All user reviews for the PreSonus AudioBox USB

Setup

- MacBook Pro
- OS X 10.8.5
- 4GB RAM
- Logic Pro 9

Overview

The PreSonus AudioBox offers a great variety of features for the money. There are few interfaces in its class that offer the same features for $150 or less (the Audiobox is very easy to find used for less than $100). For Apple users, the Audiobox is practically plug-and-play, and the proper software is provided for PC users as well.

For beginners, it's a perfect entry level interface for basic mono/stereo recording, but it also makes a great "on-the-go" interface for experienced musicians and engineers. The preamps are very usable and the interface is bus-powered via USB, so your band could literally record an acoustic demo of a new song while sitting in a tour van with a microphone and laptop computer.

Now this is not to say that the PreSonus Audiobox does not come with its own set of limitations.

Pros and Cons

While the Audiobox is a great value, it will be easy to outgrow if you choose to expand your setup (I say this from personal experience). Having 2 hybrid XLR/TRS inputs and 2 TRS outputs may keep your setup compact, but it certainly limits your options for recording a multi-instrument setup (full band, drum set, orchestra, etc). You may have to be more creative with microphone choice and placement if you intend to use this box for one-take full band recording, but it is possible.

The preamps are fairly clean, with a decent amount of 'headroom,' but they are definitely not the best out there. The 24-bit converters are on par with its price point, and there's nothing a little "studio magic" can't improve in post-production The control pots are very sturdy, and the unit itself is built into a durable metal casing (again, making it perfect for on-the-go applications).

Latency

It's also worth mentioning that the latency of this unit is a little more than noticeable. The interface includes a mixer control which can be adjusted between input and playback. This is a fancy way of saying that you can choose between monitoring the signal going into the box or the actual recording taking place in your DAW...or a blend between the two (which I have found to be kind of pointless).

I leave the mixer control on the playback setting 99% of the time, because I prefer to hear the actual recording going into the DAW in real time, but the latency for this interface is a bit high if you choose to record that way. Conversely, there is no latency at all if you switch the mixer control to input, but then you're unable to monitor the signal for possible clipping or software effects in your DAW as you record. As I have mentioned before, though, this unit makes up for its limitations in value and price. The latency issue is just something to adjust to as you get used to the Audiobox.

Bottom-Line

The PreSonus Audiobox is an ideal, affordable interface for the beginner who wants to explore the endless possibilities of audio engineering, or the performing musician who wants a quick and easy way to record demos and ideas. As I continue to expand my own setup and graduate to more versatile interfaces, I intend to keep my AudioBox because it's an invaluable tool for portability and quick, no-fuss recording.

I use this card for 3 years as an amateur, exclusively for electric guitar and vocals.

First under windows 7, the system was not stable as indicated in other reviews. Drivers to reconfigure each use or switch between Presonus card and PC sound card.

I am now on mac. The card is detected immediately and works perfectly. The real question is: is that one day we will be able to sound just under windows?

UTILIZATION

I use GarageBand, the issue of drivers do not arise under mac.
The card has a knob for adjusting the output équilbrer between the dry and wet. So I work systematically on its dry, headphones plugged into the headphone jack of the card with a total absence of latency.

No problem to record two tracks simultaneously jack or XLR jack plus (2 inputs are compatible jack / XLR). Note that the card has phantom power for microphones.

I am not using all MIDI.

GETTING STARTED

Being really amateur singing level, I do not have the skills to judge the quality of voice reproduction with the card. However, it seems very satisfactory, although slightly too focused on mediums. The equation is set in a jiffy with the software computer music.

Side guitar, with his dry guitar plugged directly is very well made and slightly compressed, which provides a natural balance between the strings, and a lot of potatoes in the bottom of the spectrum. For my part, I am very satisfied with this aspect, but it is taken into account for the purists who seek a totally transparent sound.

The card works well with various plug-ins and effects processing software. Having my little habits and my own effects, I experimented with my rack connected upstream (between guitar and map), compression is much more experience, including distos / fuzz who find themselves completely overwritten. The sound is very clean exploitable. And any way, record a sound worked is mmmmmaaaaaaaaaaallllllll!

In addition, no difficulty in using the instruments software only, without connected to the instrument card.

