PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer (Used)
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- Product #485770
A 24 x 4 x 2 performance and recording digital mixer that is as easy to use as a traditional analog mixer.
Once you've used the PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer, you'll never want to go back to an old-school analog mixer. With StudioLive mixer's incredible signal-processing power on every channel, easy store and recall of every setting, and the ability to record it all with just 2 mouse clicks, you'll get spoiled fast. Easier to use, better sounding, and flawlessly integrated with state-of-the-art software, the digital Presonus StudioLive 24.4.2 delivers the most creative environment possible for both live performance and studio music production.
The StudioLive 24.4.2 is a fine choice for those who want to mix small- to medium-sized shows and worship services. It's also a great choice for club systems, corporate applications, educational institutions, or as the hardware core for a project studio.
Inside the StudioLive audio mixer you'll find high-headroom XMAX microphone preamplifiers, a built-in FireWire recording and playback interface, more than 90 signal processors, a big library of DSP effects, 10 aux buses, 4 subgroups, extensive LED metering, mixer save and recall, channel-strip save/recall/copy/paste, talkback, and more. Yet, despite its many controls and features, it's compact and easy to transport.
With the StudioLive 24.4.2, you can build live mixes that glisten with clarity and detail, and then record and enhance the performance. Get creative in the studio. Build mixes, loops, sound effects, and more, then bring them out to your show and mix them with the live performance. Process channels using your favorite plug-ins and completely automate your entire performance. StudioLive 24.4.2 revolutionizes music production, opening endless creative possibilities.
Experience the ease of analog with the power of digital.
When PreSonus designed StudioLive 24.4.2, one of their primary goals was to provide a familiar interface that would keep all critical controls visible and accessible—not buried inside multiple menus.
Sit down at a PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2, and you see real hardware Mute and Solo buttons, trim controls, and clearly labeled, individual knobs for parametric EQ and dynamics processing. The master section—complete with Talkback, Monitor, Cue, and a choice of headphone sources—looks just like the master section on an analog board but with far more power and flexibility. Aux sends have their own controls. Every channel has a big, bright meter display. Basically, if you've ever used an analog mixer, you'll be right at home with a StudioLive 24.4.2, and even if you've never used a mixer before, you'll quickly be able to create quality mixes and recordings.
The StudioLive 24.4.2 mixer is for those of you who want more than 16 channels but want to keep your system compact. It has more than six auxiliary buses, a fully parametric EQ. You could use an enhanced gate with Key Listen and Key Filter features, and a Threshold control on the limiter would be handy. A stereo graphic EQ on the mains is mandatory but you also want graphic EQ on the subgroups and auxes at times—four dual-mono, 31-band graphic EQs would do the job nicely. No problem! You get all of these enhancements and more with the 24-channel, 10-aux, StudioLive 24.4.2.
A gigantic console in a small package thanks to the Fat Channel
If StudioLive were an analog console, it would have 4-foot-long channel strips packed with knobs and buttons or it would require a massive outboard rack of expensive signal processors. That's because each channel has its own studio-grade compressor, limiter, gate, 4-band parametric equalizer, and high-pass filter. In all, PreSonus packed 43 compressors, 43 limiters, 43 gates, 24 high-pass filters, and more, into one remarkable Fat Channel.
Engaged by pressing any Select button, the PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2's Fat Channel features extensive EQ and dynamics for every input channel, every aux output (including the two internal FX buses), every subgroup output, and the main outputs.
To let you get the most from all of this processing power without descending into menu purgatory, StudioLive 24.4.2's engineers designed the Fat Channel with clearly labeled physical knobs; an ingenious, multifunction, 16-ladder LED display; an in-your-face Selected Channel display; and even a separate horizontal pan display. It's easy to instantly access any function and get clear, visible feedback.
Not Your Run-of-the-Mill Effects
With StudioLive 24.4.2 you get 2 programmable, 32-bit, stereo DSP effects engines, loaded with 50 reverbs, delays, and time-based effects that you can really use. The reverbs are so rich and detailed that you feel like you're there. Delays are precise. Slap echo sounds like old-school tape effects. All 50 effects have easy-to-use parameter adjustment, tap tempo, store, recall, and Scene selection for ultimate creative flexibility.
The StudioLive 24.4.2's 4 dual, 31-band graphic equalizers can be applied to the main, subgroup, and aux outputs so you can compensate for room acoustics, speaker response, and much more.
All of these features add up to a lot of settings to remember and reset at every performance. That's where the power of digital comes in: StudioLive lets you save all of your digital settings for quick setup and recall. Save Scenes that include every setting on the mixer or save just the Fat Channel settings. Copy-and-paste settings across multiple channels. Save individual DSP effects for ultimate ease, speed, and control. This means that for fixed applications like clubs, churches, and auditoriums, you can always count on the same sound and can fine-tune Scenes for different songs—calling them up instantly. Even rank amateur volunteers can successfully operate the StudioLive 24.4.2.
PreSonus has included a whole library of individual channel settings as starting points for optimizing the sound of instruments, vocals, and spoken word. An AutoStore feature regularly saves your current settings in case the power fails.
Recording made easy
If you have a computer with 6-pin FireWire, you have a 26-track digital recorder instantly ready to capture your gig, church service, or presentation. Just two mouse clicks engages Capture recording software. Studio One Artist digital audio workstation lets you edit and enhance to your heart's content.
StudioLive 24.4.2 features a tightly integrated FireWire interface that delivers up to 32 channels of recording and up to 26 channels of simultaneous playback. Each FireWire recording channel can be set to record either pre- or post-Fat Channel signal processing, delivering total flexibility and power.
Because StudioLive 24.4.2 can so easily return FireWire playback channels from your computer, you can pull off nifty tricks. You can soundcheck your band and fine-tune the PA in a new venue, even when the band's not there yet. Or create backing tracks at your studio and seamlessly blend them with live performances.
Inside, it's pure PreSonus
Ease of use and powerful features only count if the sound quality is equally impressive. After all, it really comes down to how good those microphone preamps are, how clean the signal path is, and how well the algorithms perform. PreSonus is a company already famous for its analog mic preamps, pristine digital interfaces, and well-regarded signal processors, and the StudioLIve 24.4.2 is sure to keep with this trend.
Its XMAX Class A preamplifiers deliver more headroom, deeper lows, smoother highs, and a richer overall sound than the preamps found in other mixers. Ultra-high-headroom, 32-bit floating-point processing is used for all digital mixing. All analog inputs and outputs use the highest quality digital converters available. Synchronization to your computer is stable and robust, thanks to JetPLL synchronization technology, resulting in great stereo separation and clear, transparent audio.
StudioLive expands with your input needs
Need more than 24 channels for mixing live shows and don't need to record? Daisy-chain two StudioLive 24.4.2s via their FireWire ports to get up to 48 input channels and 8 submix buses. If you need more than 24 channels for recording, and you don't need a full channel strip for the additional inputs, you can daisy-chain a StudioLive 24.4.2 with a PreSonus FireStudio Project, FireStudio Tube, or FireStudio Mobile interface. It could not be simpler.
VSL Control Software
The optional PreSonus Virtual StudioLive software for Mac and Windows, which is offered as a free download, provides bidirectional control of the StudioLive 24.4.2 digital mixer. Now you can see and control the most-used mixer parameters onscreen, including channel, subgroup, aux send, and main levels, as well as Fat Channel, effects, and graphic EQ settings.
Control the mixer with a mouse or watch VSL update when you adjust the hardware. Drag Fat Channel presets onto all 16 channels in seconds. Mute or solo every channel with a sweep of the mouse. Apply a new Scene to the whole mixer just by dragging it on VSL from a list you see at all times, or collect and trade Scenes with other StudioLive users.
Wirelessly control auxiliary mixes with QMix.
