How to Setup the PreSonus Monitor Station V2 -- OBEDIA.com Studio One Training and Tech Support

Get the test tones: obedia.com/how-...
In this video we show you how to setup and configure your PreSonus Monitor Station V2 for utilizing multiple monitor setups in your studio. This is easy to set and calibrate and use.
Buy yours here: pcaudiolabs.com...
PreSonus Monitor Station V2 -This professional desktop studio-control system manages three stereo line-level sources, a stereo S/PDIF digital input, three sets of monitors, and four sets of headphones.
Here’s what you will need to set up the Monitor Station V2. You’ll want of course your Monitor Station V2, some quarter inch cables to run between your audio interface and also your speakers from the Monitor Station V2. You’ll need your audio interface, and really any audio interface should work. You’ll need your computer, of course. You’ll need some test tones and those test tones we will give you a link to where you can get those. We’ll also provide you with a PreSonus Studio One song file, which you can download with those test tones in it.
You will also need an SPL meter; a sound pressure level meter. Most of us are probably not going to have an SPL meter and that is okay. You don’t need a dedicated SPL meter. We’ll point you to where you can get some that you can use right on your phone and using that app you’ll be able to measure SPL levels in your studio. This is useful for when you are calibrating your monitor set up with the Monitor Station V2. As long as you’ve got all those things let’s dive in and talk about how you can setup the Monitor Station V2.
The first thing I’m going to mention is that you should, essentially when starting to set up the Monitor Station V2, zero out the board entirely. Just turn all of the knobs all the way counterclockwise and the reason for this is that you’re going to be doing a lot of things here that initially could potentially cause a lot of noise because you’re using test tones. You don’t want to blow yourself out of the water and you don’t want to do damage to any speakers or of course your hearing. So just zero out the board because you’re actually not going to need to hear a lot of what’s coming out of the Monitor Station V2 until you start to get into calibrating your speakers.
The first thing that you’ll want to do is connect your audio interface to the Monitor Station V2, and I just have a set of quarter inch cables right here; left and right. I’m going to take these and I’m going to plug them into the first input on the back of the Monitor Station V2. There’s a stereo one and a stereo two input on the monitor station as you can see from the main source selector buttons right here. I’m just going to connect my quarter inch cables, as I say, to stereo one. That’s going to be my primary focus, but you can run other sources into the monitor station as well. So now I have run my audio interface out and into my Monitor Station V2.
Next, you may want to set and calibrate the Monitor Station V2’s LED meter. By default, the Monitor Station V2’s LED meter is going to be calibrated so that the red zero VU meter, right here in the middle of the unit, illuminates when the selected source signals reach plus ten decibels unloaded. So, this might work for you and you might want to change this. There are two other options, which is plus four, and plus 18 decibels unloaded. If you want to learn more about what that means, we’ll link some articles for you. You can also give us a call at OBEDIA and we can talk about that as well.
What this basically comes down to is, if you want accurate metering you want to select different metering modes on the Monitor Station V2. As I said, by default, when the selected source; in this case let’s say main source stereo one, reaches plus ten decibels unloaded, that means that you’re going to illuminate the red meters on the center VU meter right here.
Like I say, that may work for some of you and you may want to change that. If you want to change that, you can swap that to plus four. In order to do that you’ll want to press and hold the cue source stereo one button, which is this one right here, while powering on the Monitor Station V2. If you want it to be at plus ten decibels, you’re going to want to hold down cue source stereo two while powering on the Monitor Station V2. Finally, if you would like to set this to plus 18 decibels unloaded, then, you’ll want to press and hold the cue aux source button while powering on the Monitor Station V2. This will allow you to swap back and forth between different LED VU meter calibrations on the Monitor Station V2.
To learn more about Presonus products visit us at: obedia.com/
PreSonus Monitor Station V2 Desktop Studio Control Center - Easily manage multiple sources and monitor speakers from your desktop with three sets of stereo, line-level inputs, a stereo S/PDIF digital input, and three pairs of speaker outputs.

[@ernestdaniels1671]

I know this video is 8 years old, however, I just ordered a Presonus Monitor Station V2 and I was happy I ran across your video. Than you for posting this.

[@dougyahern]

Thank you so much for this, was the best help out there on the WHOLE INTERNET!

[@Obedia]

Glad it helped!

[@greenroommusic6397]

Thank you! This was extremely helpful.

[@hayvern]

If I hear the words "Monitor Station V2" one more time, I am going to scream!

[@Obedia]

Monitor Station V2 :)

[@MelissaLyric]

Lolll

[@manadeldia6443]

i watched the whole video just to hear it for myself 😂🤣

[@cliffnboyzy]

You sound like Tom Green. I am jealous of this. Good video.

[@ZiggyDude777]

Thank you for this video. I just bought the Monitor Station V2. 2 quick questions: 1.) Is the pink noise part simply to make sure that both monitors are at the same volume when sitting in the listening position? 2.) Why set the blue knob to max? I listen at fairly quiet volumes since I do a lot of late night work. I would guess conversational volume. It looks like we are using the same M-Audio monitors and they seem o work well at lower volume. Before opening the box and plugging the stuff in I wanted to make sure I knew what i am doing so - this really helps.

[@Obedia]

Pink noise is simply the audio best suited to this calibration. The usage of pink/white/etc. noise is common in audio testing and set up. The knob is set to max so as to find the optimal level without clipping.

[@pb6717]

You left the trim knobs all the way up?

[@Obedia]

yes, as per instructions with the device

[@Slytander]

So I've come back to this infinitely useful video 7 months later now that I have a subwoofer installed and I wanted to know what test tones you would recommend for that kind of calibration?

[@Obedia]

The same tones we provided/used should be just fine.

[@h.m.2434]

@@Obedia Does it allow listening to two pairs of speakers at the same time or can only switch and select one pair at a time?

[@pauldavis4766]

How can I connect my monitor station V2 to my mixer?

[@fadliefhadillah1262]

hi friend, I just bought a monitor station v2... can you make a calibration tutorial for me using 3 speakers? (2 speakers and 1 subwoofer) I'm confused.. please help me

[@Maex_well]

Hey guys, I am a little bit confused with the process. 1. I used the 1kHz soundfile I set the level so that my meter in my Daw and the meter on my RME interface is almost clipping. -0.2dBFS 2.when I set the pink noise to -20dBFS to the left speaker the V2 Led meter is barely lighting up at -24. In the video the led meter is flashing around-4, did I do anything wrong, because it’s quite a difference ? greets

[@colaboytje]

Please, use balanced TRS cables. The inputs are balanced, so are the outputs. It will reduce or eliminate noise.

[@Obedia]

Yup, that's what we used. Thanks!

[@colaboytje]

@@Obedia No, you didn't. You used TS cables.

[@Slytander]

Okay so I know this video is 6 years old, but I have a question in case the comments are still being monitored: @ 11:17 you say to turn the trim all the way counter clockwise. Did you mean clockwise? Counter clockwise turns it to -80 and I don't get any sound out of my speakers. Thanks so much for creating such a useful tutorial!

[@Obedia]

That's right, thanks for catching that. The trim knob on the back would be turned clockwise, to set its level as high as it goes. Sorry about that! If we could replace videos on KZbin, we'd fix that.

[@Slytander]

@@Obedia thank you for your reply!

[@CMedia87]

fir give me but what do you mean by boded and unloaded

[@1musicmachine1]

How do I set the subwoofer tbrough the SPL meter. Also, are there different test tones for the subwoofer? Thanks!

[@DerekHundik]

which better PreSonus Monitor Station V2 or V1 ?

[@Obedia]

Go with the v2!

[@bjrnstorsveen5967]

Why use full gain in the back. I mean I have been a dj for many years, but never use the gain on my mixer on full. That will be a bad sound. Is that unit build to handle the gain like that? I don't know, just asking...

[@liltrboofficial4671]

can u also hook pu a sub to the station

[@mixedbysmooth6126]

Is the behringer 404 phoria interface compatible with this monitor station ?????

[@Obedia]

Should be.

[@iamsunsets]

Did you leave the trim turned all the way up?

[@Obedia]

That's right, as we outline here.

[@blaqdiamondgold]

Please what's the best way to power a passive monitor monitor?

[@terenceotoole5082]

Hi! I've been searching around but can't really find a definite answer as to whether this whole set up process is the same with v.1. if you know this answer, it would be a huge blessing. i know its mostly the same im sure, but the nitty gritty is what im after.

[@lastindipendent]

I have a Monitor Station V1, I used the procedure indicated here and everything is fine !!

[@NoStringsAttached88]

So once you get it set like that you leave the knob on the back all the way as high as it will go right??

