PreSonus StudioLive 32.4.2AI Digital Mixer - Review

[@John13verse35]

For a newbie to an earlier model, this is a very helpful review. Clear explanations, thank you!

[@schnakesound]

I looked at this board as well as the X32 and the reason I went with the X32 was moving faders and re-callable input trim. The preamps on both sound great. If you are using the board with a headliner and several opening acts having moving faders and re-callable input trim is a must.

[@tbholmes229]

Just got this in for our church on 9/30. Very nice board!! I am ready to see how it does in a live service.

[@aljamesproductions]

Moving faders would make this mixer really desirable as the x32 is

[@CCISolutions]

Good to hear, Timothy! Let us know if you have any questions, our team is here to help!

[@soundsfromYYBY]

so if you using the digital mixer its no reason to use the plugins inside S1?

[@mgsg50]

they do in a way get daw control ut of it using the firewire return buttons. it allows you to mix in the studio on the board. while it doesnt control the on screen parameters it is technically mixing studio on the board.

[@JohnVandyke4]

This is such an improvment over the 24.4.2!!

[@TheMightyOlu]

How can I adjust the main speaker's volume? I wish to reduce the volume of the left of the house?

[@blacktieautodetailing]

It does have DAW control, you can have the exact PreSonus mixer on screen just like any other mixer or use the mixer hands on, that's what using an iPad is all about,being able to use an iPad for live applications to walk the venue and get the right mix for a PA in different ares of say a club etc...and Qmix for individual mixes by band members!

[@Dukemeistro]

You are an excellent teacher!

[@JoabVillescas12]

does it have the option to have DCA groups and does it have the option to lock it so no one will mess with the mixer???

[@mitchelljsalva]

With the new 32 channel studiolive I was definitely pleased to see that the firewire port had been upgraded to firewire 800, however, the 32.4.2 still does not have daw control functionality! There have been multiple reviews of both the Presonus Studiolives and the Behringer x32, and it seems as if both are neck and neck when it comes to sound quality and functionality, but the Presonus doesn't have daw control. For me a board designed for studio/live purposes should have daw control.

[@blacktieautodetailing]

There's a video that explains why they decided to not have motorized faders, and it is partially cost, and the other reason is explained in the video which makes perfect sense! Search for it, and I think it'll make sense to you as well! With heir recall feature, it pretty much eliminates the need for motorized faders in my opinion, and I don't think at the level this mixer is it's not needed much at all! You can recall a screen for individual fader positions & each channel & PA outputs easily!

[@jords5721]

Can you ensign certain effects such as reverb to individual channels rather than all of them?

[@arthurton365]

I have used "Real Midas Consoles" extensively, both on national tours and local festivals. I absolutely love them.. I have also used both the X32 and the Presonus. and if you are comparing the mic pre's in a 32 channel digital console for less than 3 grand to the ones found on a $100k Full Midas console then no they do not compare favorably .. but in my opinion (as someone who owns both the X32 and the Presonus 24.4.2) the X32 is the better console for the money.. in both sound and operation.

[@officialj7media]

had the chance to demo both and the difference is very clear ...QUALITY, SOUND, EASE OF USE, MIC PRES, FAT CHANNELS...REALLY THEY DONT COMPARE, CHECK THE SPECS

[@tarugohg]

I have problem freezing GR, how do I solve? Studio Live

[@pbrening]

Does it have motorized faders? If not... Why

[@mgsg50]

will the dante card allow us to use a digital snake?

[@owiredufrimpongclement5516]

I want to know more about 32 digital mixer

[@edgardorobes]

Can use the Midas Dl Digital Snake or Berinnger 32 with this digital mixer?

[@orvillejoseph7201]

PreSonus Rock,,,brilliant settings.........

[@orvillejoseph7201]

waiting for the sale price,,Awesome Mixer.......

[@mgsg50]

i know, i was just saying how some people dont like using the on screen parameters as much as using the board. some mixes i feel more comfortable using the board to mix, and some i use my protools mix screen. studio use doesnt always have to be daw control. i would take my presonus over the behringer any day

[@webdog03]

Do they sell a Snake for this mixer?

[@__Leon__]

The Nomad its universal, just get an XLR snake

[@JoabVillescas12]

What makes this mixer better than the behinger X32????

[@organeu]

Where is it built ? seems rather good.