With QMix, you can enjoy wireless remote control of any PreSonus StudioLive mixer's aux sends from up to ten Apple iPhones or iPod touches! Let performers create their monitor mixes from individual iPhones. With the Wheel of Me, you can select multiple “Me” channels and control their levels simultaneously. Requires a Mac or PC running PreSonus Virtual StudioLive. Available free from the Apple App Store.
Features
- 24 mic/line inputs with high-headroom Class A XMAX mic preamplifiers
- 4 subgroups
- Stereo/mono main out
- 10 auxiliary mixes
- 32-in/26-out FireWire digital recording interface (24-bit/44.1kHz and 48kHz)
- Studio One Artist Digital Audio Workstation software for Mac and PC
- Capture 1.1 recording software for Mac and PC
- Direct recording interface compatible with Logic, Nuendo, Cubase, Sonar, Digital Performer, Ableton Live, and more
- 24-channel strips
- Trim control with -20 to +20dBV line/-15 to +65dBu mic gain range (80dB)
- +48V phantom power switch for condenser microphones
- FireWire Input Select
- 100mm precision faders
- Lighted Solo and Mute buttons
- Access to Fat Channel functions
- 15-LED ladder metering + clip LED
- Analog 1/4" insert (rear panel)
4 subgroup buses, each with:
- Solo
- Mute
- Access to Fat Channel functions (except high-pass filter and phase reverse)
10 aux sends, each with
- Solo
- Pre/post-fader send
- Output-level control
- Access to Fat Channel functions (except phase reverse)
- Mix and Mix/Pan Fat Channel metering
- Available sources: 24 input channels, Aux A and B, Tape Input, Talkback
2 internal effects sends, each with:
- Mute
- Pre/post-fader send
- Output-level control
- Access to Fat Channel (except phase reverse)
- Effects-send Select for Fat Channel metering
- Mix button for aux-bus mixing and Fat Channel metering
Master Section
- Aux Input A and B
- Level Control and Select (Fat Channel metering) switch
- Access to all Fat Channel functions (except phase reverse)
Talkback System
- Mic Level control
- Output Select (Aux 1-2, 3-6, 7-10, Main)
- Talk button
- Rear-panel XLR mic input with level control and continuous 48V phantom power
2 Track In
- Level control
- Tape Input to Mains button
- FireWire source on/off
Solo Bus
- Cue Mix volume control
- PFL/AFL and Solo In Place (SIP) buttons
Monitor Bus
- Headphone-output level control
- Control-room monitor-level control
- Solo Bus to Monitor button
- Tape Input to Monitor button
- Main L/R FireWire Return to Monitor button
- Main Mix to Monitor button
Fat Channel with rotary encoders:
- Pan with dedicated 15-LED display
- Stereo link for input channels, aux buses, and subgroups
- Phase reverse (main channels only)
- High-pass filter: 6 dB/oct., sweepable from Off to 1 kHz (main channels and aux's only)
- Gate: Threshold: 0 to -84dB, Attack: 0.02 to 500ms, Release: 0.05 to 2 sec, Bandpass Key Filter: 40Hz to 16kHz, second-order resonant bandpass filter Q (0.7) with Key Listen function
- Compressor: Threshold,-56 to 0dB; Ratio 1:1 to 14:1, LIM=∞:1; Attack 0.2 to 150ms; Release 2.5 to 900 ms; Makeup Gain 0 to 28dB; Soft Knee switch; Auto Mode with 10ms Attack and 150ms release
- Limiter: variable Threshold -28 dBfs to 0, ∞:1 Ratio
- Output Assign: 4 subgroups and main with post-EQ/post-dynamics option
- All settings can be copied among channels and saved as user presets
- 50 channel-strip presets for drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, and vocals
- 4-band fully parametric equalizer:
- Low EQ: sweepable from 36Hz to 465Hz, ±15dB, switchable shelf or peaking
- Low Mid EQ: sweepable from 90Hz to 1.2kHz, ±15dB, variable Q 0.1 to 4.0
