Presonus Firepod & MOTU 896 for PC

Almost Human · 29th November 2005

So I've heard soem horror stories regarding the MOTU stuff and PC's, and I've heard others say that it's a great bang for your buck. So, when running a Windows XP based PC, would you view the MOTU 896 as an upgrade over the Presonus Firepod in terms of sound quality? How about the difference in the stock mic pre's on both? Is there a huge difference between the 896 and 896HD?

Finally, does anyone see any compatibility issues when using the MOTU on a PC? I will most likely run Adobe Audition1.5 for a while. Thanks!

drummin4christ · 29th November 2005

I have heard many people comment here about how the pre's on the motu gear are not very good. I think the 896HD has better converters than the firepod, but if the preamps don't sound that good, then what is the point. If you have good class A outboard pres, then an upgrade to better converters might be a good option. I have a firepod and it has given me great service over the past year. My biggest jump in sound quality came through better mics and an ADL600 and API 3124+. I would suggest investing money in good outboard gear that holds it's value.

Hope this helps,

Almost Human · 29th November 2005

Thanks for the input. I've been looking around at picking up some type of additional pre for vox/guitar, and having it double over for 2 mics on the drums. I'm just not sure what to get at this point.

drummin4christ · 1st December 2005

Cool, I recently bought an ADL600 from Presonus and an API 3124+.

The ADL600 is very nice on kick and overheads, but it really shines on acoustic's, vocals, dobros, mandolins, and other acoustic instruments. It is very smooth and detailed with a nice full bottom end.

The API 3124+ is the stuff for snares and toms, and it is simply amazing on electric guitars. Plus these things hold there value very well so if you get in a money crunch and have to sell it, you should get back close to what you pay for it.

These are high end pre's, but very good investments. I also have a couple of Eureka's and an MP-20 that I really like. I bought the MP-20 a little over a year ago on ebay for $300 and could probably sell it for the same today. Works great and before I got the ADL600, it was my acoustic goto pre.

29th November 2005	#1
Almost Human Gear addict Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 408 Thread Starter	Presonus Firepod & MOTU 896 for PC So I've heard soem horror stories regarding the MOTU stuff and PC's, and I've heard others say that it's a great bang for your buck. So, when running a Windows XP based PC, would you view the MOTU 896 as an upgrade over the Presonus Firepod in terms of sound quality? How about the difference in the stock mic pre's on both? Is there a huge difference between the 896 and 896HD? Finally, does anyone see any compatibility issues when using the MOTU on a PC? I will most likely run Adobe Audition1.5 for a while. Thanks!

29th November 2005	#2
drummin4christ Gear addict Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 499	I have heard many people comment here about how the pre's on the motu gear are not very good. I think the 896HD has better converters than the firepod, but if the preamps don't sound that good, then what is the point. If you have good class A outboard pres, then an upgrade to better converters might be a good option. I have a firepod and it has given me great service over the past year. My biggest jump in sound quality came through better mics and an ADL600 and API 3124+. I would suggest investing money in good outboard gear that holds it's value. Hope this helps, __________________ www.theglassjarstudio.com

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1st December 2005	#4
drummin4christ Gear addict Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 499	Cool, I recently bought an ADL600 from Presonus and an API 3124+. The ADL600 is very nice on kick and overheads, but it really shines on acoustic's, vocals, dobros, mandolins, and other acoustic instruments. It is very smooth and detailed with a nice full bottom end. The API 3124+ is the stuff for snares and toms, and it is simply amazing on electric guitars. Plus these things hold there value very well so if you get in a money crunch and have to sell it, you should get back close to what you pay for it. These are high end pre's, but very good investments. I also have a couple of Eureka's and an MP-20 that I really like. I bought the MP-20 a little over a year ago on ebay for $300 and could probably sell it for the same today. Works great and before I got the ADL600, it was my acoustic goto pre.