[Drew]

So far, it's pretty cool.

The M-Audio Firewire 410 I'd been using is more convenient - the Presonus needs to be powered up manually while the M-Audio is powered via the firewire cable and turns on whenever you boot up the computer, and the M-Audio is more flexible with dealing with more than one sampling rate, whereas the Firepod supports only one at a time. While recording, though, the Firepod's a bit easier to work with - you've got front-panel inputs for XLR's instead of rear, there's a hardware "mains" volume knob, as opposed to the software slider on the M-audio, and there's a "blend" knob for mixing the ratio between the playback signal and the input signal, for ease of monitoring.

Sound quality, it's too early to say, and I haven't really done much with the higher sampling rates yet. I'll say for now that the Presonus doesn't quite compare to the M-Audio used in conjunction with my PreSonus Bluetube DP, but that's to be expected.

The big win, of course? I can now record my roommate's drum kit.

Pity I'm such a shitty drummer... :/ I was playing around last night, and I was actually able to get semi-decent sounds on disk (not bad for a beginner). The problem is just that the performance was pretty pathetic.

[Jeff]

I've actually been thinking of picking up either the Firebox or Inspire for my Thinkpad. They seem to get pretty good reviews.

[Popsyche]

I like mine!

[VA-Exception]

The focusrite saffire pro's are awesome, ive got a 26 i/o. The pre-amps i it are pretty good

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Popsyche

I like mine!

Which one do you have, Bill?

I've really got to get away from the Line6 TonePort. Even with all the modeling disabled, it still colors the tone, and just sounds like shit, even compared to my 5 year old Tascam US122.

TonePorts are really only good if you plan to use the modeling exclusively. Otherwise, dogshit.

I was thinking the Presonus stuff coupled with Revalver III would satisfy my modeling needs, but then still sound fantastic when good old analog amp-->mike (or Palmer DI)-->interface-->computer is needed.

[Popsyche]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Which one do you have, Bill?

I've really got to get away from the Line6 TonePort. Even with all the modeling disabled, it still colors the tone, and just sounds like shit, even compared to my 5 year old Tascam US122.

TonePorts are really only good if you plan to use the modeling exclusively. Otherwise, dogshit.

I was thinking the Presonus stuff coupled with Revalver III would satisfy my modeling needs, but then still sound fantastic when good old analog amp-->mike (or Palmer DI)-->interface-->computer is needed.

Just the regular old Firepod. I think the mic pre's and converters sound fine for this price range.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Popsyche

Just the regular old Firepod. I think the mic pre's and converters sound fine for this price range.

How's the latency?

[Drew]

Nonexistant, for ASIO monitoring - it plays back the signal as it comes in. I was tracking drums, or trying anyhow, the other night, with a bit of the input signal beign routed through the headphones I was listening to the click and guitars on, and the playback of the input didn't sound lagged at all. This is with four tracks going in and a mix of about 8 active unmuted tracks, EQ'd and effected.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Drew

Nonexistant, for ASIO monitoring - it plays back the signal as it comes in. I was tracking drums, or trying anyhow, the other night, with a bit of the input signal beign routed through the headphones I was listening to the click and guitars on, and the playback of the input didn't sound lagged at all. This is with four tracks going in and a mix of about 8 active unmuted tracks, EQ'd and effected.

Nice! I wonder how the Inspire fairs in comparison.

[Drew]

Probably similarly. If you're monitoring through the hardware, your computer has nothing to do with it. It's just taking your input signal and routing it right back at you, with the playback coming from your computer.

I mean, if you're using software amp modeling or something, that might be a problem, but as long as your input signal is what you want to hear, you should be good.