- High Mid EQ: sweepable from 380Hz to 5kHz, ±15 dB, variable Q 0.1 to 4.0
- High EQ: sweepable from 1.4kHz to 18kHz, ±15dB, switchable shelf or peaking
- Master EQ On/Off button
2 internal digital effects-processors, each with 50 customizable reverb and delay presets
- 31-band graphic equalizers:
- Assignable in four stereo pairs
- Mono or stereo operation
- Main outputs, aux outputs, subgroup outputs
- Global Scene Storage: all current StudioLive settings:
- Up to 80 at a time
- Individual channel-strip Scene storage
- Up to 48 at a time, plus
- 50 factory presets for instruments and vocal
- Scene, Store, and Recall
- Automatic Global AutoStore
- Copy and Paste between channels
- Customizable naming (for example, "Saturday Gig" or "Main Worship Service")
- Lockout mode to keep inspired amateurs from changing your settings
Metering/Displays
- 24 x 16-LED Fat Channel matrix:
- Pre-dynamics/pre-fader input
- Post-dynamics/post-fader output
- Gain reduction
- Aux 1-10 and EFX A/B output
- Fader-position recall
- 8 x 15-LED main meter bank:
- Selected channel level
- Selected channel gain reduction
- Sub buses 1 to 4
- Main stereo outputs
- 15-LED horizontal Pan/Balance display
- 64 x 194 LCD matrix:
- Effects parameters
- Scene creation, storage, and recall
- System menus
- 2-digit channel selected display
Input/Output
- 24 main inputs, each with XLR mic, 1/4" line, and 1/4" inserts
- 2 1/4" stereo (L/R) aux inputs
- 1 XLR talkback mic input with phantom power and level control
- Unbalanced RCA stereo (L/R) tape inputs and outputs
- XLR stereo (L/R) main outputs with level control
- 1/4" stereo (L/R) main outputs
- XLR mono output with level control
- 1/4" stereo (L/R) control-room outputs
- 1/4" headphone output
- 4 1/4" subgroup outputs
- 10 1/4" aux outputs
- 24 pre-insert, balanced direct outputs, Ch. 1-8, 9-16, 17-24 (DB25 sockets) S/PDIF digital out
- 2 FireWire 400 ports
Digitalia
- High-definition analog-to-digital converters (118dB dynamic range)
- Unlimited-headroom, 32-bit floating point, digital mixing, and effects processing
- Internal sample frequency: 44.1kHz and 48kHz
Physical
- Rugged, non-flex steel chassis
- 100mm long-throw faders
- Military-grade, quick-touch buttons
- BNC 12V lamp socket
- Optional dust covers available
Optional VSL Control Software
- Easy drag-and-drop workflow
- Drag presets directly to channels
- Drag parts of presets directly to components in the Fat Channel
- Adjust the Fat Channel gate, compressor, and EQ plus the graphic EQ and effects
- Quickly drop entire Scenes to the mixer to instantly load all channel, effects, and graphic EQ settings
- Load effects quickly by simply dragging presets into the GUI
- Use the mouse to quickly assign channels to multiple buses, mute, solo, etc.
- Store and organize presets on your computer, then transfer them to your mixer for that night's gig
- Create presets on the road, store them to the mixer, then drag them to your preset pool the next time you're connected to the computer
- Reorder presets in mixer memory and in the software to best fit your workflow for each gig
- Share presets with friends; drag presets out of the browser and email, IM, or disk-swap presets with other StudioLive owners
- See all of the most-used parameters on the mixer at once
- See the state of all Fat Channel settings at once
- See all aux mixes at once
- See the current effects and other parameter settings
- View and graphically edit all parametric EQ and compression curves
- View and graphically edit all graphic equalizer settings
- Do time-stamped backups of the entire mixer
For live performance mixing or in-studio recording, this mixer can do it all. Order today!
StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer Specifications:
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 25.19" x 21.31" x 1.89"-7.02" (back is angled up)
- 639.80mm x 541.27mm x 178.21-47.95mm (back is angled up)
- Weight: 45lb.
-
DM3200 Digital Mixer Regular
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 9 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Performances (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (3)
Reviews
Reviewed by 9 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-9
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Performances
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
Pristine sound quality, easy to use, if you come from the analog world this mixer won't be a problem. The fat channel has all the controls and the fx processors sound awesome the ability to record multiple channels with a laptop and only one firewire cord makes live recording easy. Thumbs up for this item!!
Pros
- Accurate Controls
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Performances
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
I've always used analog boards. The digital thing interests me. Technology is unbelievable.
I was able to use one of these on a show that I was running for a friend. I had my monster board, but my buddy had bought this and wanted to use it. I wanted to use it too! I'm not big into using new stuff for the first time on a gig, but my friend showed me how easy this was to use. It really was. Of course I want to know more but I have to buy one! I want one, real bad! I'm saving for it now.
Back to the gig. This was an outside event. River as a back drop, nice stage and all. When a band plays outside, a bunch of stuff can get lost in the overall sound. This board let it ALL come through! Try getting brushes to come through with and analog board. These brushes came through so clear that my wife thought it was on a loop. SM57 on the top and bottom. That's all it was. It was unbelievable! I cant wait to get mine, but any chance I can use one, I don't pass up the chance. The manuals are downloadable so you can get a head start, but it is soooooo easy! Buy it! I know I am!
Pros
- Very intuitive
Cons
Best Uses
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
Awesome platform. ..switched from Yamaha and Mackie mixers and within a few hours i was mixing down songs to the supplied software. Sound Quality is excellent, quality its great, lots of in depth tutorials on the web for the more complex options. Dials Are nice and stiff, not easily bumped off, routing has infinite options. Couldn't get more bang for your buck.. .replaced a lot of outboard gear. ...selling my bulky fx off now.
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
It took us a while to set this board up to a place where we really liked it. However, now that we have it set up, it is what we had hoped for although we still have some operational issues as mentioned. I will state again that, for the features, this thing is awesome. I do miss the nice EQ sound you get from a decent analog board, but what little we gave up in sound we more than made up for in overall performance. It does take some patience to get it set up where you want it, so the learning curve is a bit long.
The board from top to bottom is wonderfully well thought out. It has virtually everything you need in one box. Having the Fat Channel for each input channel along with the Aux's is a great idea. The presets are decent, especially if you don't have a lot of experience in setting up this many parameters for so many different types of instruments and voices. It is obvious that Presonus put A LOT of thought into this board. They really knocked it out of the park. With that said, it does take some time to get it tweaked the way you want it. You also have to spend some time learning the board to appreciate and utilize it fully
Here is where we've had some questions. Out of the box, the "tape out" feature did not work all the time. We still haven't gotten it resolved. Also, we are having issues with the signal coming back from the Mac computer it's hooked up to. It may be a set up issue, but if it is a problem with setup, then the "user friendliness" score will go down. I know that we can get it replaced if we need to. The Presonus Customer Service is pretty good. We are just struggling to get the time during the day to work on it via phone with them.
If you want a good to very good digital mixer, you really don't have any other options. While I haven't used any of the other "lower cost" digital boards, I can't imagine that they have any more features than this thing does. However, if you want pristine sound quality with a nice EQ in a similar price range, stick to a good analog board.
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
I purchased the 24 channel version of the StudioLive board right when they came out. I had a couple of friends who had the 16 channel and loved it. I was replacing a Mackie VLZ Pro from the 90's. I figuered this had to me a step up since so many people were fond of the Presonus preamps in their boards.
I liked the features on each channel. I was looking to simplify and get rid of a rack of effects and replace it with a self-contained unit and also have at least 8 aux sends for my monitors. I have a pretty good sized band (6 - 11 piece) and we all use in-ear monitors.
The board was very easy to use and I really enjoyed the ability to save the settings of each room in a memory bank. We hooked up an iPad to remote control the board through a network as well. These were the amazing features of the board for me. My issue was the sound.
