PreSonus StudioLive 64SFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment31%
PROS 31%
CONS 69%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want tight Studio One / DAW integration for studio recording
  • You need 32+ built-in XLR inputs without extra stage boxes
  • You value simultaneous USB and SD card multitrack recording

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need rock-solid reliability for high-stakes live shows
  • You require flexible inserts, Dante/Madi expansion, or an open scene/cue system
  • You depend on USB-C connectivity or higher sample rate recording

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
PreSonus StudioLive 64S
32 built-in XLR inputsFlexible stage box / rack mixer optionsStrong DAW integrationBoard freezes and crashesNo insert points, limited routingMissing expansion cards and protocols
PreSonus StudioLive 64S
32 built-in XLR inputs
Flexible stage box / rack mixer options
Strong DAW integration
Board freezes and crashes
No insert points, limited routing
Missing expansion cards and protocols

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

DAW integration and recording flexibility stand out as major strengths. Multiple users say the tight Studio One integration gives the 64S an edge over competitors like the Wing for studio workflows, with one commenter switching preference purely for this reason. The console supports 64-channel USB recording plus simultaneous 34-channel SD card recording, and Mackie HUI/MCU DAW control. With 32 built-in XLR inputs, users note it doubles the live mic inputs of some rivals straight out of the box, reducing the need for external stage boxes in many setups.

Reliability problems are a recurring and serious concern across reports. Several users describe the board freezing completely during live performances, requiring hard reboots and losing settings. One reported crashes 4-6 times daily during DAW mode operations, while another had two units fail at venues due to PCB issues despite clean power. Firmware glitches on startup, aux signal loss, and shaky fader response are also mentioned. While PreSonus has issued firmware updates addressing some problems like the Matrix issue, users remain wary given the pattern of issues seen on the related 32-channel model.

Routing flexibility and expansion options fall short of some competitors. Commenters repeatedly flag the absence of insert points, especially on the master bus, calling it a dealbreaker for using outboard gear and 500 series units. Effects can only be routed through busses rather than as direct inserts, and there are no output matrixes or control API for automation. The console also lacks expansion cards for Dante, Madi, or AES, and its scene/cue system allegedly supports only about 30 cues, which some say is unacceptable for larger theatrical productions.

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