PreSonus StudioLive ARc Series Mixers Overview

[@sweetwater]

Super cute, medium cute, or big honkin' mixer, which one will you choose? You'll see more great studio and live performance gear when you like this video and subscribe to our channel! Thanks for watching 😎

[@metalmeister3054]

He needs to be the only reviewer for Presonus. He cuts the marketing jargon and gives you the meat and potatoes. 🤘

[@ParthPandya1992]

Pleasant surprise to see Joe here (or should I see him 'back' at Sweetwater since he mentioned working at SW in the past!) Great new mixer and a great presentation as always. I highly recommend Joe if you wish to learn mixing and especially if you wanna learn mixing in studio one! He's a fantastic songwriter too! :)

[@presonus]

Thanks so much, Parth - Joe Gilder

[@ParthPandya1992]

@@presonus Thank YOU as well :D

[@retsmej]

i learned 70% of my recording skills from this man ! thanks idol !

[@dangelforever690]

The Best reviewer at Sweetwater!!!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Mixrunner 🤣

[@dreskuffs]

Is this compatible with protools for multitrack recording?

[@sweetwater]

Hey there! Yes, the StudioLive mixers are certainly compatible with ProTools. In fact, these are compatible with any DAW that you prefer to use. You just have to make sure that the operating system on your computer meets the requirements. You can see those below: OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.11.6 or later, 64-bit OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later, 64-bit I hope this helps! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3230, [e-mail]

[@johnlackner1193]

Bluetooth phone conversation question: When the phone is paired to the mixer, does the caller hear you when you talk into one of the channel input mics? Can you hear the caller through the headphones or monitors? Can the two-way conversation be recorded onto Capture and/or the SD card?

[@patriarchysound]

Upgraded preamps sound nice, but it would be dope if it recorded all the multi-tracks to SD, like my Zoom R24 does.

[@johnlackner1193]

It can multi-track to a laptop

[@housewolf7862]

no EQ on that mixer tho

[@bubinga_basher]

@@housewolf7862 There's so few videos on these. I just got the ar16c, and now I'm reading things like this. I thought this would be a DAW controller at least. I want to stick with Presonus, but don't need 32 tracks. Choice 24( or) 16.0.2, or 16..4.2 used? How is this any better than Model 24?

[@Polentaccio]

Bingo. Major oversight here.

[@Polentaccio]

@@johnlackner1193 sometimes you dont want to track with a laptop, you want it all in one place.

[@d.kellyfitness2565]

Will this multitrack in logic? GarageBand?

[@sweetwater]

Hey there! Yes, these mixers absolutely will. Depending on which model you go with, you’ll be able to multi-track in 8, 14, or 18 track simultaneously via USB. This will work with any DAW of your choice. You just have to plug the mixer into your computer. I hope this helps! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3230, [e-mail]

[@beefy142]

will this output the tracks in real time to pro tools or logic?

[@javierdelapaz613]

Do you have a video how to set your gain for vocal, instrument etc? I’m having some issues on how to set my gain for my band. Thank you in advance.

[@TheFendertak]

I'm just after buying the Ar16c from Thomann, and previous to that I had bought the Mackie 16fx V3 desk, I sold it after 2 uses, not a bad desk but certainly not great either, I continously use to this very day, the Dynacord Cms 1000 Mk1, old yes but I absolutely love this desk in every way, easy to use, get a good warm sound and FX excellent, JOE I have watched a lot of his tutorials and yes he has helped me over some hurdles, videos well explained, this brings me back to this board, he works for presonus, naturally he is going to praise this Ar16c series, I see here few comments replied to even yours why, all questions seriously need to be answered and truthfully told to be believed, I'm reading some stating that the mixer only lasts 12 to 15 months is this true, one guy put up a video demonstration of how noisy it is, but yet when he did so never showed on video where his gains were set, Joe I want to believe you in everything you say about the Ar16c desk I just recieved mine today, and I would like to know all I can about this desk or like the Mackie ill be moving it on, it has a lot going for it, you did elaborate a lot on studio use but not much in relation to live band use,

[@musikman337]

Does it sync with ipad.. recording into logic and garage band?

[@Michaelkenjarrell01]

Does this mixer have a built-in interface?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, Michaelkenjarrell01! Yep, those are multi-channel interfaces as well as analog mixers. Thanks for the interest! Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@carlosg.4531]

That mixer have mix minus function?

[@maxracco606]

I have problems with overheat in my studiolive ar16 ¿is it normal?

[@ChrisCanyon]

Hey Joe. I like the new board. Got the AR-12c. It is perfect for my home studio but I am having issues with the headphone output. Low volume no low end and crackling noise. On the 3rd one now. Sweetwater has been great to work with but it is a bit frustrating.

[@earlteigrob9211]

Try running the headphone out through a headphone amp. I have found on some mixers that headphone output is really a line out that needs to be amplified to work properly.

[@mylesanthony8672]

this is mouth watering stuff ~ ordered mine today 😋

[@davidjmrussell5497]

Great video. Can l use the bluetooth on the superchannel to record stuff from my phone and use it in studio one? I guess, YES

[@aranyaofficial7082]

Can I use it with cubase 5?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Ar An Ya OFFICIAL. Thanks for reaching out about the PreSonus StudioLive AR Mixers! These great mixer/interfaces will work with just about any DAW, including Cubase. Studio One works the best with these as there are templates you can pull in, but this is class compliant and will work with Cubase as well just fine. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out! Thanks and have a great day. Jack Wellington, Sweetwater Sale Engineer, [phone] ext. 3240, [e-mail]

[@aranyaofficial7082]

@@sweetwater thank you so much 😊😊

[@SADASVN]

Does the RCA and Bluetooth input have FX effects ?

[@sweetwater]

Hello! Yes, you could add effects to those inputs as well. Thanks for the interest! Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@pawanjanakiram5284]

Question: Does the SD card record each track AND the mix, or just the mix? When I open it up in Audition or any other post processor software - do I see all 12 channels and the mix?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Pawan. Great Question. With the AR series of mixers, the SD card slot is for a 2-track master channel recording. It can also be used as a stereo playback channel. If you are wanting to do a multichannel recording, it does have the ability via the usb on the board. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach back out. Thanks, Grant Embury, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1647, [e-mail]

[@tonyrobertsguitar]

For main outs, should I use balanced or unbalanced XLR-to-RCA ? Thks

[@sweetwater]

Hello, tonyrobertsguitar! Balanced cables the entire way. XLR to XLR or XLR to TRS. Give us a shout and we can discuss in more depth! Thanks for the interest! James Masterson, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1641, [e-mail]

[@KipCount]

Can these be used as an interface to Studio One Pro, and if so, how many ins and outs does Studio One when it's connected?

[@sweetwater]

Hi Kip, great question! The Arc mixers absolutely work as interfaces for Studio One! They give you all the inputs discreetly, so up to 18 into the computer with the AR16c. Each mixer then has 4 outputs from the computer which return to two of the channels on the mixer, allowing you to play along with prerecorded tracks live or have something like a click track playing separately from the main feed! If you have further questions, give me a holler! Drake Sobehrad, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3271, [e-mail]

[@geraldervin8424]

I really love the new feature that the mixer has I need to upgrade my mixer

[@23x31]

I have the previous version AR16 usb and use it to record drums at home. The preamps are really bad...very weak wave-forms into the DAW. All channels need a TON of EQ and compression, expanding, etc. to get decent sound. With that said, I have created a few templates in Studio One which compensate for the poor performance of the interface, so for the $600, I'm good with that. The super channel is nice and I use it often. The SD recorder is subpar however as its sounds lifeless. If the SD recorder recorded the output from the DAW, it would be great but it can't and records directly from the board and due to the really bad preamps, the recordings are blah.

[@sammybooy]

Can I record my tracks in cubase5 with presonus ar16? Then, does it have its own soundcard inbuild for each and every track??. Thanks

[@abasicillness]

Can you incorporate external effects to the Board?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Richard! Thanks for reaching out. Yes, you can certainly incorporate external effects on any of the ARc mixers. You would just use the aux outputs to run to your gear of choice. You'll have 2 auxiliary outputs on the AR8c, and 3 on the AR12c and AR16c. I hope this helps! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3230, [e-mail]

[@glenallan6279]

So these are next generation AR? I have the AR16. Sounds like effects and preamps are about the main difference.

[@TheRickdoggie]

Also the new mixers have a USB C connection on the back so they will work with either regular USB or on the newer computers, USBC

[@glenallan6279]

Rick Naqvi ahh! Well good to have options 😁

[@lancepage1914]

Or, it will work on any computer - since they all have USB these days..... As to say the USB C is completely pointless because it's still only a USB 2.0 spec.

[@davidbromoiras8454]

supposed that I have a bunch of virtual instruments on my DAW, can I mix these as outputs from my DAW to the channelstrips of the mixer? thanks!!!

