[Drew]

I know, I know, not like I ever use the thing, right? I had been doing a bit of recording the other day, and was looking forward to doing some more today, but when I logged onto my computer this morning I noticed that the front panel light was dark - no blue to signify it was connected, or red to signify that it wasn't. Power switch is still on, it's still plugged in, and the power strip it's plugged into is the one powering the rest of my computer, which is (clearly) running just fine.

Do I have an 8-input paperweight on my hands, or do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[Mike]

They do this a lot, apparently - I have one being fixed right now.

It's a flat $75 fee to have Presonus fix it. Check their website.

 

[1]

Check the specs on the power adapter - if it's the same as my FS Mobile, you're welcome to try my plug. Maybe you'll get lucky.

 

[Drew]

What's the turnaround time like, Mike?

Chris - ITE Power Supply
Model: U150200AA4
Input: 120VAC 60hz 0.4A
Output: 15VAC 2000mA

 

[Drew]

And I guess as a secondary question, I'm wondering if maybe I should just consider upgrading the fucking thing, especially if it's a lengthy process to have it repaired.

I was always pretty happy with my old M-Audio interface, barring the number of inputs - anyone have any experience with this?

Buy M-Audio ProFire 2626 | Audio Interfaces & Convertors | Audio Interfaces | Musician's Friend

Also, Chris, you use one of these, right?

Buy MOTU 8pre 16x12 FireWire Audio Interface | Audio Interfaces & Convertors | Audio Interfaces | Musician's Friend

 

[Mike]

What's the turnaround time like, Mike?

Chris - ITE Power Supply
Model: U150200AA4
Input: 120VAC 60hz 0.4A
Output: 15VAC 2000mA

Mine's been there for a week and a half. I really need to check on it, actually.

 

[Professor Squidbeard]

grabbing something with a better pre might make you happier with your guitar tone too.

 

[Drew]

I'm actually fairly happy with my recorded tone these days, but better quality preamps (not that the Firepods aren't pretty good) do seem to make a pretty big difference.

I'm thinking of just sucking it up and grabbing something else by the end of today, then trying to get the Firepod repaired and selling it or giving it to my dad to work with. I'm leaning towards that M-Audio simply because the Firewire 410 I used to own was really pretty solid. Anyone have any experience with something else comparably priced I should look at instead?

 

[Max]

Wirelessly posted (Hivemind: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A293 Safari/6531.22.7)

The new preamps in the firestudio project are great fwiw. If you really wanna spring for nice, Allen and Heath Makes a sweet 42 channel mixer with USB lol

 

[1]

Yeah, I have the 8Pre. I like it. Not that I record anything of value with it. :lol:

 

[Kim]

depending on how much you want to spend, I'm very VERY satisfied with my tc impact twin

 

[Mike]

grabbing something with a better pre might make you happier with your guitar tone too.

I didn't find anything for under a grand that had pres I liked any better, and certainly not anything with 8 of them. :shrug:

 

[Drew]

Ok, so the consensus is spending more for something with better pres would be a waste of time unless I'm prepared to drop a LOT of cash?

depending on how much you want to spend, I'm very VERY satisfied with my tc impact twin

That's about what a Firepod goes for, and the fact it doesn't have 8 pres is kind of a dealbreaker.

EDIT - though, what worries me is this is the second relatively major issue I've had with the thing in 2-3 years, and one channel of my BlueTube pre seems to have gone all staticy on me, too. Is durability/reliability kind of a concern with Presonus stuff?

 

[Max]

Wirelessly posted (Hivemind: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A293 Safari/6531.22.7)

Yep. I like the firestudio mobile over the fo10 though as you get more routing control. Theres an open box on mf for like 380 or something

 

[DomitianX]

I have the MOTU 828MKII that I got off eBay really cheap. Sounds pretty good. never had an issue with it.

 

[Josh]

It got bored and committed electronic seppuku?

 

[Drew]

...and, having done some more reading around here, seems there's a lot of dissatisfaction with M-Audio drivers.

So, the Firestudio Project can be daisy-chained with a Firepod, right? And it's had a preamp upgrade since the Firepod... Maybe I should just grab one of those, get the FP fixed, and then I'd have access to 16 tracks at a time, down the road... :shrug:

 

[Max]

Wirelessly posted (Hivemind: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A293 Safari/6531.22.7)

Yep. Go for it.

 

[Professor Squidbeard]

I upgraded from presonus to mackie and heard a difference. though i also when from a firepod to the 1640i. Its a full analogue mixer with the digital converters at the end. has eq built in, is pretty big. it sounds awesome though. my new vocal chain is the best i've ever gotten vocals to sound.

sm7 - la610 - mackie 1640i - computer.

vocal chain sex.

i find the presonus pres to be lacking in the high end, they seem a little brittle when you compare them. It's a fairly subtle difference unless you're looking for it probably.

 

[1]

I have the MOTU 828MKII that I got off eBay really cheap. Sounds pretty good. never had an issue with it.

Those are awesome. :yesway: