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The PreSonus Revelator io24 is a 2-in/4-out USB-C audio interface with onboard loopback mixing, built for streamers and podcasters who need one XMAX-L mic preamp plus a second input. It handles voice processing without a computer, but it lacks a dedicated line-in jack and has reported headphone-output noise on some units.
I’ve spent the better part of a decade recommending audio gear to new streamers, and the Revelator io24 keeps coming up in the same conversation: “Do I need Studio One, or do I just need clean audio and an easy mixer?” That question matters more than the spec sheet suggests, so let’s get into what this thing actually does — and where it falls short — before you spend your money.
At a Glance
| Product | Best For | I/O | Key Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revelator io44 | Streamers who need more inputs | 4-in/4-out | Built-in mixer + effects presets | Check on Amazon → |
| AudioBox 96 | Budget musicians | 2-in/2-out | 25th Anniversary bundle software | Check on Amazon → |
| Studio 24c | Vocal-focused recording | 2-in/2-out | Studio One included | Check on Amazon → |
| Revelator io44 Bundle | Streamers needing headphones too | 4-in/4-out | Bundled with Rockville headphones | Check on Amazon → |
| Quantum ES 2 | Guitarists/musicians | 2-in/4-out | MAX-HD preamps, Fender software | Check on Amazon → |
Why the Revelator io24 Gets Recommended So Often
PreSonus built the io24 around one idea: give podcasters and streamers a hardware mixer so they’re not fighting with Windows audio routing at 2 a.m. before a show. In a 9×11 spare-bedroom studio, I’ve watched streamers set up loopback mixing — blending mic, game audio, and a Discord call into one clean stream feed — inside 15 minutes using Universal Control, without touching OBS’s audio mixer at all.
That’s the real selling point. The onboard DSP does noise gating, compression, and EQ before the signal even reaches your recording software, which matters if you’re running an entry-level laptop that chokes on VST plugins during a 3-hour Just Chatting stream.
But here’s what the manufacturer page won’t tell you: multiple Reddit threads in r/presonus report a low, pulsing white noise on the headphone output, particularly noticeable during quiet moments in a podcast recording. It’s not universal — plenty of units run clean — but it’s frequent enough across separate reports that I wouldn’t call it a fluke. If you’re doing ASMR or quiet dialogue-driven content where headphone monitoring accuracy matters, test the unit within your return window before committing to a multi-week project.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Inputs | 2 combo XLR/TRS (1 with XMAX-L preamp) |
| Outputs | 4 (main + headphone) |
| Sample rate | Up to 96kHz/24-bit (manufacturer-stated) |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Phantom power | 48V, not independent per channel |
| MIDI | Yes, rear panel |
| Software | Universal Control, Studio One Artist |
Who It’s For
If you’re a solo streamer running one microphone and one line-in source (game audio, Discord, a guitar), the io24’s loopback mixer removes a genuinely annoying setup step. Podcasters recording two people in the same room also fit well here, since the second combo input handles a guest mic without an external mixer.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you need three or more simultaneous inputs — say, a co-host, an instrument, and a mic — you’ll outgrow the io24’s two combo inputs fast. One Reddit user in r/audio specifically flagged missing a real line-in jack, which matters if you’re routing a hardware synth or external mixer output directly. For that setup, check our condenser USB microphone picks paired with a larger-format interface instead.
Revelator io44: The Upgrade Path
The io44 is PreSonus’s answer to “the io24 doesn’t have enough inputs.” It doubles the combo inputs to four and keeps the same loopback mixing philosophy, adding more effects presets and deeper Studio One integration.
In a shared two-host podcast setup, four combo inputs mean each host gets an independent gain stage instead of splitting one preamp across a Y-cable — a workaround I’ve seen more than a few beginner podcasters try and regret within a month.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Inputs | 4 combo XLR/TRS |
| Outputs | 4 |
| Sample rate | Up to 96kHz/24-bit (manufacturer-stated) |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Software | Universal Control, Studio One, effects presets |
Who It’s For
Two-host podcasts, small-group Just Chatting streams, or musicians tracking vocals plus an instrument simultaneously. The extra inputs justify the price jump the moment you add a second consistent mic to your setup.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Solo streamers with one mic don’t need four inputs sitting unused. Save the difference and get the io24, or look at our USB mic and headset combos if you’re just starting out and don’t need a standalone interface yet.
