PreSonus has announced an upcoming firmware upgrade for all StudioLive AI-series Active Integration digital mixers, which will see the first digital mixing solution that provides up to 64-channels, multitrack recording, networked remote control, and more for under $8,000 U.S.

PreSonus StudioLive AI cascading

Start with 16, 24, or 32 channels, then cascade a second mixer of any frame size to create custom-sized mixing consoles with all the hardware and software advantages of StudioLive™ Active Integration™ systems.

Cascading mixers functionally creates a single large-format console with full recording and remote-control capability by simply connecting a FireWire 800 cable between the two mixers. For example, combine two StudioLive 32.4.2AI to get a 64-channel system with 32 mix buses that can record 80 simultaneous streams and play back 66 on any FireWire 800- or Thunderbolt-equipped computer.

Cascading mixers of different frame sizes is great for special events that require a few extra recording channels that don’t need to be in every monitor mix. For example, a StudioLive 16.4.2AI can be cascaded to a 32.4.2AI and form a single 48-channel console with 6 global aux buses, as well as 8 local aux sends that are available to the channels on the 32.4.2AI.

This firmware upgrade is part of PreSonus’ continuing series of free updates to its StudioLive-series mixers and will be available to all registered StudioLive AI mixers owners as a free download from their My PreSonus accounts later this summer. It follows hard on the heels of a firmware update that enables StudioLive AI mixers to directly download future firmware updates over any network with Internet access.

The update does not change the computer system requirements for StudioLive AI mixers and software. Current versions of Capture™ 2.1, SL Remote-AI, QMix™-AI, and VSL-AI are fully compatible with this firmware release.

More information: PreSonus / StudioLive AI