[@ramonacevedo3501]

Kond 1600

[@2508edwin]

hola ..... Por favor me gustaria una traduccion en español. para entenderla y practicarla mejor

[@SkinUnzipper]

While I agree, the DAW control the x32 offers is pretty limited. In my opinion neither of these boards particularly need them because controllers arent that useful until they are very full featured (and that gets expensive). To keep these mixers under 5,000 USD both manufacturers kept that part out. I own and use a SL 16.4.2 and would love 16 motor faders, but wouldn't have gotten this great piece if it cost twice what it did. Many would be in the same boat for the x32, which I admire.

[@ziondarl5830]

can i drag and drop my vocal or instruments wave file ,tht i have recorded in another daw.not through the presonus mixer. then if i drag and drop the file on my daw or studiolive can i be able to use presonus mixer to add all the dynamic effects tht i want. like eq, commpresor, etc i mean make a complete mix

[@sweliam1]

zion darl Yep.

[@outcastchopper52]

does powerplay 16 work with this

[@kevinbeckenham3872]

Thank you for a really excellent tutorial on the PreSonus StudioLive 32.4.2AI Digital mixer.It was really interesting something to think about in future projects. What is max bandwidth on the mixer,e.g 96khz or greater ?

[@mangreat71]

How many gigs or how much memory do this thing has ? Do this thing has built in memory ? I believe i can put my sd card into this ? and i beleive this is better than a 24 Track tascam Reacorder ? Could this save tracks that you recorded ?

[@jamescoghill285]

+mangreat71 Technically, the PreSonus StudioLive mixers can help to record as many tracks as you have channels, but it records externally to a connected PC or Mac, and requires that you have recording software such as Cubase to do so.

[@mangreat71]

I'ma do my research but what other software's it work with cause i used Pro Tools, Ableton, Garage Band and Audacity.

[@jamescoghill285]

Ableton is listed as a compatible program in the PreSonus docs and website, so you should be good, so long as your computer is able to use Firewire.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Different work flow than the X32; no need to page through channels to make adjustments. With all 32 faders to work with, working with this mixer is faster than the X 32 and Midas M32 mixer. The original version of the Stuido Live was good, but since the X32 came out, Presonus was forced to come out with an updated Studio Live mixer with additional horsepower and features.

[@arthurton365]

Neither is the X32.... it has the Behringer name but it has Midas Mic Pre's and all Klark Technick processing.

[@moosakda4890]

Gosh I just got 16.4.2 on Oct. and the price of 24 4 2 and 16 4 2 came down a bit just because the 32 4 2 !!!!

[@bobbylee2099]

Awesome console Presonus Nation

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Don't like there is just one pan knob for every channel and there are no scribble strips. Automated faders not as much needed for live, but if you wanted to use this with a DAW in a studio, the X and M32 would be a better option.

[@BentleyWilson]

Nice mixer... i like Presonus' gear. But it should have flying faders.

[@mitchelljsalva]

When I say DAW Control I mean control of the screen parameters and automated faders. Both of which, the Presonus does not have

[@clayhorsemusic]

Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

[@asecretninja]

Haha i'm in the same boat dude! I don't care though, I still love my FSP.

[@topdjcom]

32 channels is way too many to not have motorized faders , i have 16 and its enough work to manually set

[@jcnash02]

The Presonus 32, featured here, sounds significantly better then the X32 and SL24, in my opinion. I found that the X32 can be very complicated to do simple things, and for that reason, I don't think it's a good console for most churches. One button, one result is a major reason why the Presonus and Soundcraft will do well in the market. The claim of "Midas" mic pres is just marketing. The sound, functionality, and build quality of Midas simply cannot be duplicated in a small, cheap console.

[@sweliam1]

jcnash02 The new StudioLive 32 III has the same touch screen paging-system as the X32. :(

[@striker1553]

Gee, if only I had $4,000! I'll just stick to the Firestudio Project for a while lol.

[@GurnBograt1986]

Wow!

[@CCISolutions]

We're taking orders on the StudioLive 32.4.2AI - Call 800.562.6006 for the Lowest Price and the Best Tech Support!

[@VMXGroove]

This mixer is NOT PC compatible!!! It only has Firewire connectivity. You cannot buy PCs or laptops with Firewire anymore. This means that you must build a custom PC or use a Mac. If you build a custom PC, it must have a Firewire card with the approved Texas Instruments chipset. Check out the Behringer X32 instead.

[@KatholikoPharorah]

VMXGroove You can use firewire to usb

[@VMXGroove]

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as firewire to usb.

