M-audio MobilePre USB Questions...

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Xpred

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I'm deciding whether to purchase this interface. Since I'm new to this recording stuff... originally I thought that you needed both a soundcard and some kind of "pre-amp," but it seems I can just use something like the m-audio mobilepre USB interface, and hook it up easily to the computer through usb and just plug in your guitar/mic through the input. I've searched around for some reviews, and I seem to found some bad and good things about this interface. But I still have so many questions, that I need your guys' experiences if you had this product or tried it before...

1. I believe this product is a USB 1.1 and not USB 2.0. Does this affect recording performance at all? How about timing/latency/delay?

2. Also, this seems to record at 16-bit/48khz instead of a higher 24-bit/96khz. Is there any difference? Will it truly make a difference?

3. The interface has a 48V phantom power for those condenser mics. However, wouldn't it be too much power just to draw from a simple USB? Are there any bad effects that could happen overtime? I don't think you can plug the interface into just a regular outlet instead or something like that...

4. One of the main disadvantages of this interface I read is that it's noisy... I've never bought any interface or an actual microphone before (thus, the need to step up the plate this time)... Does this mean when you record, it has a hiss or noise in the "background" that you cannot change?

5. And last... I'm looking for something simple like this interface in which all I need is just: the interface, mics, cables/accessories, and/or instruments, and nothing else to start recording..... Anything around the same price range or close?

Thanks!
 
Xpred said:
1. I believe this product is a USB 1.1 and not USB 2.0. Does this affect recording performance at all? How about timing/latency/delay?

2. Also, this seems to record at 16-bit/48khz instead of a higher 24-bit/96khz. Is there any difference? Will it truly make a difference?

3. The interface has a 48V phantom power for those condenser mics. However, wouldn't it be too much power just to draw from a simple USB? Are there any bad effects that could happen overtime? I don't think you can plug the interface into just a regular outlet instead or something like that...

4. One of the main disadvantages of this interface I read is that it's noisy... I've never bought any interface or an actual microphone before (thus, the need to step up the plate this time)... Does this mean when you record, it has a hiss or noise in the "background" that you cannot change?

5. And last... I'm looking for something simple like this interface in which all I need is just: the interface, mics, cables/accessories, and/or instruments, and nothing else to start recording..... Anything around the same price range or close?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You are correct in that this is sort of an "all-in-one" solution for computer recording. You'll need mics, cables, and some sort of monitoring, but other than that, it should do most everything.

1. As far as I know, there aren't many USB 2.0 soundcard/interfaces out there. Since you can only record 1-2 devices at a time, USB 1.1 should be o.k.

2. You might be able to tell a difference recording 16-bit vs. 24-bit. The main difference will be that 24-bit has more headroom, meaning you can record at lower levels without losing much resolution. I think that's important for acoustic music, in particular, where there are more dynamics during tracking.

3. I don't know how they accomplish the phantom power thing, but it does work.

4. Although I haven't used this particular unit, they probably mean that the preamps are noisy at higher gain levels (a common problem with inexpensive preamps).

5. I own the Tascam US-122, which is a comparable, and perhaps slightly better device. It supports 24-bit and has o.k. preamps (not great, but not bad), that are quiet. When you buy an all-in-one type unit, like these, you get great functionality, but compromise somewhat on quality. You can certainly make decent recordings with them, but don't expect miracles from a sub-$200 box.
 
2. Hmm, oh I see... what happens if you change your sound file to MP3 then? Does it still retain it's 24-bit format?

5. Is your Tascam like also an all-in-one type of box? Like you don't need another soundcard (or do you)?

Also, when you say that I'll need "some sort of monitoring," do you mean just like editing/mixing sound programs (like Cubase/Cakewalk)? Thanks again!
 
No, mp3 is generally a fairly large step down in quality from CD quality, and even more so when coming down from 24 bit.

Yeah, the US-122 is an all in one box, it is an audio interface.

By monitoring, he means some monitor speakers so that you can hear what you're doing.
 
Ah... so, but would it also be better to record a sample in 24-bit rather than 16-bit when you save it to MP3 later? Like if you were recording at 24-bit, and you get more headroom and dynamics, would still the sound quality would be higher when transfering to MP3 later even though MP3 is lower? Like 24-bit recording then saving back to MP3 would always be better than 16-bit recording then saving back to MP3, yes? You get what I'm saying? I'll try to explain it much better if it doesn't make much sense...
 
I'm interested in the MobilePre on two fronts. One is for a client who wants to do quality voice recordings into her laptop. The other use is mine, for a highly portable 1-track recording from a condenser mic at Back of House.

I was put off by the USB 1.1 interface also, but as noted above, it is only being used for 1-2 tracks.

Any thoughts on quality or usefulness of the MobilePre?
 
I just got one myself, and so far I am quite impressed with the sound quality. I haven't spent much time with it, though, so I can't give a very objective review. Plus, I'm mainly a cassette 4tk guy, so the lack of tape hiss is enough to make me declare any interface as phenomenal. As for set up and usability, it couldn't be much easier.
 
Xpred said:
Ah... so, but would it also be better to record a sample in 24-bit rather than 16-bit when you save it to MP3 later? Like if you were recording at 24-bit, and you get more headroom and dynamics, would still the sound quality would be higher when transfering to MP3 later even though MP3 is lower? Like 24-bit recording then saving back to MP3 would always be better than 16-bit recording then saving back to MP3, yes? You get what I'm saying? I'll try to explain it much better if it doesn't make much sense...
Click to expand...

Theoretically, yes, although bit-depth has more to do with headroom and sample rate has more to do with the amount of information the digital recording captures. A higher quality source recording will generally sound better when reduced to CD quality (16-bit/44,100 samples per second) or mp3 quality.

Think of it like a digital camera. If you take a photo with a 5MP digital camera and dither it down to the equivalent size of a photo from a 1MP digital camera, the 5MP picture will look better (than a picture taken with a 1MP camera) because it captured more information to begin with.
 
I am the owner of the mobile pre usb and i find that it works well, exceptionally well for the price. I bought mine like new off ebay and even after a bit of use it was still great. I dont find the pre amps to be excessively loud, in that ive seen worse, but ive also seen better. If you have patience and know what your doing quality isnt so much an issue. What im saying i guess is this interface has the potential to produce a pretty good recording so long as you take your time and work with it. Its great for me because i can just run my mixer into both inputs and still have 2 extra inputs that i can run simultaneously into the same channels. It will also power monitors or several sets of headphones so you save on a headphone splitter and the built in phantom power works phenominaly well and does not slow down latency at all. The only thing that dissapointed me about this is i couldnt use it in a live application because the preamp is powered by the computers usb hub and not an external source. But all in all its great and if your just starting out i recommend it until you can afford something a little more advanced.
 
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