PreSonus StudioLive 24R Series III Digital Mixer

A Powerful Digital Rack Mixer...

The Series III rack mixers are the result of nine years of development. The StudioLive 24R offers 24 programmable XMAX microphone preamps, 16 FlexMix buses that can be defined as aux sends, subgroups, or matrix, 4 fixed audio subgroups, 24 programmable DCA groups, the proven Fat Channel signal processing—now with new additional vintage EQ and compressor plugins—an Ethernet port, an AVB port with Ethercon connector, an integrated USB audio interface, a built-in SD card recorder, and a software suite worth 700 EUR. The StudioLive 24R is controlled via the "UC Surface" control software/app, which runs on Mac, PC, as well as iOS and Android devices.

...and a Perfect Partner for StudioLive Series III Mixers

Thanks to its AVB port, the StudioLive 24R can be easily connected to a Series III mixer via a CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet cable to serve as a practical 2U stage box. Preamps and phantom power are controlled and switched from the mixer. The StudioLive 24R can also be operated in "Monitor Mix" mode if needed. In this case, the FOH engineer handles only the main mix, while a second technician manages the monitor mixes for the musicians via the StudioLive 24R.

Versatile Connectivity

The front and rear panels of the StudioLive 24R are deliberately simple and clear but still provide all essential connections needed for work. Inputs 1 to 24 are on the front, and outputs are on the rear. Each of the 24 channels has a locking combo jack that accepts microphones (XLR) or line sources (balanced TRS jack). Additionally, there is a pair of RCA connectors on the rear for connecting a smartphone, media player, or other consumer audio devices. On the output side, besides the main XLR jacks (L/R) and the front headphone jack (6.35 mm stereo jack), the StudioLive 24R offers 12 balanced "mix" TRS jacks that can be defined as aux, subgroup, or matrix outputs.

Built-In SD Card Recorder/Player

The built-in SD card recorder is very practical. It allows recording the summed signal (Main L/R) or any other stereo mix in high resolution as a 24-bit/48 kHz WAV file. Conversely, the SD card recorder can be used as a playback device for break music. Future firmware updates can also be performed via SD card. The StudioLive 24R accepts SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB capacity. These cards must be formatted with FAT32 before use. It is advisable to use only quality cards with sufficient data throughput. Typical examples are "SanDisk Extreme" and "Samsung Pro."

Fat Channel Signal Processing

PreSonus' powerful digital mixer signal processing "Fat Channel" has been extensively revised, updated, and expanded with several vintage plugins, including compressors, limiters, and a passive EQ. These are carefully emulated classic hardware units that would cost thousands in physical form. Additionally, the StudioLive 24R offers a fully parametric 6-band EQ and programmable line delay on each of its 12 mix outputs.

All 24 inputs plus the RCA inputs, subgroups, mix outputs, and the sum can be simultaneously assigned to the Fat Channel, and if needed, doubly so: with the "A/B" button, alternative settings can be called up or switched instantly. For example: an acoustic guitarist with a classical guitar and a 12-string western guitar, one microphone, one input channel, and two soundchecks done—first with Fat Channel "A," then with Fat Channel "B." During the concert, the setting can be switched faster than the guitarist can change instruments. The same applies to drastically different snare or bass drum sounds that can be recalled per song or even within a song. This is also ideal for comparison purposes: suppose your soundcheck is done, it sounds pretty good, but with emphasis on "pretty." You might want to tweak the bass drum but don’t want to risk the entire soundcheck. Usually, there isn’t much time left. So just press the "A/B" button, choose a completely new approach—maybe more compression, more "kick"—and switch back and forth in real time. Compare and decide. Whatever sounds better gets used. Brilliant, right?

For input channels, the Fat Channel offers these functions: gain, pan pot, phase switch, high-pass filter, noise gate/expander with sidechain and key filter, fully parametric 4-band EQ, compressor, limiter, pan pot, line delay, aux send, aux mute, and aux pan.

Enormously time-saving and extremely useful as a starting point are the many professional Fat Channel presets for common signal types such as drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, brass and woodwinds, and vocals. You can also save your own Fat Channel settings in user presets with descriptive names. Presets can be conveniently auditioned during soundcheck before deciding. Fat Channel settings can be saved, recalled, and quickly copied from channel to channel. New are the fantastic-sounding additional vintage plugins (EQ, compressor, delay, and reverb).

Scenes and Presets—Flexible and Targeted Use

Besides saving a complete scene, the StudioLive 24R allows saving the Fat Channel setting individually as a user preset with a descriptive name. New is that aux sends and bus assignments are also saved—essentially the entire respective channel strip.