OVERALL OPINION

Given its price, I found this great card. It is not clear to the quality and finesse of pro gear, but this is not its purpose.

For amateurs, even confirmed it has all the qualities to give you sound very good.

Being my first sound card, I was not looking for something sophisticated and expensive. The audiobox on this point is unbeatable: 130 € for serious use.

Two XLR, IN / OUT noon for keyboards, monitoring output and output jack
Connecting USB, 5 knobs (1 mixer, 1 gain for each XLR, 2 volume)
Small, does not heat ...

I record my bass above and sometimes voice via microphone and other instrumentals, and its laid is very loyal and very good.
However, I also often saves my synth via the sound card, and the sound is compressed, dumoins quality is reduced and it feels. When you connect the headphones on the quality is extremely good synth, but once you reccord and listen to the sound on the DAW, we see a huge drop in quality. Well, it seems to be only audible to synths for now ...

UTILIZATION

I had a problem on a project, probably linked to the card, with many audio tracks map seems to have trouble keeping up .... Problem annoying but observed only once (although on a project with a score track only).

Also, when the computer is pretty loaded, the card can be difficult to follow (that's "cutting" regularly), however with a bit of space in its memory the problem is neutralized.

GETTING STARTED

Easy installation, USB connection, install the Driver and it is usable.
Simplicity is the watchword for this card

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few months, this is my first sound card.
I do not feel the urge to get one more expensive, however, I recognize the lowcost nature of the card, even if in the end you can record everything with, I observed a few blackheads.

6/10

Flee this card you will earn money and you will not lose your time.
I ask the engineers Presonus me show me how their card would be really interesting to hear!
Price
Guitar + Tyros 4
Creation Record

UTILIZATION

Impossible to install properly on XP and Vista Drivers
I passed under Linux is a better but can not really convincing

GETTING STARTED

Impossible to correctly configure for recording part of Windows XP, Vista and Linux sound is not top

OVERALL OPINION

6 months
Not first model
Creaking sound
To sell quickly

connections in and out simple and begins when the main mao
2 combo inputs is to say either XLR or jack, two gain settings
2 outputs TRS headphone output with a dry signal mixer and mixed signal
midi in and out
first on a pc but drivers charge each time and pass on mac and hop over problem.
USB connectivity
use with professional studio one 2.6 and a mac book pro 13 COREI5 4GB
it turns

UTILIZATION

Mac no crash
studio one pro 2.6
for now I'm one track after so I do not know

latency 2.3 ms

GETTING STARTED

no installation setup prob either pc or mac, mac not

OVERALL OPINION

this is my first interface and I advice to all those who want to began, it has good performance level preamps and no complaints, even though of course we know that there are many more unfortunate that there is no limiter gain for input signals that can create distortion, but hey should not exaggerate

The choice was made to have a MIDI output in addition to a simple 2-input input interface, which was quite rare.
I use the USB to the software, and the entries have served me for Micro, synth, mixer depending on usage.
To get the sound of my instruments, I could use the mixer, but for the record I connectais Audiobox, instrument by instrument, with only two inputs, it is not the most convenient, but when it starts on form!

UTILIZATION

I had problems for months to look and change drivers on PC because its a parasite was present, but I went Mac now, I connect, I play more problems thank you Apple.
Used in Ableton, no complaints. Studio One was offered as I got into it and I confess that I have adopted for certain components, this software is great.

GETTING STARTED

No problem on Mac, Windows Drivers problem (see dozens of thread on google)

The configuration is really good, a knob for the determination of sound input and USB, the volumes of inputs, the headphone and the simple and very solid overall volume.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years, this is my first external sound card and I have no regrets since I went Mac.
I appreciate it for its simplicity and robustness, very good quality / price ratio
I would do the same choice with experience, maybe it's worth it to buy used.

I have not chosen by myself, it was offered to me. I use a PC running Windows 7 with 4GB of ram.

It has 2 inputs and 2 outputs + mono headphone output [all in jack] + 1 input and 1 output noon. 48v phantom power and pre-amps.

On a driver interface where you can choose whether it is rotated at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, and the latency of 6 levels (a latency output 3069 samples / 69 ms and a latency of input samples 1068/24 ms latency output 280 samples / 6 ms and a latency input 93 samples / 2 ms).

