PreSonus Studio 24c USB-C Audio Interface

Verified purchase

“After nearly two months with the PreSonus Studio 24c replacing my broken Zoom U-24, I can confidently say this interface delivers where it matters most whilst revealing some frustrating design choices that hold it back from perfection.The Good StuffThe sound quality genuinely impressed me. Those XMAX-L preamps aren't marketing fluff - they're noticeably cleaner than what I had before, with enough headroom to handle my dynamic microphone without needing a cloudlifter. For content creation work like voiceovers and streaming, the clarity is spot-on. The 24-bit/192kHz capability means my recordings have that professional sheen that makes editing a pleasure rather than a chore.USB-C connectivity feels properly modern, and the bus-powered design means one less wall wart cluttering my desk. The metal construction feels reassuringly solid - this isn't going to fall apart if you're lugging it between locations.Where it gets frustratingThe control layout is genuinely maddening. Five knobs crammed together on the front panel with the phantom power button squeezed in between - it's like they designed it for people with fairy fingers. I've accidentally knocked settings whilst reaching for the mix control more times than I care to admit. The headphone jack being round the back is another head-scratcher for anyone who actually uses headphones regularly.Against the competitionHaving researched extensively, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 consistently gets more expert recommendations, and I can see why - its layout is far more sensible. However, the Studio 24c has proper MIDI I/O, which the Scarlett lacks. For the same money, you're getting more connectivity options, even if they're packaged less elegantly.The Behringer alternatives cost less but reviews consistently mention more electronic noise. At this price point (around £70 used), the PreSonus hits a sweet spot between the budget options and the premium interfaces.The software bundleStudio One Artist is genuinely useful - far better than the basic DAWs usually bundled with interfaces. I didn't bother with most of the other included software, but having a proper DAW included adds real value.Bottom lineThis interface does exactly what I bought it for without fuss. The sound quality justifies the price, the build feels professional, and it's been completely reliable. Yes, the control layout is annoying, and yes, there are more user-friendly options available. But if you can live with reaching round the back for headphones and being careful with those cramped controls, you're getting excellent audio performance that'll serve you well for years.It's not the most elegant solution, but it's a proper tool that gets the job done without breaking the bank.After using various budget interfaces over the years, this strikes the right balance between price and performance for someone who needs clean audio without the premium price tag. Just wish they'd sort out that control layout in the next revision.”

Verified purchase

“I've hooked mine up via a USB switch so I can use it with a Pi5 running Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm or a tower PC running Kubuntu LTS, and it runs flawlessly with both. No jumping through hoops to get it working as the Linux kernel immediately recognised it on both computers.Sound quality is as amazing as the specs imply, and noise is virtually non-existent when driving the inputs with line level signals. It's capable of driving my 64 Ohm Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones nicely up to an unbearably loud volume level with no audible distortion, so no complaints there either.I got mine when it was on sale recently for just £74 and consider this to be outstanding value for money for the level of performance it delivers. Overall performance matches that of some other manufacturer's offerings costing over twice as much, so definitely give PreSonus a look if you haven't already.”