StudioLive AR12c

Audio recording made easy.

Don't let the classic analog mixer design fool you - the StudioLive® AR12c was built to record. With a pristine analog front-end, eight high-gain XMAX mic preamps, and a 14x4, 24-bit, 96 kHz, USB-C-compatible USB 2.0 audio interface, its hybrid design makes it simple to record studio productions and mix live shows from a single, intuitive console. Add in a musical three-band analog EQ, mic / line boost for low-level vintage synths and broadcast microphones, all-new digital effects with rich reverbs and lush delays, Bluetooth connectivity, and a stereo SD recorder, and you have a mixing and recording powerhouse that fulfills the needs of both modern musicians and content creators.

Recording

• 14x4 24-bit/96 kHz, USB 2.0 (over USB-C connection) audio recording interface
  • Record every channel plus the main mix
• 2x2 SD recorder to capture the main mix
  • Supports SD™ and SDHD™ formats up to 32 GB

Mixing

• 14-channel analog mixer
• 8 balanced microphone inputs with XMAX mic preamps
• 2 insert points
• 2 instrument/line inputs
• 12 balanced line level inputs:
  • 4 mono
  • 4 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
• 4 mono and 4 stereo channels, each with level knob, pan, mute, PFL solo, highpass filter, and 3-band semi-parametric EQ
• 2 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 quasi-parametric EQ with sweepable mid-band on each mono channel
• 3-band semi-parametric EQ on each stereo 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 Software Suite

Power

• Internal power supply
• Standard IEC power connector

Physical

• Sturdy metal construction
• 60 mm faders
• Optional rackmount kit

Computer system requirements:
Below are the minimum computer-system requirements for StudioLive AR12c.

macOS®
macOS version 10.13 or later
200 MB storage space and 8 GB RAM for Universal Control (required for firmware updates)
Available USB port
Windows®
Windows 10 or later (64-Bit Only)
200 MB storage space and 8 GB RAM for Universal Control (required for firmware updates and low-latency ASIO support)
Available USB port
The above are the hardware system requirements for this product.
DAW software and Operating System requirements vary.

Click here for Studio One’s system requirements.
VST Compatible Logo ASIO Compatible Logo

VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
USB-C® is a registered trademark of USB Implementers Forum
All other trademarks are property of their respective holders
Technical Specifications
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 k?
EIN (+55 dB gain, 150? 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
Instrument Inputs
Type ¼” TS Female, Unbalanced, Hi-Z
Maximum Input Level (min. Gain, 1 [email protected]% 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 M?
Line Inputs
Type ¼” TRS Female, Balanced
Maximum Input Level (min. Gain, 1 [email protected]% 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 k?
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 ?
Headphone Output
Type ¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced
Maximum Output Level 150 mW / channel @ 60 ?
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
Physical
Height 3.5” (89 mm)
Width (Chassis only) 15" (381 mm)
Depth 15.6” (397 mm)
Weight 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg)
As a commitment to constant improvement, PreSonus ® Audio Electronics, Inc., reserves the right to change any specification stated herein, at any time, without notification.