Knowledge Base

Quantum Thunderbolt series devices require our driver to function on macOS. 
Quantum USB has a custom low-latency driver that outperforms the standard built-in driver.
Both of these drivers are included in the Universal Control app. 
Important Note: You will need to have your computer set to Reduced Security.

Link Here for Apple Silicon

Link Here for Intel-based Macs

After installing and opening Universal Control, you will be prompted to "Approve the Audio Driver System Extension".

The operating system will give you the choice of "OK" or "Open Security Preferences".
Choose "Open Security Preferences"  or if you have already clicked "Ok" open System Preferences>Privacy and Security. Once this is allowed, your Quantum will sync to the computer. 

Pre-UC 3.6: If you cannot sync after installing UC, run the uninstaller located in the same folder as the UC installer. After the uninstaller has finished, reboot the computer and run the installer. You will now be prompted again to approve the installation. 

UC 3.6 forward: The Quantum driver has changed to a driver extension. If you cannot sync after installing UC, drag the UC application from the Application folder to the Trash. You'll be prompted about removing system extensions.  Once the extension is removed, run the installer for UC and follow the prompts. 

 

To Manually Uninstall Drivers on macOS 26 Tahoe

• go to Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions

• scroll down to Extensions and select the By Category tab

• Click the    on the Driver Extensions entry

• Choose Delete Extension from the (…) menu

To Manually Uninstall, Please Follow These Steps. 

1. Disable System Integrity Protection

   1. Intel: Reboot and hold the Command + R buttons
   2. Silicon: Continue holding the power button while booting
2. Enter the Recovery Menu
3. Open Terminal (from the menu) and run csrutil disable
4. Reboot

5. In Terminal, run these commands to uninstall the custom driver

   Quantum USB	systemextensionsctl uninstall Q524P4NWE7 com.presonus.tusbaudiodriver
   Quantum Thunderbolt	systemextensionsctl uninstall Q524P4NWE7 com.presonus.quantum-driver-dk

6. Activate System Integrity Protection
   1. Intel: Reboot and hold the Command + R buttons
   2. Silicon: Continue holding the power button while booting
7. Enter the Recovery Menu
8. Open Terminal and run csrutil enable
9. Reboot
   
   
    

Installing Fender Quantum Thunderbolt Driver

On systems that previously had the PreSonus Quantum Thunderbolt drivers installed, some additional steps are required to get audio working again. Typically, when this scenario occurs, there will be an incomplete device card in UC, and the device will be missing in Audio Midi Setup.

Prerequisites:

1. Make sure that the drivers are uninstalled (see above)

2. Install UC, start the app, and confirm/activate system extensions

Steps (restart coreaudiod):

• open Activity Monitor

• From the View menu, choose All Processes

• Find the coreaudiod process and stop it

Alternatively, reboot the computer.

 

Downgrading from UC 5.0

When downgrading from UC 5.0 to a PreSonus version of UC, there might be additional issues depending on the version of UC.

• PreSonus Hardware Uninstaller does not move Universal Control.app to the trash

• PreSonus Hardware Uninstaller does not check for existing Fender drivers

You may need to uninstall Fender drivers manually before installing an older version of UC.