Reviewed June 23, 2022
Table of Contents
A. Firmware
B. Identifying compatible Option Cards
C. StudioLive AI AVB vs StudioLive Series III AVB
D. Stagebox and Monitor Mixer Mode for StudioLive RM/RML with StudioLive AI consoles
E. StudioLive CS18 AI Control and AVB Audio
F. SW5E AVB Switch: Adding more Devices or Connecting to a Router.
G. StudioLive AI and RM/RML Cascading
H. Dante Network Audio
A. Firmware
It is important to ensure that the StudioLives are running their latest firmware releases for AVB/DANTE functionality.
Please ensure all StudioLives are updated.
-Performing a Firmware update
To update the firmware for your AI / RM StudioLives, you will need to install the firmware files via USB Thumbdrive.
The USB drive must be 32GB or fewer and formatted to FAT32 format.
The latest firmware for each StudioLive can be found on their respective Product Pages at PreSonus.com:
-StudioLive AI Consoles:
-StudioLive RM/RML Rack Mixers:
Below are instructions for installing the Firmware update from a USB drive:
- StudioLive AI console Firmware Update (via USB thumb drive)
- StudioLive RM (RML) series Firmware Update (via USB thumb drive)
*Please note- Updating the firmware for the StudioLive AI/RM models via Network/Online has been discontinued. Updating the firmware will require a USB thumbdrive using the instructions linked above.*
B. Identifying compatible Option Cards
AVB and Dante audio networking will require a compatible Option Card be installed in the StudioLive.
To identify the type of Option Card your StudioLive is currently using:
- Power off the StudioLive,
- Remove the OptionCard from the back of the StudioLive by loosening the screws and pulling it towards you by the posts on the card.
- In the corner of the card itself should be printed "XMEN-XXXX":
- XMEN-NOAA cards are for Control Only and are not compatible with AVB or Dante Network Audio. These are the stock cards for StudioLive AI consoles.
- XMEN-NIMH cards are for AVB Network Audio and also allow for Network Control. These are the stock cards for StudioLive RM and RML mixers.
- XMEN-ESA cards are for Dante Network Audio and allow for Network Control.
C. StudioLive AI AVB vs StudioLive Series III AVB
StudioLive AI/RM mixers and StudioLive Series III mixers both utilize AVB audio.
However, the AVB protocols each generation uses is different and therefore are not compatible with each other.
This is further explained here:
- Are the StudioLive AI AVB and StudioLive Series III AVB compatible?
- When will full 1722.1 AVB specifications be implemented on StudioLive AI mixers?
D. Stagebox and Monitor Mixer Mode for StudioLive RM/RML with StudioLive AI consoles
The StudioLive RM/RML mixers can be connected to a StudioLive AI console to act as a Monitor Mixer or Stagebox.
Please note: This feature requires AVB Option cards for both StudioLives.
It is important to note that StudioLive AI consoles do not come stock with AVB compatible cards (NOAA cards). StudioLive RM/RML mixers do include a stock AVB option card (NIMH cards).
To identify if your StudioLive's Option card is AVB compatible, please see section B above.
Instructions for setting up the StudioLive RM as a monitor mixer or stagebox can be found here:
Please note: AVB audio will not pass through traditional WIFI routers. A compatible AVB Switch would be required
E. StudioLive CS18 AI Control and AVB Audio
The StudioLive CS18 AI is a control surface for the StudioLive RM/RML mixers.
For recommend Ethernet setups please review this connection guide:
Please note: AVB audio will not pass through traditional WIFI routers. A compatible AVB Switch would be required.
Once connected,
Here are instructions for connecting your StudioLive RM mixer. Instructions can be found in Section 2.
If you are direct connected between two StudioLives without a router,
Please ensure all StudioLives are set to Static Self Assigned IP Mode.
F. SW5E AVB Switch: Adding more Devices or Connecting to a Router.
Adding a router to a StudioLive AI Ecosystem that is using AVB audio will require a compatible AVB Switch as AVB audio will not pass through traditional routers and switches.
The SW5E AVB Switch allows for AVB network traffic while also allowing to connect your router from one of the router's LAN ports.
This setup allows for remote devices such as tablets with UC-Surface and phones with QMIX-UC.
Please note: An AVB switch is not required for remote control of your devices through WIFI. The AVB Switch is only needed if you are utilizing AVB between two StudioLives and adding a router for WIFI control.
If a router is connected to your AVB Switch/StudioLive setup,
Please ensure that all StudioLives are set to Dynamic IP mode.
G. StudioLive AI and RM/RML Cascading
StudioLive AI consoles can be cascaded via Firewire to expand the channel count and use two consoles as one, bigger console.
Instructions can be found here:
Also found in Section 5.6 of the StudioLive AI Owner's Manual:
StudioLive RM/RML mixers do not cascade through Firewire, but instead they cascade with Ethernet/AVB.
Please note that a compatible AVB Switch is required.
Instructions and hookup instructions can be found here:
H. Dante Network Audio
The StudioLive AI and RM mixers support DANTE network audio from Audinate when equipped with DANTE compatible Option Cards.
Neither the StudioLive AI or RM mixers come stock with DANTE Option cards.
To identify if your Option Card is DANTE compatible, please see section B of this article.
First you will need to register the DANTE option card to your My.PreSonus account.
It is important to note that the Option Card should be registered TO the StudioLive and not as a standalone product.
This is done by choosing "Install Option Card" at the bottom of your StudioLive's product page in your My.PreSonus account.
Once registered, the .DNT file can be downloaded for the respective StudioLive the card is registered.
Once the DNT profile is loaded onto the Option card using DANTE FirmwareUpdateManager by Audinate, all routing can be adjusted within DANTE Controller.
Further information regarding DANTE for StudioLives can be found here:
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