Presonus Firepod vs. Tascam FW-1804

[JBT18]

I've narrowed down my interface choices to these two. Which is better?

Tascam FW-1804
Presonus Firepod

 

[Kryptik]

I like my Firepod alot. Good unit for the money. I haven't used the Tascam though. The tascam only comes with 4 preamps though, so if you want to plug eight mics into you converter, you may want to go with the firepod.

 

[dgatwood]

I like my Firepod alot. Good unit for the money. I haven't used the Tascam though. The tascam only comes with 4 preamps though, so if you want to plug eight mics into you converter, you may want to go with the firepod.

Don't know about the Tascam. Presonus should win some kind of award, though. I just started using a FirePod on my G5. They included exactly two programs with it---one tiny little app that switches the device from internal to external sync, and one app to upload new firmware. That's it. No drivers at all.

Similar props to Edirol for the FA-101, for the same reason.

My question is this: why do ANY FireWire or USB audio interfaces have their own drivers? Things work SO much better when devices actually comply with specs and work with the stock drivers.... I'm just a little depressed that I've put up with buggy drivers from another company that will remain nameless for so long....

 

[visa]

one tiny little app that switches the device from internal to external sync...

what exactly does this mean? i'm planning on buying a firepod.

 

[EdWonbass]

what exactly does this mean? i'm planning on buying a firepod.

From what I understand, you don't need drivers with an Apple. The drivers that Presonus supplies are for PC's other than Apple.