PreSonus
American professional-audio equipment and music-software brand.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
PreSonus is an American professional-audio company whose products span recording interfaces, digital mixers, studio monitors, control surfaces, MIDI controllers, loudspeakers, headphone equipment, and music-production software. The company was founded in 1995 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by electrical-engineering graduates Jim Odom and Brian Smith. Its earliest work addressed practical engineering problems in the production of music CDs, and its first product, the DCP-8, was a multichannel digital processor capable of functions such as compression, gating, and mix automation while controlling analog audio through MIDI. That product established the company’s early emphasis on combining digital control with conventional studio hardware. During the following decade, PreSonus broadened from signal-processing products into a more complete recording ecosystem. The DigiMax multichannel microphone preamplifier, introduced in 2000, provided ADAT output for integration with digital recording systems. The company then developed FireWire-based interfaces, including the FireStation, FirePod, and FireStudio families, and introduced the Central Station monitor controller with talkback functionality in 2004. In 2008, the AudioBox USB audio and MIDI interface extended the company’s reach toward project studios, musicians, educators, and mobile recording users. PreSonus became particularly associated with integrated live-sound and studio workflows through the StudioLive family of digital mixers. The first StudioLive generation appeared in 2009, the same year that PreSonus released the initial versions of its Studio One digital audio workstation and Capture live-recording software. These products allowed the company to position hardware and software as complementary parts of one workflow rather than as isolated products. Virtual StudioLive control software followed in 2010, and the QMix control application arrived in 2012, supporting remote or auxiliary mixing functions for StudioLive users. Software became increasingly important to the brand. In 2006, the Hamburg start-up KristalLabs Software, founded by former Steinberg developers Wolfgang Kundrus and Matthias Juwan, began work on Studio One and Capture in cooperation with PreSonus. PreSonus acquired KristalLabs’ assets in 2009, creating PreSonus Software Limited and strengthening its internal software capabilities. The company also jointly developed the Audio Random Access plug-in extension with Celemony in 2011, improving the integration of compatible audio plug-ins with digital audio workstations. Acquisitions of Nimbit in 2012, assets of Notion Music in 2013, and live-sound hardware maker WorxAudio in 2014 expanded the brand into direct-to-fan services, music notation, composition software, and professional loudspeakers. The product portfolio has included StudioLive digital mixers and control surfaces, FaderPort controllers, AudioBox, Studio, Quantum, and FireStudio recording interfaces, Eris, Ceres, and Sceptre studio monitors, ATOM MIDI controllers, WorxAudio loudspeakers, and several software products. Studio One was later known as Studio Pro, while Notion and Capture remained associated with composition and live-recording use cases. In 2018, PreSonus introduced the ATOM portable 16-pad MIDI controller with extended Studio One integration. In November 2021, Fender announced a definitive merger agreement with PreSonus. The transaction made PreSonus a Fender subsidiary and placed its recording, mixing, monitoring, and software capabilities within a broader musical-instrument group. PreSonus therefore operates as an active Fender-owned audio technology brand, serving musicians, producers, recording engineers, live-sound users, educators, and other audio creators.
