Presonus Audiobox USB interface Review

[dubickisbro]

what do you think of the TASCAM US-800 USB audio interface?

[santiagolike]

some one can help me the audio box usb interface have universal control?

[monicarufina]

i've comapred this presonus audiobox usb with tascam us144mkII.. it's in the same price around 150$, finally i buy tascam.. it can record in 24 bit 96khz, in sound test tascam has better sound quality in my ear :), has midi, and digital i/o that this presonus don't have.. the weakness only that tascam output for monitor just 2 RCA and this has 2 TRS as this vid said.. of course the biggest competitor for usb interface is M-Audio Fast Track Pro that has more feature but that's in 250$ price :)

[Darr3nL3wis]

Hey, I'm new to recording and have been researching which products are the best in the price range that this one falls into, Is it easily compatible useable with garageband. I have also not seen anything on the best way to install/set up for mac users. Apologies for the simple questions ... I just want to make sure I get the best product for a complete novice such as myself. Thanks in advance

[HasanKhanDDS]

How does this compare with the line6 toneport ux2 and the m audio fastrack pro? i think those are the main competition. did you try those out as well? how is the recording quality comparatively

[QuickPeep]

I'm thinking of buying this, or Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Do you have an opinion on Focusrite Scarlett 2i2? I can't decide which one I gonna buy.

[DanieltheError]

All I needed to hear was multi-track recording, THANK YOU!

[beazer32]

I have a question for you: I just got one of these, and any time I turn on the phantom power there is a fairly loud hissing/buzzing and high frequency noise that's going on, even when there are no microphones plugged in. The noise transfers over to the recording too, so it basically makes this thing unusable when I'm using condenser mics.

Have you ever had this happen? Could it just be a faulty unit? I've tried contacting Presonus but their customer support is basically non-existent.

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@beazer32 Sounds like you have a bad cable somewhere in your line. Change the USB one first.

[Compatriotamorlaco]

@beazer32,

I just got one, and I have the very same problem! Did you get it fixed by changing the USB as GaragebandandBeyond recommended? If not, did you get it fixed at all? Please let me know, thanks:-)

[Compatriotamorlaco]

@Compatriotamorlaco I agree, their costumer support is awful

[beazer32]

@Compatriotamorlaco I just returned it... I read that others were having a lot of problems with this thing as well, so I thought it best just to go with something else. I might try the Fast Track Pro. (I have the non-pro version and it works perfectly, but can only record one mic at a time).

[Epsilon3G]

I bought the kit with this and i love it

[EricZAFRIUSRasnake]

Owned it for a year now.It`s not perfect,but for the price, it is a great tool.

If you make metal music, you might need something better.

It works great with Sony Acid Pro.

Hear is the problem.In mix down,use your on-board sound card.

I compared the two mix downs,first the interface, then the computer`s original sound card, and found the on-board sound card sounded be much better.

Interfaces put the sounds in.That`s all they are good for in this case.

Buy a kick ass sound card as well.

[pawdidit]

Can I buy 2 of these which would allow me to have up to 4 channels at once?

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@pawdidit No it won't work. You would have to get the Presonus FIRESTUDIO-MOBILE

[TwentyYearDenial]

@pawdidit

There's a four channel audio box.

[JBr33zyMusic]

Would you rather buy the Presonus Audiobox our the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ?

[bzikofski]

@GaragebandandBeyond i've read that the input pre-amps are actually very-very hot and you get into clipping even with unpowered electric guitar - that's kinda dumb.. how can you relate to this? you didn't mention this...

[StonethrowersMusic]

@bzikofski never had any problems at all with it.

[bzikofski]

@StonethrowersMusic thanks for response, after some time I realized that it must have been people forgetting to change the input setting to instrument or simply plugging into line-in or mic port... i think i'm going for line6 ux2 anyway because of the software.

[kaskas55]

hows the Latency on it? thanks!

[LosAngelesFresh1]

What is USB 1, 2 & 3? what's the difference i thought all USB inputs were the same =/

[axewound2008]

useless



[LegitWun]

Hi, I have the audio box and use garageband on my macbookpro. I hooked up my mic and i tried doing a mic check but it didn't pick up the mic at all? help please.. thank you!

[guitaristman23]

could you explain the midi in and out please i have a keyboard that has a midi out on the back so i am thinking that you plug a cable into the back of this you have in the video into the midi out but what about this midi in what does that keyboard need to plug into obvisouly into the unit but what into?

[wolfman109h]

how are the pramps of this unit?

noisy? too much gain?

anyone knows? or lewin?