[@Obedia]

Leave it as it was while calibrating, yes. Glad we could help! Please sub for more!

[@richardrackley2430]

every time I setup with maximized trim on the back of the monitor station everything sounds distorted. I also did what you said with my A/D converter so that my signal to the monitor station from my computer slightly peaks at red. Is there something I did wrong or are you simply not supposed to use the monitor station with max trim?

[@dudleydooright]

@@EIGHTHAVENUEXX P/ the manual, "These trims fine-tune the levels of the speaker outputs. When possible, they should be set fully clockwise for Unity Gain." That said, kind of strange that Richard is getting distortion on everything if he's not at full volume, so a bit perplexed as to why that might happen. Almost sounds like a bad cord or speaker... but maybe Richard can tell us what he found since it was 2 years ago. :)

[@MJamesIII]

can you do a demo on using the Spdif

[@Obedia]

There's not much to say about SPDIF. It's pretty straightforward to just connect and use it.

[@MJamesIII]

It's not working that way.... I've already contacted focusrite and everything checked out on their end. have you used the SPDIF?

[@Obedia]

I can't really say. Call us. 323-319-4051

[@_DNA.]

Hi can i listen all the speakers at the same time?And how many speakers can i actually connect and listen?(at the same time)

[@Obedia]

Yes. 3 sets of monitors.

[@thedaviddobschannel]

Hi OBEDIA, my name is David. I was wondering how can I set my Audio Box iTwo Output levels to unity without a meter, in your video I can see that you turned the big silver output knob around 2 o'clock. On the Audio Box iTwo when you turn the knob you feel the resistance of increment, so can you tell me how many increments are the unity gain on the iTwo's output. Greetings all the way from Hungary!

[@thepastcomesalive2082]

Can you hook up The studio monitor to the Maono AU AM200? That’s a podcast studio mixer that I have, there are different versions of this mixer but it’s called Maonocaster Lite.

[@Obedia]

That would work fine.

[@nicksaya]

I need something to do surround sound with. Is there something that is not very expensive?

[@Obedia]

Depends on the audio interface and software.

[@digitalrushmusic]

Does this work with any types of studio monitors?

[@Obedia]

yes!

[@dudleydooright]

Now I'm torn. I just did all this on a pair of Yamaha HS8's and when all finished, my audio interface is plenty loud at 3 o'clock (3/4 turn) but my HS8s show volume level 1 (out of 10) for SPL 80% of the test pink noise file. Even when I turn the Presonus big knob to max now, I don't have a super loud signal. Was hoping the monitors would end up at least 3 or higher so I'd have plenty of volume to work with, but fearful now that turning them up will give a poor interpretation of the music... which would hurt me during mixing. Thoughts?

[@Obedia]

We cannot directly troubleshoot issues via KZbin. Feel free to sign up with us for one on one help and support: www.obedia.com/#pricing

[@PLCEntertainment2]

where can i get the test tones

[@theweldmasster]

Matt Vacante wow what a timely reply

[@andrewrodriguez1467]

I have a scarlet solo that does not power my 250ohm headphones. If I buy this, will it give my headphones enough juice or do I still need to buy a headphone amplifier?

[@Obedia]

No.

[@blvckehartrecordings4240]

I'm looking into the Presonus Monitor Station V2, I'm desperate for a reliable talk back functionality in my studio. Question: When I use the 'talk back' feature, will it route through the 1 of (4) headphone outs AND my monitors, or just the headphone outs? (My concern obviously being that the talk back output through my monitors would cause really unnecessary bleed and screeching.) Thanks!

[@mrsurname9217]

The talk back only gets routed to the cue output, which won't appear on your main monitors.

[@musicislife704]

Can i connect this to sub

[@Obedia]

Yes!

[@bryanortiz8450]

Hi, thanks for this video. Quick question, when connecting the audio interface to the presonus monitor station v2, do you absolutely need a TRS 1/4 cable or I can also use a TS 1/4? Specially when I will plug my 3 monitor speakers to the monitor station v2. Sorry for this beginners question, I never know what right plug(connection) I have to use... Always had problems with this! Thanks Bryan(Canada)

[@Obedia]

+Bryan Ortiz You'll usually always have TRS - there are very rarely TRS 1/4" cables.

[@joelk2342]

Just picked one of these up. The headphone levels on all four inserts don’t turn down fully at the lowest setting. Is that normal for all workstations v2... thanks

[@Obedia]

We cannot directly troubleshoot issues via KZbin. Feel free to sign up with us for one on one help and support: www.obedia.com/#pricing

[@ericpham9780]

What if my monitors dont have the volume knob at the back??

[@Obedia]

Then they should already be at zero gain, meaning you should not need to setup the monitors, but you can still setup the output of your Monitor Station.

[@drummrz]

Thank you for the video explaining setup, however I have a question regarding direct setup of the PreSonus v2 and an Mbox Pro 8x8. My question is: from what output source on the back of the Mbox Pro 8x8 do you come out of and into ST1 or ST2 of the PreSonus v2 Monitor Station? I have 3 sets of monitors that I will connect to the monitor station and presently all monitor output are connected to my monitor sets. I'm a bit confused as to how I need to come out of the Mbox Pro. Can you help me?

[@Obedia]

Any output will work just fine in this case.

[@ZiggyDude777]

I tried to get the test tones. I have to go through "Media Fire" to get it. And that in turn started mandatory downloads. After a few attempts to work around it I took the search tool that Media Fire is insisting on. That started issues. Google later popped up a message saying to get rid of it. Can't you just put the files on PreSonus Exchange and be done with it? Granted - PreSonus should actually offer these files since they ask for them in their own set up instructions. I have mentioned it to them and they seem to not be tracking with the need. I really don't understand that. It should be a download along with the user manuals.

[@Obedia]

We cannot directly troubleshoot issues via KZbin. Feel free to sign up with us for one on one help and support: www.obedia.com/#pricing

[@TheServalt]

Name of SPL phone app on your Samsung cell phone?

[@Obedia]

Sound Meter.

[@TEKLAZ]

Mono or stereo cables?

[@Obedia]

Mono.

[@ApolloXtatik]

I just bought this unit and my LEDs don't show levels...they light up when I power on and then nothing?

[@Obedia]

Do you have audio being sent into the Monitor Station?

[@ApolloXtatik]

+OBEDIA I figured it out. I had 2 separate 1/4" cables connecting the audio interface to the Monitor Station, I swapped those for a TSR cable

[@ApolloXtatik]

Thanks for the response

[@clydeelmagnificotv188]

I have the digi 003 console, which is the most recommended configuration for my monitor station v2, +4dbu, +10dbu or +18dbu? thanks!

[@Obedia]

We don't have those specs right offhand, but you should be able to find the specs of your 003, and then use that to make the selection. Typically speaking, +4 should be fine.

[@atljonboi23]

Is anyone having troubles getting there meter to work on the personas monitor station v2? Whenever I cut my sound sources on its showing signal without me even turning the light blue knob on the v2. I’m running an Apollo twin mkll to the monitor station v2

[@Obedia]

We cannot directly troubleshoot issues via KZbin. Feel free to sign up with us for one on one help and support: www.obedia.com/#pricing

[@CambioDeTono]

hi friends from Obedia. I'm planning to buy a Presonus Studio 192 Mobile. I know it has most of the features of the Monitor Station V2, like the talk back and most importante, the speaker outputs. Here is my question, that no one has been able to answer me. Can I hook up the Monitor Station V2 with Studio 192 mobile? I was wondering if I could use main out put and second output from studio 192 for two pair of monitors obviously, but the third out conect it to the MSV2.So instead of 3 monitors ( or two plus a Sub) I could have 5+ outputs. Two selected in UC surface digitally, and the rest by analog using msv2( Obviously selecting out 3 or C on UC SURFACE). I know you have the equipment. Could you check this please? And yes, I'll love to have multiple monitor reference, like my 3 pair of monitors, plus son cheap and mono speakers. thanks for all the videos!

[@Obedia]

yes, definitely, you could use the Studio 192 with the Monitor station; in fact, that's what it's for -- setting up monitor mixes, and being able to separate them when needed.

[@CambioDeTono]

thanks Obedia! I was asking because I've seen people not able to do it. But I'll trust your knowledge.

[@Obedia]

Sure! We totally use the Studio 192 with the Monitor station V2 and it works great!

[@CambioDeTono]

please I got one more question... Would it be better to connect them through TRS ( analog/main out) or via SpDif? thanks for your answers!

