You've heard the buzz, no doubt from us at least, about the new 24-channel PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 mixer and now it's here. PreSonus has announced that the new StudioLive is officially shipping with an expected Street price of $3,299.

The StudioLive 24.4.2 offers the same user interface as its predecessor, the StudioLive 16.4.2, and adds 8 additional channels (24 channels in all), extensive I/O, and a number of enhanced features. Each input features a trim pot, XLR mic input with XMAX mic preamp, 1/4-inch TRS balanced line inputs, and unbalanced insert points. The unit has 4 subgroup outputs and 10 aux buses instead of the 16.4.2's 6 buses.

Each input features a trim pot, XLR mic input with XMAX mic preamp, 1/4-inch TRS balanced line inputs, and unbalanced insert points. The digital mixer can serve as dual-port FireWire audio interface that can route all channels and buses to and from a computer and going further, the 24.4.2 can send 32 channels to the computer and can return 26 channels via FireWire. It works with any ASIO- or Core Audio-compliant audio application and is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X, including Windows 7 and Snow Leopard.

Its Fat Channel provides extensive metering, as well as the programming interface for the EQ, dynamics processing, highpass filter, and signal routing. In addition, the Fat Channel provides a 4-band fully parametric EQ and an upgraded gate / expander with Key Filter and Key Listen features. The unit has a 31-band graphic EQ with 4 stereo, 31-band graphic EQs available to the main, subgroup, and aux outputs. The graphic EQ's settings can be stored and recalled individually or as part of a mix scene.

What's more, the StudioLive 24.4.2 boasts two stereo 32-bit effects processors, stereo tape sends and returns, a talkback section, stereo S/PDIF digital output, high-headroom, and 24-bit, 48 kHz digital converters with a 118 dB dynamic range.

According to PreSonus, latency is so low that you can use your host program and plugins with the StudioLive in real-time for live performances. As an additional plus, the StudioLive comes bundled with PreSonus Capture 1.1 (Mac / Win) recording software, as well as PreSonus Studio One Artist (Mac / Win) digital audio workstation software for Mac and Windows, which features unlimited track count, a full complement of PreSonus Native Effects plugins, and more than 4 GB of third-party resources.

The StudioLive 24.4.2 mixer is now available. For more information, please visit the PreSonus Web site.