M-Audio 1814 vs. PreSonus FirePod

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Guitarer

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I'm trying to decide between these two...I was set on the FirePod because I want the simultaneous inputs (for drum tracking), but then I realized the 1814 has 8 inputs on the back, and I got to wondering, can those be used simultaneously?

I've used Cubase LE before and it seems kinda meh to me. Is the 1814 worth it over the FirePod for Protools?

Last question: I want to use (a) tube preamp(s), and I was curious about how my chain would work with one...If I were to get the FirePod, would I just use the "Preamp Out" on the back along with one preamp? Or do I want a preamp before every input?

Thanks,
Holden
 
Neither. I've used both. I've experienced a dead FIREPOD and have seen what I suspect is a statistically significant number of other people with dead FIREPODs over the last couple of years on this board. The FW1814 is another example of crappy hardware, though not of the "it's dead, Jim" variety---the S/PDIF port stops working (including for syncing) unless it is the only device on the bus. It didn't even like being on a FireWire hub.

If you need an 8-input device, I'd suggest the MOTU 8Pre. They actually seem to be well-behaved. :D

If you need something smaller, I'd also steer clear of both M-Audio and Presonus. I wouldn't suggest anything by M-Audio, as I and several other folks I work with have had bad experiences with their gear (multiple models). I also wouldn't suggest the Presonus FIREBOX because it isn't compliant with the current FireWire specifications for inrush current, so on many new computers, you have to provide external power to actually power it up initially despite it being a "bus-powered device".
 
Well I can only speak for myself, but my firepod has performed faultlessly from day 1.

If you're going to record drums, then you'll need a preamp for each mic. The firepod has 8 pres, and the 1814 only has 2.

The Motu 8-pre is supposed to be a good unit as well, although it has very limited output routing capability compared to the firepod or 1814
 
Ive had great luck with products from both. For the firepod, yes it should probably be the only device on the bus, and just plug it in, dont bother trying to bus power it. If you want to use external pres, run the pres balanced out into the line in on the firepod. I would imagine the 1814 also has balanced line ins. The built in pres are surprising usable though.
 
Not to make matters more confusing but....

FWIW- I love my Alesis io26, just a hair more bang for the buck IMO.
 
deadleafecho said:
Ive had great luck with products from both. For the firepod, yes it should probably be the only device on the bus, and just plug it in, dont bother trying to bus power it. If you want to use external pres, run the pres balanced out into the line in on the firepod. I would imagine the 1814 also has balanced line ins. The built in pres are surprising usable though.
Click to expand...

The FIREPOD works fine w/ other devs on the bus. Its S/PDIF ports sometimes die, though, as do its FireWire ports.... It isn't capable of being bus powered. The FIREBOX has the inrush hardware bug.
 
Bulls Hit said:
If you're going to record drums, then you'll need a preamp for each mic. The firepod has 8 pres, and the 1814 only has 2.
Click to expand...

The 1814 has the 8 inputs on the back though. They don't have a preamp, but my question is that if using external preamps anyways, shouldn't that not matter?
 
Guitarer said:
The 1814 has the 8 inputs on the back though. They don't have a preamp, but my question is that if using external preamps anyways, shouldn't that not matter?
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Correct. If you have at least 6 channels of external pres, you'll be able to record all 8 channels.

Note: the FW1814 fudges its number of inputs to include S/PDIF and ADAT (which is seriously cheating, IMHO). It has eight channels of analog input and four channels of analog output.
 
dgatwood said:
Correct. If you have at least 6 channels of external pres, you'll be able to record all 8 channels.

Note: the FW1814 fudges its number of inputs to include S/PDIF and ADAT (which is seriously cheating, IMHO). It has eight channels of analog input and four channels of analog output.
Click to expand...

So I suppose if I want to use Pro Tools, that would be the best/cheapest solution, correct?

I haven't heard anything bad about the 1814 until I made this thread.
 
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