[@OscarZenni]

TRS is better

[@colaboytje]

I don't get the pink noise level. So, if I understand correctly, the pink noise sound file on the website is not -20 dbfs (at least not in my DAW). So, to calibrate correctly, I have to adjust the output level in my DAW. Did I understand that correctly? Or is the sound file capped at -20 dbfs and is my Daw meter plugin off by about 14 dbfs :-). Because now after calibration, I can hardly turn up the main level on the monitor station, or it is extremely loud when mixing at -8 RMS. Also, I had to turn my Apollo Solo monitor level all the way up to get the vu meter on the monitor station to get to red. Normally, I can turn my Apollo Solo to 50% when mixing, and have 85 SPL without problem. I'm confused.

[@Zoloxer]

Sorry for being several months late, but if you havent already solved the issue all it you need to do to calibrate the LED is to play the 1khz tone so that its literally hitting at a constant 0 dB. Then you go ahead and start cranking the knob up until it hits red

[@colaboytje]

@@Zoloxer I think you should re-read what you wrote. 0db in my DaW or on the meter on the device. Cranking the knob; There are 4 knobs: The master volume knob on the device. The master volume of the audio interface. The trim knob at the back. The master knob of the monitor. And how is that an answer to my question about the pink noise? I didn't ask about the 1K signal?

[@Obedia]

We cannot directly troubleshoot issues via KZbin. Feel free to sign up with us for one on one help and support: www.obedia.com/#pricing

[@colaboytje]

@@Obedia Who the hell are you?

[@joshuaarroyo3340]

I can't get this to work idk what I'm doing wrong

[@joshuaarroyo3340]

Only one side of the vu meter is lighting up for me what do that mean?

[@Obedia]

Can't say. Sign up with us then call for support. 615-933-6775

[@MartinFellerMusic]

does it influence (eq or something) the sound in any way?

[@MartinFellerMusic]

+Germo Staalfeldt don't know. these things are so overpriced in my opinion

[@MartinFellerMusic]

+Germo Staalfeldt I don't really need it actually I just would be happy if I could switch between monitors more easily just with a little box with knobs in front of me haha

[@MartinFellerMusic]

+Germo Staalfeldt thanks for your help but it's just too expensive for me :)

[@Obedia]

No, It is completely transparent to the signal.

[@Obedia]

Nope, it doesn't. Using it now.

[@robertominniti7168]

Can you help ne?

[@Obedia]

Yup! Sign up with us: www.obedia.com

[@danielmuzicalmillz2585]

I've seen other people ask this question. Can you please tell me where i can get a link to the test tones and the song files. the guy does mention that there is a link to them ? Thanks

[@Obedia]

You can get them here: obedia.com/how-to-setup-the-presonus-monitor-station-v2

[@veerchasm1]

Balanced cables yo! Unbalanced are evil 👿

[@Obedia]

All depends on your setup.

[@cliffnboyzy]

My gosh you sound like Tom Green.

[@Obedia]

Cool, thanks

[@cliffnboyzy]

@@Obedia it was a compliment :)

[@electedmusic7685]

just one question, I just realized that I connect my headphone amplifier to the main output of the presonus v2 station, and I get less volume in my amplifier, which If I connect my amplifier to the outputs directly from my interface, I have more volume gain, could you tell me why that happens? It seems that the presonus loses output gain, connecting my amplifier or my monitors, to the outputs of my apogee card, I have more output gain level, without touching the volumes of the card or my amplifier

[@Obedia]

We cannot directly troubleshoot issues via KZbin. Feel free to sign up with us for one on one help and support: www.obedia.com/#pricing

[@theweldmasster]

I have one, brand new, for sale. I lost mine during a move and got a replacement. Pm me to set up eBay or PayPal sale

[@willobeats9109]

0NEANDONLY Could u contact me via email? Im interest in buying. (If you're in the UK) Willobeats.RITB@gmail

[@saltybeatz1]

Man you talk way too much LOL

[@Obedia]

That's how you show people how to do things right ;)

[@DeejayWilly]

5 min video toke you 15 min wtf

[@Obedia]

We feel that we explained everything very well and in the proper amount of time, and many other folks agree. Thanks!

[@ZiggyDude777]

@@Obedia I think the time taken was fine. In fact - it could have gone longer. As a newbie I have questions still.

[@ifunk4ucgb]

Looking at this or the Mackie big knob.IS there any way to have a seperate level control for a subwoofer?

[@Obedia]

There is, on the Monitor Station, don't know about the Big Knob.