Ready to start recording? PreSonus Quantum ES and HD interface ranges give you everything you need to lay down your ideasAd feature with PreSonus.
If you’re looking to start recording your own music, things can quickly get overwhelming. There are hundreds of audio interfaces on the market today, with various specs and capabilities that, to beginners, often seem like a foreign language.
PreSonus, the name behind the growing Studio One DAW, may have the answer with Quantum. A streamlined family of affordable next-gen interfaces, the Quantum ES and HD range connect via low-latency USB-C to both Mac and Windows setups.
The Quantum interfaces come in different configurations to meet the needs of everyone from first-time producers and desktop creators to professional tracking engineers — and with seamless Studio One Pro 7 integration and the Universal Control management software, buyers will have a complete package for recording.
A home recording primer – Quantum ES Range

The first question to ask yourself when buying an audio interface is usually how many inputs and outputs you need. If you’re just getting started and simply want to record one thing at a time, the Quantum ES 2 is certainly up to the task.
It has two mic/line inputs for recording microphone and instrument sources, and two line outputs to connect to your monitors. Additionally, there’s a dedicated front-panel instrument input designed in collaboration with legendary guitar manufacturer Fender (who acquired PreSonus in 2021). This input has been specifically tuned for accurate guitar and bass capture, and it’s perfect for recording a DI signal to be used in amp sim plugins like Bias, Guitar Rig Pro, or AmpliTube.
Alternatively, the Quantum ES 4 offers a little more room to grow. It has four mic/line inputs, which is enough for a simple drum recording setup with kick, snare, and stereo overheads. You could use it for recording a grand piano with multiple mics, or even a bare-bones live band arrangement with four instruments captured in mono at the same time.
Plus, the two extra outputs make it possible to connect alternative monitors or pipe audio to outboard effects for further processing. Even if you’re not yet at that point of your recording journey, stretching the budget to extra I/O is often worth it for future flexibility — especially given that both the ES 2 and ES 4 are already very affordable.
Both the interfaces are capable of 24-bit / 192 kHz recording, and feature PreSonus’ new MAX-HD mic preamps that deliver up to 75 dB of clean, low-noise gain. What does that mean for beginners?

24-bit recording offers a wide dynamic range, so you can record at a lower level to avoid accidental clipping or distortion, and turn up the volume later without introducing excessive digital noise. Fortunately, the ES 2 and ES 4 also have an Auto Gain function to easily set the ideal input level.
192 kHz is a very high resolution that can capture a wide range of frequency information, although 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz is fine for most projects.
75 dB of gain means you can use virtually any microphone on the market and get a strong, clear signal without needing an external preamp.

Both the Quantum ES 2 and ES 4 have MIDI in and out for connecting external instruments, although it’s via TRS minijack rather than the more universal 5-pin DIN.
Expanding your setup – Quantum HD Range
Credit: PreSonus
For audio pros, serious home setups, and even commercial studios, the PreSonus Quantum HD interfaces fit the bill. They offer up to 32-bit / 192 kHz analogue-to-digital conversion — the gold standard for audio recording — and have MAX-HD mic preamps with 75 dB gain and ultra-low noise.
There are two models. The Quantum HD 2 has two mic/line inputs and four line outputs, while the Quantum HD 8 has eight mic/line inputs and ten line outs. Both have ADAT optical connectivity that provide powerful multi-tracking capabilities, expanding the I/O to 20×24 for the HD 2 and 26×30 for the HD 8, while MIDI is available via S/PDIF.
Like the Quantum ES range, the HD interfaces feature Fender-designed instrument inputs, but boast another major advantage for guitarists and bassists — dual dedicated re-amp outputs.
Re-amping is a process where a dry DI signal is fed into a hardware amp (which can then be recorded via DI or a microphone), letting the producer change the guitar or bass sound even after the performance is recorded. Often, engineers will use a dedicated re-amp box to ensure the amplifier is receiving the signal at the correct impedance, which can significantly affect the amp’s tone.
This extra box isn’t necessary with the Quantum HD range, since guitarists can come straight out of the interface and into the amp. The re-amp outputs can also be used for sending a signal to other external gear like outboard effects or analogue tape machines.
A match made in heaven – Studio One Pro 7 and Universal Control
Another reason to consider a PreSonus Quantum interface? Each unit comes with a full perpetual licence for Studio One Pro 7, so buyers are getting a complete hardware-software production platform for a single price. Considering alternatives like Ableton and Logic Pro are several hundred pounds, this is a pretty compelling offering for budding producers yet to ally themselves with one particular DAW.
Once paired with the Universal Control software — a hub for software control, monitor mixing, and settings PreSonus devices — the Quantum interfaces harmonise perfectly with Studio One Pro 7. Users can control routing, manage gain, and change presets straight from the DAW.
Which PreSonus Quantum should I choose?
All the PreSonus Quantum interfaces tick many desirable boxes: high-quality pre-amps, low-latency recording and monitoring, and an affordable price tag. These devices make particular sense for guitar-focused workflows and Studio One users — but which model is right for you?
Ultimately, Quantum ES is best for singer-songwriters, guitarists, or those with simpler recording setups. If you’re mostly working in the box with software instruments and want to add guitar or vocals to your tracks, the ES 2 could be perfect — but we’d recommend going for the ES 4. The addition of two extra inputs and outputs may not sound like much, but it offers greater scope for uses like multitrack recording or even live performance.
For engineers and more experienced producers, Quantum HD is the flagship for maximum recording fidelity, advanced routing, and deeper guitar workflows with reamping. The HD 8 may be overkill for home setups, but the HD 2 is an excellent middle ground that could be perfect for rock and metal musicians seeking an upgrade.
Learn more about the Quantum Range and follow @presonus on social media.
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