[@sweetwater]

Hello, David! Sure! These units operate as full-on audio interfaces with both inputs and outputs. You can set up your individual tracks to output via your DAW of choice to open channels on the AR mixer. Thanks for the interest! Cody Kraus, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1766, [e-mail]

[@davidbromoiras8454]

@@sweetwater really really appreciate answering my question!! cheers!!

[@lucan1711]

The AR 16c looks great - My question is, therefore why would you go for the more expensive Studio One 16.0.2 desk? They are both audio interfaces too but I realise the AR 16c is a lower capability 16x4 as opposed to the 16.0.2 is 18x16. In summary the AR 16c gives you an analogue desk as well as audio interface (but less channels as the 16.0.2). What am I missing?

[@FastCarsLoudMusic]

Arc seems to be a fully analog signal path from inputs to outputs, with digital taps for the interface. The 16.0.2. Is fully digital after the preamps. The digital signal is made available over USB or fire wire depending on which version you have. The digital signal is converted to analog one more time right before outputs. The most notable practical difference here is probably just the latency. I owned a 1602 and it was maybe 2.5 to 5 ms round-trip, depending on routing from input to output. People say you can’t notice it, but you can and it can cause phasing issues if you are using it as a sub mixer into another board.

[@jonathanziegler5695]

My mans snuck in...”automagically...” very nice hahaha

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Thank you. Thank you. 👋

[@bubinga_basher]

Will all the tracks show up on Studio One pro V5? I'd be using the board to record drum tracks, make drum civers etc ..I had bought the Tascam Model 24, but I felt Tascam was misleading about the DAW functionality, as it did not work as a DAW control.

[@melbob8484]

I have question. Can use all 16 channels to put instrument input? including the super channel? Thank you

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Mel Bob. Great question! The Presonus AR series consoles do not have instrument inputs on every channel. Only Channels 1 and 2 of the mixers are really setup to be instrument inputs. The other channels are mic/line. You could always add di boxes and get more, but the board is not setup to run them in on every channel. If there is anything else I can help with, please let me know. Grant Embury, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1647, [e-mail]

[@johnlackner1193]

When you mute the channel does it also mute the aux sends?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, John! Thanks for reaching out. The mute buttons come before the aux and busses, so if you mute the track it will mute it everywhere. Let me know if you have any other questions! Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1793, [e-mail]

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

Can you use two mixers paired within one driver?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Frans. Thanks for reaching out about the PreSonus StudioLive ARC Mixers! These are designed to be used one at a time if you’re connecting them to your computer. Only one will be recognized by the drivers on your computer, so hopefully that answers your questions. If you need anything else feel free to give us a shout! Thanks and have a great day. Jack Wellington, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3240, [e-mail]

[@carrillomusic5733]

can you edit your tracks when using capture?

[@arronclarke6760]

No. Capture is simply just for recording. To edit the tracks you would first export the stems, then import then into a DAW such as Studio One for podt production and editing

[@bigbadjojo4863]

With this work with the Akai Force like the Tascam's mixers currently do? I am interest in this brand, a friend of mine recommended it.

[@sweetwater]

Hi, thanks for your interest! The USB interfaces built into these mixers are class-compliant, so they should work with the Force and other Akai products just like the Tascam Model series. I hope this helps - feel free to contact me directly with any further questions, and thanks again! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@riandarizza3697]

Hi Joe, will the effect goes to the USB out too for each individual channels or it is before any effects or filters?

[@JeanmarkRodriguez]

Does it work for studio recording? I use Presonus Studio One so I imagine it might connect perfectly as an audio interface.

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Jeanmark! Absolutely! These work great as centerpieces for studios and will work seamlessly with Studio One. If you'd like to talk more about it, definitely give me a shout at the contact info below so we can discuss whether or not this is the right piece for your studio! Rock on! 🎶🤘 Cassie O'Hanlon, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3020, [e-mail]

[@supersonicsroots]

​@@sweetwater does it work as a daw controller as well?

[@Le_Lys_Eclectique]

Hello I've a pre-sale question about your StudioLive ARc Series. I wanted to know if in the EQ (High - Mid - Low) potentiometers there is also the possibility to adjust the Q value of the bell. Then I wanted to know what settings the noise gate and compressor have. Are there Attack - Hold - Release functions? Finally, apart from multitrack recording on the MacBook, is it also possible to read a multitrack file (from the MacBook) with each track (like .wav) assigned to a channel, to equalize track by track? Thank you very much! Kind regards, Tony Giglio

[@rjb7569]

Joe...you do a great job, both here and on your channel. You rock. Don't know if you respond here to particulars, but if you do... Considering the 1824c and the ARc12 (I think it's called) at the moment for my home studio hub. Concerning ins/outs, connecting outboard gear (pres, particularly), 2 sets of monitors, and best specs!!!, what would you go for in my situation? Thanks for your valuable time.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Man, I'm a sucker for a mixer in the studio. I use the StudioLive24 series III. I like monitoring right off the board. Is it necessary? Not at all, but it's fun to have.

