Getting my first interface (Apogee VS Presonus)

[Dangerpyez]

Haha no one?

[m.o]

The presonus firestudio mobile is great value for money, but there is one big gotcha with these (that I have experienced); If your firewire interface in your computer is not 'right' they can be very buggy - drop connection etc.
If you have a firewire interface chipset from TI (texas instruments) you're probably good. The one built into my ASUS motherboard wouldn't work well, but I bought a 30€ PCI firewire interface (LSI chip I think it is) that fixed it.
Also it seems the MIDI out is kinda wonky and dropped packages now and then (even after the new FW card).

The practical downside for me with the Firestudio Mobile was that even though it has plenty of inputs, there was not enough outputs to use any outboard reverbs etc - this probably won't apply to you..
Advantage for me: The firestudio line can be daisy chained to add more in/outs.
I would suspect the newer USB 2.0 interfaces are much more trouble free.

All this said, if really need just 2 ins and 2 outs, the presonus stuff might be unessesary, OTOH the Apogee IS kinda pricey.

[Dpro]

disregard statements about the Duet being expensive. Its not really when you think of the quality of conversion you are getting for around $500 You can actually pick them up used for about $300 .
I would say forget about the Presonus the best two in arena you are talking about are the RME Babyface( a little more expensive) and the Apogee Duet.
Focusrite is pretty good too more inputs for the same amount of money and not bad sounding. Though both the RME and the Apogee definitely edge it out.

[Nizzyo]

I've had my duet 2 for a little over a week now and let me tell you, it sounds great! I was so sad when I spent all that money and was beating myself up on the car drive home. As soon as I plugged it in and started to listen to music and record my guitar I knew it was money well spent, I'd actually pay more for it! =D

[Dangerpyez]

Originally Posted by m.o

The presonus firestudio mobile is great value for money, but there is one big gotcha with these (that I have experienced); If your firewire interface in your computer is not 'right' they can be very buggy - drop connection etc.
If you have a firewire interface chipset from TI (texas instruments) you're probably good. The one built into my ASUS motherboard wouldn't work well, but I bought a 30€ PCI firewire interface (LSI chip I think it is) that fixed it.
Also it seems the MIDI out is kinda wonky and dropped packages now and then (even after the new FW card).

The practical downside for me with the Firestudio Mobile was that even though it has plenty of inputs, there was not enough outputs to use any outboard reverbs etc - this probably won't apply to you..
Advantage for me: The firestudio line can be daisy chained to add more in/outs.
I would suspect the newer USB 2.0 interfaces are much more trouble free.

All this said, if really need just 2 ins and 2 outs, the presonus stuff might be unessesary, OTOH the Apogee IS kinda pricey.

Hey m.o! Thanks for the reply. I am currently using a MacBook Pro Early 2010, Do you think i might have issues with that?

Thanks!

[Dangerpyez]

Originally Posted by Dpro

disregard statements about the Duet being expensive. Its not really when you think of the quality of conversion you are getting for around $500 You can actually pick them up used for about $300 .
I would say forget about the Presonus the best two in arena you are talking about are the RME Babyface( a little more expensive) and the Apogee Duet.
Focusrite is pretty good too more inputs for the same amount of money and not bad sounding. Though both the RME and the Apogee definitely edge it out.

Hey Dpro! I've found some way cheaper Duets like you said, but older versions. I did not found any new Duets that are cheaper than 500$.

This is the older version of the Duet which features FireWire instead of USB , not sure what year tho:
http://www.americanmusical.com/image...reakoutbox.jpg

Do you think I should go for one of those? Is there any major improvement on the new models?

[m.o]

As I understand it the Presonus stuff works well with Macs (I'm on a pc as mentioned, so I haven't really searched for Mac problems).

[Dangerpyez]

Originally Posted by m.o

As I understand it the Presonus stuff works well with Macs (I'm on a pc as mentioned, so I haven't really searched for Mac problems).

Okay thanks!

[Dpro]

Originally Posted by Dangerpyez

Hey Dpro! I've found some way cheaper Duets like you said, but older versions. I did not found any new Duets that are cheaper than 500$.

This is the older version of the Duet which features FireWire instead of USB , not sure what year tho:
http://www.americanmusical.com/image...reakoutbox.jpg

Do you think I should go for one of those? Is there any major improvement on the new models?

The older ones a have a great rep. The newer ones are supposed to be great as well but some people had problems with the USB drivers.

If you do a search here I am sure this question has been asked before. I sometimes like to run slightly behind the curve of things so I know any bugs are already worked out.
I am most likely picking up an Ensemble shortly because of the deals out there and its a good unit.

Oh and personally I would take Apogee over Presonus any day of the week.

[Sir Chris]

I own a PreSonus Firestudio Mobile. It works great and sounds great but I agree with everyone here. If you only need 2 channels I would without question pick either the Apogee Duet or RME Babyface. Both of those units will yield better quality recordings for you then the Firestudio.