PreSonus Studio 1824C 18x20 USB-C Interface w/ Studio One Artist & Ableton Live Lite

I’ve had my recording studio business for almost 40 years, now. Started in 1979 with a Tascam 40-4, then quickly realized I needed more tracks, so I got an 80-8, and did a lot of advertising jingles and produced a lot of records with it. I remember the days of editing by cutting and splicing tape...piles of tape at my ankles. Then came MIDI, and did a lot with that. Then came digital recording and after using a Micro Technology Unlimited rig for several years, I changed formats again, and have done amazing things with Cakewalk Sonar for over 20 years. Then came Presonus! I knew immediately that would be my next recording format. I’ve watched Presonus evolve and grow, and watched the evolution of what was then the 1818-VST, into the Studio 1824-C, and finally made ... MoreI’ve had my recording studio business for almost 40 years, now. Started in 1979 with a Tascam 40-4, then quickly realized I needed more tracks, so I got an 80-8, and did a lot of advertising jingles and produced a lot of records with it. I remember the days of editing by cutting and splicing tape...piles of tape at my ankles. Then came MIDI, and did a lot with that. Then came digital recording and after using a Micro Technology Unlimited rig for several years, I changed formats again, and have done amazing things with Cakewalk Sonar for over 20 years. Then came Presonus! I knew immediately that would be my next recording format. I’ve watched Presonus evolve and grow, and watched the evolution of what was then the 1818-VST, into the Studio 1824-C, and finally made the switch! Now, as a composer/producer, I can do more than I’ve ever dreamed! Thanks, Presonus! I’m amazed and delighted! Talk about smooth, intuitive workflow! The sky’s the limit! If anyone is trying to decide, go with Presonus! You’ll be glad you did! All I can say, is WOW!, after all these years, finally, somebody ‘s got it right!

I purchased the PreSonus Studio 1824c as a 2nd audio interface. I have it connected along side my motu 8A. For the price, the 1824c does an excellent job and even offers some features not available on the motu - midi I/O, spdif I/O, dual headPhone monitoring each with their own volume control. So far I'm just using it as a replacement for my computers the unreliable realtek audio as well as the midi ports, which means I'm under-utilizing it, but if the motu fails one day, I'm pretty confident that the presonus would be up to the task. Drivers installed no problem. Connects via USB-C and is easy to manage with the universal control app. Midi ports show up in my DAW and work as expected.

Be careful

Loved the strong build of the interface and all the inputs and outputs but was disappointed with some of its capabilities. No options to use fat channel or any other studio one plug ins in universal control if you are looking for that option go with the quantum. I ended up returning because a week or so after I got it everytime I would turn it on there would be a loud hissing sound even with the main output turned all the way down. love presonus and studio one but this just did not work for me.

Buggy and Bad Drivers & Mix SW

I normally don't write reviews but this interface's drivers and mix software is so bad I thought I might save someone else from having to deal with it. I used it in windows 10. As of 11/21 in order to get the adat inputs to work properly and monitor through the mixer you need to change the sample rate to another rate and back to the one you're using after powering up (every time). I learned this after doing some research and apparently this has been a know bug for years. To add insult to injury the real-time mix/monitoring SW is terrible. Its divided into mixes per output pairs, which is fine/workable, but the solo is global and mutes all other busses. So, if for example, you want only mic one on Adat 3/4 you'd have to mute or turn down every other channel instead ... MoreI normally don't write reviews but this interface's drivers and mix software is so bad I thought I might save someone else from having to deal with it. I used it in windows 10. As of 11/21 in order to get the adat inputs to work properly and monitor through the mixer you need to change the sample rate to another rate and back to the one you're using after powering up (every time). I learned this after doing some research and apparently this has been a know bug for years. To add insult to injury the real-time mix/monitoring SW is terrible. Its divided into mixes per output pairs, which is fine/workable, but the solo is global and mutes all other busses. So, if for example, you want only mic one on Adat 3/4 you'd have to mute or turn down every other channel instead of just soloing the channel you want and all faders are up by default. Maybe there's a shortcut but I had to much to do to find it. Also there's no way to save monitor mixes. Also if the mixer is active I think you have to route the HW channels to the logical Adat channels going to the DAW rather through the mix SW then access them directly from the driver unless you bypass the mix software all together loosing no latency input monitoring which makes the solo implementation all the more worse. I'm not sure I'm describing this properly but it was arcane and annoying. Also, there's plenty of zipper noise pulling down the bus output faders. It's pure frustration. The pres and build quality are fine and it comes with some nice bundled sw that I had no use for but would come in handy if you're starting from zero. I'd stay away from this box until presonus redesigns the SW. There are decades older options with better functionality and whatever money you're saving isn't worth it. Something like: "Presonus is our day job. Designed by musicians" is proclaimed under the stock photos on the the box. It might be good for them to hire some engineers to work the bugs out.