[@leeblackmore3025]

Contemplating a purchase but always bad reviews about crackle. Low noise etc

[@davidchristian2705]

are the mixers powered?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, David! That is not a powered mixer. Here’s a link to all of our powered mixers: www.sweetwater.com/c266--Powered_Mixers I usually recommend folks buy a separate power amp from the mixer, because it’s much easier to get the right amount of power, along with the right amount of inputs you need that way: www.sweetwater.com/c455--Power_Amplifiers www.sweetwater.com/c264--Analog_Mixers Thanks for the interest! Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@Tim_ArtistName_Tallent]

Ayy atta boy Joe! Only face other than Mitch Galleger that gets me excited lol!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Tim Aka TAllent you’re making me blush

[@thejeremycollection]

will this work with logic/ableton?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Jeremy. Thanks for reaching out about the PreSonus StudioLive ARc Mixers! While these mixers are designed to work well with Studio One, they should work just fine with any other major DAW. While it would not be my first choice to use with Logic or Ableton, there shouldn’t be any issues. If you purchase the mixer from Sweetwater you will have a Free Two-Year Warranty and Free Tech Support in case there any issues. If you have any other questions feel free to reach out! Thanks and have a great day. Jack Wellington, Sweetwater Sale Engineer, [phone] ext. 3240, [e-mail]

[@hypersmudge1]

Great review, Joe!

[@kingech_B15]

Automagicaly has been added to my vocabs.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

King Ech you have to pay me royalties. 🤣

[@kingech_B15]

Joe Gilder • Home Studio Corner as you wish bro. 😂 you taught me enough

[@HomeStudioCorner]

@@kingech_B15 We'll grow old and rich together.

[@GORIllaz97100]

Can I use it on FL Studio 20?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, m-leb. Thanks for checking out our KZbin channel. Yes, you can use the Presonus AR mixers with FL Studio. It does not work as a controller, but will work as an interface for the software. If you have any other questions, let us know. Thanks, Grant Embury, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1647, [e-mail]

[@sammybooy]

Can I use as a sound card and record with it in cubase 5?

[@derkhedemann5606]

just a pity that these mixers are not available in 24 channels

[@mandelharvey3429]

Did you find one. You just described the mixer I'm looking for

[@WillieMCruz]

How cool my old friend ✌️😎

[@presonus]

👋 hey dude! - Joe Gilder

[@cwmoriarty]

Is it just 16/44khz recording over USB 2? There's no way you can get with that low bandwidth.

[@abasicillness]

So does it record each track simultaneously on separate tracks when you are recording multiple instruments at once

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Richard! Yes, those mixers are able to multi-track record into your computer. If you look at the USB audio interface spec, it will state either 18-in/4-out, 14-in/4-out, or 8-in/4-out depending on which model you’re looking at. Essentially, that is stating how many individual tracks can be input and output to and from your computer. I hope this helps! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3230, [e-mail]

[@abasicillness]

@@sweetwater Been looking at so many Hybrid mixers. Zoom L 12, Tascam Model 12, Soundcraft, Etc... Keep coming back to the presonis as what I want, and need. The only trouble is, most of the reviews say it FAILS in one way or another between 1 and, two years. They charge a $250 bench Fee to even look at it. What has your experience been, as far as customer Satisfaction?

[@johnmitchell6243]

Auto-magically!

[@lancepage1914]

From my understanding. Yes you can multi track record. But what it cannot do is playback the recorded channels back to its respective channel strips for further fader leveling. You still have to do that all in the box. So what's the point of that then? All it does is sum the recorded playback back into the mixer to 2 stereo groups. That completely defeats the purpose of having an all in one console/audio interface. The Soundcraft Signature 12MTK can do this, why can't the PreSonus ARc do this? It's almost the same price too.

[@adriannunez8868]

Thinking about getting a mixer to pair with my phone (GarageBand) since I don’t have a DAW at the moment. Would you recommend Presonus or any other mixer?

[@Maulleygxxx]

Niiice

[@istvantoth7431]

How can it be un unbiased review if you ask a guy from the very company to review it?? 😟 nonsense

[@bricekey1310]

It’s not a “review”. 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️

[@uncleted3961]

"auto-magically"!!