PRESONUS Revelator io24 User manual

2-channel audio interface for streamers, pod-
casters, and music creators
Owner’s Manual

Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
1. Overview 5
1.1 Introduction 5
1.2 What is in the box 5
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 6
2. Connections and Controls 13
2.1 Front Panel 13
2.2 The Screen 14
2.3 Back Panel 16
2.4 Connection Diagram 18
2.5 Setting the Microphone Level 19
2.6 Setting Main Output level 20
2.7 Setting Headphone level 20
2.8 Setting Monitor blend 21
3. Universal Control 23
3.1 The Launch Window 23
3.2 Launch Window Menu Items 25
Windows 27
macOS 29
Using Revelator io24 for Skype 31
Using Revelator io24 for Zoom 32
Windows: 33
macOS: 34
Using Revelator io24 for Google Meet 36
Using Revelator io24 for OBS 38
3.3 Using Revelator io24 with iOS/iPadOS devices 39
3.4 Using Revelator io24 with Android devices 40
3.5 Using Revelator io24 on Chromebook 41
Using Revelator io24 with Zoom on Chromebook 42
Using Revelator io24 with Google Meet on Chromebook 42
4. Presets and Scenes 44
4.1 Preset Management 44
4.2 Changing Preset Button Slots 45
4.3 Storing New Presets 48

4.4 Exporting/Importing Presets 51
4.5 Scenes - Save and Recall 53
4.6 Sharing Scenes and Presets 54
5. Fat Channel and Voice Effects 55
5.1 Fat Channel and Voice Effects 55
6. Mixing and Loopback Audio 63
6.1 What is Loopback Audio? 63
6.2 Routing 63
6.3 Mixer Controls 64
6.4 Microphone Channel Controls 64
6.5 Mixer Channel Controls 64
6.6 Main Output Controls and Mix Selection 65
6.7 Feedback Loops are Bad 67
7. Advanced Features and Customization Tools 68
7.1 Settings Menu 68
7.2 Advanced Fat Channel and Voice Effects Controls 69
7.3 High Pass Filter 70
7.4 Noise Gate 70
7.5 Compressor 71
7.6 Standard Compressor 72
7.7 Tube Leveling Amplifier 73
7.8 Class-A FET Compressor 74
7.9 Changing the Signal Chain 74
7.10 Equalizer 75
7.11 Standard EQ 75
7.12 Passive Program EQ 76
7.13 Vintage 1970s EQ 77
7.14 Limiter 78
7.15 Voice FX 78
7.16 Doubler 78
7.17 Detuner 79
7.18 Vocoder 80
7.19 Ring Modulator 80
7.20 Filters 81
7.21 Delay 82

8. Studio One Artist Quick Start 83
8.1 Installation and Authorization 83
8.2 Setting Up Studio One Artist 85
8.3 Configuring Audio Devices 85
8.4 Configuring MIDI Devices 86
Setting up an External MIDI Keyboard Controller from the Start Page 87
Setting up an External MIDI Sound Module from the Start Page 89
8.5 Creating a New Song 90
8. Configuring Your I/O 92
8. Creating Audio and Instrument Tracks 94
8.1 Recording an Audio Track 95
8.2 Adding Virtual Instruments and Effects 95
9. Resources 98
9.1 Gain Staging 101: Begin at the Beginning 98
9.2 Step 1: Setting the Microphone Gain 98
9.3 Step 2: Setting the EQ and Dynamics 99
9.4 Step 3: Setting Your Mix—The Unity Myth 99
9.5 Microphone Tips and Tricks 100
9.6 Pickup Patterns 100
9.7 Handling Noise 100
9.8 How Close is Too Close? 100
9.9 Problematic Pronunciation 101
9.10 Putting it All Together 101
9.11 Technical Specifications 102
10. Legal 105
11. Dinner is Served! 106

1. Overview
1.1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Revelator io24 audio interface! Revelator io24 is the perfect audio interface
for live streaming or podcasting, and is a powerful recording solution for voice-overs and music pro-
duction in your home studio. It’s designed to deliver polished, professional-sounding results with ease.
Once you’ve registered your Revelator io24 at my.presonus.com, you’ll be able to download your drivers,
a complimentary copy of Studio One Artist, additional plug-ins, content, and more. It’s our gift to you for
becoming a PreSonus customer.
We suggest you read this manual to familiarize yourself with the features and applications for your Revel-
ator io24 before trying to connect it to your computer. This will help you to avoid problems during install-
ation and use.
Throughout this manual you will find Power User Tips. These tips and tricks will help you to become a
Revelator io24 expert—as well as help you to better understand audio terminology, so you can get the
most from your purchase and get the best sound quality possible.
Thanks for joining the PreSonus family. We’re glad you’re here.
1.2 What is in the box
Your Revelator io24package contains:
Revelator io24 USB audio interface
1. Overview 5

