Product Description
PreSonus Studio Live AR8c 8-Channel Analog Mixer
Podcasting and Home Recording, Simplified
With its instantly familiar analog mixer design, the StudioLive® AR8c is the easiest way to record podcasts, live streams, and music productions. Featuring a pristine analog front-end with four high-gain XMAX mic preamps and an 8x4, 24-bit, 96 kHz, USB-C-compatible USB 2.0 audio interface, the StudioLive AR8c’s hybrid design makes it simple to record from a single intuitive console. Add in tools like a musical 3-band analog EQ, mic/line boost for low-level broadcast microphones and consumer devices, Bluetooth connectivity, and a stereo SD recorder, and you have a broadcasting and recording powerhouse that fulfills the needs of both modern musicians and content creators.
A Full-Featured Audio Interface
The StudioLive AR8c audio interface operates at up to 96 kHz for high-definition mixing and recording. Record each of the six inputs, plus the main mix, for even more flexible recording options. Play back up to four streams for monitoring previously recorded tracks—plus sound effects, loopback audio, and more. Four of PreSonus' lauded XMAX mic preamps provide all the gain you need to capture even the most subtle details without adding noise. The analog mixer front-end makes connecting your gear intuitive. With a USB-C compatible connection, your StudioLive AR8c is ready to use as an audio interface for nearly any computer.
The Channel that does it all… even Bluetooth Connectivity!
The unique Super Channel can handle four stereo sources at once and makes it easy to integrate consumer devices into your studio workflow. Connect a turntable to the RCA inputs, use the ⅛-inch stereo input to plug in your smartphone, or forget the cable and connect via Bluetooth wireless technology. You can also toggle between a stereo playback stream from your computer and play back from the onboard SD recorder, making it simple to add bumpers and sound effects to your podcast in real-time or practice along with your favorite recordings.
The all-in-one Recording Package
The StudioLive AR8c audio interface and analog mixer is tightly integrated with state-of-the-art recording software to help you achieve your creative vision. Create multitrack recordings for your podcast or band with one click thanks to PreSonus® Capture® live-recording software. Capture is designed to make recording easy. Create complete studio productions with our award-winning Studio One® Artist DAW to add effects, bumpers, and more. With two professional recording applications included with your StudioLive AR8c, you’re ready to record right out of the box, whether you’re creating a podcast, live streaming your performance, or recording your first EP.
Record Whenever and Wherever you Want
Whether you’re recording a mobile interview for your podcast, or you’re in the middle of a songwriting session and want to capture your ideas as quickly as they come to you, the StudioLive AR8c’s stereo SD recorder has you covered. Insert any SD/SDHC card, and you’re ready to record your main mix, enabling you to simplify your recording process whenever you want. Doing mobile interviews for your podcast? Leave the computer at home and record straight to SD.
Effects without Latency
Monitoring with reverb and delay helps to create better recordings. Any vocalist or guitarist will tell you that a little reverb makes them feel more at ease while performing. The StudioLive AR8c mixer’s onboard effects processor lets you add high-quality reverb, delay, or chorus to any channel for a professional monitor mix. Like what you hear in your headphones? Record the main mix and capture the effects mix, too—with or without the dry channels—to blend with your multitrack recording. Experiment in post-production to your heart's content.
All the Connections you need with a Familiar Look
Packed with all the connections and controls needed to mix and record podcasts, live streams, and music productions, the StudioLive AR8c is a powerful recording solution. The two mono channels and two stereo channels include a musical three-band EQ, plus one of PreSonus’ famed XMAX high-gain mic preamps. The USB-C connector ensures your StudioLive AR8c audio interface will be the center of your studio for years to come. With high-resolution 96 kHz recording, a full complement of connections, and an instantly familiar workflow, the StudioLive AR8c is the perfect recording and mixing solution for the modern musician and content creator.
Apple Silicon M1, iOS, and iPadOS Compatibility—Standard
The PreSonus StudioLive AR8c is natively compatible with Apple Silicon M1-based Mac computers*, as well as iOS and iPadOS devices, including iPad Pro, iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini, iPod Touch, and iPhone. Because it's USB class-compliant, there are no special drivers or applications to download and install. You'll be able to produce on the go—everything from podcasts to folk rock to trap—wherever sound takes you.