When saving scenes, the Series III now offers the "Scene Safe" function, allowing individual channels to be defined as "safe channels." These channels are unaffected by scene changes. Additionally, when recalling, you can precisely specify which settings to load and which not. The StudioLive 24R also offers a variety of professionally programmed Fat Channel factory presets, which can save you a lot of time.

FlexMix: Customizable Subgroups and Buses

The StudioLive 24R has 16 freely assignable signal buses (FlexMix), 12 of which have balanced analog outputs. These can be defined as aux, subgroup, or matrix as needed. Additionally, up to 24 filter DCA groups can be programmed, allowing all input channels of a previously created group to be remotely controlled simultaneously.

Choose Operating Mode

When using the StudioLive 24R as a stage box for a StudioLive Series III mixer, you can choose from four different operating modes:

• Stage Box
  The StudioLive 24R acts as a pure I/O unit for the FOH mixer. Gain control of the preamps, phantom power settings, and all mixes—both main and monitor—are handled on the FOH mixer. In this mode, the rack mixer’s DSP section is bypassed; the StudioLive 24R’s main output (L/R) carries the FOH mixer’s main signal, and the mix outputs come from the FOH mixer’s FlexMix buses 1-6.
• Monitor Mix
  In this mode, the StudioLive 24R retains full functionality regarding the DSP section and FlexMix buses with their mix outputs. The monitor mix is handled by the StudioLive 24R, not the FOH mixer. However, the main mix, gain settings, and phantom power remain controlled by the FOH mixer in this mode.
• Monitor Mix + Preamps
  This mode is like Monitor Mix mode but allows gain settings and phantom power to be adjusted from the StudioLive 24R as well.
• Off
  When "Off" is selected, the AVB connection between the StudioLive 24R and FOH mixer remains active in principle, but control is strictly separated per mixer.

In general: regardless of the chosen mode, presets and mixer scenes always affect only the respective mixer. This means saving or recalling a preset or scene on the FOH mixer does not save or load any settings of the rack mixer (and vice versa).

Multi-Platform Software

The StudioLive 24R comes with a comprehensive suite of software and apps free of charge. "UC Surface" controls the rack mixer via Mac, PC, iPad, or Android tablet, either wired or wirelessly with an optional Wi-Fi router. For wireless control, musicians can adjust their monitor mix themselves using the "QMix-UC" app—requiring only an iPhone, iPod touch, or Android smartphone. If you use the included DAW "Studio One 3 Artist," you can also adjust input channel gain directly within the DAW.

Another included component is "Capture," a dedicated recording software for Mac and PC. Capture is very easy to use, extremely CPU-efficient, and delivers high-resolution WAV files with sampling rates up to 48 kHz. Without complex configuration, you’re ready to record all 26 tracks (input channels plus the sum) with just one click.

Network, AVB, and USB

The StudioLive 24R has an AVB port with a locking Ethercon connector on the rear to connect a Series III mixer, the AVB switch "SW5E," or an AVB-capable computer. The integrated AVB audio interface allows streaming up to 55 audio channels to and from a Mac or Windows computer. Macs with current operating systems already support AVB audio. Windows computers require an AVB network card and third-party drivers. Alternatively, you can use the integrated USB audio interface. The separate 1GB Ethernet port enables wired or wireless (with optional Wi-Fi router) control of the rack mixer from Mac, PC, iOS, or Android devices.

Superior Sound Quality

The StudioLive 24R uses PreSonus’ own ultra-low-noise XMAX preamps, based on three principles:

1. High Voltage – XMAX preamps operate with a 30-volt supply. Standard op-amps usually run at only 10 to 18 volts. The higher voltage results in more headroom, richer bass, silky highs, and an overall fuller sound.
2. Discretely Built – XMAX preamps use no operational amplifiers (op-amps), only transistors, resistors, and capacitors. Op-amps often cause signal coloration, noise, and a "harsh" sound. Discretely built amps are ultra-low noise and impress with transparent sound.
3. Class-A Circuit – In Class-A mode, the circuit is always in a conducting state with optimal voltage supply. This avoids crossover distortion and results in a cleaner, more musical sound than op-amps operating in conventional Class-B or Class A/B modes.

Studio One 3 Artist and "Studio Magic" Plugin Suite—Free!

A great added value is the free bundle you can download after registering the StudioLive 24R on your PreSonus account: Studio One 3 Artist, the world-class DAW with an intuitive, fast workflow, costs 109 EUR alone and includes 1.5 GB of samples and loops. The highlight is the "Studio Magic" plugin suite! You also get specially unlocked VST plugins for the "Artist" edition worth over 600 EUR: Maag Audio EQ2, Eventide H910, Eventide Stereo Room, and Brainworx bx-opto—plus freeware SPL Attacker, Lexicon MPX-i Reverb, and the VST instrument Arturia Analog Lab Lite with 17 legendary keyboards and 500 editable presets.