PreSonus AudioBox 22VSL Audio Interface Details

The PreSonus AudioBox 22VSL introduces a new generation of PreSonus USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interfaces that take hardware/software integration to the logical next step. Using your computer CPU and PreSonus Virtual StudioLive (VSL) software, AudioBox VSL-series interfaces provide reverb and and delay effects and the same Fat Channel compression, limiting, semi-parametric EQ, and high-pass filter, as the PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 digital mixer— all with inaudible latency. Now you can monitor and record with or without real-time effects!

What’s so great about effects and processing on monitors? Tracking without hearing effects and signal processing is like playing a video game with your eyes closed. Musicians rely on aural cues when performing, and their performance can vary depending on what they hear in their monitors. Adding just the right amount of compression, EQ, and reverb can make a huge difference in their ability to hear themselves clearly and to experience their performance as if it occurred in a natural space rather than in the artificial sonic environment of the studio. The result is a better performance and ultimately a better recording.

You have plenty of effects plug-ins for your DAW, but processing audio with a DAW takes more time than you might think. True, we’re talking milliseconds, but it’s long enough that if you put DAW effects in your studio monitors, you’ll hear the original sound slightly before the processed signal, which is very disorienting. That much delay might be acceptable for live gigs, where the band is playing together in an ambient space that has natural delay. But you can’t record that way in the studio. Fortunately, PreSonus' engineering wizards have dramatically reduced processing delay in the AudioBox VSL series. The result: dynamics processing, EQ, reverb, and effects that feel real, with no audible delay.

And if you like what you hear, you can record with AudioBox VSL-series effects, too! These are the same high-quality StudioLive 16.0.2 Fat Channel dynamics processors and EQs that professional musicians, engineers, and producers record with every day. Great processors are a PreSonus tradition. PreSonus didn’t invent the first audio interface with effects. They simply did it better and for less money. Sure, some interface manufacturers that don’t normally make signal processors have added a compressor, EQ and a few effects to their interfaces. But the AudioBox VSL series provides all that, plus a separate limiter, expander, and high-pass filter—and they’ve been making high-quality signal processors since 1995. The AudioBox VSL-series’ Virtual StudioLive (VSL)-based effects and Fat Channel processing have been extensively field-tested and proven popular by tens of thousands of StudioLive-series mixer users, including many top professionals.

Of great importance, thanks to VSL’s drag-and-drop convenience, adding processing and creating and loading presets is easy. Pro-level processing and superior ease of use mean you’ll get better results and have more fun!

The AudioBox 22VSL provides high-end sound in a portable, roadworthy interface. Bus-powered, compact, and rugged, the AudioBox 22VSL offers two convenient front-panel mic/instrument combo inputs with global phantom power and provides two line-level outputs. It sports the same high-headroom Class A XMAX preamps as the StudioLive mixers and has 24-bit, 96 kHz converters with 114 dB dynamic range for clear, clean audio. And it boasts PreSonus’ legendary 150 mW headphone output, which is loud enough to explode the oysters in a Po’-Boy sandwich. (Be careful with your level control!)

When they tell you they made the AudioBox 22VSL “rugged,” PreSonus is not fooling! It employs the same heavy-duty steel case as the original AudioBox USB—the unit PreSonus famously stomped, kicked, and drove over with a full-size truck before using it to make a very nice recording. (You can witness this in the video AudioBox USB Built for the Road.) Now that’s what we call “roadworthy.” And this mighty mite fits in just a third of a rackspace and can be screw-mounted to a standard rack tray (not included).

VSL enables you to easily manage the processing and mixing from your Mac or Windows PC and provides editor/librarian functions, making it simple to create and use a library of presets. To get you started, PreSonus has included the same library of more than 50 Fat Channel presets that comes with StudioLive mixers. These presets were created by professional musicians and engineers and let you instantly set up dynamics processing and EQ for vocals, guitar, and much more.

Seamlessly integrated with the included Studio One Artist DAW and VSL, the AudioBox 22VSL interface works with virtually all Mac and Windows audio-recording software. And unlike most things nowadays, it’s very easy on your budget.

So get the next-generation USB 2.0 interface that gives you real-time, low-latency effects; rock-solid construction; and high-end audio for low-end prices: AudioBox 22VSL!

