Review: PreSonus Quantum HD 8 Audio Interface

For the longest time, I struggled with latency when recording audio, or the time it takes for recorded sound to register on the screen. I’d plug in my audio interface to my computer, get all my drums all mic’d up, and have a hard time getting my stuff to sync with whatever I was trying to record over. The first generation of PreSonus’ Quantum audio interfaces solved my problems about a decade ago. They used speedier-than-USB Thunderbolt connections to give me near-zero delay, thanks in part to the no-bloatware connection it shares with PreSonus’ Studio One software.

PreSonus’ latest Quantum HD interfaces have raised the ease-of-use factor even further. You get USB-C connectivity, an even cleaner design, better screen, and front-panel instrument inputs designed in collaboration with PreSonus parent company Fender. There is even now automatic gain leveling on inputs, which means one person can set up a large studio by themselves.

If you’re after an affordable audio interface that competes with heavy hitters from Universal Audio, Apogee, Focusrite, Audient, or SSL, among others, the new PreSonus Quantum HD models are fantastic and sound great. If you’re a Studio One user, they’re a no-brainer.

Audio Boxers

Both the HD 2 and HD 8 models are not much to look at, designed to hide on the desktop of a serious home studio enthusiast amongst other toys. They're both black boxes with blue accents and color screens, and they look relatively nondescript when not in use. (That's nice for expensive studio equipment, which can sometimes scream “Steal me!”) The larger model is rack-mountable, the smaller designed for desktop or mobile use, though you can easily set the larger one on a desk like I did if you don't have a rack to mount it.

The construction of the unit is solid and metallic, with nice big vents on the sides to keep it cool during longer tracking sessions. I like that it just takes a standard three-prong power cable, so you don't have to deal with a wall wart, and that it connects quickly to any modern USB-C device.

I have been a longtime PreSonus user of everything from its Faderport controllers (USB devices that allow you to use faders to control playback in most DAW software) and Monitor Station (an outboard box where you can plug in and swap between multiple speakers with simple button presses). The gear works well and costs less than most competitors.

Pro-tier equivalents from brands like Universal Audio and Apogee can cost between a little and many multiples more, depending on the category, and it just doesn't actually sound better in my experience. The Quantum HD interfaces easily compete with the wildly popular 8-input models from Universal Audio in terms of audio and build quality. The Universal Audio models are the gold standard in the category right now, and cost over twice as much per unit.

Studio One immediately recognizes the Quantum HD 8 and plays nice, allowing you to do things like turn on 48v phantom power for condenser mics and set levels inside the software, rather than having to use some weird intermediary software between the interface and the DAW.

Changing settings like gain and phantom power (for larger condenser mics) on individual channels is as simple as a button press on the front panel. The smaller HD 2 model and larger HD 8 model mostly differ in terms of input counts. On the larger unit there are 4 front inputs (two stereo) and 8 rear XLR inputs for a total of 10, with ten outputs on the back, as well as word clock for if you want to sync this interface up to others, and two optical ports for adding other digital inputs or cascading multiple interfaces. The larger HD 8 has two headphone jacks on the front, where the smaller unit gets just a single jack and instrument input on the front, plus two mic pres on the back and four line outs.

They come with PreSonus’ crystal clear Max-HD preamps, which I found to be everything I needed to make top-quality recordings. The good thing about preamps this clean and clear is that they allow you to add any amount of color to the channel digitally while in your DAW, rather than locking you in to a certain tier of fidelity.

Universal Control

PreSonus’ Universal Control app allows you to adjust settings and volumes on the interface via your computer screen if you're not using Studio One, but if you're using the company's software everything is adjustable inside, from bitrate to channel gain and midi controls.

Setting up and recording is very plug-and-play, especially now that there is an auto-gain function for setting channel levels built into the interface. For folks like me who play drums and record ourselves, this saves having a friend or loved one help bang on things while I set levels manually. It's sponcon, but I'm not the only drummer who seems to like this setup. PreSonus has a video up with Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers getting decked out with a pair of the Quantum HDs for the same reason.

I used the interface as my main gear for several weeks and had no issues getting great recordings out of it, using everything from traditional dynamic mics like the Shure SM57 to modern stereo condensers and ribbons. Every mic sounded the way it should, with the interfaces offering more than enough headroom even for gain-sucking mics like the Shure SM7B.

When I compare the sound of the newer Max-HD preamps to the XMAX models I have in my older Quantum interface, there is a bit more headroom and clarity in the newer model. It's not that I feel like I am lacking anything huge, but nice to see that PreSonus continues to aim for an ever-lower noise floor and wider dynamic range.

One thing that I didn't like was that the newer units use a dongle for MIDI input and output. I guess most folks don't use these that often, but I hate a dongle and like using MIDI gear.

Regardless of that tiny issue, I'm a big fan. It's a clean-looking, easy to use, and an affordable alternative to more expensive interfaces from Universal Audio and others, with no audible downsides to my ears. If you are looking to bring your recording rig into the USB-C era, this is where I'd start. I'd check out the awesome Studio One recording software—these interfaces come with free trials—while I was at it.