I use it for my shots sound microphones "room", making dynamic microphones to record the guitar by plugging directly, and its connectivity noon.

UTILIZATION

Plug and play was not super stable for me, but the drivers are stable once installed, and I had more problems. Never had to SHIFT.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is no problem. one branch, we put the cd and instructions are followed.
The rest is pretty simple.

I quickly looked at the manual for doing something, I recall more how it is done. But the box is rather intuitive.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had more than 2 years. I have not tried another model.

The feature I like most is the knob "mixer" which allows to mix the sounds that I plug in and the sound coming from my PC (which avoids the latency).

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
2 XLR / JACK, noon (keyboard), USB powered, metal box

With what tools you use?
Bass G & L L2000 - Guitar .. keyboard .. micro

For what purpose? For model, its input for Guitar Rig or Crockos Reaper

My config? i5 laptop, windows 7, 4Gb memory

UTILIZATION

Use?
Nothing to say except that initially I was surprised by the knobs who notched race.
Powered by USB.
The latency is not great but good with my little system.

GETTING STARTED

The installation is made finger in the nose, no crash, no compatibility issues.

OVERALL OPINION

I must have been 3 years for the price I have no complaints, the construction is good the connection is good, the knobs hold up.
I am satisfied with my purchase for my little amateur use.

I needed a sound card 2 inputs + 2 single outputs for recording and live.

UTILIZATION

As driver, I use both the PreSonus driver (which works) and Asio4All.
I plugged into Ableton Live.

The audio goes well, I have read 8 tracks simultaneously without any problem (I did not need more) to an acceptable latency.

on the other hand, big problem, my model should have a default sound is sometimes found completely stopped for a split second, so I did not ask him for excessive calculations.
It is very painful when it happens live ... The sound engineers to whom I showed it did not really know what was going on, it will probably send it for review.
For recording at home is doing well, this kind of problem happens from time to time but it is rare.

GETTING STARTED

Easy installation, there is only the plug, no particular problem.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for six months, it's cool if it is not the problem (which began four months after purchase) interrupt the sound, and it probably relates to my model.

What I like most is the strength and minimum space due to its shape.
What I like least: the knobs are fairly reliable even at zero was a bit of sound. it is not conducive to use as mixer / preamp.

Tight money, very solid case, very simple configuration.
To start in the recording is perfect.

Simply connect to the computer via USB and then plug his stuff.
The software comes with studio one is not bad either.

Personally I'm using it to record my songs (pop rock style) and it helps to have a good record, very clean.

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use.

For drivers I do not know.

GETTING STARTED

Mac no installation!

No problem so far!
Manual can be a bit hasty but looking on the internet is what is documented.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had six months and I'm happy for my use. To start in the recording and computer music is perfect.

With the experience I would do this choice, with a very good value for money.

Card works with small PC configuration, ideal to start. My config was 2GHZ Dual core, 2GB RAM, 150 HDD (XP sp3 and Vista 32 laptop)

UTILIZATION

Used with Cubase sx 5 and 6 artist, very low latency (one of the lowest in this range at the time), midi keyboard for VST latency more pronounced depending on your hardware.

GETTING STARTED

Very easy installation, driver findable on site, taking easy hands.

OVERALL OPINION

Quality / price at the time, beat, it's the card that I really started to worked on PC, from the Hardware type machines MPC, MV, and other BAR.
Save time and money to model. I have since changed, but stayed true to Presonus with 44 VSL.Sans hesitation, I do it again this choice.

Purchased for use in FL Studio with a tower (Windows 7 64-bit, Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM). Easier access because I work with a tower, I had before the EMU 1212M (PCI). A midi keyboard maudio midi input, output to active monitors output to my stereo, can enter two instruments or vinyl, or platinum. A well-designed headphones output, sufficient volume settings.

UTILIZATION

The driver asked me worry Windows 7 because the Presonus site, the link to the stable drivers stated "beta" while it is good. Quickly resolved. Very low latency (5ms)

GETTING STARTED

Easy to install, config nonexistent, it works on branch.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 6 months I did not change. It is a simple, robust, small but effective interface.