[vjones992]

show the multitracking with the presonus audiobox in logic,this would be great

[bmcq98]

I've been a subscriber for a while now and forgot about this video when I was searching youtube for reviews of this. When you came up I was pleasantly surprised and you convinced me to pull the trigger. Thanks! Great review.

[derekeverett]

Ordering one today. Thank you.

[harveyfenellere]

asian blood???hahahha coz asian rocks!!! woow woot!!!

[Germ303]

Do i need MIDI to record on Cool edit pro? Please reply!!

[anglasrabines]

Hi, I'm an audiophile who tryes to create radiodrama in home recording, only vocals. My main concern is the noise. I have a core 2 duo processor and a case that make a bit of noise. I presume the electricity of my devices is the cause of the noise. I have a soundblaster audigy 2, behringer xenyx 1202 and a shure PG58.But the noise in the recording makes me crazy. The question is: the presonus eliminates the noise, or would I have the same problem?

[eman2971]

does this work with logic?

[ErveGalanti]

Thanks for your great videos !

i use this audiobox :D

[ozcanuck12]

Please, please, please tell me if this thing is USB 1, 2, or 3....I've been looking everywhere and every posted comment and tech spec only says "USB bus-powered". Thanks in advance...and I just want to say I've learned plenty from your videos and have watched, I think, all of them.

Nice chops, by the way. Philly and PA in general is a real hub for the type of music you are primarily interested in, eh? I spent some time in the area and went to a few festivals. Next video, please!

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@ozcanuck12 USB 2

[austineatsbagels]

does it have any built in preamps?

[bumsex4me]

Hi i was wondering can this record several things seeing as it has 2 mic inputs, like could you record acoustic guitar with vocals using the 2 if them, then after connect a mic with electric guitar to it and bass, so you have 4 instruments using the 2 inputs, and switching them around, or will they be on the same channel and be messed up or something? i dont know much about this stuff sorry.

[StonethrowersMusic]

@bumsex4me It's possible to do it that way, but less than ideal. 2 tracks at a time yes, but 4, no.

[AB4UK74]

I just picked one up used on ebay for $82. I can't wait.

[mongomanhappyface]

hi im trying to build a home studio for the first time and im wondering whether to by the presonus firestudio mobile, the presonus audiobox usb, and the m-audio fast track pro. please respond i need help!!!

[bumsex4me]

@mongomanhappyface im wondering that as well but i narrowed it down to audiobox or firestudio, you find out anything which can help?

[VentureTact]

Is there any electronic noise audible on either the headphone monitoring output or the finished recording?

[Billynoggs]

will this interface work with fruity loops producer edition xxl?

[71770saddleup]

hey i have the presonus audiobox along with a yamaha mg16/4 mixer to mic the drums. and i was wondering if there is a way to have each individual drum on a separate track. but i actually use the studio one artist recording software that came with the mixer. if anybody has advice and knows how, please reply!

[twsafarn]

Hi Lewin... I'm thinking in buy a USB interface for my future home studio. I was thinking in one of those Presonus Sonibox, but my problem is that I can't use it with a guitar pedalboard, 'cos I can't turn of the preamps. So the question is if you recomend me another good USB interface with good preams and in a good price... just like the M-Audio Fast Track Pro (I know that the Sonibox has better preamps and audio quality)

[twsafarn]

Also I was thinking in the Tascam US-144 MKII... What do you think about it?

[metsox94]

which interface is better/ why

presonus audiobox or m audio fast track pro

[Reaper1544]

this works with garageband, correct?

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@Reaper1544 Yes.

[DuckFloyd]

Hi, is true that the bulit-in preamps can't be turned off? i mean, can i use an external Preamp without using de audioboxes premaps?

[tenjamphel]

Hi, i just bought this product and i am in a problem. i installed the presonic software in mac and i connect the presonic audiobox to mac and guitar to audiobox. But now i can.t record guitar there, its doesn.t working. i watched couple of tortural, still its not working? should it be defect ? does it really need MIDI. As i didn.t know about MIDI. can u please help me ?

