Gear review: PreSonus AudioBox GO interface

22 Apr 2022 - 12:32

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers in the creative space have been looking for the most streamlined and easy way to create and stream. This has pushed developers to create innovative tools to help consumers achieve their creative goals.

Enter AudioBox GO from PreSonus. This interface was announced in February 2022 and has been flying off the shelves ever since. Ultra-affordable, surprisingly powerful and small enough to fit in your pocket, the AudioBox GO allows you to get creative right out of the box. Compatible with Mac, Windows, iOs and Android, you can get creative anywhere and anytime. Whether you are recording chords on your keyboard at a jam session or working on an album, this powerful interface has you covered.

Tech specs

2-in/2-out
USB 2.0
24-bit/96kHz
USB-C connector
50dB variable gain
Direct monitoring
Weight: 220g

I/O

With AudioBox GO, you get a TS instrument input to record guitar or bass and an XLR mic/line combo input with a XMAX L studio-grade preamp to record vocals, keyboard, drum machine, or any other line-level instrument. There is dedicated gain knob for each channel, which provides 50dB of variable gain (0 to +50dB for mics, and -15 to +35 dB for line/instrument), and a bright red LED that lights up if your signal is too hot. You also get a 48+ volt phantom power button with a blue LED indicator for the XLR/line input to power your condenser microphones.

The interface has a TRS 1/4” stereo headphone output with mix control and a dedicated headphone level control on the front. This is ideal because you have all your controls right on the front for easy access. You also get two balanced TRS 1/4” main outputs for studio monitors or speakers.

Convertors

Studio-grade converters allow for up to 24-bit/96 kHz recording and playback, giving you professional audio quality.

Software included

Upon registration of your new AudioBox GO, you get Studio One® Prime DAW recording software and the Studio Magic software bundle, which includes music tutorials, tons of sound samples and virtual instruments.

Set-up is very simple. You literally just plug in and GO!

Pros

Lightweight
Class compliant
Loads of software included
Great price

Cons

Not very strong

The verdict

Is this the best budget interface out there? I’d like to think so. It most certainly won't compete with Audient EVO4 or Focusrite 2i2, but it doesn't have to. For the price you pay, you get value and decent quality. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this for the creative on the GO (pun intended). And with the M7 MKll available as a standalone microphone, you could get the Audiobox GO, the M7 mic and a set of HD7 headphones for just under R4 000 (in South Africa). If that isn’t value for money, then I don’t know what is.

Watch my video review of this product below: