The audio interface market is teaming with several different products, and it can be kind of tough trying to differentiate the many models available. One product that truly stands out is the Quantum Audio Interface from PreSonus.
Quantum gives you professional-level production for a good price. One of the things that give the Quantum an edge is speed, and that’s just the start of this whole conversation. This monster is a 26 x 32 Thunderbolt interface meaning it’s a bit on the chunky side. It also leans on the pricier side, but the quality and features that you get from it make it a worthy purchase.
Pros
- XMAX Preamps lets you work faster
- Professional-quality sound and conversion
- Loaded with features
Cons
- Expensive
- Quite big.
- Lacks integrated software mixer.
Now, where do we even begin? As far as XMAX preamps go the Quantum comes in heavy with eight of them. It also has 10 analog outputs, and all of which are perfectly balanced I might add.
There are also two ADAT light pipe inputs where users can connect an additional 8 more preamps and another extra pair through an S/PDIF. The Quantum also comes with a MIDI/IO whenever you need to connect a synth module, old school controller, or any other kind of gadgets you might need for your recording.
The 192kHz/24-bit converters on the Quantum can pretty much hold their own against just about every other audio interface in the market. To be more precise you can expect to get up to 120dB of special and clear sounding dynamic range from this baby. The cherry on top is its ultra-solid clocking which gives you an ideal central hub for all your recording needs.
Controls
Even though large-format recording devices might already be passe for the most part, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to forget all the conveniences they have to offer. The center-section controls of the PreSonus Quantum demonstrates this perfectly.
Feel like talking to the band or singer in the live room? No problem because a talkback mic has been built-in to the panel and all you have to do is push a button so you can speak directly to the artist’s headphone mix.
The monitor control also has the “Mute”, “Dim”, and “Mono” buttons and they can all be found right next to the big master volume control and 8-LED meters, which both round out the entire monitoring section.
Sound Quality
Okay, since it’s a big and pricey audio interface you can expect to get some great sound quality out of it, right? The answer is a resounding “yes!” The front panel instrument inputs can perform rather well and the sound is loud and perfectly clear. When pairing the drum preamps with the mic during level checking, the sound and transient response are both right on the money. The preamps themselves cater perfectly to guitar amps with lots of heavily distorted audio.