[IdahoAngler2]

Hi there, when I research this product, there are a ton of dissatisfied users saying the line ins are too hot and guitars (especially overdriven sounds) clip out & cannot be recorded correctly? But your guitars sound great. What am I missing? I have an old MacBook 2006 w/GarageBand and want to start doing what u do, help

[xerky07]

i have a question sir, and i really need answer..

im just new in buiLding up a "Home Recording Studio"

i am planning to get a, "Presonus Studio Channel", its a pre-amp..

could you show me how, exactly it is being use?

or how the connections should be, from your Mic xlr cable to Preamp, to mixer to pc?

ive been watching your videos lately and i see it very informative.

i am planning to get a "AKG perception 420" and this "Presonus Studio Channel"

[FlyerBeats]

chek out

w w w . soundclick . com / flyerbeats

that is what i produced the night i purchased the audio box !

[FlyerBeats]

chek out

w w w (.) soundclick (.) com (/) flyerbeats

that is what i produced the night i purchased the audio box !

[FlyerBeats]

I made the song called " song of love " the same night as i bought the audio box !

[FlyerBeats]

I wanted to buy a USB interface.

I go to guitar center and ask for help

I ask " should i buy m-audio mobile pre or fastrack?'

they say " that the pre amps in AUDIO BOX are wayyy better. also that the Software that you get with m-audio i.e. Pro tools SE , is limited to only 16 multiple tracks and verryy limited effects. where as the Audio box gives you a complete software i.e. STUDIO ONE ( ARTIST ) which has UNLIMITED TRACKS AND EFFECTS"

[Baxter9009]

I'm thinking about buying the Audiobox to record some live covers. How does it handle more than one input being recorded simultaneously (like an acoustic guitar and standard dynamic xlr mic)?

[lukedogg]

question: i plug a condenser mic into the presonus and run it into my cpu through fruity loops. im using the antares autotuner vst plugin...so do the quarter inch outputs push out the autuned signal to record it?

[StarBoyJonesProds]

If i wanted to connect an external vocal compressor (focusrite voicemaster pro-VMP) to the audiobox, how would i do so? the VMP has a built in xlr preamp, how do i bypass the audiobox preamp?

[hammerkkk]

are you some how working for presonus?????? be honest , i want to buy the audio box but its shit expensive here in South Africa , Im not in the mood to throw my cash away

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@hammerkkk No I DO NOT work for PreSonus. I only buy and like the equipment! It's good stuff!

Good luck

[pkayokay]

Would you recommend this one or the M audio fast track PRO?

the TRS outputs are for monitors right? Can I still use garageband for the presonus and see separate tracks?

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@pkayokay I like the PreSonus much better plus you get a second channel! And yes the TRS are for monitors

[pkayokay]

@GaragebandandBeyond the m audio fast track PRO also has two channels and MIDI. so it should just be a matter of preference from then.? They look about the same..

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@pkayokay Oh whoops... sorry, I didn't see the "PRO". I was thinking of the little brother of that one.

M-Audio stuff is good, but has a "spotty" track record for reliability in my experience. I receive a lot of emails about people M-Audios malfunctioning, and none about Presonus.

[zgancho]

I dude i have a question, i will buy that box soon and i want to now if its possible listen for ex: a original song and the sound of my bass at the same time?

[ChaseG4L]

I dont know if it is my mic or if its my audio interface but some how it doesnt pic up good sound while recording. So i'm gueessing it is my mic. 

[MikeDirntBass2468]

Does it work for a bass guitar ?? ^^

and what software is good for record and mix songs and stuff ?

[supremeselecta]

@MikeDirntBass2468 Yeah it works for bass, guitar, keyboard, anything... My suggestion for recording and mixing songs would be Cubase 5 if you use PC or Logic if you are a mac user. I personally LOVE cubase, but i produce mainly all electronic music.

[D40Oz1]

question, i read some bad reviews on the preamps being to hot. i REALLY want to buy this , but i only want it for my vocals, and i do alot of loud rap/metal vocals.... so would this not be a good interface for me if its going to clip alot?

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@D40Oz1 It is a great Pre-Amp. People who do not know how to use it don't like it. People who do... like it.

Good luck!

[arnold9012]

What are the TRS outputs for?

[skatetrue19]

I'm looking for an usb interface that would be able to record an average size band, so like 4-5 inputs; any suggestions?

[garypancio]

Do I need to download the Studio One software? Is this in addition to garageband??

Will it slow down my MAC (version 10.6.4)

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@garypancio No you don't need to download anything.

[Hafrgraut]

Great guy with good videoes. But I don't care much for these product recommendations…or should I say 'sponsors'. Some of the comments on this page reveals possible nasty surprices. Hardly a quality product.

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@Hafrgraut I'm not sponsored by anyone unfortunately! I make videos about products I own, like and recommend as a professional musician/engineer/producer.

For the money the Presonus is "Top notch". Good sound, very versatile and certainly better than an M-Audio which costs more.

