PreSonus StudioLive IIIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 47 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment36%
PROS 36%
CONS 64%

Rank based on 47 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want tight DAW/Studio One and Capture integration for combined live and studio work
  • You value PreSonus' track record of continuing firmware support for older StudioLive units
  • You want quiet, clean X-Max preamps and motorized faders in one all-in-one console

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need insert points, more than 20 scene memories, or multiple fader layers for complex shows
  • You require built-in Dante or rock-solid AVB networking without bridge headaches
  • You want pan knobs on every fader or higher sample rates than 48kHz

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
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Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
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Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
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Limited mid control
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Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
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Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
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Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
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Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
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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
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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
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Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
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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
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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
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Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
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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 III
DAW and Studio One integrationSound quality and preampsLegacy hardware supportPerceived lack of innovation between generationsLack of insert points and effects flexibilityAVB networking reliability
PreSonus StudioLive III
DAW and Studio One integration
Sound quality and preamps
Legacy hardware support
Perceived lack of innovation between generations
Lack of insert points and effects flexibility
AVB networking reliability

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality and workflow integration win over loyal users. Multiple long-term owners describe the StudioLive III as sounding excellent, with quiet, clean X-Max preamps that some prefer even over motorized faders on other boards. Deep integration with Studio One, Capture, and DAW control mode lets users run live sound and studio recording from one device, effectively replacing rack gear. Owners also credit PreSonus for continuing firmware support on discontinued models, which built strong customer loyalty over the years.

Feature stagnation frustrates many recent buyers. A large number of commenters say new releases bring little beyond cosmetic changes, faulting PreSonus for lacking insert points, a workable scene memory system (capped at 20), multiple fader layers, pan knobs on faders, and higher sample rates. Several compare this unfavorably to Behringer Wing, Allen & Heath, and Waves eMotion LV1, arguing competitors have leapfrogged PreSonus in features and value at similar price points.

Networking and reliability issues persist for some owners. Multiple users report AVB networking problems after firmware updates, including bricked audio device recognition, lost settings requiring reprogramming, and Dante-bridge complications requiring extra support steps. Others cite unresponsive touchscreens, unreliable scene saving, slow or noisy faders, and inconsistent customer service, though some conflicting reports say the newer consoles work well and are intuitive to learn.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?