PreSonus

ManualsBrandsPresonus ManualsAnalogue Mixing Desks8-Channel Analogue Mixer with USB Audio Interface

he new AR8c is the

smallest and most

affordable entry into

PreSonus’s

highly-regarded line

of StudioLive mixers.

Pitched as a do-it-all

device for small-scale live

performance, studio use and

podcasters, the AR8c combines an

eight-track analogue mixer with a

USB-C audio interface, onboard

recorder and built-in effects.

On the mixer side of things, the

AR8c’s ﬁ rst four channels are each

equipped with one of Presonus’

quality XMAX high-gain preamps.

Alongside the mic inputs, channels

1 and 2 each feature a switchable

mono line/instrument input, while

tracks 3/4 and 5/6 feature stereo

line ins. The two mono channels

feature a switchable low-cut ﬁ lter,

while the stereo channels replace

this with a +10dB input boost.

Beyond this, each of these four

channels is identical, featuring a

three-band EQ, aux and internal

effect sends, mute and pre-fader

listen, pan and a level rotary. The

use of a rotary here rather than

faders is probably the most

noticeable compromise the

small-footprint AR8c makes

compared to its larger counterparts.

Having faders to control track levels

undeniably makes for a nicer

experience, but the controls are

well-sized and robust, so it’s a

compromise most users are likely to

be happy living with.

As with its larger AR

counterparts, the 8c’s trump card is

its ﬁ nal, multi-functional mixer

channel – channel 7/8, in this case.

This combines both analogue and

digital inputs, with stereo RCA and

minijack inputs along with the

ability to stream stereo audio from

the USB connection, SD card port

or wirelessly via Bluetooth. Having

this ﬂ exibility really adds to the

appeal; for studio users, it’s a nice

solution for sampling and mixing

from varied sources, including

YouTube or iOS apps. The trade-off

for extra input options is that this

channel lacks the EQ and internal

effect send that others have.

On the audio interface front, the

AR8c can stream each of its

individual channels, plus master

mix, via USB. It also allows for two

stereo digital returns, which can be

routed to channels 5/6 or 7/8 on

Having individual FX and Aux

outputs does make it easy to use

external processors though, as well

as create sub-mixes for monitoring.

It’s not altogether perfect then,

but if you can live without faders

and tolerate the middle-of-the-road

effects, there’s a lot of ﬂ exibility

here in a conveniently small and

affordable package.

the mixer. The mixer comes

complete with PreSonus Studio

One Artist, Ableton Live Lite, and a

suite of mostly ‘lite’ plugins from

the likes of Arturia, iZotope and

Brainworx. It also comes with its

own audio recording application,

Capture, which offers

straightforward recording without

the bells and whistles (or

complexity) of a DAW.

Back on the hardware, the

built-in recorder can capture the

main stereo mix directly to SD card,

which is handy for recording ideas,

rehearsals or broadcasts on the go.

The ﬁ nal element is onboard

effects. These offer 16 presets

ranging from reverbs to chorus and

several delay types. There’s no real

customisation of these – reverb/

delay times and feedback levels are

ﬁ xed, and a little limited in use.

Some form of onboard compression

would have been a nice touch too.

THE PROS & CONS

Excellent mix of

analogue and

digital inputs

Easy-to-use

onboard recorder

Sturdily built with

high sound quality

No faders

Effects are nothing

to write home about

FM VERDICT

8.1

Despite a few compromises,

the AR8c crams a lot of

ﬂ exibility into a neat, well-

designed mixer