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Which PreSonus StudioLive mixer should I buy: the SE16 or AR8c?

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Answered by Roadie

The PreSonus StudioLive AR8c is the lower-cost choice if you want a USB-C mixer; the StudioLive SE16 is worth investigating if you need a digital mixer. Choose around your connections and workflow, rather than assuming the dearer option is the better fit.

The PreSonus StudioLive AR8c USB-C Mixer has a supplied best new price of £342, compared with £1,663 for the StudioLive SE16 Digital Mixer. That makes the AR8c the more accessible starting point, provided it covers your needs.

The SE16 is identified as a digital mixer, but the supplied details don’t establish its processing, routing or recording capabilities. Likewise, USB-C in the AR8c’s name doesn’t tell us how many audio channels it can send to a computer.

Before buying either, count the sources you need to connect at once, check your monitor-output requirements and confirm any computer-recording needs against the full specifications. That’s a safer buying guide than the brand badge or price alone.

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This answer is based on MyGear's own catalogue, price and list data on these pages:

  1. PreSonus PreSonus StudioLive SE16 Digital Mixer — prices and offers
  2. PreSonus PreSonus StudioLive AR8c USB-C Mixer — prices and offers

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