PreSonus StudioLive AR8 USB Mixer Review

Do you need an easy USB plug and play mixer for your radio station, podcast, or music rig? Then the PreSonus StudioLive AR8 mixing desk might be right for you.

PreSonus StudioLive AR8: Is It Any Good?

Buy the PreSonus StudioLive AR8 USB Mixer on Amazon USA or Amazon UK.

The StudioLive AR8 is a hybrid mixer, so you get the best of both worlds with analog controls and a digital interface to manage your audio.

Altogether this has 8 channels with preamp and mono connections for things like condenser/dynamic microphones and musical instruments, so you can use it for your talk radio shows or music sessions.

Connecting Your Phone via Bluetooth

The cool thing about this mixer is its Bluetooth functionality, just connect and play audio from any smart device like your iPhone, Android phone, or tablet like an iPad. Plus, you can manage audio from your phone on a dedicated channel.

As audio is pulled into one of the channels it’s easier to manage. Control the volume, balance, and send it all to the SD card if you’re playing music or talking to a guest.

Recording to an SD Card

Not near a computer or laptop to hook up your mixer? With the PreSonus StudioLive AR8 you can use the built-in stereo SD recorder that lets you record the main mix without having to go through a computer.

It’s perfect if you don’t have a laptop on hand and need to record audio. Just plug in your gear, hit record, and go! Alternatively, play audio off an SD card which works well as background music for when you’re talking during your shows or in between live sets.

Standard Mixer Features

Like most mixers, the AR8 has a bunch of standard features, such as EQ level settings, audio balancers, and a phantom power option for equipment like condenser microphones.

Some other standout features include:

• Saving channel presets for quicker management.
• Adjustable low pass frequency settings on every channel (so it doesn’t pickup far away noises).
• Digital effects to liven up your shows.

As the name suggests, this has a USB connection so it’s simple to hook up to your computer or laptop. Alternatively, you can just record on an SD card if you’ve forgotten a cable or don’t have a computer nearby.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is a fantastic compact mixer with a lot on offer. You can hook up all your equipment, play music off your phone, select preset controls for your channels, and save everything to an SD card without having to go through a computer.

Definitely check this out if you’re doing radio shows, podcasts, or even live music sets. What do you think of the StudioLive AR8? Let us know in the comments. If you have any questions about this mixer then be sure to contact us at studio@radio.co.