digital mixer

Presonus StudioLive, some smaart features on the way

The StudioLive story keeps getting better and better. You may remember back in October 2011, when Universal Control 1.5.2 was released, it was like Christmas had definitely come early. Not only did this release mean that all new StudioLive 16.4.2 console would have a separate 31-band graphic EQ on every aux, but it also meant that existing StudioLive 16.4.2 owners were able to grab a free download to add those SIX additional 31-band GEQ to their already hard-working consoles.

Anyway, that's old news. But since then plenty has been happening around Baton Rouge, with the Presonus boffins cramming even more features into the entire StudioLive series. Have you gotten a hold of remote mixing yet for your StudioLive?

Up to 10 performers can "simultaneously control their StudioLive monitor mixes using an iPhone® or iPod touch® and PreSonus' free QMix™ app. QMix works a lot like SL Remote: One or more iPhones network wirelessly with a Mac® or PC, enabling QMix to remote-control Virtual StudioLive, which in turn controls one or more FireWire-connected StudioLive mixers. When each iPhone connects to the new network, its copy of QMix will discover all StudioLive mixers on the network. In this way, each musician can quickly and easily create an aux mix that includes all mixer channels."

QMix allows the engineer set permissions so that each iPhone on the network only controls a specified mix. So a performer packing an iPhone needs to bring up the 'Wheel of Me', and in landscape mode can set up the mix (control of aux-mix send level and pan position for each channel and aux), then rotate to portrait mode for the very easy to use Wheel of Me. Push the wheel up for more of you. What could be easier! Seach 'QMix' in the App Store, and it's easy to grab the free download from there.

NOW... onto what this article was originally going to be all about. Presonus StudioLive and SMAART.
According to this press release, published way back when QMix and the Wheel of Me were announced, Presonus has started having a play with Smaart for the next release of Universal Control (1.6). What does this mean? If you're unsure of what Smaart is all about, check it here. It means that when Universal Control 1.6 gets announced, not only will we have more 31-band EQs on board the StudioLive 16.4.2 or 24.4.2 than you could ever fit in your car's boot, but we'll now have some serious room analysis tools on board all StudioLive consoles. Every show you rock up to, you'll be able to 'Smaart the room', set up your EQ for the room accurately, ensure the stage monitors are primed for feedbackless performance, and away you go.

And now for the million dollar question (even though this will be yet another free upgrade) - WHEN?

The Presonus website is showing latest Universal Control build to be 1.5.3.1 so we're waiting with baited breath for 'the announcement'. We'll keep you posted!

In the meantime, have you checked our latest specials on StudioLive mixing consoles?

Presonus StudioLive: go harder with Universal Control 1.5.2

Presonus, you've done it again. Not content with a simple software nip, tuck and tidy up to cater for Mac OS X® 10.7  (Lion), this latest version of Universal Control is a big plus for current (or future) StudioLive users.

First of all, straight to the big one - for anyone who's been wanting more graphic EQ for their StudioLive 16.4.2 you've now got it. In fact, how does six of them sound! Here's the extended blurb via Presonus website:

"StudioLive 16.4.2 mixer owners can now take advantage of six 31-band graphic EQs that are dedicated to the aux buses, variable (2 to 500 ms) output delays on each subgroup, and Aux Flip mode, which lets you include the Tape input, Main FireWire return, Aux A input Aux B input, FXA bus, and FXB bus in Aux mixes 1 through 6.

And just so no-one is feeling left out, StudioLive 16.0.2 owners have also been shown the love here, with "added compatability for PreSonus StudioLive Remote control software for Apple iPad® - a much-requested feature. With this update, StudioLive 16.0.2 owners can choose to record channels 1 through 16, as before, or can record channels 1 through 14 and the L/R main bus. Thus, you can use the StudioLive 16.0.2 to mix down previously recorded tracks and record the stereo mix to PreSonus Capture™ or to a DAW (including PreSonus Studio One™)"

It's a free download, so do it now! Here's the link to the Presonus press release page, which contains the download (down the bottom), and a bit more info. We've already updated our store demo consoles, and it's definitely exciting times ahead.