a Super Channel, which allows you to connect four stereo analog and digital sources at once, enabling the mixer to be used with high-tech devices including smartphones and tablets for wireless Bluetooth streaming. The StudioLive AR8 ships with a power cord, USB cable, Studio One 3 Artist production software, and Capture recording software.

• 8-channel mixer
• 2 mono and 2 stereo channels, each with:
  • Level knob
  • Pan
  • Mute
  • PFL solo
• 1 stereo Super Channel (Ch. 7/8)
• 1 monitor buses with PFL solo
• 1 stereo effects bus
• 1 stereo effects return with:
  • 60 mm master fader
  • Dedicated monitor sends
  • Effects bypass footswitch jack
• 2 instrument inputs
• 8 balanced line inputs
• 4 balanced mic inputs with:
  • Class-A microphone preamp
  • Global 48V phantom power
• Stereo Super Channel with:
  • Stereo RCA inputs
  • 1/8-inch stereo input
  • Switchable SD/USB stereo playback
  • Bluetooth 4.1 input
• L/R XLR main outputs
• 1 balanced TRS monitor outputs
• 1 balanced TRS effects output
• L/R Control Room outputs with level control
• Headphone output with level control
• High-pass filter on every channel
• 3-band semi-parametric EQ (Channels 1-6)
• Stereo effects processor with 16 presets
• 8×4 24-bit/96 kHz, USB 2.0 audio recording interface
  • Record every channel plus the Main Mix
• 2×2 SD recorder
  • Record main mix
  • Supports SD and SDHC formats up to 32 GB
• Capture recording software
• Includes Studio Magic Plug-in Suite with Maag Audio EQ 2, SPL Attacker, Arturia instruments and more
• Includes Studio One 3 Artist software (DAW)
• Internal power supply
• Standard IEC power connector
• Sturdy metal construction
• Level knob
• Rackmount kit included