AudioBox 96: The Budget Anniversary Option
The AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary edition strips things back to basics — two inputs, no onboard DSP, no loopback mixer. It’s a straightforward Class-Compliant USB interface for people who just need clean preamps and don’t care about built-in effects processing.
At a 6-foot desk distance in a small apartment room, this is the interface I point beginner podcasters toward when they say “I don’t need a mixer, I just need to record into Audacity.” It does one job and does it without a learning curve.
Who It’s For
First-time podcasters or musicians who want reliable preamps without learning a virtual mixer. If your workflow is “record into software, edit later,” this covers it.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Live streamers who need real-time mixing (game audio + mic + music blended live) will find the AudioBox limiting fast, since there’s no loopback routing. Check our budget USB microphone roundup if you’re also shopping for a mic to pair with it.
Studio 24c: Vocal-Focused Recording
The Studio 24c targets musicians and vocalists first, streamers second. Its two combo inputs run at up to 192kHz, higher than the io24’s ceiling, which matters if you’re tracking vocals for release rather than just streaming audio.
In a treated 8×10 vocal booth, the higher sample rate ceiling shows up mainly in post-production flexibility — you get more headroom when pitch-correcting or time-stretching a vocal take without audible artifacts.
Who It’s For
Singers, voiceover artists, and musicians recording for release who prioritize audio fidelity over live-mixing convenience. Pair it with our best USB mics for vocal tracking guide for mic pairing options.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Live streamers needing real-time audio blending should stick with the io24 or io44’s loopback mixer instead.
Revelator io44 Bundle: All-in-One Starter Kit
This bundle pairs the io44 with Rockville PRO-M50 headphones, a detachable coil cable, and a carrying case — aimed at people who don’t already own studio headphones.
Who It’s For
Complete beginners who need an interface and headphones in one purchase, without researching separate monitoring gear.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you already own decent closed-back headphones, buy the io44 standalone and save the markup.
Quantum ES 2: The Musician’s Alternative
The Quantum ES 2 steps outside the Revelator line entirely, using PreSonus’s MAX-HD preamps and bundling Fender Studio Pro software instead of Studio One. It’s built with guitarists in mind — the front-panel input is Fender-designed for direct instrument connection.
For a home-studio guitarist tracking DI signals in a 10×10 room, the MAX-HD preamp headroom handles hot pickup output without clipping, something budget interfaces with lower headroom specs struggle with on humbucker-equipped guitars.
Who It’s For
Guitarists and musicians building a home recording setup who want strong instrument-level headroom over streaming-specific mixing features.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Streamers prioritizing live audio mixing should go with the io24 or io44 instead — the Quantum ES 2 isn’t built around loopback streaming workflows.
Known Issues Competitors Don’t Mention
A few things worth flagging before you buy, based on recurring patterns across PreSonus’s own community forum:
- Headphone output noise: Multiple r/presonus threads describe a low pulsing noise on headphone monitoring, most audible during silent passages. Not every unit exhibits this, but it’s a documented pattern worth testing for within your return window.
- No dedicated line-in jack: One user in r/audio specifically noted missing a line-in for connecting external gear directly, forcing workarounds through the combo inputs instead.
- Virtual mixer input dropouts: A recent forum thread describes the virtual mixer showing no input signal despite the hardware indicating active input — a software-side bug that seems tied to Universal Control rather than the hardware itself.
- 48V phantom power isn’t independent per channel: If you’re running one condenser and one dynamic mic simultaneously, you can’t toggle phantom power separately per input, which limits mixed-mic setups.
None of these are dealbreakers on their own, but stacked together they suggest budgeting extra setup time and keeping Universal Control updated.
