A full-featured audio interface.

The StudioLive AR8c audio interface operates at up to 96 kHz for high-definition mixing and recording. Record each of the six inputs, plus the main mix, for even more flexible recording options. Play back up to four streams for monitoring previously recorded tracks—plus sound effects, loopback audio, and more. Four lauded XMAX mic preamps provide all the gain you need to capture even the most subtle details without adding any extra noise. The analog mixer front-end makes connecting your gear to your computer intuitive. With a USB-C compatible connection, your StudioLive AR8c is ready to use as an audio interface for nearly any computer.

The channel that does it all… even Bluetooth connectivity!

The unique Super Channel can handle four stereo sources at once and makes it easy to integrate consumer devices into your studio workflow. Connect a turntable to the RCA inputs, use the ⅛-inch stereo input to plug in your smartphone, or forget the cable and connect it via Bluetooth wireless technology. You can also toggle between a stereo playback stream from your computer and playback from the onboard SD recorder, making it simple to add bumpers and sound effects to your podcast in real-time, or practice along with your favorite recordings.

The all-in-one recording package.

The StudioLive AR8c audio interface and analog mixer is tightly integrated with state-of-the-art recording software to help you achieve your creative vision. Create multitrack recordings for your podcast or band with one click thanks to PreSonus’ Capture™ live recording software. Capture is designed to make recording easy. Create complete studio productions with our award-winning Studio One® Artist DAW to add effects, bumpers, and more. With two professional recording applications included with your StudioLive AR8c, you’re ready to record right out of the box whether you’re creating a podcast, live streaming your performance, or recording your first EP.

Record whenever and wherever you want.

Whether you’re recording a mobile interview for your podcast or you’re in the middle of a songwriting session and want to capture your ideas as quickly as they come to you, the StudioLive AR8c’s stereo SD recorder has you covered. Insert any SD/SDHC card and you’re ready to record your main mix, so you can simplify your recording process whenever you want. Doing mobile interviews for your podcast? Leave the computer at home and record straight to SD.

Effects without latency

Monitoring with reverb and delay helps to create better recordings. Any vocalist or guitarist will tell you that a little reverb makes them feel more at ease while performing. The StudioLive AR8c mixer’s onboard effects processor lets you add high-quality reverb, delay, or chorus to any channel for a professional monitor mix. Like what you hear in your headphones? Record the Main Mix and capture the effects mix, too—with or without the dry channels—to blend with your multitrack recording. Experiment in post-production to your heart’s content.

All the connections you need with a familiar look.

Packed with all the connections and controls needed to mix and record podcasts, live streams, and music productions, the StudioLive AR8c is the ultimate recording solution. The two mono channels and two stereo channels include a musical three-band EQ, plus one of PreSonus’ famed XMAX high-gain mic preamps. The USB-C compatible connector ensures your StudioLive AR8c audio interface will be the center of your studio for years to come. With high-resolution 96 kHz recording, a full complement of connections, and an instantly familiar workflow, the StudioLive AR8c is the perfect recording and mixing solution for the modern musician and content creator.

Make your own magic.

At PreSonus, we want to make sure that our audio interfaces come with everything you need to craft your own mesmerizing spells in the studio. That’s why we include Studio One Artist with every audio interface product we make. But here in Louisiana, we have a word: lagniappe. It means “a little something extra,” and it’s in that spirit that we also include the Studio Magic Suite of software with our audio interface products.

The 2020 Studio Magic is a major step up from the 2019 edition, and includes Ableton Live Lite, tutorials from Melodics, 6 virtual instruments, and 9 effects plug-ins in VST, AU, and AAX formats… all unlocked for use inside Studio One Artist with a retail value of over $1000 (US).

Recording

• 8×4 24-bit/96 kHz, USB 2.0 (over USB-C™ connection) audio recording interface
  • Record every channel plus the main mix
• 2×2 SD recorder to capture the main mix
  • Supports SD™ and SDHD™ formats up to 32 GB

Mixing

• 8-channel analog mixer
• 4 balanced microphone inputs with XMAX mic preamps
• 2 instrument/line inputs
• 6 balanced line level inputs:
  • 2 mono
  • 2 stereo pairs
• Stereo Super Channel (Ch. 13/14) with Bluetooth 5.0 input, RCA inputs, 1/8-inch stereo input, and switchable SD/USB stereo playback
• 2 mono and 2 stereo channels, each with level knob, pan, mute, PFL solo, highpass filter, and 3-band semi-parametric EQ
• 1 monitor buses with dedicated channel sends, AFL solo, and balanced TRS output
• L/R Control Room outputs with level control
• Headphone output with level control

Signal Processing

• Highpass filter on every channel
• 3-band semi-parametric EQ on every channel
• Stereo effects processor with 16 presets, dedicated send and return, and bypass footswitch jack
• Mic/line boost on stereo channels for low-level input sources and consumer devices

Included Software

• Capture™ live multitrack recording software
• Studio One ® Artist recording and production software (DAW)
• Studio Magic plug-in suite

Power

• Internal power supply
• Standard IEC power connector

Physical

• Sturdy metal construction
• Optional rackmount kit

Mac

• macOS® 10.11 or higher (64-bit only)
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor (Intel Core i3 or faster recommended)

Windows

• Windows® 7 x64 SP1 + platform update, Windows 8.1 x64, Windows 10 x64
• Intel Core 2 Duo (Intel Core i3 or faster recommended)

Mac and Windows Systems

• 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
• 30 GB hard-drive space (Studio One)
• Internal or external 7200 RPM storage drive highly recommended
• Monitor with 1366×768 resolution (high-dpi monitor recommended)

The minimum system requirements may differ for DAWs other than Studio One®. Please check the requirements for your DAW of choice with its manufacturer.

