The Fender Quantum HD 8 is a USB-C audio interface for musicians, producers and engineers who need plenty of channels but don’t want to deal with complicated workflows. Eight high-quality mic preamps, extremely high resolution and direct, hardware-based control make it a reliable centrepiece in the studio, whether you’re recording, reamping or mixing.
Eight preamps that take even quiet sources seriously
The eight microphone preamps offer up to 75 dB of gain whilst remaining remarkably quiet. This is worth its weight in gold for dynamic microphones, soft-voiced singers, acoustic guitars or even experimental sound sources. Combined inputs accept both XLR and 6.35 mm jack connectors; line signals are processed cleanly and instruments can be plugged in directly via the front panel. Phantom power, pad and high-pass filter can be controlled per channel, either directly on the unit or via software.
32-bit, 192 kHz and plenty of headroom
With 32-bit conversion and sample rates of up to 192 kHz, the Quantum HD 8 delivers plenty of headroom. Level stress is significantly reduced, transients come through cleanly and even dense sessions retain their clarity. The AD/DA converters offer a wide dynamic range, which is particularly noticeable during monitoring and later in the mix.
Full control without fiddling with the mouse
The large colour display and the central continuous-rotation encoder make operation pleasantly direct. Adjusting gain, controlling outputs, setting headphone levels or switching between speaker sets – everything is quick and straightforward. Auto-Gain helps with levelling individual or multiple channels and saves time, particularly during sessions with lots of musicians.
Connections for real studio work
Eight balanced line outputs, two dedicated reamp outputs, two headphone amplifiers, MIDI, S/PDIF, Word Clock and no fewer than two ADAT in/outs make the Fender Quantum HD 8 extremely flexible. It can be easily expanded, used as an ADAT preamp or operated as a standalone mixer. Multi-channel setups, right through to immersive formats, are also possible. The DB-9 connector allows simultaneous use of MIDI In and Out as well as S/PDIF In and Out, as the supplied breakout cable provides all connections in parallel.
Low latency, stable driver, mobile setup possible
Connected via USB-C, the interface operates with very low latency. Direct monitoring without any noticeable delay works reliably. The Quantum HD 8 can also be used with tablets and smartphones, which is handy for mobile recordings or as a compact setup when on the move.