Published on the 19th of Aug, 2025.
This guide contains instructions for connecting one StudioLive mixer running Milan firmware version 3.1 or later directly to a Mac computer (IEEE 1722.1) with ethernet in order to record and playback audio using Apple’s AVB.
- Series III (All Variants) v3.1.0.107071
- Apple Mac's running macOS Sequoia 15.5
- We highly recommend that if you are using 15.5 and have a working setup, please turn off auto updates as we have no control over operating system changes that further releases may introduce
- Apple Mac's running macOS Tahoe should work in the same manner but has yet to be tested and qualified based on the guide below. We are not aware of any major changes in this operating system in relation to the AVB connection.
While not officially supported by PreSonus, we understand that some customers will wish to experiment with Apple AVB and StudioLive Milan-certified mixers. Because macOS does not yet fully adhere to the Milan standard, PreSonus cannot guarantee satisfactory performance at the time of publication. For the best possible results, PreSonus highly recommends using the bi-directional USB interface built into your StudioLive mixer to record and playback audio on your Apple computer. Conversely, the RME Digiface AVB provides AVB-to-USB bridging and is a Milan-certified device that will connect to your full StudioLive AVB EcoSystem.
These instructions are using Apple ATDECC.
Before continuing, please note that Apple Mac AVB uses IEEE 1722.1 AVB. PreSonus AVB now uses Avnu Milan AVB. Because of this, you will receive the following warning when you open Apple’s ATDECC AVB Controller:
“Warning: This entity implements Avnu Milan and may not be compliant with IEEE 1722.1. Some features may not function correctly.”
1. CONNECTING THE STUDIOLIVE:
The StudioLive will need to be connected from its “Audio Network” port directly to your Mac using our recommended cabling.
You will need to use your Mac’s built-in Ethernet port or use an AVB-compatible ethernet adapter. You will still be able to route streams and make connections between devices from the Mac without a compatible Ethernet adapter, but you will not be able to pass audio in or out of the Mac itself without using a compatible adapter. As an example, we recommend using the SonnetTech AVB adapter.
2. OPENING THE AVB CONTROLLER:
Open Apple’s AVB controller:
There are a few ways to open the ATDECC AVB Controller. See below for your preferred option.
Method #1 - Universal Control settings menu.
Method #2 - Audio MIDI Setup application’s “Network Device browser”.
1: Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
2: Once Audio MIDI Setup is open, open the Network Device Browser from the menubar.
3. Select the Ethernet-port icon at the top of the Network Device Browser.
NOTE: At the time of writing these instructions, you will not see the StudioLive in Audio MIDI Setup’s Network Device Browser for Apple’s AVB acquire-mode.
Method #3 - Terminal application
Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal
Once Terminal is open, type avbutil --controller
Press Enter.
After opening ATDECC, Choose the “New ATDECC Controller Window” from the “ATDECC Controller” tab on the menubar.
3. ENABLE THE MAC AS AN AVB ENTITY:
Select your AVB compatible adapter on the left and check “Built-in virtual audio entity”. This will enable the Mac as an AVB Endpoint.
Note: If the Mac and StudioLive are not in the same domain a few seconds after enabling the Mac as an AVB endpoint you may need to restart the Mac after enabling or toggle the entity option once more.
4. ASSIGNING CLOCKING AND STREAM FORMATS FOR THE STUDIOLIVE AND MAC:
Select the StudioLive and set the Clock-Domain > Clock-Source to “PTP Clock”.
NOTE: “Warning: This entity implements Avnu Milan and may not be compliant with IEEE 1722.1. Some features may not function correctly.”
2. For the StudioLive, set all input and output streams to “AAF-PCM 32 bits in 32 bit integer 8 channels of 6 samples @ 48 kHz”
3. Select the Mac computer on the left side. Set the Mac’s configuration to “64 in, 64 out, 8 ch streams”.
Set the Mac’s Network Clock Source to “Input Stream 1”.
General clocking options:
StudioLive Series III clock |
Mac AVB clock |
PTP Clock (Default) |
Input Stream 1 |
Internal Clock |
Input Stream 1 |
Input Stream CRF |
Mac system clock |
Please note that the network clock status light on the StudioLive will turn Blue when clocked correctly.
For more information on the Input Stream CRF/Mac system clock option, please see the bottom of this guide.
Set the Mac’s stream formats for all input and output streams to “AAF-PCM 24 bits in 32 bit integer 8 channels of 6 samples @ 48 kHz”.
NOTE: This stream is not exactly the same as the StudioLive as the StudioLive uses the higher “AAF-PCM 32 bits in 32 bit integer” format.
5. SETUP UP ROUTING 1:1 IN THE ROUTING GRID:
Choose your AVB Domain on the left. Then assign your inputs and outputs for the Mac and StudioLive 1:1.
NOTE: In this example, the Mac is receiving AVB clocking from its “Input Stream 1”. So be sure to assign the StudioLive’s first “AVB Send 1-8” to the Mac’s Audio Input Stream 1.
6. SELECT THE MAC AS YOUR AUDIO I/O DEVICE:
At this point, the Mac should show as an ethernet audio device in Audio MIDI Setup.
If you wish to use the AVB network as your default “system audio”:
Highlight the Mac AVB device and set it as the system’s input and output device using the gear icon at the bottom of the list or with the secondary click.
Use the “Configure Speakers…” button shown below to choose which two channels system audio will playback through. By default these are channels 1 and 2.
7. SET STUDIOLIVE CHANNELS TO NETWORK AND SELECT DAW AUDIO DEVICE:
From here, audio can be handled similarly to USB audio routing.
Enable [Network] input-type on the channels of the StudioLive itself to receive audio signal from the Mac.
“[Mac’s name]:Ethernet” will be the audio device you choose in your DAW for audio I/O.
NOTE: If at this point you are still not receiving audio from the Mac to the input channels on the StudioLive, you may need to restart the Mac computer or StudioLive after having set the appropriate clock settings for audio to pass
8. ADDENDUM: INPUT STREAM CRF AND MAC SYSTEM CLOCK SETUP:
This section describes the CRF clocking method mentioned in section C of this guide. If you are not using “Input Stream CRF” as the clock option for the StudioLive, please disregard this section.
If you wish to use “Input Stream CRF” as the StudioLive’s Network Clock, the StudioLive will have its Network Clock set to “Input Stream CRF” with the Mac set to “Mac system clock” for clocking. You will also need to ensure that the StudioLive’s “Return CRF” stream and the Mac’s “Media Clock Output Stream 1” are set to “CRF Audio 96 interval with 1 per frame @ 48 kHz” format.
Once the formats match the Media Clock Output Stream 1 can be assigned to the StudioLive’s Return CRF stream in the routing grid.