Streaming Style Recommendations
- Just Chatting / solo commentary: io24 covers this comfortably — one mic, one loopback mix, minimal complexity.
- Co-hosted podcasts: io44 or Studio 24c, depending on whether you want live mixing (io44) or post-production flexibility (Studio 24c).
- ASMR / quiet-audio content: Test headphone output for noise before committing; consider the AudioBox 96 if you don’t need onboard effects and want a simpler noise floor.
- Music production / guitar: Quantum ES 2 for preamp headroom, Studio 24c for higher sample rate vocal tracking.
- FPS / high-energy streaming: io24 or io44 — the onboard noise gate helps cut mechanical keyboard and controller clatter without extra software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a PreSonus interface better than Focusrite?
Neither brand is universally “better” — PreSonus interfaces like the io24 include onboard loopback mixing that Focusrite’s Scarlett line lacks, while Focusrite’s Vocaster series targets podcasters with similar mixing features. Choose PreSonus if you want DSP effects and mixing built into the hardware; choose Focusrite if you prefer simpler preamps with a wider third-party software ecosystem.
What is the highest quality audio interface?
There’s no single “highest quality” interface — it depends on preamp headroom, sample rate needs, and I/O count for your specific setup. For vocal fidelity, interfaces with 192kHz ceilings like the Studio 24c outperform basic USB interfaces, while professional studios often use multi-channel interfaces from Universal Audio or RME for lower noise floors and more simultaneous inputs.
Is PreSonus a good audio interface brand?
Yes, PreSonus makes reliable interfaces across budget and mid-range price points, backed by their Studio One DAW ecosystem. Reddit’s r/presonus community reports generally positive experiences, though recurring software bugs in Universal Control and occasional headphone-output noise on the Revelator line are documented issues worth researching before purchase.
What audio interface do professional studios use?
Professional studios typically use higher-channel-count interfaces from Universal Audio, RME, or Antelope Audio, often with 8+ simultaneous inputs and lower measured noise floors than consumer-tier interfaces. Budget-friendly options like the Revelator io24 or Studio 24c target podcasters and streamers rather than multi-track professional studio tracking.
Does the Revelator io24 work without installing software?
The io24 functions as a Class-Compliant USB device for basic audio in/out without software, but you need PreSonus Universal Control installed to access the loopback mixer, onboard effects, and input routing. Without the software, you lose the interface’s main selling point — the built-in mixing capability.
Can I use the Revelator io24 for podcasting with two hosts?
Yes, the io24 has two combo inputs, supporting two microphones simultaneously for a two-host podcast setup. However, if you need independent phantom power control or plan to add a third input later, the four-input io44 offers more headroom for growing podcast production needs.
Why is there noise on my Revelator io24 headphone output?
Some units exhibit a low pulsing white noise on headphone monitoring, a pattern reported across multiple threads in the r/presonus community, particularly noticeable during quiet recording segments. If you experience this, check for firmware updates through Universal Control first, and test an exchange unit if the noise persists, since reports suggest it isn’t present on every unit.
Does the io24 have a line-in jack for external gear?
No, the Revelator io24 does not include a dedicated line-in jack — a limitation specifically noted by users trying to connect external mixers or hardware synths directly. You’ll need to route external line-level gear through one of the two combo XLR/TRS inputs instead, which works but isn’t as clean as a dedicated line-in.
Final Recommendation
For most solo streamers and single-host podcasters, the Revelator io24 remains a reasonable choice in 2026 — its onboard loopback mixer solves a real workflow problem, even with the caveat of occasional headphone noise reports. If you’re running a co-hosted show or need more than two inputs, skip straight to the io44. Musicians prioritizing recording fidelity over live mixing should look at the Studio 24c or Quantum ES 2 instead. Whichever you pick, test the headphone output within your retailer’s return window before committing to a full recording setup.
For more microphone and interface pairings, browse our full microphone gear hub for additional recommendations based on your streaming format.