PreSonus StudioLive 32.4.2AI

Overview

The PreSonus® StudioLive™ 32.4.2AI is a 32-channel digital mixer engineered for live events, studio recording, and corporate, institutional, and other installations. It combines advanced DSP processing and networkability for comprehensive audio control.

PreSonus Active Integration

This technology utilizes the Texas Instruments OMAP-L138 processor, a 32-bit, up to 96 kHz unit operating at 456 MHz, featuring integrated USB 2.0 and 100 Mb Ethernet connections. AI products allow direct, wireless remote control via iOS devices and OS X/Windows computers when connected to the same wireless router network. The mixer's Linux kernel supports an included USB wireless module and an Ethernet connection for direct LAN access. The DSP enables extensive dynamics and effects processing, offering capabilities such as 54 highpass filters, 60 noise gates, 60 compressors, 60 4-band parametric EQs, 60 limiters, 16 graphic EQs, 2 reverbs, and 2 delays simultaneously.

Channel Input Features

Each channel includes an XLR mic input with a high-headroom Class A XMAX™ mic preamp, individually switched 48V phantom power, a 1/4" balanced line input, and an insert point. Channel, subgroup, and main levels are controlled by 100 mm faders.

Buses, Scenes, and Graphic EQ

The StudioLive 32.4.2AI features 14 aux buses, 4 subgroups, and a talkback section with a Class A XMAX™ preamp. It provides extensive LED metering, mixer scene save and recall functionality, and eight Quick Scene buttons for direct scene recall from the mixing surface. Channel-strip save, recall, copy, and paste functions are also included. Sixteen 31-band graphic EQs (eight dual-mono) are available and can be assigned in pairs to subgroups, aux sends, and the Main output bus.

Networking and Communications

The mixer includes an option slot equipped with a 48x34 FireWire recording/playback interface and two FireWire S800 (IEEE 1394b) ports, which also allow pass-through for connecting external drives. An included Ethernet port on the option-slot card enables hardwired networking to desktop or laptop computers. Wireless networking is supported via the mixer's top-panel USB 2.0 control port with an included Wi-Fi LAN adapter connected to a wireless router.

Key Features and Specifications

• 32 mic/line channel inputs with 100 mm faders, insert sends/returns, and direct outputs.
• 33 Class A XMAX™ solid-state mic preamplifiers (32 channels + talkback).
• 4 subgroups and 14 auxiliary buses.
• 4 stereo effects processors (2 reverbs, 2 delays).
• Fat Channel processing on all channels and buses: highpass filter, 4-band parametric EQ, compressor, gate, and limiter.
• Two sets of Fat Channel EQ and dynamics settings with A/B comparison.
• Wireless and wired networking via Ethernet and USB 2.0 Wi-Fi LAN adapter.
• Optional I/O cards available (e.g., Thunderbolt, Dante).
• 48-in/34-out FireWire S800 recording interface (24-bit/44.1 kHz and 48 kHz).
• Scene and individual settings store and recall, including 8 Quick Scenes.
• Eight dual-mono, 31-band graphic EQs.
• Bundled software includes Studio One® Artist DAW, Capture™ recording software, and Virtual StudioLive™-AI control software.
• Free StudioLive™ Remote-AI iPad® control software and QMix™-AI iPhone/iPod® touch aux-control software.

Bundled Software

• Capture™ 2 Multitrack Recording: Offers one-click recording, up to 32-bit/96 kHz, prerecord functionality, auto-save, session recovery, and essential editing tools.
• Virtual StudioLive-AI Remote Control: Provides comprehensive remote control of mixer functions, including drag-and-drop workflow for presets and scenes, Fat Channel adjustments, and integration with Smaart audio analysis.
• Studio One® Artist DAW: An elegant single-window workstation for audio and MIDI production, featuring powerful drag-and-drop functionality, unlimited tracks, and 25 Native Effects™ plug-ins.
• StudioLive Remote-AI: Enables wireless control of any StudioLive 32.4.2AI mixer from an iPad, displaying levels, EQ curves, and Fat Channel processing for multiple channels.
• QMix™-AI: Allows wireless control of aux mixes from an iPhone or iPod touch, enabling musicians to adjust their personal monitor mixes.

Processing: Fat Channel and Effects

The Fat Channel™ provides a 4-band fully parametric EQ with switchable shelving, individual band on/off switches, and global EQ on/off. It also includes a full-featured compressor, a limiter with variable threshold, and an expander/gate with Key Listen and Key Filter. Two sets of EQ and dynamics settings can be saved and A/B compared. The mixer features four stereo, 32-bit floating-point effects processors (two for delay, two for reverb) with a library of factory presets and user-editable locations.

Audio Outputs

Main outputs are available via balanced XLR and 1/4" jacks, plus a full-range XLR Mono output. Subgroup, Aux Send, and Control Room outputs are balanced 1/4" jacks. Stereo Aux returns are also balanced 1/4". Tape sends and returns use RCA jacks. Pre-insert, analog direct outputs are provided on DB25 connectors. A stereo coaxial S/PDIF digital output is included.

Metering

The mixer features main metering with 15-segment LED meters for Main bus (L/R) and subgroups. Multipurpose metering in the Fat Channel section displays input levels, gain reduction, aux send output volume, and graphic EQ band gain levels. A horizontal LED Pan meter indicates pan position.

Smaart Measurement Technology

Integrated into Virtual StudioLive-AI, Smaart provides advanced audio analysis tools. The Smaart Room Analysis Wizard, Smaart System Delay Wizard, and Smaart Output Check Wizard assist in system setup, frequency response analysis, and delay time calculation. These tools can be controlled remotely via an iPad.

Block Diagram Description

The block diagram illustrates the internal signal flow of the StudioLive 32.4.2AI. It details how input signals from microphones and line sources are processed through the analog-to-digital converters, routed through the digital core including the Fat Channel, effects processors, and buses (subgroups, aux sends, main mix), and then sent to the digital-to-analog converters for output. It also shows the VSL-AI Aux Inputs Router, indicating the flexibility in routing auxiliary signals.

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions: 802.20 mm (31.583 in) width, 568.06 mm (22.364 in) depth, 181.67 mm (7.152 in) height.
• Weight: 50 lbs, 0 oz (22.68 kg).
• Construction: Steel chassis with aluminum armrest.
• Power: 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 200W, standard IEC connector. Includes a 12 VDC, BNC lamp socket.

Resources

For more information, CAD drawings, and A&E specifications, visit www.presonus.com/support/downloads/StudioLive-32.4.2AI.