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When you’re seeking to begin recording your individual music, issues can rapidly get overwhelming. There are a whole bunch of audio interfaces available on the market at present, with numerous specs and capabilities that, to newcomers, typically look like a overseas language.
PreSonus, the identify behind the rising Studio One DAW, might have the reply with Quantum. A streamlined household of inexpensive next-gen interfaces, the Quantum ES and HD vary join by way of low-latency USB-C to each Mac and Home windows setups.
The Quantum interfaces come in several configurations to fulfill the wants of everybody from first-time producers and desktop creators to skilled monitoring engineers — and with seamless Studio One Professional 7 integration and the Common Management administration software program, consumers could have a whole package deal for recording.
A house recording primer – Quantum ES Vary
The primary query to ask your self when shopping for an audio interface is normally what number of inputs and outputs you want. When you’re simply getting began and easily wish to report one factor at a time, the Quantum ES 2 is definitely as much as the duty.
It has two mic/line inputs for recording microphone and instrument sources, and two line outputs to connect with your displays. Moreover, there’s a devoted front-panel instrument enter designed in collaboration with legendary guitar producer Fender (who acquired PreSonus in 2021). This enter has been particularly tuned for correct guitar and bass seize, and it’s excellent for recording a DI sign for use in amp sim plugins like Bias, Guitar Rig Professional, or AmpliTube.
Alternatively, the Quantum ES 4 affords just a little extra room to develop. It has 4 mic/line inputs, which is sufficient for a easy drum recording setup with kick, snare, and stereo overheads. You possibly can use it for recording a grand piano with a number of mics, or perhaps a bare-bones stay band association with 4 devices captured in mono on the identical time.
Plus, the 2 additional outputs make it attainable to attach various displays or pipe audio to outboard results for additional processing. Even in the event you’re not but at that time of your recording journey, stretching the finances to additional I/O is commonly value it for future flexibility — particularly provided that each the ES 2 and ES 4 are already very inexpensive.
Each the interfaces are able to 24-bit / 192 kHz recording, and have PreSonus’ new MAX-HD mic preamps that ship as much as 75 dB of unpolluted, low-noise acquire. What does that imply for newcomers?
- 24-bit recording affords a large dynamic vary, so you’ll be able to report at a decrease degree to keep away from unintentional clipping or distortion, and switch up the quantity later with out introducing extreme digital noise. Luckily, the ES 2 and ES 4 even have an Auto Achieve perform to simply set the best enter degree.
- 192 kHz is a really excessive decision that may seize a variety of frequency data, though 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz is okay for many initiatives.
- 75 dB of acquire means you should utilize nearly any microphone available on the market and get a powerful, clear sign while not having an exterior preamp.
Each the Quantum ES 2 and ES 4 have MIDI out and in for connecting exterior devices, though it’s by way of TRS minijack relatively than the extra common 5-pin DIN.
Increasing your setup – Quantum HD Vary
For audio professionals, severe dwelling setups, and even industrial studios, the PreSonus Quantum HD interfaces match the invoice. They provide as much as 32-bit / 192 kHz analogue-to-digital conversion — the gold normal for audio recording — and have MAX-HD mic preamps with 75 dB acquire and ultra-low noise.
There are two fashions. The Quantum HD 2 has two mic/line inputs and 4 line outputs, whereas the Quantum HD 8 has eight mic/line inputs and ten line outs. Each have ADAT optical connectivity that present highly effective multi-tracking capabilities, increasing the I/O to twenty×24 for the HD 2 and 26×30 for the HD 8, whereas MIDI is offered by way of S/PDIF.
Just like the Quantum ES vary, the HD interfaces characteristic Fender-designed instrument inputs, however boast one other main benefit for guitarists and bassists — twin devoted re-amp outputs.
Re-amping is a course of the place a dry DI sign is fed right into a {hardware} amp (which might then be recorded by way of DI or a microphone), letting the producer change the guitar or bass sound even after the efficiency is recorded. Typically, engineers will use a devoted re-amp field to make sure the amplifier is receiving the sign on the appropriate impedance, which might considerably have an effect on the amp’s tone.
This additional field isn’t needed with the Quantum HD vary, since guitarists can come straight out of the interface and into the amp. The re-amp outputs can be used for sending a sign to different exterior gear like outboard results or analogue tape machines.
A match made in heaven – Studio One Professional 7 and Common Management
One more reason to contemplate a PreSonus Quantum interface? Every unit comes with a full perpetual licence for Studio One Professional 7, so consumers are getting a whole hardware-software manufacturing platform for a single value. Contemplating alternate options like Ableton and Logic Professional are a number of hundred kilos, it is a fairly compelling providing for budding producers but to ally themselves with one explicit DAW.
As soon as paired with the Common Management software program — a hub for software program management, monitor mixing, and settings PreSonus gadgets — the Quantum interfaces harmonise completely with Studio One Professional 7. Customers can management routing, handle acquire, and alter presets straight from the DAW.
Which PreSonus Quantum ought to I select?
All of the PreSonus Quantum interfaces tick many fascinating packing containers: high-quality pre-amps, low-latency recording and monitoring, and an inexpensive price ticket. These gadgets make explicit sense for guitar-focused workflows and Studio One customers — however which mannequin is best for you?
Finally, Quantum ES is finest for singer-songwriters, guitarists, or these with less complicated recording setups. When you’re principally working within the field with software program devices and wish to add guitar or vocals to your tracks, the ES 2 might be excellent — however we’d suggest going for the ES 4. The addition of two additional inputs and outputs might not sound like a lot, nevertheless it affords higher scope for makes use of like multitrack recording and even stay efficiency.
For engineers and extra skilled producers, Quantum HD is the flagship for optimum recording constancy, superior routing, and deeper guitar workflows with reamping. The HD 8 could also be overkill for dwelling setups, however the HD 2 is a superb center floor that might be excellent for rock and steel musicians in search of an improve.
Be taught extra concerning the Quantum Vary and observe @presonus on social media.
James is a contract author for MusicTech. You will typically discover him pushing plugins to their limits, skimming by the most recent pattern packs, or obsessively watching Rig Rundowns. With a background in stay music, he additionally loves discovering elegant options to complicated issues — particularly on the subject of gear.
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