[@KatholikoPharorah]

VMXGroove yeah I just found that out

[@NameNaameNameeNaamee]

VMXGroove What you are saying is not true. You can retrofit any Laptop for professional use with a Firewire Port via the Expresscard Slot and any PC with a Firewire PCI Card. These cards are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. No Problems there. In addition, the AI Series features exchangable I/O Cards, so you have Dante etc. as an alternative to FW. USB would be even more convenient, that's true, but I doubt it would allow the desk to perform as it does now, cascading multiple Interfaces/Desks etc.. The X32 is great, too, but a completely different concept. I looked at both and preferred the Presonus. Somebody else would se it differently, it's a personal thing. Anyways - Firewire should not be the big problem here, there are still plenty of great Laptops out there featuring Expresscard-Slots and Expresscards featuring compatible Chipsets are easy to find!

[@VMXGroove]

NameNaameNameeNaamee I will knock down your points one at a time:You shouldn't have to retrofit a laptop or PC to make a Presonus product work. If you can Use an off-the-shelf Mac, you should be able to use an off-the-shelf PC. PCs outnumber Macs 10-1. Why limit your self to a custom computer? Anything happens to your custom built PC on the road and you are sunk. You have no other option but to use a Mac, Yuck! The AI series I/O cards are sketchy to say the least. If you have ever tried the Dante option, you know why. It is cumbersome and half baked. It is also very expensive. The X32 has killed Presonus from a sales standpoint. USB 3.0 works fine. I have personally had much success using it on the road with many bands. Although I prefer the layout and operation of Presonus desks, Behringer and the X32 has proved itself more responsive to what consumers really want. That is why they outselling Presonus so easily. I too prefer Presonus gear. I own a lot of it. However, it is more difficult to use in a professional setting. Their products are designed to be easy-to-use for enthusiasts. Lately, Presonus has finally pushed into USB 3,0 interfaces. This is not by choice. They are losing sales exponentially because of the Mac limitation. First and foremost, you need to make products that people want. Remember, PC's 10-1 out there. Its a huge market. If they don't scoop up that business, someone else will. I'm not trying to start an argument with you. If you've used these products then you know that what I am saying is true. It is not an issue of personal preference. When you have a show to mix and record, you pick the gear that is dependable and meets your needs. I love Presonus and their gear, but they are late to the party. I want them to see the light on this and would support/buy their products that are PC compatible. I just hope that its not too late. There are already many products on the market that are passing them by. It is all because they refuse to or cannot meet the needs of PC customers. Only time will tell. I'm watching...

[@VMXGroove]

Macs are not very good computers. I'd rather use a PC with Windows.

[@Ridiclous504]

Nice mixer I bet it cost a grip

[@jcnash02]

Thats an absolute marketing lie. The pres were designed before Behringer acquired Midas. They simply put the Midas name on them. Anyone who has actually worked with a midas knows the difference.

[@arthurton365]

and they both spank the LS9 into submission

[@CCISolutions]

Good Question Joab! To best answer a complex comparison between two good options we suggest that you call us toll free at 800.562.6006. We'll also make sure you get the best price available!

[@VMXGroove]

Doesn't work, tried it. Also, 5 feet isn't long enough. Thanks anyway.

[@sweliam1]

VMXGroove What a sweeping generalization. I work regularly with two of those, and they both work great.

[@VMXGroove]

It will not work with this mixer. Sorry about that. Tried it. maybe try a Behringer X32. That will work with USB for sure.

[@sweliam1]

VMXGroove What is it exactly that's not working?

[@VMXGroove]

The adaptor that you are confused about. There is no such thing.

[@chaywoo]

Sooooooo still no motorized faders? With 32 faders motorized is more needful, what a joke. Actually a disaster. I cant imagine recalling a scene live and then having to match up all the faders while I am having feedback screaming through the system. This mixer sucks. I would have bought one if it had motorized faders, especially with smaart, oh well, off I go looking for another mixer.

[@iceman977th]

This isn't a Behringer product, lol.

[@0bikej526]

I'm a worship leader and watched this to try to understand my churches' board. I'm barely following, I know our untrained volunteer probably doesn't understand any of these concepts. No wonder our sound is bad.

[@jimmunster57]

If you are basically using the same group(s), hire someone to come in and set your sound up and save it to a scene(s). Then later, your sound person only has to make minor adjustments if needed. That's what we did.

[@xXMizumaruXx]

wwooooooowww allll that crap and still no motorized faders.....lol