The StudioLive 24 channel board I had was very digital sounding. The high end frequencies were very dithered. We also had to boost the overall high frequencies on the house EQ to compensate for the preamps. They had a somewhat muddy sound. This was very disappointing. The Mackie I was using previously was incredibly clear. I could run everything flat and the presence was amazing. Every instrument was well defined. I used the StudioLive for about 2 months and finally sold it. I couldn't handle the lack of clarity and the overall digital sound.
We bought a Soundcraft GB4 24 afterwards. To me it is everything I wanted. It isn't digital, but it has enough aux sends and the sound is superior to anything I have heard in the price range. Amazingly warm sound and crystal clear pres.
I wanted to love the StudioLive, but the sound just wasn't there for me. Maybe I got a bad unit, but I doubt that was the prblem. The features were fantistic, but I feel they sacrificed the sound and put the money into the built-in effects. I would have benn happy to spend more to get a better sounding board with the same features. Maybe digital isn't for me. The analog Soundcraft is perfect for my tastes.
Can't beat the built in features. You can basically get rid of all of your external effects.
Built well. Didn't sound as good as I expected.
Good price for what you get.
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
When I used the free ipad app to control the mixer remotely, my mind was officially blown. Sweet mixer for the money.
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
I got my sl-24 a week ago. Took it out of the box and looked it over for about an hour. Day two headed to the local club to give it a try-out. Using all factory presets, I had 7 channel of drums, bass, keys, two guitars, and 4 vocals up and running in 15 minutes and did very little adjustments to the presets, just a little EQ and compressor adjustment. this is a very eazy to use console everything is at your finger tips. I have been using other digital boards for a little over 2 years and never found one that I liked as i do an anolog until now. This is a digital console that i would recommend to anyone who has an interest in sound, if you are just begining out with no experience at all, making the switch from anolog, or even have years of experience with digital. here are the features of the sl-24 that i like,1. the fat channel is awesome compresser, gate eq all very easy to access and use, and on every channel every aux every output. 2. 10 aux sends 3. great factory presets. you dont have to set everything up from scratch(like i said i ran all night with just minor adjustments with factory presets)4.head amps are clean5. internal fx's are top notch parameters very easy to navigate.6. studio one software is great also, I haven't mixed down anything as of yet but it did record flawlessly7. great price for the quality put into this console.
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
Moved from analog to this and they don't even compare. Replaces our whole rack of effects and processing and gives a ton more control.Simple to explain even to volunteers so that they can use it, and makes great quick recordings of songs and services with the accompanying software.For rehearsals it is great too because you can hit record, do a run through, and then step out in the audience and play it back exactly like it will be heard, and then you can start soloing individuals and embarrassing them all to fix errors :)Very powerful and worth every penny when you consider what you would have to buy in accessories to match it.
Comments about PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 Digital Mixer:
I got this mixer about a 2 weeks ago, and am loving it. I have not used it live, but have made multiple excellent recordings with it, and the software that came with it.As far as the software goes, I highly recommend that everyone upgrade to studio one pro. With artist you cannot export as MP3, or burn a CD. The Fat Channel is the most revolutionary development in mixing since the mixer itself. You get a great 4 band parametric EQ on every channel, a compressor, along with a noise gate (very useful). I will be using it live within the month, but will need to get new speakers, because my previous mixer was powered, so I lack a power amp, and powered speakers. Presonus has made a big hype over the VirtualStuioLive software. I don't particularly like VSL, but I can see how it is useful. NOTE: This mixer DOES NOT have motorized faders. This doesn't really matter though, because if you change the volume in VSL, or load a preset, it does not matter where the faders are physically, as long as they are correct in processing.All in all, this is the best mixer I have ever used. Even as an audio interface, it would be worth the money. I don't care what anyone says about digital being lower sound quality, it sounds great. Buy it ASAP!
Displaying reviews 1-9
