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PreSonus Audio Electronics Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided DigiFreq with a unit of this product for review. Reviewed by Scott R. Garrigus | ||||||
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 As a professional musician and producer, one of the most critical elements of my setup is my audio interface. The difference between a high-quality interface and a mediocre one can drastically affect not only the sound quality of your recordings but also the overall efficiency and fluidity of your workflow. Enter the PreSonus Quantum HD 2 audio interface, a unit designed to meet the demands of serious musicians and producers with its promise of ultra-low latency, high-quality preamps, and rock-solid performance. After extensively using the Quantum HD 2 in a variety of settings, here’s my comprehensive take on what this interface brings to the table—and where it might fall short. Overview: A Quick Look The Quantum HD 2 is a USB-C audio interface that offers an impressive array of features and performance, aimed primarily at professional musicians, producers, and engineers who need the highest possible speed, reliability, and audio fidelity. It’s a compact, 8.5" x 7.5" x 1.9" interface that is not rack-mountable, boasting up to 20 inputs and 24 outputs. But perhaps its most standout feature is its ultra-low latency performance—PreSonus claims it can offer ultra-low latency through its USB-C connection, making it a great choice for those who value speed and responsiveness during live tracking sessions. Build Quality and Design When I first unboxed the Quantum HD 2, I was immediately struck by its sturdy, professional design. It’s housed in a solid metal chassis that feels rugged enough for both studio and stage use. The front panel is minimalist, but features all the essentials: one stereo headphone output, a multi-function LED encoder knob, In/Out meter display, and 48V phantom power button. Additionally, there is a Auto Gain button that can automatically adjust input gain, if needed. There are also the new Guitar / Bass Inputs Co-Developed by Fender that allow quick and easy connection of guitar and bass instruments. Finally, there are the re-amp outputs that can be used to send recorded audio tracks to external processors. Connectivity and Inputs/Outputs For a compact interface, the Quantum HD 2 offers a wide range of connectivity options. The two combo XLR/TRS inputs on the back can handle microphones or line-level signals. The mics go through the all-new PreSonus MAX-HD mic preamps. The preamps are one of the standout features of the unit, providing clean, transparent gain with plenty of headroom. As a vocalist, I found the preamps particularly impressive in how they retained the natural warmth and dynamics of my performances without adding noticeable color. The USB-C connectivity and the custom low-latency drivers are the heart of the Quantum HD 2’s ultra-low latency performance. If you're running a modern Mac or PC with USB-C ports, this interface leverages that bandwidth for incredibly fast data transfer, giving you some of the lowest latency performance on USB. This is a huge deal for professional musicians who need real-time feedback when recording multiple instruments simultaneously. I was able to run large sessions without any noticeable latency, even when using plugins and virtual instruments. Additionally, the Quantum 2 offers ADAT and MIDI-S/PDIF connections, allowing you to expand your inputs and outputs by adding external preamps or converters. This is a great feature if you're working with larger recording sessions that require more than the two built-in preamps. With ADAT, you can add up to eight or sixteen more inputs (depending on sampling rate), making the Quantum HD 2 highly scalable as your studio grows. There are 4 balanced line outputs on the back, including two dedicated main outputs for your studio monitors. The inclusion of DC-coupled outputs is a forward-thinking touch, as it allows you to control modular synths or external gear that requires control voltage (CV). This feature is particularly valuable for electronic musicians and producers who work with modular synths or vintage gear. Sound Quality and Preamps The sound quality of the Quantum HD 2 is exceptional. PreSonus has equipped this unit with 32-bit/192 kHz converters, providing pristine clarity and detail. Whether I was recording vocals, guitars, or drums, the audio captured through the Quantum HD 2 sounded open, dynamic, and true to the source. In my experience, there was no significant coloration or alteration of the signal—what goes in is essentially what comes out. The PreSonus MAX-HD preamps are a big reason for this excellent sound. As mentioned earlier, these preamps offer a great balance of clarity and warmth. I found them particularly effective when recording vocals, where transparency is key to preserving the nuances of a performance. When driving them hard, the preamps introduced a bit of harmonic saturation, but it was subtle and musical—not the kind of distortion you'd get from lower-quality preamps. For those working in high-resolution audio, the Quantum HD 2 can handle 192 kHz sample rates, making it a great choice for audiophiles and professionals who need the highest fidelity. The unit's dynamic range (up to 124 dB) ensures that both quiet and loud signals are handled with equal precision, making it easy to capture everything from delicate acoustic guitar fingerpicking to thunderous drum hits without sacrificing detail. Latency and Performance One of the Quantum HD 2’s biggest selling points is its ultra-low latency. In my experience, this claim is well-founded. Thanks to the USB-C connection and the custom drivers, I was able to run large sessions with multiple virtual instruments and plugins without encountering any significant latency issues. Monitoring through the Quantum HD 2 felt almost instantaneous, even with multiple tracks and effects running simultaneously. This ultra-low latency performance is especially useful for live recording sessions where the ability to hear yourself in real time is crucial. I was able to track bass, guitar, and vocals all at once without any perceptible delay, which greatly enhanced the overall experience for the musicians involved. Additionally, the low-latency monitoring feature allows you to route signals directly from the inputs to the outputs, bypassing the DAW entirely for an even faster monitoring solution. For me, the low-latency performance also shines during post-production. I frequently work with large, CPU-intensive projects, and the Quantum HD 2 handled them with ease, making it a reliable choice for mixing and mastering tasks. Software Integration and Control PreSonus offers a suite of software to enhance the Quantum HD 2’s capabilities, including 12 months of Studio One+ add-ons, exclusive content, and tools, plus a full perpetual license to Studio One Pro. This means you can try the Studio One+ subscription for 12 months and if you decide not to continue it, you still get to keep access to the full current version of Studio One Professional. Kudos to PreSonus for going this route with their software, something all software companies should be doing these days. Of course, the Quantum HD 2 will work with other DAWs as well like Pro Tools, Ableton Live, or Logic Pro. That said, the Quantum HD 2 integrates well with any DAW that supports Core Audio (macOS), WDM or ASIO (Windows), so compatibility is not an issue. Universal Control is the software used to manage the Quantum HD 2’s driver settings as well as access all the settings of the interface itself. It’s intuitive and straightforward, allowing you to make quick adjustments to your input levels, clock source, and sample rate without having to dive deep into menus. Conclusion The PreSonus Quantum HD 2 audio interface is a powerhouse for professional musicians, offering exceptional sound quality, ultra-low latency, and a robust build that will stand up to both studio and stage use. The USB-C connectivity and custom drivers ensure that the interface delivers blazing-fast performance, making it perfect for those who need ultra-low latency during both tracking and mixing. The PreSonus MAX-HD preamps are clean and transparent, providing more than enough gain for most applications. The ability to expand the interface via ADAT and S/PDIF is a big plus for those who need more inputs and outputs for larger recording sessions. All in all, the PreSonus Quantum HD 2 is an excellent choice for professional musicians and producers who need a reliable, high-quality interface with ultra-low latency performance and flexible connectivity. It’s a perfect fit for those who prioritize sound quality and responsiveness, making it one of the best choices in its class. For more information, visit: * Amazon: Amazon.com * Website: PreSonus.com |
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