PreSonus AudioBox 22VSL Audio Interface Features

• 24-bit / 96 kHz 2 x 2 USB 2.0 recording interface
• 2 dual-purpose front-panel input channels, each with:
  • Combo XLR mic and balanced ¼" instrument input
  • Class A XMAX mic / instrument preamp
  • Individual channel-trim controls with 0 to +35 dBu mic gain range
  • 48V phantom power for condenser microphones (global)
• Mixer control (blends the input signal with the computer playback stream for zero-latency monitoring)
• Headphone jack with level control
• Main-output level control
• LED clip indicator for each channel
• Studio One Artist digital audio workstation software included
• Virtual StudioLive (VSL) control software included; manages:
  • Near-zero-latency monitoring with extensive signal processing
  • 4 x 2 DSP mixer
  • StudioLive 16.0.2 Fat Channel compressor, limiter, expander, high-pass filter, and semi-parametric EQ for each analog input and its DAW return
  • 2 stereo effects buses with reverb and delay
  • More than 50 Fat Channel DSP presets for enhancing instrument and vocal recordings
• Input/Output
  • 1 USB 2.0 port
  • 2 combo XLR / ¼” mic/instrument inputs
  • 2 balanced ¼” main (L/R) line outputs
  • 1 stereo ¼” headphone output
  • MIDI In/Out
• Digitalia
  • 24-bit resolution and 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz sampling rate
  • Professional-grade A/D/A converters (+114 dBu dynamic range)
  • Zero-latency analog monitoring with playback/input Mix control knob
  • Mac- and Windows-compatible, including Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and Windows 7
  • Supports ASIO, Core Audio, Direct Sound (Windows XP), Windows Audio Session API (Windows Vista and Windows 7)
• Physical
  • 1/3U rack-mountable (with optional 3UMR rack-mounting system)
  • Road-rugged construction with all-metal chassis and metal knobs
  • Powered via USB bus—no wall wart!
• Software
  • Virtual StudioLive (VSL): PreSonus’ groundbreaking control software
  • Studio One Artist: PreSonus’ revolutionary digital audio workstation, with unlimited track count and 4+ GB of 3rd-party resources.

PreSonus AudioBox 22VSL Audio Interface Specifications

• Microphone Inputs
  • Connector Type: Combo, XLR, female, balanced
  • Mic Preamp EIN: -129 dB, 20 kHz BW, max gain, Rs=40Ω, A-wtd
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±0.3 dB, unity gain
  • THD+N: 0.005%, 0 dBu, 1 kHz, unity gain, 20 kHz BW, A-wtd
  • S/N Ratio: 94 dB, 0 dBu, 1 kHz, unity gain, 20 kHz BW, unwtd
  • Gain Control Range: -15 dB to +65 dB
  • Input Max Headroom: +10 dBu, < 0.5% THD
  • Input Impedance: 1.7 kΩ
  • Phantom Power: +48 VDC, 10 mA total
• Instrument Inputs
  • Connector Type: Combo, ¼" TS, female, unbalanced
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±0.3 dB, unity gain
  • THD+N: 0.006%, 0 dBu, 1 kHz, unity gain, 20 kHz BW, A-wtd
  • S/N Ratio : 89 dB, 0 dBu, 1 kHz, unity gain, 20 kHz BW, unwtd
  • Gain Control Range: -30 dB to +50 dB
  • Input Max Headroom: +15 dBu, < 0.5% THD
  • Input Impedance: 1 MΩ
• Analog Outputs
  • Connector Type: ¼" TRS, female, impedance balanced
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±0.2 dB
  • THD+N: 0.002%, 1 kHz, 20 kHz BW, A-wtd
  • S/N Ratio: 107 dB, 1 kHz, max gain, 20 kHz BW, unwtd
  • Output Level: +10 dBu
  • Output Impedance: 51Ω
• Headphone Outputs
  • Connector Type: ¼" TRS, female, stereo
  • Maximum Power: 30 mW/ch @ 60Ω load
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±0.5 dB, max gain
  • THD+N: 0.08%, 1 kHz, max gain, 20 kHz BW, A-wtd
  • S/N Ratio: 90 dB, 1 kHz, max gain, 20 kHz BW, unwtd
• Power
  • Type: USB bus-powered, +5 VDC, < 500 mA
• Digital
  • Host Interface: USB 2.0 high-speed
  • Bit Depth: 24-bit
  • Sample Rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
  • Latency: 2.8 ms - 6 ms, analog in to out.
  • ADC Dynamic Range: 114 dB, 48 kHz sample rate, A-wtd
  • DAC Dynamic Range: 114 dB, 48 kHz sample rate, A-wtd
• Physical
  • 1/3U rack-mountable (with optional 3UMR rack-mounting system)
  • Road-rugged construction with all-metal chassis and metal knobs
  • Weight 1.6 lb. (0.7 kg)
  • Powered via USB bus—no wall wart!

PreSonus AudioBox 22VSL Audio Interface System Requirements

PC

• Windows Vista, Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit)
• Intel Pentium 4 1.6 GHz processor or AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Turion) (2.8 GHz or faster recommended)
• 1 GB RAM (2 GB or more recommended)
• USB 2.0 Port
• Internet connection recommended
• DVD-ROM drive (required to install Studio One Artist)

Mac

• Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or later (32- and 64-bit)
• Intel Core 1 Solo 1.5 GHz processor (Intel Core Duo or Intel Xeon processor recommended)
• 1 GB RAM (2 GB or more recommended)
• USB 2.0 Port
• Internet connection recommended
• DVD-ROM drive (required to install Studio One Artist)

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