PreSonus' AudioBox 22VSL, AudioBox 44VSL, and AudioBox 1818VSL (pictured here) can each serve as a compact, rack-mountable USB 2.0 interface with integrated software that provides the dynamics processing and EQ of a StudioLive-series mixer with latency low enough for users to record and monitor with effects in real time.
Debuting in August (22VSL) and September (44VSL, 1818VSL) with an anticipated street price of $199, $299 and $499, respectively, the VSL-series interfaces aren't meant to replace the current AudioBox USB, but they each deliver reverb and delay effects with dedicated effects buses and the same Fat Channel compression, limiting, 3-band semi-parametric EQ, and high-pass filter found in the new StudioLive 16.0.2 mixer, but with a twist. The processing is done on the user's computer, using bundled PreSonus Virtual StudioLive (VSL) software. Due to its low latency, users can monitor while recording with real-time effects. VSL also provides complete editor/librarian functions, and over 50 professionally programmed Fat Channel processor presets are included for enhancing instruments and vocals.
Like all PreSonus interfaces, the new AudioBox VSL-series units ship with PreSonus Studio One Artist DAW (Mac/Windows) and support Core Audio and ASIO, so they work with virtually any recording software.
The first of these interfaces to hit the market will be the 2-in, 2-out AudioBox 22VSL. It is bus-powered, offers two combo mic/instrument inputs and two balanced L/R main outputs, and comes housed in a steel case. With the included VSL software, it provides two stereo effects buses with reverb and delay and Fat Channel dynamics processors, EQ, and high pass filter on both inputs and both DAW returns.
Next is the 4-in, 4-out AudioBox 44VSL, which builds on the AudioBox 22VSL, giving users an 8×4 software mixer with low-latency, Fat Channel processing for each analog input and DAW return, plus two stereo effects buses with reverb and delay. The ½U rack-mount interface offers two mic/line inputs, two mic/instrument inputs, two balanced main L/R outputs, and four additional balanced line outputs.
The new AudioBox 1818VSL goes further with 2 mic/instrument inputs and 6 mic/line inputs, all with XMAX preamps; 8-channel ADAT I/O (4 channels at 88.1 or 96 kHz); stereo S/PDIF I/O; MIDI I/O; and word-clock output. With the included VSL software, the AudioBox 1818VSL provides a computer-based 26 x 18 (22×14 at 88.1 or 96 kHz), ultra-low latency mixer with two stereo effects buses for the reverb and delay plus the Fat Channel processing from the StudioLive 16.0.2. It can be thought of as a rack-mount StudioLive 18.0.2 mixer-in fact, engineers can use the 1818VSL as an onstage mixer, controlled from a laptop, and it can send all those Fat Channel effects directly into the P.A., while recording.
For more information, please visit www.presonus.com.