Easy to Set Up, Easy to Use, and Easy on the Eyes

As a user of Presonus' Studio One and owner of a Presonus Studio Channel Tube Preamp / Compressor / EQ, I had high expectations that the Presonus Studio 1824c would continue the brand's high quality and ease of use. I certainly was not disappointed. Setup was as easy as mounting the Studio 1824c in my rack, connect the ins and outs, as needed, select the Studio 1824c as my Studio One audio source, and I was running. The graphs on the front of the Studio 1824c make setting mic/line/instrument levels a snap, while the volume knobs for the studio monitors / headphones makes mixing and monitoring a simple, pleasant, and convenient experience. The quality of the audio that the Studio 1824c records (and plays back) is top notch. Presonus continues to impress with their ... MoreAs a user of Presonus' Studio One and owner of a Presonus Studio Channel Tube Preamp / Compressor / EQ, I had high expectations that the Presonus Studio 1824c would continue the brand's high quality and ease of use. I certainly was not disappointed. Setup was as easy as mounting the Studio 1824c in my rack, connect the ins and outs, as needed, select the Studio 1824c as my Studio One audio source, and I was running. The graphs on the front of the Studio 1824c make setting mic/line/instrument levels a snap, while the volume knobs for the studio monitors / headphones makes mixing and monitoring a simple, pleasant, and convenient experience. The quality of the audio that the Studio 1824c records (and plays back) is top notch. Presonus continues to impress with their line of high quality and reasonably priced studio gear.

Go With Focusrite

Overall:I got this because I use Studio One 4.5 Pro and figured it would work best with their software. NIGHTMARE soon as you add a second pair of monitors. AND no support provided by Presonus, despite having their software, interface and monitors. Seems there's no way to use outputs 3/4 as an alt pair of monitors for AB or control room in any direct fashion. The workarounds are tedious at best and their best suggestion was to spend more money on a controller rather than simply making it possible to do it by software within the device. In sharp contrast. Focusrite does this automatically from about halfway up their line. Mackie also thought of it. Leaves me wondering about the decision to deal with Presonus at all, but definitely makes their interface a no-way. ... MoreOverall:I got this because I use Studio One 4.5 Pro and figured it would work best with their software. NIGHTMARE soon as you add a second pair of monitors. AND no support provided by Presonus, despite having their software, interface and monitors. Seems there's no way to use outputs 3/4 as an alt pair of monitors for AB or control room in any direct fashion. The workarounds are tedious at best and their best suggestion was to spend more money on a controller rather than simply making it possible to do it by software within the device. In sharp contrast. Focusrite does this automatically from about halfway up their line. Mackie also thought of it. Leaves me wondering about the decision to deal with Presonus at all, but definitely makes their interface a no-way. Sound was good, but that's only part of the deal. Again, Focusrite shines brighter.

Good but not great.

I purchased this to replace a Focusrite 18i20 which definitely had some problems with regards to MIDi. This is definitely better for MIDI than the Focusrite unit which is a plus. However, what I'm missing is the ability to save "set up" profiles, automatic sample rate detection, and the clear pre-amps that the Focusrite had. There is definitely a difference. I find that this interface has dull sounding pre-amps.Also, I'm finding it very difficult to get help regarding the fact that the ADAT transfer port doesn't really work. It's difficult to get any customer service.Finally, the USB-C port; IMHO, I think this technology is bad for just about any device. But, it's very poor on this particular interface. The port does not allow for a snug fit of any USB-C plug. No ... MoreI purchased this to replace a Focusrite 18i20 which definitely had some problems with regards to MIDi. This is definitely better for MIDI than the Focusrite unit which is a plus. However, what I'm missing is the ability to save "set up" profiles, automatic sample rate detection, and the clear pre-amps that the Focusrite had. There is definitely a difference. I find that this interface has dull sounding pre-amps.Also, I'm finding it very difficult to get help regarding the fact that the ADAT transfer port doesn't really work. It's difficult to get any customer service.Finally, the USB-C port; IMHO, I think this technology is bad for just about any device. But, it's very poor on this particular interface. The port does not allow for a snug fit of any USB-C plug. No matter what plug I use, it's a loose fit. An interface plug should be tight and snug with no worry of it falling out. No matter what plug I use in this interface it eventually just falls out. I'm not thrilled about that.All that being said, once it's set up for a project, and it is working it does the job. So I gave it four stars for doing the job and lose a star for missing some features, a loose connection and slow Customer Service.

I think I'm done

I bought the unit in late 2020 and have had it replaced twice. Today after upgrading my Mac OS, the unit could not connect to my computer. When I went to download the latest drivers I found there was no support for Ventura.Previous to this latest issue the unit had hum/noise. So this new unit was replaced maybe a year ago.I do a lot of home recording and this is a recurring inconvenience.

Very Solid...

Overall:Purchased this to replace my Presonus 1818vsl that I had for a few yrs. Quality of build is solid. All the lighting illuminates well. Lots of I/O options... Sounds is great...Great pre amps... DSP is much better than my 1818...Buffer at 256 input quantizing is no prob. Only hitch was the UC software that comes with it is a streamlined version which doesn't allow adding effects on the input. Still not much of an issue as both of my DAWs allow option for this. This is a mid level interface (hence the price) if you need multiple DSP chips or unlimited I/O options.... USB 3.0 or thunderbolt you will need a premium interface like the Quantum.. Apollo... RME or Antelope Audio.