Presonus Quantum Thunderbolt audio interface

Presonus Quantum

Taking full advantage of the high-speed Thunderbolt 2 bus and ADAT Optical I/O, the PreSonus Quantum audio/MIDI interface delivers up to 26 inputs and 32 outputs, with extremely low latency. Boasting superb audio quality; 24-bit, 192 kHz recording and playback; recallable XMAX microphone preamps; and the ability to expand your system as your needs grow, it’s a great choice for a wide variety of professional and semi-pro producers and electronic musicians.

Every design decision during Quantum’s engineering was made with one goal in mind: speed. Quantum sports high-speed Thunderbolt 2 connectivity and a no-frills, direct-to-DAW architecture, with no DSP. The result is our leanest, fastest, lowest-latency interface to date.

Cutting-edge 24-bit, 192 kHz converters with 120 dB of dynamic range and a surprising amount of expandability and software control options round out the package.

The Quantum offers two combo mic/line/instrument inputs and six combo mic/line inputs, each with a digitally-controlled XMAX preamp and individual +48V phantom power. You also get two ¼-inch TRS main outputs, eight ¼-inch TRS aux outputs, and two independent headphone outs with dedicated volume controls. But that’s just the start. With ADAT Optical I/O and S/PDIF stereo digital I/O, you can have up to 18 digital inputs and outputs. And if you need even more I/O channels, you can stack up to four Quantum interfaces via Thunderbolt to create a monster system with up to 96 in and out. BNC word clock I/O ensures your Quantum and other digital audio devices operate in tight sync. And of course you get MIDI I/O, too.

Specifications:

• 26 Inputs
• 32 Outputs
• Very low latency <1 ms
• Audiophile 24 bit digital converter with 120 dB dynamic response
• Up to 192 kHz sampling rate
• Inputs: 2x XLR Combo (Mic / Line / Instr.), 6x XLR Combo (Mic / Line)
• 8 XMAX Class A microphone preamplifier (ON <-131 dB, THD + N <0.005%)
• Perfect integration in DAW "Studio One 3" (including gain control)
• DC-coupled line outputs allow driving (CV / gate) of analog components (synths, filters, etc.) out of DAW
• Remote control and programmable via Mac, PC, iPad and Tablet (via "UC Surface")
• Included control software / app "UC-Surface": Setting and storing pre-gain (gain)
• 48 V Phantom Power on / off
• Realtime Analyser
• Front-panel talkback microphone with push-button
• Next / Prev button plus gain control
• 48 V button (phantom power) with status light
• Dim / Mute and Mono buttons with status light
• 8 LED chains (8-segment plus 48 V-LED) for the analog inputs
• 2 LED chains (8-segment) for the main output (L / R)
• 8 Balanced DA outputs (each TRS jack 6.3 mm)
• Separate balanced main output (L / R 2 TRS jack 6.3 mm) with large front-side volume control
• 2 Headphone output (stereo headphone 6.3 mm) with 2 separate volume control knobs
• 16x16 ADAT I / O (48 kHz) or 8x8 Dual SMUX I / O (96 kHz)
• S / PDIF I / O (coaxial)
• Word Clock I / O (BNC)
• MIDI I / O (5-pin DIN)
• Up to 4 Quantum can be cascaded via Thunderbolt
• Power supply: external power supply (12 VDC)
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 483 x 140 x 45 mm
• Weight: 2.3 kg
• Incl. Control software / app "UC-Surface" (to download) and DAW-software "Studio One 3 Artist" (download)

System requirements:

• Thunderbolt 1 or 2 port (motherboard of the computer must support Thunderbolt)
• Internet connection (to register and download software)
• Monitor resolution: 1366 x 768
• 30 GB free disk space
• Hard disk with 7200 RPM or faster (strongly recommended)
• OS X 10.11.6 or later
• Windows 10 64 bit
• Intel Core i5 or faster, 4 GB of RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
• Mobile (UC Surface): iOS 9.3 or later
• Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later