Presonus CS18AI Ethernet Control Surface

PreSonus StudioLive mixers redefined affordable compact mixing, forever changing the world and setting the standard for what digital mixers could be. Built from this award winning legacy, the CS18AI is a compact, intuitive mixing solution for the StudioLive RM16AI and RM32AI rack mount digital mixers and Studio One digital audio workstation. The StudioLive philosophy means being at home both live and in the studio, being easy to learn, and incorporating uniquely PreSonus workflows and features.

The power of Active Integration

Your needs are unique. PreSonus AI systems are designed to address your individual requirements. With several options for control and exclusive software integration features you can accomplish more with exactly the type of control and capabilities you need. The CS18AI connects to RM mixers with a single Cat 5 Ethernet cable. That enables Active Integration with PreSonus software including UC Surface™ software for extended 2nd screen workflows, control from iPads and Windows 8 touch computers, iPhone and iPod management of personal monitor mixes with QMix-AI, and direct Capture™ control for live recording and virtual sound checks.

Filter DCAs are better than layers

We’ve never really liked the complexity that comes with navigating your mix with channel layers. That’s why StudioLive mixers have traditionally features a 1 to 1 channel configuration with no layers. While the CS18AI does support classic layer navigation, it also features our unique Filter DCAs for controlling and navigating your mix. The CS18AI is the first live mix system that lets you control 64 channels from a 19” rack mountable control surface. Our Filter DCA groups bring the elements of the mix to you. Rather than trying to remember which layer the lead guitar is on, simply select your guitar DCA Filter and we will bring it to you. Filter DCAs take concepts of DCAs and view groups and combine them into an intuitive workflow designed to make your life easier when you’re in the heat of a live mix. No other mixing system can offer such compact and affordable mixing system that’s so easy to use.

Mix in touch sensitive techno-Color

Every aspect of the CS18AI was designed to help you mix with ease and reliability. Eighteen RGB select buttons can be customized to make it easier to identify different channels based on the color. True touch sensitive faders know when your finger makes contact so the fader will never fight you and you can experience real automation functionality in the studio. The CS18AI lights your way through mixing with 146 illuminated buttons, sixteen high-64x96-pixel scribble strips, a touch-sensitive 4.3” /109mm LCD display, and sixteen 11-segment LED level ladders. If you need to control it, we made it light up.

The perfect DAW Controller for Studio One.

With a simple Ethernet connection, CS18AI becomes the control for Studio One giving you an instant studio upgrade and closing the loop between studio and stage. Now you can get the performance of a big mixing console in a compact controller with a natural feel. Other DAW controllers give you some faders and generic controls that try to do too much with too little. The CS18AI is a complete mix controller that doesn’t skimp on functionality. You get all the classic mixer controls and workflows while still keeping the footprint compact.

4x2 networked AVB audio built-in

Through the power and flexibility of audio networking, the CS18AI can send and receive audio channels across long distances with just a single Ethernet cable. Use the two mic and two line inputs as sources for the talkback, digital return, or any channel on the RM mixers. The two returns are shared with the monitor line outputs and headphone output, and can be sourced from any output of the RM mixers including the Solo bus, Main Mix, or any Aux mixes.

Highlights

• 18 100mm, touch-sensitive motorized faders: 16 Channel, 1 Flex, 1 Master
• Control StudioLive RM AI mix systems of up to 64-channels
• Full PreSonus Fat Channel DSP control with individual encoders and 12-LED displays for
• Gate Threshold, Range, Attack, Release
• Compressor Ratio, Attach, Release, Gain
• Limiter Threshold
• EQ Low, Low-Mid, High-Mid, High
• Metering
• Sixteen 12-LED channel ladder level and Fat Channel displays
• Three 11-LED Select Channel Level/Compressor/Gate displays
• 11-LED displays for Main Center/Mono, Left and Right
• Variable-color (RGB) Select buttons for easy channel and Filter DCA group identification
• 16-channels of high resolution 64 x 96 scribble strip display with Pan indicators
• 4.3” / 109 mm color touch-sensitive display with 43 screens including
• Compressor (draw curve via touch)
• EQ (draw curve via touch)
• Gate (draw curve via touch)
• Compressor (draw curve via touch)
• Effects, Scenes, Markers Edit
• Audio Routing
• Channel Presets and settings
• Talkback Assign
• 4 Effects Mute/Mix button with TAP
• Navigate using traditional layers or with intuitive PreSonus Filter DCA groups
• Active Integration with PreSonus software includes UC Surface™ software for extended 2nd screen workflows and direct Capture™ control for live recording and virtual sound checks
• Studio One control surface functionality including: Touch-sensitive motorized fader control over channel faders and automation, Channel Mute, Channel Solo and Solo clear, Channel Select, Channel Pan control, Scribble strip names, pan indication, and current automation mode, Channel layer navigation, Aux mix and transport control, Automation mode selection, Metering. Even more features coming in upcoming Studio One releases
• 4x2 AVB audio transport control with Marker Shift, REW/FF options
• Analog I/O
• 2 remote XMAX™ mic preamps for talkback, room mic or other local inputs
• 2 balanced 1/4” TRS line inputs
• 2 XLR line outputs
• stereo headphone output with level control
• Monitor control level control
• 4-pin XLR lamp connection
• Footswitch input
• Silent internal PSU with no fans
• Same footprint as StudioLive 16.4.2AI for integration in 19” rack mounts and 3rd-party studio desks
• Optional iPad mount accessory

Technical Specifications

• Network Type - Ethernet / AVB

• Type - XLR Female (via Combo), Balanced Remote
• Maximum Input level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N) +12 dBu, +/-0.5 dB
• Gain Control Range - 85 dB, +/-1 dB
• Frequency Response (A-D) - 10 Hz to 40 kHz, +/-0.2 dB
• Dynamic Range (min. gain, a-wtd) > 110 dB
• Dynamic Range (mid. Gain, unwtd) > 105 dB
• THD+N (min. gain, a-wtd) < 0.005%
• Input Impedance - 1600 Ω
• EIN (+55 dB gain, 150Ω input, 20 Hz-22 kHz, a-wtd) < 128 dBu
• Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1 kHz, +55dB gain) > 55 dB
• Phantom Power +48 V, +/- 3 V, > 8mA per channel

• Type ¼” TRS Female (via Combo), Balanced
• Maximum Input Level (min. gain, 1 kHz@0.5% THD+N) +18 dBu, +/-0.5 dB
• Frequency Response (A-D) 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +/-0.2 dB
• Dynamic Range (min. gain, a-wtd) > 114 dB
• Dynamic Range (mid. gain, unwtd) > 105 dB
• THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, a-wtd) < 0.005%
• Input Impedance 10 kΩ
• Crosstalk (1 kHz, channel-to-channel) < -80 dB

• Type (Line Outputs) XLR Male, Impedance Balanced
• Maximum Output Level +18 dBu, +/-0.5 dB
• Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +/-0.2 dB
• Dynamic Range (a-wtd) > 112 dB
• THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, un-wtd) < 0.005%
• Output Impedance 51 Ω
• Crosstalk (1 kHz, channel-to-channel) < -80 dB

• Type ¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced
• Maximum Output Level 150 mW/channel @ 60 Ω
• Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +/-0.3 dB
• Dynamic Range (a-wtd) > 103 dB
• THD+N (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, un-wtd) < 0.005%
• Crosstalk (1 kHz, channel-to-channel) < -80 dB

• Connector IEC
• Input-Voltage Range 100 to 230V, 50-60 Hz
• Power Requirements 200W
• Temperature Range 0˚ to 40˚ Celsius / 32˚ to 104˚ Fahrenheit

• Length 22.35" (58.6 cm)
• Width (chassis only) 17.22" (43.74 cm)
• Maximum Height 6.9" (17.53 cm)
• Weight 23 lbs. (10.43 kg)

System Requirements

PC

• Operating Systems: Windows 7x 64/x86 SP1 or Windows 8x64/x86
• Hardware Minimum: Intel® Core™ i3 processor or better (Core i5 or faster recommended), 8 GB or more RAM

Mac

• Operating System: OS X 10.8 64-bit or later
• Hardware: Intel® Core™ i3 processor or better, 4 GB or more RAM (8 GB recommended)

iOS

• Operating System: iOS 7.03 or later
• Hardware: iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina display, iPad (3rd or 4th generation), iPad mini