1M USB-C-to-USB-A Cable. Use this to connect your Revelator io24 to a
USB port on your computer or a powered USB hub.
Quick Start Guide. Use this as a handy reference guide to your hardware
features while you familiarize yourself with your new interface.
PreSonus Health, Safety, and Compliance Guide. Legal language to cure
your insomnia.
Warranty/Registration Card.
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account
There’s more to your Revelator io24 than what comes in the box! Let’s take a moment to
register your Revelator io24 and download the digital products that come with it. These include:
lUniversal Control. Unlock the StudioLive inside your Revelator io24 with Universal Control.
This installation package also includes your audio driver controls that you will need to use advanced
Revelator io24 features.
lStudio One Artist. Studio One Artist is our award-winning recording and production software. It’s
also designed to be intuitive and easy to use, so whether you’re a seasoned professional or just start-
ing out, Studio One Artist has the tools you need to make a great recording.
lStudio Magic Bundle. Over $1000 USD worth of plug-ins, sounds, and more; Studio Magic super-
charges your Studio One Artist experience!
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 6

Step 1: Register Revelator io24
To download your digital products, you must first create a MyPreSonus account. This account lets you
manage all your PreSonus product registrations, provides curated educational content, and is the portal
to all tech support and service inquiries. Let’s get started!
1. In your Internet browser of choice, visit my.presonus.com and
click “Create Account”
Power User Tip: If you already have a MyPreSonus account, please log in and skip to step 5.
2. Fill in the form with the required information. Make sure to verify that you are, in fact, human and
agree to our PreSonus Terms of Use. If you’d like to receive occasional emails about promotions and
new video content, check that box now as well.
3. Click “Save.”
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 7

4. Click “Go to MyPreSonus” to log into your shiny new MyPreSonus account.
5. Click “Register a Product.”
6. In the pop-up menu, click on the Hardware tab.
7. Select your purchase date and enter your Revelator io24 Serial Number. You can find your serial
number on the bottom of your interface as well as on your Quick Start Guide.
8. Click Register.
9. Click View Product to download your companion software.
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 8

Step 2: Download and Install Universal Control
1. From the Revelator io24 product listing in MyPreSonus, click the “Download Universal Control” but-
ton at the top. MyPreSonus will scan your computer and present the correct installer for your oper-
ating system.
2. Locate the Universal Control installer in your Downloads folder. Double click to open it.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to install Universal Control.
See Section 3 for information and use instructions for all the advanced features available in Universal
Control.
Step 3: Download and Install Studio One Artist (Optional)
1. From the Revelator io24 product listing in MyPreSonus, locate Studio One Artist from the product list-
ing. Quick links to every digital product that comes with your Revelator io24 will be listed here. Click
the “Download Installer” button at the bottom of the Studio One Artist listing. MyPreSonus will scan
your computer and present the correct installer for your operating system.
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 9

2. Locate the Studio One installer in your Downloads folder. Double click to open it.
lWindows: Launch the Studio One Artist installer and follow the onscreen instructions.
lMac: Drag the Studio One Artist application into the Applications folder on your Mac hard drive.
3. Locate Studio One in your Applications and launch it. When Studio One is launched for the first time
on your computer, it will communicate with your My.PreSonus account and verify your registration.
To ensure a seamless authorization process, make sure to download your installer to the computer
on which you will be using it, and be sure that your computer is connected to the Internet when you
launch the application for the first time.
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 10

Power User Tip: You may be prompted to enter your My.PreSonus user account information. Clicking “Remem-
ber Credentials” will allow you to have immediate access to any content you purchase from shop.presonus.com.
Studio One Artist comes bundled with an array of demo and tutorial materials, instruments, loops, and
samples. The first time you launch Studio One Artist, you will be prompted to install its companion con-
tent. Select the content you wish to add and click “Install.” The content will automatically begin to down-
load and install from your My.PreSonus user account.
Power User Tip: To select only a portion of the available content, click on “Show Packages.” From here you
can customize your content installation.
See Section 8 for a Getting Started guide to help your start recording and mixing in Studio One Artist.
Step 4: Download and Install Studio Magic (Optional)
From the Revelator io24 product listing in MyPreSonus, you will also find a complete list with links to all
the Studio Magic products that came with your Revelator io24 registration. Click on the “View More
Details” button below any product you’d like to install.
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 11

