update: this was not the problem. Syncing internally the problem persists, and now even noticing with playback thru itunes. Quickly switching the audio output source in the mac pros settings then back to the interface, OR changing sample rate on the presonus then back again to original rate fixes the issue.
Any ideas? I changed the usb 3 port the interface is plugged into and I moved my midi controller to a usb2 port, so now the ONLY thing on the USB3 bus is the interface. The cable as well as the interface are brand new.