PreSonus AudioBox 1818VSL Recording Interface

 

A professional recording system you can grow with.

When you’re recording a full band, you need an interface with enough I/O to handle the challenge. For these sessions, the AudioBox 1818VSL USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface has you covered with six mic/line inputs and two mic/instruments inputs, each with a crystal-clear, high-headroom XMAX preamp. Want to track the whole band at once and send to multiple sets of monitors, headphone amps, and outboard gear? Connect a PreSonus® DigiMax™ D8 or DigiMax DP88 8-channel preamp/converter via ADAT Optical and a digital device via S/PDIF for a total of 18 inputs and 18 outputs.

XMAX preamps + 96 kHz sampling = great sound.

The AudioBox 1818VSL records and plays back at sampling rates up to 96 kHz, with remarkably low noise. It features the same Class A XMAX microphone preamplifiers as our StudioLive AI mixers, which are found in recording studios and live venues the world over. The result is clean, pure, audiophile-quality sound.

XMAX preamp

The microphone preamplifier is a key component in the audio quality of a recording, and all mic preamps are not created equal. The AudioBox 1818VSL includes custom-designed, high-voltage, discrete, XMAX Class A microphone preamplifiers that are suitable for use with all types of microphones.

The job of a microphone preamplifier in an audio interface is to boost a microphone-level signal to line level before conversion to the digital domain. A good preamp boosts the level to almost 400 times that of the original signal, making the preamp one of the most important stages in an interface. Inexpensive or poorly designed preamps can lead to thin, noisy, or even harsh and brittle results. But with XMAX preamps, the sonic quality is limited only by what microphone you plug into it.

XMAX preamplifiers are built with three key elements:

  • Class A. Class A circuits have no crossover distortion and deliver purer, clearer, and more musical results than the Class AB designs that are found in many preamps.
  • High Voltage. The XMAX preamplifier runs on power rails of 30V. Most off-the-shelf, op-amp-based designs run on power rails of 10V to 18V. Higher-voltage power rails deliver more headroom, deeper lows, smoother highs, and a richer overall sound.
  • Discrete components—not op-amps. We only use genuine transistors, resistors, and capacitors. Op-amps add noise, coloration, and harshness to a signal. Our discrete design delivers ultra-low noise and transparency.

The net result of the XMAX preamp design is high headroom, low noise, wide dynamic range, extended frequency response, and—most important—musicality and transparency.

A versatile solution for almost any studio.

The AudioBox 1818VSL’s two combo mic/instrument and six combo mic/line inputs make it extremely versatile, enabling you to use it with microphones, guitars, keyboards, DJ gear, and more. But that’s just the start: The 1818VSL is loaded with features that make it suitable for almost any studio situation and on the road.

AudioBox 1818VSL’s many pro features.

The AudioBox 1818VSL is a professional product, so we gave it the advanced features pros need. A BNC word-clock output enables the 1818VSL to sync precisely with other digital audio devices. With eight analog aux outputs and two main outs, you can feed and switch between several sets of monitor speakers and outboard gear.

MIDI I/O lets you can connect the AudioBox 1818VSL to virtually any standard MIDI instrument or control surface. ADAT and S/PDIF I/O make it expandable when you need it. A screaming-loud headphone output ensures you can hear your music loud and clear, even in noisy environments.

Pros know that PreSonus gear is reliable and built to last, and the AudioBox 1818VSL is no exception. We used premium parts throughout, along with a heavy-duty steel chassis with real metal knobs. And we managed to fit its full complement of controls, preamps, and I/O into a single rackspace, so whether your studio is at home or on tour, the AudioBox 1818VSL is there where you need it.

World-class recording software included.

Seamlessly integrated with the included PreSonus Studio One® 3 Artist DAW, the AudioBox 1818VSL interface works with virtually all Mac and Windows audio-recording software. Built by creative people for creative music production, Studio One 3 is easy to learn and enables you to compose, record, and produce your masterpiece without getting distracted by the tools. Studio One also enjoys a robust online community of enthusiastic and helpful users you can turn to for advice.

Studio One 3 Artist

All PreSonus interfaces come with PreSonus’ powerful, yet easy-to-use Studio One® 3 Artist recording and production software for Mac® and Windows®. Studio One 3 enables you to compose, record, and produce your masterpiece without getting distracted by the tools, thanks to a straightforward design, a powerful file browser with extensive use of drag-and-drop, in-depth editing, and an Arranger Track and Scratch Pads that let you experiment without losing previous work. It’s inherently Internet-savvy; comes with a wealth of effects plug-ins, virtual instruments, and loops; and can be expanded with Add-ons.

Moreover, Studio One integrates tightly with PreSonus interfaces, configuring automatically—no need to map inputs and outputs. You can even wirelessly transfer recordings from Capture for iPad to Studio One, so you can record anytime, anywhere and edit and mix later. And Studio One 3’s sound quality is, quite simply, unparalleled. These are just a few of the reasons that Studio One 3 is the new standard for DAWs. See what’s new in version 3.

Designed for the studio. Built for the road.

Whether you're just getting into recording or are a veteran producer who wants to go mobile, the AudioBox 1818VSL will give you great sound in a rugged chassis that's ready to hit the road when you are. The perfect companion for any recording software, the AudioBox 1818VSL comes equipped with Studio One Artist to provide you with a complete recording solution right out of the box.

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