Feature:
Software included is Ok. Cubase LE is great if you are just starting out. I run Sonar 5PE and was able to get things talking to each other in a couple minutes (using ASIO drivers). Hardware is top-notch for this pricepoint.
Quality:
Very good quality all around. The software isn't as impressive as the hardware, but again, at this level of digital recording, this unit really stands out in my opinion.
Value:
This is a time-limited rating. I wouldn't mark the value of this unit as 10 at any other time, but I ordered it in March and ZZounds threw in a so-so condensor mic, and PreSonus is sending the remote for the unit for free (after mail-in rebate). For $699, that is a hell of a deal.
Any other time, I'd rate the value around 7 or 8. Maybe a bit above average.
Desirability:
A bit lower score here. This unit is great for band or live use. If you are just recording yourself, or just want to do room/rehearsal recordings, you can find something that fits your needs better.
Unit is nice looking, but not anything necessarily better than the myriad of other companies solutions - Echo, etc.
Sound:
Sound is very good for home studio. It is not what you are going to get at $200/hour in a professional studio, but it beats just about everything else I've used in this price-range.
Ease of Use:
Had no trouble setting it up and was recording in twenty minutes. I have seen others having trouble with this unit - seems to be mostly Mac and Vista users. I can't speak to the Mac side, but the Vista OS has so many problems, driver-wise, it doesn't surprise me that this unit wouldn't set up easily, or run as advertised. I am running WinXP SP2 and won't move to Vista for recording for at least another year - and at that point, I may go to Mac OS.
Support:
Haven't had to contact support. Hoping that they are better than what the reviewers have said. Actually, just hoping that I don't have to contact them.
Overall:
I'm pleased so far. The support issue still scares me a bit, and if the unit does end up acting funny within the next couple years, all bets are off. I ran Echo Audio products for the last ten years and this is my first time moving away from them. Before Echo - in the analog dinosaur days - I always used Tascam.
Hoping that I haven't made a mistake making the move, but life's short, try something different every now and again.
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