PreSonus Studio 24c.

The Gavler Review.

PreSonus Studio 24c Review: The Whole Studio in One Box

The PreSonus Studio 24c ranks number seven on Gavler's Best Audio Interfaces list with a 8.8, and its case is refreshingly simple: it's the only interface on this list that hands you a complete, no-compromise production toolkit — DAW included — for $139. MusicRadar's review concluded it "has everything the hobby studio could need, from high-quality audio to full MIDI I/O, and for the price, it's hard to beat." It's for the producer buying their very first piece of gear, who doesn't yet own a DAW and doesn't want to spend another cent on software before making their first beat. The honest trade-off is that the hardware itself — preamps and converters — is competent rather than exceptional.

What it is

The headline of the Studio 24c isn't really the hardware — it's what's in the box alongside it. PreSonus includes Studio One Artist, their professional-grade DAW, at no additional cost. This isn't a crippled trial version; it's a full release with unlimited tracks, virtual instruments, and effects processing capable of taking a producer from a blank session to a finished, mastered track without a single additional software purchase. Layered on top is the Studio Magic plugin suite, a bundle of additional virtual instruments, effects, and sound packs that PreSonus states represents hundreds of dollars in retail software value.

The hardware itself is genuinely capable, if unglamorous: two XMAX-L microphone preamps with 60dB of gain, refined across multiple generations of PreSonus products, delivering clean, low-noise capture that gets out of the way of the source. Conversion runs at 24-bit/192kHz over USB-C with bus power and stable, low-latency drivers on both macOS and Windows. The front panel has two combo XLR/TRS inputs, a headphone output with independent volume, and a monitor level knob; the rear panel adds balanced TRS main outputs and — notably for a $139 interface — MIDI I/O. Build quality is a solid metal chassis, though it doesn't have the premium tactile feel of pricier interfaces like the Audient iD14 MkII or SSL 2+.

In use

MusicRadar's review is the most direct independent assessment available, and it leads with the practical, day-to-day usefulness of the package: "the PreSonus Studio 24c has everything the hobby studio could need, from high-quality audio to full MIDI I/O, and for the price, it's hard to beat." That's a publication reviewing across the full range of entry-level interfaces concluding the Studio 24c's specific combination of features is unmatched at its price tier — not just the software bundle, but the hardware feature set too.

On preamp quality specifically, MusicRadar found the recording chain solid for its intended use case: "two high-quality PreSonus mic preamps mean vocals and speech applications come through with plenty of clean headroom, perfect for editing inside your software." That's a fair, unhyped characterization — the preamps are clean and usable, not a standout feature in themselves, but entirely sufficient for a beginner's vocal, podcast, or instrument tracking needs.

The MIDI I/O gets singled out as a genuine differentiator rather than a checkbox feature: "the Studio 24c has MIDI in/out connection points which is an absolute godsend for anyone using external keyboards, sequencers, samplers or synths — as the hub of a broader studio environment, the PreSonus is a wiser choice than the equivalent Focusrite." That's a direct, specific comparison against the Scarlett 2i2 — PreSonus's closest competitor at this price — and it identifies a real gap: Focusrite's 2i2 doesn't include MIDI I/O, so anyone planning to grow their studio to include hardware synths gets more room to expand with the Studio 24c.

Strengths

• A complete production package, not just an interface. Studio One Artist alone is arguably worth the $139 asking price, eliminating the fragmented buying experience of interface plus DAW plus plugins plus instruments that most beginners face.
• MIDI I/O at the lowest price on the list. A genuinely uncommon inclusion at this tier, and specifically useful for anyone planning to integrate hardware synths or drum machines down the line.
• Clean, dependable XMAX-L preamps. Refined across multiple PreSonus generations, they deliver reliable, low-noise capture without any surprises.
• Stable drivers across platforms. Bus-powered USB-C operation with low-latency performance on both macOS and Windows.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

• The preamps and converters are competent, not class-leading. Gavler's own scoring notes are candid: "experts note the preamps and converters are competent but not class-leading." If pristine monitoring or premium preamp character is the priority, the MOTU M2 or SSL 2+ deliver more.
• Build quality lacks the premium feel of pricier interfaces. It doesn't match the tactile quality of the Audient iD14 MkII or SSL 2+, though it's solid enough for regular desktop use.
• If you already own a DAW, the value proposition shrinks. The Studio 24c's biggest advantage is the bundled software — if you're already committed to Ableton, Logic, or another DAW, you're paying for software you won't use.

How it compares

Within the same list, the Studio 24c sits one rank below the RME Babyface Pro FS, an entirely different tier of interface built for professional reliability and routing power at more than six times the price — not a realistic alternative for a first-time buyer, but a useful reminder of where the category tops out. The more relevant comparison is the Arturia MiniFuse 2 one rank below, which trades PreSonus's DAW bundle for Arturia's Analog Lab Intro synth collection and a more compact, travel-friendly form factor — a similarly beginner-focused package with a different software emphasis.

The Gavler verdict

A 8.8, driven by strong community enthusiasm for the bundled software value, with experts noting the hardware itself is solid but unremarkable. The PreSonus Studio 24c is the best complete production starter package in audio — not because the preamps or converters are exceptional, but because Studio One Artist and the Studio Magic suite eliminate the need to buy anything else before you start making music. For a first-time producer building a studio from zero, it remains the obvious $139 choice.

Common Questions

Is the PreSonus Studio 24c worth it in 2026?

Yes, especially for a first-time producer with no existing software. MusicRadar found it 'has everything the hobby studio could need, from high-quality audio to full MIDI I/O, and for the price, it's hard to beat.' At $139 it ranks seventh on Gavler's Best Audio Interfaces list with a 8.8 — the bundled Studio One Artist DAW alone is arguably worth the price, though the preamps themselves are competent rather than class-leading.

What software comes with the PreSonus Studio 24c?

PreSonus includes Studio One Artist — a full, non-demo version of their professional DAW with unlimited tracks, virtual instruments, and effects — plus the Studio Magic plugin suite, a bundle of additional instruments, effects, and sound packs. Together they represent a complete production toolkit that a first-time buyer would otherwise need to assemble from multiple vendors at significant extra cost.

PreSonus Studio 24c or Focusrite Scarlett 2i2?

Buy the Scarlett 2i2 if you already have a DAW you're committed to and want the most refined, best-supported entry-level interface with Focusrite's Air mode. Buy the Studio 24c if you're starting from zero and want a complete production package — DAW, plugins, and interface — in a single $139 purchase with MIDI I/O the Scarlett 2i2 doesn't include.

Does the PreSonus Studio 24c have MIDI I/O?

Yes — built-in 5-pin DIN MIDI input and output, which MusicRadar specifically praised: 'the Studio 24c has MIDI in/out connection points which is an absolute godsend for anyone using external keyboards, sequencers, samplers or synths — as the hub of a broader studio environment, the PreSonus is a wiser choice than the equivalent Focusrite.' It's a genuinely uncommon feature at this price point.