Studio Magic software is developed by many different manufacturers, so MyPreSonus will send you to
their respective websites for download and installation.
1.3 What is in your MyPreSonus account 12

2. Connections and Controls
2.1 Front Panel
Microphone Inputs. Your Revelator io24 interface is equipped with high-qual-
ity microphone preamplifiers for use with all types of microphones. The Revel-
ator io24 features XMAX-L solid-state microphone preamps that are optimized
for bus power.
Both input channels on your Revelator io24 interface are equipped with combo
jacks. This convenient connector accepts either a ¼-inch or an XLR con-
nector.
Instrument / Line-Level Inputs. The ¼-inch connectors on Channels 1 and 2
can be used with passive instruments (guitar, bass, etc.) or line-level devices
(synthesizers, signal processors, etc.).
Please note: As with any audio input device, plugging in a microphone or an instrument, or turning
phantom power on or off, will create a momentary spike in the audio output. Because of this, we highly
recommend that you turn down the channel trim before changing connections or turning phantom power
on or off. This simple step will add years to life of your audio equipment.
Multipurpose Encoder Knob. This is a lot more than a simple volume
knob! It’s also a button, and can be used to control many features of
your Revelator io24:
lFrom the Home screen, press it to cycle through Headphone volume,
Main volume, and Monitor Blend. Rotate to edit the selected option.
lFrom the Channel screen, press to cycle through +48v, Gain, and
High-pass filter options. Rotate to edit the selected option.
2. Connections and Controls 13

2.2 The Screen
The screen displays metering, preset selection, and other important information.
The following information is displayed on Revelator io24’s Home screen. This is the default screen you’ll
see when you first use Revelator io24.
1. Input Meters. These meters
indicate the input level of the
analog inputs on your Revel-
ator io24. The red Clip indic-
ator will light when your input
signal reaches -0.5 dBFS. At
this level, the signal will
begin to overload the ana-
log-to-digital converters and
exhibit signs of clipping. Use
the gain controls to keep the
signal below this level.
2. Output Meters. These
meters indicate the signal
level received from the first
two driver returns (Main
Left/Right). These meters display the signal level before the main output level control.
3. Output Volume/Blend. This indicates output volume of the currently-selected output (Headphones
or Mains) just like a volume knob—as well as Monitor Blend.
4. Encoder status. Lets you know if the Encoder Knob is controlling Headphone output level, Main out-
put level, or monitor Blend (direct vs. hardware.)
5. USB Status indicator. Confirms that Revelator io24 is connected via USB and functioning normally.
6. Preset indicators. These lights indicate the preset selection of both channels. If presets are
bypassed, both will be dark.
7. Input Clip indicator. Lights red when the incoming signal is too loud for the converter, causing dis-
tortion.
8. Output Clip indicator. Lights red when the outgoing signal is too loud.
9. Stereo link indicator. This icon informs you that Channels 1 and 2 are configured for use as a single
stereo channel for use with stereo instruments like keyboards. This feature can be activated in Univer-
sal Control, or by pressing both channel buttons on Revelator io24 simultaneously.
10. +48v indicator. Informs you if +48v power has been activated—required for most condenser micro-
phones.
WARNING: Phantom power is only required for condenser microphones and can severely
damage some dynamic mics, especially ribbon mics. Therefore, switch phantom power off
when it is not required. Consult the user documentation that came with your microphone
before engaging phantom power.
XLR connector wiring for phantom power:
Pin 1 = GND Pin 2 = +48V Pin 3 = +48V
The following information is displayed on Revelator io24’s Channel screens. Press Channel Select
2.2 The Screen 14

Buttons 1 or 2 to bring it up. Press the Back button to return to the Home screen.
From the Channel screen,
the Encoder Knob can be
pressed to cycle through the
following options:
1. Gain. Rotate the Encoder to
turn input Gain up or down.
Use this to bring your con-
nected instrumet or micro-
phone signals up or down to
suitable recording levels.
Avoid aforementioned clip-
ping.
2. High-pass filter 80Hz.
Rotate the Encoder to turn
the High-pass filter on and off. This can be used to cut low-end rumble and other unwanted low fre-
quencies from your recordings.
3. +48v Phantom Power. Rotate the Encoder to enable/disable +48v power for attached condenser
microphones.
Other information on the Channel screen includes:
4. Input Meter. This meter indicates the input level of the selected channel on your Revelator io24, just
like on the Home screen.
5. Gain reduction meter. If you’re running any compression or limiting via Revelator io24’s DSP
(Digital Signal Processing), the amount of gain reduction being applied will be indicated by this blue
meter.
6. Preset indicators. These lights indicate the preset selection of the currently-selected channel, includ-
ing none.
Channel Select Buttons. Press to display information about Input 1
or input 2 on the screen.
Back Button. Returns display on screen to default Home view
Preset Selectors. Cycles through presets for inputs 1 and 2,
respectively. Press to cycle through Presets; press and hold to
bypass Presets.
2.2 The Screen 15

Mute. Enables/Disables the Main Outs. Has no effect on Headphone Out.
2.3 Back Panel
USB-C Port. Use this port to connect your Revelator io24 to your computer. While the
Revelator io24 connects using USB-C, it is fully compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0 con-
nections. Use the USB-C to A cable that came with your Revelator io24 if your com-
puter has a USB-A connection rather than a USB-C connection.
Please note: The Revelator io24 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0
speed connections. USB 1.1 is not supported.
Kensington Lock. Connect this port to a Kensington lock to prevent theft.
Headphone Output. Connect your headphones here. Level can be controlled from
the Home screen using the Encoder.
2.3 Back Panel 16

Main Outs. These are the Main outputs for the Revelator io24. The output
level of the Main outputs is controlled by the Main level control on the front of
the unit. Playback streams 1 and 2 are routed to these outputs.
MIDI I/O. This is the MIDI input and output connections. MIDI stands
for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface.” However, MIDI can be
used for many things other than instruments and sequencing. The
MIDI inputs and outputs allow connection to a variety of MIDI-
equipped hardware, such as keyboard controllers, and can be used
to send and receive MIDI Machine Control and MIDI Time Code.
Note: MIDI does not carry audio signals but is frequently used to trig-
ger or control an audio source, such as a virtual instrument or hard-
ware synthesizer. You should ensure that MIDI data is correctly sent and received by the appropriate
hardware or software. You may also need to route hardware sound sources’ audio to the inputs of your
Studio-series interface. Please consult the User’s Manual of your MIDI devices for help with MIDI setup
and usage.
2.3 Back Panel 17

2.4 Connection Diagram
Standalone controls
While many of the features available for your Revelator io24 can be found in Universal Control, critical
controls are available right at your fingertips. Most of these settings can be changed from Universal Con-
trol to customize your Revelator io24 to your application and needs.
The most important thing to remember is that the Multipurpose Encoder on your Revelator io24 can be
used for nearly everything! From either the Home or Channel screen, pressing the Encoder will cycle
through the available options, and rotating it will adjust the parameters.
From the Home screen you can:
lAdjust your Headphone volume
lAdjust your Main Out volume
lBlend your mix between your input signal and the playback from your computer
And from the Channel screen you can:
lSet your mic level
lToggle +48v phantom power
lToggle the 80Hz High-pass filter
2.4 Connection Diagram 18

2.5 Setting the Microphone Level
To set your Revelator io24’s input level, press the Channel
button for the Channel you would like to use. Next, press the
encoder to cycle through the available options. A yellow
underline will indicate the currently-selected option. Once
you’ve selected the Gain setting—it’s shown below the Chan-
nel indicator number and measured in dB (decibels)—turn the
Encoder to set the desired gain level.
Power User Tip: If your input level is too loud, the clip indicator will display in red above the input level meter.
This means that your input signal is clipping, and will begin to sound distorted. If your input signal clips, it will
overload the analog-to-digital converters and cause digital distortion. Digital distortion sounds terrible, and can-
not be undone if recorded. Because of this, it’s important to keep your eye on this indicator while you’re setting
your levels. Check out Section 9 for other recording tips.
2.5 Setting the Microphone Level 19

2.6 Setting Main Output level
By default, the Encoder knob on your Revelator io24 controls
the output level of your Main Outputs—the outputs you have
your speakers connected to. From the home screen, press
the Encoder repeatedly until the speaker icon appears below
the Volume indicator. Then rotate the Encoder to set the
desired Main output level.
2.7 Setting Headphone level
From the home screen, press the Encoder repeatedly until
the headphone icon appears below the Volume indicator.
Then rotate the Encoder to set the desired Headphone output
level.
2.6 Setting Main Output level 20