History
PreSonus was established in 1995 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by Jim Odom and Brian Smith, both graduates of Louisiana State University’s electrical-engineering program. The founders initially focused on technical problems encountered in engineering music CDs, and the business began in Odom’s garage. Its first product was the DCP-8, a multichannel digital processor that combined functions including compression, gating, and mix automation with MIDI control of analog audio. The design represented the company’s early interest in connecting digital control systems with analog signal paths. PreSonus expanded its hardware range with the DigiMax microphone preamplifier in 2000, which provided multichannel operation and ADAT output. The company also developed FireWire recording interfaces, including the FireStation in 2002, the FirePod in 2004, and the FireStudio series in 2006. In 2004, it introduced the Central Station monitor controller, which included talkback functionality and addressed monitoring needs in studio environments. The AudioBox USB audio and MIDI interface, developed in 2008, helped bring PreSonus products to a broader project-studio and home-recording audience. The company’s most important expansion was into integrated live sound and music-production software. In 2006, KristalLabs Software, a Hamburg start-up founded by former Steinberg developers Wolfgang Kundrus and Matthias Juwan, began collaborating with PreSonus on the Studio One digital audio workstation and Capture live-recording software. PreSonus acquired KristalLabs’ assets in 2009, establishing PreSonus Software Limited and consolidating the software relationship. The first StudioLive digital mixers, the initial Studio One software release, and the first Capture release all appeared in 2009. Virtual StudioLive control software followed in 2010, while the QMix control application was introduced in 2012. PreSonus also participated in software-industry collaboration. In 2011, it worked with Celemony on Audio Random Access, an extension intended to allow compatible plug-ins to operate more deeply within supported digital audio workstations. Corporate expansion continued through acquisitions. Nimbit, an online direct-to-fan music service, was acquired in 2012. In 2013, PreSonus acquired assets from Notion Music, including Notion and Progression applications for music notation and composition. In 2014, it acquired the live-sound hardware manufacturer WorxAudio and continued to offer selected loudspeaker products under that brand. The same period saw the departure of Wolfgang Kundrus and Eike Jonas from PreSonus. The portfolio later included StudioLive mixers and controllers, FaderPort control surfaces, ATOM MIDI controllers, AudioBox, Studio, Quantum, and FireStudio interfaces, Eris, Ceres, and Sceptre studio monitors, WorxAudio loudspeakers, and software including Studio One, Capture, and Notion. In November 2018, PreSonus released the ATOM 16-pad portable MIDI controller with extended Studio One integration. Studio One was subsequently known as Studio Pro. In November 2021, Fender announced a definitive merger agreement with PreSonus. The transaction brought PreSonus into Fender’s corporate group and connected its professional-audio and music-software portfolio with a major musical-instrument company. PreSonus remains an active brand serving recording, production, live sound, monitoring, composition, and music-education users.
- 2021
Fender announces merger agreement
[1]Fender announces a definitive agreement that leads to PreSonus becoming a Fender subsidiary.
- 2018
ATOM MIDI controller launches
[1]PreSonus releases a portable 16-pad controller designed for enhanced Studio One integration.
- 2014
WorxAudio is acquired
[1]PreSonus expands its live-sound hardware activities through the acquisition of WorxAudio assets.
- 2013
Notion Music assets are acquired
[1]PreSonus adds Notion and Progression notation and composition applications to its software portfolio.
- 2012
Nimbit is acquired
[1]The company expands into online direct-to-fan music services through the acquisition of Nimbit.
- 2011
ARA is jointly developed with Celemony
[1]PreSonus and Celemony collaborate on the Audio Random Access plug-in extension.
- 2009
StudioLive, Studio One, and Capture launch
[1]PreSonus launches its StudioLive digital mixer family and initial releases of Studio One and Capture.
- 2008
AudioBox USB introduced
[1]PreSonus develops the AudioBox USB audio and MIDI recording interface.
- 2006
KristalLabs begins software collaboration
[1]KristalLabs starts working with PreSonus on Studio One and Capture.
- 2004
Central Station monitor controller introduced
[1]PreSonus releases a monitor controller featuring talkback functionality.
Products and positioning
An integrated professional-audio ecosystem combining recording hardware, live-sound systems, monitoring products, control surfaces, and music-production software.
Digital mixers and control systems · 2009
StudioLive
StudioLive is PreSonus’s principal digital-mixer family. It was introduced in 2009 and is designed to connect live mixing, recording, computer-based audio workflows, and remote control. The line helped define PreSonus as an integrated live-sound and studio-production supplier rather than only a maker of standalone recording components.
Digital audio workstation · 2009
Studio Pro
Studio Pro, formerly known as Studio One, is PreSonus’s digital audio workstation for recording, editing, arranging, mixing, and mastering audio. Its development began through collaboration with KristalLabs and became central to the company’s strategy of linking PreSonus hardware with software-based production workflows.
USB audio and MIDI interfaces · 2008
AudioBox
AudioBox is a family of audio and MIDI recording interfaces intended to connect microphones, instruments, and other audio sources to computer-based production systems. The AudioBox USB, developed in 2008, broadened PreSonus’s reach into project studios, mobile recording, education, and entry-level production.