Make your own Magic
At PreSonus, we want to make sure that our audio products come with everything you need to craft your own mesmerizing spells in the studio. That's why we include Studio One Artist with every audio interface and controller product we make, from the 2-channel AudioBox USB 96 to the 64-channel StudioLive 64S, ATOM to FaderPort 16, but we didn't stop there. Why? Because here in Louisiana, we have a word: lagniappe. It means "a little something extra," and it's in that spirit that we also include the Studio Magic Suite of software with our audio interface products and–new for 2021–our award-winning controllers as well.
The 2021 Studio Magic includes tutorials from Melodics, sound libraries from Ghost Hack, 7 virtual instruments, and 9 effects plug-ins in VST, AU, and AAX formats to use in Studio One Artist or your DAW of choice with a retail value of over $1000 (US).
Features
Recording
- 8x4 24-bit/96 kHz, USB 2.0 (over USB-C connection) audio recording interface
- Record every channel plus the main mix
- 2x2 SD recorder to capture the main mix
- Supports SD™ and SDHD™ formats up to 32 GB
Mixing
- 8-channel analog mixer
- 4 balanced microphone inputs with XMAX mic preamps
- 2 instrument/line inputs
- 6 balanced line level inputs:
- 2 mono
- 2 stereo pairs
- Stereo Super Channel (Ch. 13/14) with Bluetooth 5.0 input, RCA inputs, 1/8-inch stereo input, and switchable SD/USB stereo playback
- 2 mono and 2 stereo channels, each with level knob, pan, mute, PFL solo, highpass filter, and 3-band semi-parametric EQ
- 1 monitor bus with dedicated channel send, AFL solo, and balanced TRS output
- L/R Control Room outputs with level control
- Headphone output with level control
Signal Processing
- Highpass filter on every channel
- 3-band semi-parametric EQ on every channel
- Stereo effects processor with 16 presets, dedicated send and return, and bypass footswitch jack
- Mic/line boost on stereo channels for low-level input sources and consumer devices
Included Software
- Capture® live multitrack recording software
- Studio One® Artist recording and production software (DAW)
- Studio Magic Software Suite
Power
- Internal power supply
- Standard IEC power connector
Physical
- Sturdy metal construction
- Optional rackmount kit
Computer System Requirements:
Below are the minimum computer-system requirements for StudioLive AR8c.
macOS®
- macOS version 10.13 or later
- 200 MB storage space and 8 GB RAM for Universal Control (required for firmware updates)
- Available USB port
Windows®
- Windows 10 or later (64-Bit Only)
- 200 MB storage space and 8 GB RAM for Universal Control (required for firmware updates and low-latency ASIO support)
- Available USB port
Technical Specifications
Microphone Preamp | |
|---|---|
| Type | XLR Female, Class A XMAX |
| Maximum Input level (unity gain) | +9 dBu ±1.0 dB |
| Gain Control Range | 43 dB (+12 to +55 dB) |
| Frequency Response to Analog Outputs | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB |
| Frequency Response to USB (Direct) | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/- 1.5 dB |
| S/N Ratio to Outputs (+4 dBu) | 94 dB |
| THD+N (min. gain, A-wtd) | < 0.01% |
| Input Impedance | 1 kΩ |
| EIN (+55 dB gain, 150Ω input, 20 Hz-22 kHz, A-wtd) | Mono Channels: < 128 dBu |
| Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1 kHz, +55 dB gain) | 65 dB |
| Phantom Power | +48V, ±3V, Global |
| Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp |
Instrument Inputs | |
|---|---|
| Type | ¼” TS Female, Unbalanced, Hi-Z |
| Maximum Input Level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N) | +9 dBu ±1.0 dB |
| Gain Control Range | 43 dB, ±1 dB (+12 to +55 dB) |
| Frequency Response to Analog Outputs | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB |
| Frequency Response to USB (Direct) | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB |
| Dynamic Range (min. gain, A-wtd) | > 105 dB |
| Dynamic Range (mid. Gain, unwtd) | > 108 dB |
| THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, A-wtd) | < 0.01% |
| THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd) | < 0.01% |
| Input Impedance | > 1 MΩ |
| Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp |
Line Inputs | |
|---|---|
| Type | ¼” TRS Female, Balanced |
| Maximum Input Level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N) | +26 dBu ±1.0 dB |
| Gain Control Range |
Mono Channels: 40 dB, ±1 dB (-5 to +35 dB) Stereo Channels: 0 dB or +10 dB (+10 dB Boost) |
| Frequency Response to Analog Outputs | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB |
| Frequency Response to USB (Direct) | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB |
| S/N Ratio to Analog Outputs (+4 dBu) | 85 dB |
| THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, A-wtd) | < 0.01% |
| Input Impedance (Balanced) | 10 kΩ |
| Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp |
Main, Control Room, Monitor, and FX Outputs | |
|---|---|
| Type (Main Outputs) | XLR Male, Impedance Balanced |
| Type (Control Room, Monitor, FX Outputs) | ¼” TRS Female, Balanced |
| Rated Output Level (Main Outputs) | +24 dBu, ±1.0 dB |
| Rated Outputs Level (Control Room, Monitor, FX Outputs) | +18 dBu |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB |
| Dynamic Range (A-wtd) | > 108 dB |
| THD+N (Bandwidth 20 Hz - 20 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd) | < 0.01% |
| Output Impedance | 100 Ω |
Headphone Output | |
|---|---|
| Type | ¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced |
| Maximum Output Level | 150 mW/channel @ 60 Ω |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB |
| Dynamic Range (A-wtd) | > 103 dB |
| THD+N (Bandwidth 20 Hz - 20 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd) | < 0.01% |
System Crosstalk | |
|---|---|
| Input to Output (Ref = +4dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unwtd) | -90 dBu |
| Adjacent Channels (Ref = +4 dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unwtd) | -85 dBu |
Signal Level LED | |
|---|---|
| Signal | -30 dBFS (pre-EQ) |
| Clip | -3.0 dB before clip (pre- or post-EQ) |
Channel EQ | |
|---|---|
| Low Cut | 100 Hz, -18 dB/Octave |
| High Shelving | ±15 dB @ 10 kHz |
| Mid Peaking (Mono Channels) | ±15 dB @ 140 Hz to 3.5 kHz (variable) |
| Mid Peaking (Stereo Channels) | ±15 dB @ 2.5 kHz |
| Mid-Band Q | Boost: 1.0, Cut: 2.5 |
| Low Shelving | ±15 dB @ 100 Hz |
Digital Audio | |
|---|---|
| Host Interface | USB 2.0 |
| ADC Dynamic Range (Component) | 114 dB |
| ADC Dynamic Range (Measured: A-wtd, 48 kHz) | 105 dB |
| DAC Dynamic Range (Component) | 114 dB |
| DAC Dynamic Range (Measured: A-wtd, 48 kHz) | 105 dB |
| Signal-to-Noise (a-weighted) | -96 dB |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit |
| Internally Supported Sample Rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz |
| Jitter | < 80 ps RMS (20 Hz – 20 kHz) |
| Jitter Attenuation | > 60 dB (1 ns in => 1 ps out) |
SD Recorder | |
|---|---|
| Supported Media Format | FAT16 formatted SD™ card, FAT32 formatted SDHC™ card |
| Media Storage Capacity | SD card: 2 GB; SDHC card: 32 GB |
| Recording File Format | Stereo WAV |
| Playback File Formats | Stereo WAV, MP3 (96-320 kbs, 32 / 44.1 / 48 kHz) |
| Sampling Rate (WAV) | 44.1 kHz |
| Bit Depth |
Recording: 24-bit Playback: 16- or 24-bit |
Power/Environmental | |
|---|---|
| Connector | IEC |
| Input Voltage Range | 90 to 240 VAC |
| Recommended Ambient Operating Temperature | 0˚ to 40˚ Celsius / 32˚ to 104˚ Fahrenheit |
Physical | |
|---|---|
| Height | 3.5” (89 mm) |
| Width (Chassis only) | 11” (284 mm) |
| Depth | 12.3” (313 mm) |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg |
