PreSonus Quantum HD Overview: A Seamless Recording Instrument

For the longest time, I struggled with latency when recording audio, or the time it takes for recorded sound to register on the display screen. I’d plug in my audio interface to my laptop, get all my drums all mic’ed up, and have a tough time getting my stuff to sync up with no matter I used to be attempting to document over. The first era of PreSonus’ Quantum audio interfaces solved my issues a couple of decade in the past. They used speedier-than-USB Thunderbolt connections to offer me near-zero delay, thanks partly to the no-bloatware connection it shares with PreSonus’s Studio One software program.

PreSonus’s newest Quantum HD interfaces have raised the ease-of-use issue even additional. You get USB-C connectivity, a fair cleaner design, higher display screen, and front-panel instrument inputs designed in collaboration with PreSonus dad or mum firm Fender. There may be even now automated acquire leveling on inputs, which implies one particular person can arrange a big studio by themselves.

For those who’re after an reasonably priced audio interface that competes with heavy hitters from Common Audio, Apogee, Focusrite, Audient, or SSL, amongst others, the brand new PreSonus Quantum HD fashions are implausible and sound nice. For those who’re a Studio One consumer, they’re a no brainer.

Audio Boxers

Each the HD 2 and HD 8 fashions usually are not a lot to take a look at, designed to cover on the desktop of a severe dwelling studio fanatic amongst different toys. They’re each black packing containers with blue accents and shade screens, they usually look comparatively nondescript when not in use. (That is good for costly studio tools, which may typically scream “Steal me!”) The bigger mannequin is rack-mountable, the smaller designed for desktop or cell use, although you’ll be able to simply set the bigger one on a desk like I did if you do not have a rack to mount it.

The development of the unit is strong and metallic, with good large vents on the edges to maintain it cool throughout longer monitoring periods. I like that it simply takes a regular three-prong energy cable, so you do not have to take care of a wall wart, and that it connects shortly to any trendy USB-C machine.

I’ve been a longtime PreSonus consumer of every part from its Faderport controllers (USB gadgets that can help you use faders to regulate playback in most DAW software program) and Monitor Station (an outboard field the place you’ll be able to plug in and swap between a number of audio system with easy button presses). The gear works properly and prices lower than most opponents.

Professional-tier equivalents from manufacturers like Common Audio and Apogee can price between slightly and plenty of multiples extra, relying on the class, and it simply does not truly sound higher in my expertise. The Quantum HD interfaces simply compete with the wildly in style 8-input fashions from Common Audio when it comes to audio and construct high quality. The Common Audio fashions are the gold customary within the class proper now, and value over twice as a lot per unit.

Studio One instantly acknowledges the Quantum HD 8 and performs good, permitting you to do issues like activate 48v phantom energy for condenser mics and set ranges contained in the software program, quite than having to make use of some bizarre middleman software program between the interface and the DAW.

{Photograph}: Parker Corridor