[Hafrgraut]

@GaragebandandBeyond Ok, good to hear. However, 'for the money' seems rather diffuse to me, knowing that M-Audio makes really shit soundcards... ;-)

That said, Presonus' DAW - Studio One is a real beauty. Simply a fantastic software.

[rufiorocksmysocks]

hey bro! i have one... but i'm getting a bunch of noise!!! =/ some hum while trying to record my electric drums... also, when i try to listen to itunes stuff trhough the headphones out on the soundcard, the volume is really low, unless it's on max, and it's kinda high pitch and distorted... ideas???

thxxx

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@rufiorocksmysocks Try a different USB cable!

[Hafrgraut]

Let say this one's preamps in comparison to Apogees Duo... Do they even compare?

[RicoCabredo]

have the pre amps been too hot for you? ive read online that its a common problem

[JBoyFresh12]

@GaragebandandBeyond which audio interface would you prefer. Presonus Audio Box USB or M Audio Fast Track Pro

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@JBoyFresh12 Presonus is much better.

[andrewarbogast1]

I've been getting a weird PISST PISST PISST noise when I plug into either input. It goes away when I turn the Mixer Knob clockwise, but then I can't hear the inputs. I was wondering if you've experienced this, or might know what is causing it.

[StonethrowersMusic]

@andrewarbogast1 I would try a new cable first. Otherwise, I think you might have to call Presonus! Good luck.

[andrewarbogast1]

@StonethrowersMusic Ya i've tried a couple cables and it didn't help. It seems to start happening after I've been recording for a while.I'me actually waiting for a response from Presonus, but thanks for the quick response.

[rufiorocksmysocks]

@andrewarbogast1 have u solved thsi issue?! im tired of this =/

[skatetrue19]

Is it possible to hook up a mixer to an interface like the presonus audiobox to get more input capability? Or would getting an interface with more inputs directly on the device be the better way to go? Thanks Lewin

[StonethrowersMusic]

@skatetrue19 You could as a mixer, but what you would end up with would be a track mix. It would be much better to have the extra inputs on an interface.

[skatetrue19]

@StonethrowersMusic Thank you very much, do you have any reccomendations for a multi-input recording interface?

[GaragebandandBeyond]

@skatetrue19 How many inputs do you want to have?

[Dman9676]

@GaragebandandBeyond I want to make professional vocal recordings would this be close im a logic user

[mrgoodvibrations]

Good review, thanks for the comparison sound like you did your homework on this....

[4stringaffe]

I've got this!!

It's awesome!!

[tourofdenali]

Yea Presonus =] I've got a Firestudio Project and love it, thinking of getting a TubePre ... I love this company. Though like you said, their "Class A" preamps are kind of quiet... carries over to the Firestudio. I'm recording an album for a church, some of the old ladies are inexplicably terrified of my gear, so they sing really quiet. Have to MAX gain the preamp on an SM57, which makes me nervous =S But with phantom on a condenser it's fine. So hmmph?

[DillonBlacketer]

Hey Lewin in another video you showed that you used the M-Audio Fast Track as a recording interface, how does the Presonus compare to the M-Audio?

[juuzek]

@DillonBlacketer yeah, good question. I was curious about the same, specifically the sound comparison.

[StonethrowersMusic]

@DillonBlacketer I like this one a lot better.

[shatteredbrutal]

good video lewin, i was actually thinking about buying a usb digital interface

[RT101894]

What do you like better? This or the Fast Track?

[BrunoBaudewyns]

Hi Lewin, Nice video and nice review as always.

I always find your approach of "gear presentation" interesting, more "human".

However, it would be nice to have something more "deep". We can find a lot of reviews on the internet, but it's rare to actually ear it and see it in action. A little "demo" would be great.Another thing worth mentioning : it comes with studio one artist, no need to buy a recording software, and the 1/4inch inputs are HiZ connectors for guitar/bass, and not line connectors

[TDWPbassistAILD]

basically, you're my favorite subscription

[RT101894]

@TDWPbassistAILD agreed

[freekwit2es]

I was looking at reviews for this and most of them said that the 1/4" inputs get lots of fuzz. Have you experienced that issue when recording guitars on it? The reviews also said there was no line level input, I'm new to recording and I'm not sure what that is. As a beginner would not having a line level input even be an issue?

[darkragnarok21]

I've bought this about a year ago and it's great. The preamps sound nice for the price range and even better than some of the ones in the $200-230 range. Plus it comes with nice software and features.