Note that the speed of your processor, amount of RAM and size and speed of your hard drive will greatly affect the overall performance of your recording system. Also, a more powerful system (faster processor with more RAM) will allow for lower latency (signal delay) than you might experience while monitoring audio signals.

As a commitment to constant improvement, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc., reserves the right to change any specification stated herein, at any time, without notification.​​

Microphone Preamp
Type	XLR Female, Class A XMAX
Maximum Input level (unity gain)	+9 dBu ±1.0 dB
Gain Control Range	43 dB (+12 to +55 dB)
Frequency Response to Analog Outputs	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Frequency Response to USB (Direct)	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/- 1.5 dB
S/N Ratio to Outputs (+4 dBu)	94 dB
THD+N (min. gain, A-wtd)	< 0.01%
Input Impedance	1 kΩ
EIN (+55 dB gain, 150Ω input, 20 Hz-22 kHz, A-wtd)	Mono Channels: < 128 dBu
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1 kHz, +55 dB gain)	65 dB
Phantom Power	+48V, ±3V, Global
Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp

Instrument Inputs
Type	¼” TS Female, Unbalanced, Hi-Z
Maximum Input Level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N)	+9 dBu ±1.0 dB
Gain Control Range	43 dB, ±1 dB (+12 to +55 dB)
Frequency Response to Analog Outputs	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Frequency Response to USB (Direct)	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Dynamic Range (min. gain, A-wtd)	> 105 dB
Dynamic Range (mid. Gain, unwtd)	> 108 dB
THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, A-wtd)	< 0.01%
THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd)	< 0.01%
Input Impedance	> 1 MΩ
Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp

Line Inputs
Type	¼” TRS Female, Balanced
Maximum Input Level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N)	+26 dBu ±1.0 dB
Gain Control Range	Mono Channels: 40 dB, ±1 dB (-5 to +35 dB)   Stereo Channels: 0 dB or +10 dB (+10 dB Boost)
Frequency Response to Analog Outputs	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Frequency Response to USB (Direct)	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
S/N Ratio to Analog Outputs (+4 dBu)	85 dB
THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, A-wtd)	< 0.01%
Input Impedance (Balanced)	10 kΩ
Note: All Channel Inputs sum through Mic preamp

Main, Control Room, Monitor, and FX Outputs
Type (Main Outputs)	XLR Male, Impedance Balanced
Type (Control Room, Monitor, FX Outputs)	¼” TRS Female, Balanced
Rated Output Level (Main Outputs)	+24 dBu, ±1.0 dB
Rated Outputs Level (Control Room, Monitor, FX Outputs)	+18 dBu
Frequency Response	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Dynamic Range (A-wtd)	> 108 dB
THD+N (Bandwidth 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd)	< 0.01%
Output Impedance	100 Ω

Headphone Output
Type	¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced
Maximum Output Level	150 mW/channel @ 60 Ω
Frequency Response	20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB
Dynamic Range (A-wtd)	> 103 dB
THD+N (Bandwidth 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -1 dBFS, unwtd)	< 0.01%

System Crosstalk
Input to Output (Ref = +4dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unwtd)	-90 dBu
Adjacent Channels (Ref = +4 dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unwtd)	-85 dBu

Signal Level LED
Signal	-30 dBFS (pre-EQ)
Clip	-3.0 dB before clip (pre- or post-EQ)

Channel EQ
Low Cut	100 Hz, -18 dB/Octave
High Shelving	±15 dB @ 10 kHz
Mid Peaking (Mono Channels)	±15 dB @ 140 Hz to 3.5 kHz (variable)
Mid Peaking (Stereo Channels)	±15 dB @ 2.5 kHz
Mid-Band Q	Boost: 1.0, Cut: 2.5
Low Shelving	±15 dB @ 100 Hz

Digital Audio
Host Interface	USB 2.0
ADC Dynamic Range (Component)	114 dB
ADC Dynamic Range (Measured: A-wtd, 48 kHz)	105 dB
DAC Dynamic Range (Component)	114 dB
DAC Dynamic Range (Measured: A-wtd, 48 kHz)	105 dB
Signal-to-Noise (a-weighted)	-96 dB
Bit Depth	24-bit
Internally Supported Sample Rates	44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Jitter	< 80 ps RMS (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Jitter Attenuation	> 60 dB (1 ns in => 1 ps out)

SD Recorder
Supported Media Format	FAT16 formatted SD™ card, FAT32 formatted SDHC™ card
Media Storage Capacity	SD card: 2 GB; SDHC card: 32 GB
Recording File Format	Stereo WAV
Playback File Formats	Stereo WAV, MP3 (96-320 kbs, 32 / 44.1 / 48 kHz)
Sampling Rate (WAV)	44.1 kHz
Bit Depth	Recording: 24-bit   Playback: 16- or 24-bit

Power/Environmental
Connector	IEC
Input Voltage Range	90 to 240 VAC
Recommended Ambient Operating Temperature	0˚ to 40˚ Celsius / 32˚ to 104˚ Fahrenheit