Audio interfaces
Quantum
Quantum is one of PreSonus’s audio-interface lines, positioned for computer-based recording and production. It sits alongside AudioBox, Studio, and FireStudio products within the company’s broader range of USB, Thunderbolt, and FireWire recording interfaces.
Studio monitors
Eris
Eris is a PreSonus studio-monitor family intended for music production, recording, mixing, and general audio monitoring. It forms part of the company’s monitor portfolio alongside Ceres and Sceptre and complements its interfaces, mixers, and software.
Control surfaces
FaderPort
FaderPort comprises PreSonus control surfaces for hands-on operation of computer-based audio software. The products extend the company’s integrated workflow proposition by giving producers and engineers physical control over mixing and related production tasks.
MIDI controllers · 2018
ATOM
ATOM is a portable MIDI-controller family. The 16-pad ATOM controller released in 2018 was designed with expanded integration for Studio One, linking pad-based performance and production control to PreSonus’s DAW ecosystem.
Music notation and composition software · 2013
Notion
Notion is music-notation and composition software acquired by PreSonus through the purchase of assets from Notion Music in 2013. It extends the brand beyond recording and mixing into written composition, arranging, and performance-oriented music workflows.
Live-recording software · 2009
Capture
Capture is live-recording software developed for use with PreSonus StudioLive digital mixers. It was among the software products developed through the company’s work with KristalLabs and supports the recording side of live-sound production.
FireWire audio interfaces · 2006
FireStudio
FireStudio is a discontinued family of multichannel FireWire audio interfaces. It followed earlier PreSonus FireWire products such as FireStation and FirePod and represented the company’s expansion into computer-connected multichannel recording systems.
Live-sound loudspeakers · 2014
WorxAudio
WorxAudio is a live-sound loudspeaker brand whose assets were acquired by PreSonus in 2014. PreSonus continued to sell selected loudspeaker hardware under the WorxAudio name, extending its portfolio into professional sound reinforcement.
Brand decisions
2021
Join the Fender groupM&ABackground
PreSonus had developed a broad portfolio spanning professional-audio hardware, live sound, digital recording, and music software.
Action taken
Fender announced a definitive merger agreement with PreSonus in November 2021.
Aftermath
PreSonus became a subsidiary of Fender, placing its audio and software capabilities within a larger musical-instrument group.
2014
Acquire WorxAudio assetsM&ABackground
PreSonus was extending its product range into professional live-sound reinforcement.
Action taken
The company acquired assets from live-sound hardware manufacturer WorxAudio.
Aftermath
Selected loudspeaker products continued to be sold under the WorxAudio brand.
2013
Acquire Notion Music assetsM&ABackground
PreSonus was expanding its software portfolio into composition and notation.
Action taken
The company acquired assets from Notion Music, including the Notion and Progression applications.
Aftermath
PreSonus added music-notation and composition capabilities to its recording and production ecosystem.
2012
Acquire NimbitM&ABackground
PreSonus sought to broaden its activities beyond audio hardware and production tools.
Action taken
The company acquired Nimbit, an online direct-to-fan music service.
Aftermath
The acquisition added a music-services component to PreSonus’s portfolio.
2009
Acquire KristalLabs assets and establish a software entityM&ABackground
PreSonus had been working with KristalLabs on Studio One and Capture since 2006 and sought to strengthen ownership and control of the software-development capability.
Action taken
PreSonus acquired all KristalLabs assets, leading to the creation of PreSonus Software Limited.
Aftermath
The transaction consolidated the development of Studio One and Capture within the PreSonus group and supported the company’s integrated hardware-software strategy.
Recent events
Reported
Fender signs merger agreement with PreSonus[2]
Fender announced that it had signed a definitive merger agreement with PreSonus Audio Electronics. The transaction remained subject to US regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Reported
PreSonus ships updated R-Series monitors[3]
PreSonus began shipping its R65 V2 and R80 V2 active studio monitors, which add acoustic tuning controls compared with the original R-Series.
Reported
PreSonus launches Sphere membership service[4]
PreSonus launched PreSonus Sphere, a membership service combining creative software tools with cloud collaboration, storage, training, events, and other member benefits.
Sources6 sources
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