M-Audio MobilePre USB

The unit was all plug-and-play for me, didn't even have to read the manual. Very straightforward, install the driver, plug the cables in and connect it to the computer. If you already have a recording software installed, you're basically ready to rock!

I've read other's reviews complaining about noise. These nasty reviews almost made me change my mind about buying it but I went for it after all. I made the right decision.

There is no noise WHATSOEVER for me. Sounds like a dream. I am using it with a Behringer V-Amp 2 and a JHS-Encore guitar to record my songs on a desktop Mac, Audacity software (I know, I was gonna use Pro Tools but me have no money:). After recording, it sounds just like on the V-Amp headphone out directly.

However, you have to play around a bit with the gain controls. If they are set too high, the sound tends to get a bit fuzzy. If they are too low, it's very quiet. Also, there is a slight delay when it records in realtime but that can be corrected with your recording/mixing software.

I got it 10 hours ago. I didn't manage to break it since then.

Never contacted them.

I love this thing. I mainly play synthpop and alternative rock. I'm using Reason to create the most of the sounds, I use the mobilepre to record guitar. I used to have problems with noise on my earlier sound cards, when there were two guitar tracks playing simultaneously, the noise was terrible. Now, I could have at least 20 of them and there would be still no significant noise (just the natural one coming from the amp).

The price was very reasonable. As figured out later, M-Audio is creating these recording interfaces on the principle of the Digidesign MBox. Done some research and it turns out that the only possible differences between the MBox and the MobilePre are the price, the design and the fact that MBox comes with Pro Tools. And yes, maybe the quality a very little bit. But that's not worth paying ??150 more!

It's not easy to get a good sound out of it because of the loud noise when hooked up to a laptop.

I use various forms of inputs including a stereo condenser mic. Again, the sound quality is incredibly bad because of the noise problems.

Well, you can't really depend on it, right? It won't serve you well because it sounds unacceptably noisy.

I wrote to m-audio's tech support and they were absolutely no help.

I play a variety of music including blues, pop, r&b and jazz. I've been playing for 40 years and have toured the world with a major act. I plan on selling it immediately. I've owned other m-audio products and they were and are quite nice and sound great. I'm really disappointed. I bought this unit unheard because of my prior experiences with their products.

when u install it, a couple of windows warnings appear - ignore them

there is some background hum.. when i moved my mic really close to my acoustic guitar it's not that bad though

I have this question for you people.. No matter what i did i was unable to record any clips for youtube cos the audio is always way out of sync with the video.. If anybody knows a solution please email me to crazybike99@yahoo.com

I tried virtualdub and windows movie maker..didnt work.. the sound track is sped up and over by the time the video is not half way through

Fairly easy to use. Although the gain staging is confusing. There are 3 ways to adjust the input volume on this unit so you don't really know where unity (0 dB) is. Installation is a pain. You're in for a major headache if you plug this unit in to your computer before installing the software. I did and ended up having to reinstall Windows to get it working. Please install the software BEFORE you plug it in to your computer.

This unit is incredibly noisy. The noise floor was somewhere between -45 and -40 dB. And thats with no mics plugged in and the gain turned all the way down!! I'm guessing if you plan on doing extensive overdubs with this unit your track will be noisier than a busy street. That is if you can do overdubs. I tried for days to overdub a track on top of one I'd already recorded but they either didn't line up or the overdubbed track was at a slower speed. Very weird. I even tried switching computers and recording software. Same thing.

I used this unit for a few days and put it back in the box. Planning on selling it. Don't know how reliable it is and don't really care.

I emailed tech support about the overdub problem and I was told it was a problem with my computer/software. I told them I tried two different computers and a handful of recording programs. They didn't write back.

M-Audio used to make fairly good equipment aimed at the home recordist. It seems that since Avid took over their products they've taken a dramatic downturn as far as quality in both the hardware and software department. This product seems like it was rushed to market. It's not very well thought out, the software looks like it was thrown together in a day and the incredible self noise of the unit leads me to believe they use nothing but the cheapest components available. In general, M-Audio do not care about quality anymore. I plan on avoiding this company like the plague.

I bought the MobliePre USB 2nd hand for ?150. Tried it on my Apple iBook, in combination with Garageband, and is works like a charm. I plug my guitars directly into the jack-inputs and I get a nicely trimable sound (in case of clipping). The only problem is the 50Hz hum I get, using the iBook with the adapter plugged in. That's all.

It's a nice gadget for anyone who wants to do some simple home recording with a couple of mic's and guitar and/or bass. Inexpensive and easy to use. Software/drivers are easily installed and interface is clear.

Guitars: Charvel, Telecaster, both directly plugged in.
Noise: only a 50Hz hum, due to the laptop's adapter
I use maily the built in software amps and external effects (Ibanez Tubescreamer, PUE5)

I woud trust it to work in a 'live' setting, although that's not what it's meant for.

Easy to use. Install the software, plug the unit into the USB connection on your computer using the supplied cord, plug your guitar and mic, adjust gain and software volume and/or headphone volume and you're good to go.

MusicMan Stingray Bass direct into the MobilePre.

Fender Stratocaster -> outboard effects pedals -> 1964 Gibson Falcon 1x12 tube amp -> Shure SM57 -> Mobile Pre

In both cases: MobilePre -> headphone out

OR

MobilePre -> stereo out -> Yamaha poweramp into PSB Image speakers.

Sound quality is much better than the stock Soundblaster inputs I have relied on until now, but I'm guessing it's still noisier than a pro level DA/AD card/box.

The Stingray is quiet as the pickup are humbucking. Strat can be noisy, depending on where I stand in relation to the computer.

The unit DOES pickup noise from the harddrive on my laptop spinning when using the Strat in single-coil positions. As well, I've got some ground loop hum from my electrical system happening. When I use the laptop in battery powered mode, the noise disappear.

Vocals direct into an SM58 are very quiet. I have not tested a condenser mic with this unit.

I have been using the

Too early to tell.

N/A

I'm a blues/rock bassist and guitarist playing for over 25 years. I've got the a/m guitars, the Gibson Falcon amp (schweeeet!), an SWR SM400S + 410T cab plus other combo amps, pedals galore and a couple of acoustic guitars.

I use this unit for low level creativity/composition, improving my guitar and singing chops and learning new material.

I chose this unit in particular for its low latency via the Direct Monitoring function, for its ability to accept either two 1/4" line level inputs or 2 XLR inputs or one of each so that I can sing and play (and record/playback) at the same time.

I looked into the Tascam US-122 but reviews were not favorable. I did not A/B these two units side by side, so this is just subjective at this point.

I had used a cheap preamp into a SB soundcard and this sounded like crap - I was looking at a relatively low cost direct-to-digital solution.

I use the MobilePre with Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro (and the accompanying IK Amplitude guitar modelling plug-in) and I am getting excellent results - likely about the same as I would with a cassette-based 4-tracker, but with fewer limitations.

I'm very sure that I got the best for the money that I spent. I have no remorse. If I had to replace it right now, I'd do it again.