PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 Review 2026
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 lists at $79.99 on presonus.com and is a 2-in/2-out, 24-bit/96kHz USB interface with two Class A preamps, 48V phantom power, direct monitoring, MIDI in and out, and a steel chassis. It ships with Studio One Artist and a plugin bundle, so recording can start without buying software. Two front-panel combo mic and instrument inputs and a mix control for zero-latency monitoring make it a straightforward two-mic podcast rig. The current variant is the 25th Anniversary Edition in black; PreSonus lists it as out of stock direct, so it is usually bought through dealers.
Visit PreSonus AudioBox USB 96Pricing
AudioBox USB 96 25th Anniversary
$79.99/
- 2 Class A preamps with 48V phantom power
- 2 in / 2 out, 24-bit / 96 kHz
- MIDI in and out
- Zero-latency direct monitoring with mix control
- Steel chassis, bus powered
- Studio One Artist and plugin bundle included
Pros
- $79.99 list price undercuts most 2-input interfaces
- MIDI ports that budget interfaces at this price usually skip
- Steel chassis and bus power suit mobile recording
- Studio One Artist DAW included
- Class compliant, so no drivers to install
Cons
- USB 2.0 Type-B connector, so newer laptops need an adapter
- Tops out at 96kHz
- Preamps are functional rather than quiet enough for very low-output dynamic mics
- Listed as out of stock on presonus.com, so availability depends on dealers
Best For
- Beginners who don't want to spend much
- Anyone who needs MIDI ports on a budget
- Simple mobile recording rigs
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Frequently asked questions
- Is the AudioBox USB 96 good for podcasting?
- Yes, for a one or two-mic setup. It has two combo XLR inputs with 48V phantom power, so it runs a pair of dynamic or condenser mics, and the mix control lets both hosts monitor themselves without latency. Studio One Artist is in the box, so there is nothing else to buy. Two limits matter for podcasting. The preamps are clean but not especially high-gain, so a very low-output dynamic like the Shure SM7B will want a booster in front of it. And it records both inputs, but you need your recording software set up for separate tracks per input to edit hosts independently. For a $79.99 interface, neither is a surprise.
- How much does the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 cost?
- PreSonus lists the AudioBox USB 96 25th Anniversary Edition at $79.99 on presonus.com, verified on 8 September 2026. It is shown as out of stock direct, so street price at dealers is what most buyers pay and can sit above the list figure. It is a one-time purchase with no subscription, and Studio One Artist is included.
- What comes with the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96?
- Studio One Artist and a plugin bundle, so you can record without buying separate software. The interface itself gives you 2 inputs and 2 outputs at 24-bit/96kHz, two Class A preamps, 48V phantom power, an ultra-loud headphone output, zero-latency direct monitoring, and MIDI in and out. It is USB class compliant, so there are no drivers to install, and it is natively compatible with Apple Silicon Macs.
- PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 or Focusrite Scarlett 2i2?
- Both are 2-in/2-out interfaces with two preamps and 48V phantom power. The AudioBox is $79.99, includes MIDI ports and Studio One Artist, and caps at 96kHz. The Scarlett 2i2 is $225, runs at 192kHz with 69dB of gain, and adds Auto Gain, Clip Safe, and Air mode, but has no MIDI. Pick the AudioBox on budget or if you need MIDI; pick the 2i2 if you are running a low-output dynamic mic or want the easier gain setup. Full comparison at /tools/compare/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-vs-presonus-audiobox.
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