Okay let me say this thing has a serious digital sound. SERIOUS, the microphone obviously makes a difference and the performer recording. i own an audio technica 3035 and they work fantastic together. ive had it for 3 years and i still love it.

2 inputs phantom power, it has headphone jack, stereo output, digital connectors, basically exactly what i need right now.

its straight up. nothing crazy to figure out.

its not to heavy, but sturdy for sure. i take this thing throw it in my back pack and get in my ac to hook it up to my labtop for on the road recording and its always on point. had it for 3 years i constantly bring it out. not in the case either.. just throw it in a backpack how it is.

it was 150, and well worth it.

its the best. because i never needed them, i got this amp... never once had to call m-audio

Now it does.. the one i have isnt as sexy, but its still DAMN good amp.

Active Artist

Hip Hop Jazz Trip Hop

I'm quite surprised at some of the bad reviews. This tells me that either: A: Some of these people do not know how to use the product and/or their software or B: They are using second rate recording/mixing software. The sound quality will be as good as your equipment, mics, guitars, software etc. I have no problem getting beautifully produced tracks from the mobile pre. Input levels are key, you have to adjust your input levels on both the mobile pre and the recording software to prevent clipping, once this is done you are golden. If you're trying to record your entire band with this thing, I don't think that is what this product was intended for. I use it to get solid great sounding ideas to bring to the band. The software I use has so many effects and post production options I can get a great finished product.

I really do not need MIDI, but it isn't there if I wanted to use it. Other than that there are ample inputs for any type of user. I did not use any of the software provided except for the driver of course. I use adobe audition, formerly cool edit pro, I have Sonar 4 pro but the adobe software is much more user friendly in my opinion

It is plastic, but for a home studio you really don't need a steel casing. It sits atop my computer tower where it is much more accessible than a PCI card on the back of your tower. I can't imagine what a nightmare that would be to have to pull the tower out every time you wanted to make a connection. USB is the way to go.

For the money, there's really nothing out there with as many inputs and/or sound quality. Sure you can spend more and get better quality but this thing really is a great value.

I had a few difficulties at first setting this thing up. Tech support was not toll free but they answered the phone very quickly, were friendly and more than willing to help me out. We found that my windows platform at the time was too old (Windows 98 SE). Windows XP is the best platform to use if you want the mobile pre to work smoothly and trouble free. Never needed repairs and probably will not.

Uh, not sure about sex appeal. If you create some killer jams with it, you could probably appear to have more sex appeal with the ladies, ha ha.

Active

Rock, metal

It has a dedicated headphone output with a volume control in addition to another stereo output. I usually listen back to mixes through headphones, but every now and then, I listen to the mix through my home stereo (the second output). Can't get better than this.

Ok. balanced or unbalanced 1/4" inputs and xlr inputs. that's really hard to find in similar product for the same price. The xlr has 48v phantom power for condenser mics, also; it's switchable on or off. If you purchased a phantom power box for a mic, that may cost you $50 alone. The gain knobs for each channel show clip level and monitor levels. This is really useful when trying to determine input clip or output clip from different instruments/sources.

The money spent on this unit is probably up in the top ten for all musical related stuff i've purchased over the years. I use is practically every day and has never given me trouble at all.

I did lots of research for other products within the same price range. For the amount of things you can do with this unit, you won't find another competitor being able to match the features and quality. I saw the tascam us-122 unit sells for $200. It has the same features plus midi capability, but heard mixed reviews about it.

I sent an email to tech support and received a response that answered my question within a day.

I sleep with it every night. There are more holes than I kno what to do with.

Country heavy metal with record scratches

The sound is good for the low price of the unit, but that being said, it has too much hiss for my ears recording a nylon string guitar using a stereo mic. I compared this side by side with an Edirol UA-5 in the same setup and found that the more-expensive UA-5 had a much cleaner signal with minimal hiss. For basic demo use, it is good enough though. Line recording at lower gain settings was very clean.

The 1/8" stereo mic input is very handy. Stereo with independent gain is good. Has XLR, 1/4" and 1/8" inputs, phantom: a good feature set at a good value price.

Seems durable - no problems.

A good value at a low price. For ultra-high fidelity PC recording of acoustic instruments or classical music, I am trading up because of the hiss.

Hobbyist

Classical Guitar

I'm using it pretty portably, with my laptop and a phantom powered condenser.....great dou !!! its crystal clear couldn't ask for anything more!!!!

if theres more features available with an interface product, I'm sure it would be over my head...this thing has everything I need.....did I mention phantom power !!!

as its been said, if you can't work this thing.....you get a "1" not the box.

its a metal case and few buttons, for me....thats great the less there is, the less I can break !

under $200 to record off of a computer at home, with near perfect quality.....brilliant.

I have dealt with M-Audio before but never for this unit, they are very friendly and knowledgable though !!!

I waited for 6 months for it to be available......at about $200 cheaper then the next closest unit I was looking for, I got more then I could have asked for....did I mention its phantom powered !!!

Lead Singer, Guitar Player, Home Studio

Light Rock - Acoustic - Alternative.

Nothing comes close at this price point... I'm using Audio-Techica AT2020 Large Diaphram Condenser Mic, I've also plugged in a pair of Sure SM57's and recorded a drum kit using a two mic technique, it did it's job... I'm going to say this a few times: you must have a high-end laptop with at least one GIG of RAM! Take the hardware requirements written on the box of this product and double them... otherwise you're going to experience problems when doing multi-track recording (especially if you're trying to add effects in while tracking). This isn't a limit of the hardware, but a reality of digital recording... it takes a lot of horsepower inside the computer and no external box can give you that.

USB powered, phamtom power, 1/4" line-inputs x2, XLR/mic imputs x2. No ac adapter needed, just plug in the USB cable and the unit is on. No thrills here, no 24-bit, no MIDI interface. Just a solid 16-bit ADC, with good drivers (ASIO 2.0, DirectX) with good bundle software. You must have a high-end laptop with at least one GIG of RAM!

For the money you can't do better. TASCAM offers something similar with the addition of MIDI for about $50 more, their quality is not in the same league, stick with M-Audio for external USB/FireWire boxes.

I love thIS product, it's bare-bones and works as advertised! The real value here is in the bundle software Ableton Live Lite 4 is good stuff and will make you want more! The Ableton Lite software combined with this USB interface provides a home studio in a box for those who own high-end laptops.

Active Musician, Amature Producer

CCM

I hear a definate upgrade in the sound... cleaner, and clearer. It doesnt sound so great with bass or guitars but I use it for vocals.

It has just enough to keep me happy.

Its plastic... but its solid and it looks and feels like it could take a few drops... not as if Im gonna test it out or anything.

150 aint bad at all for what you get.

Sex appeal? I suppose my mic hits on it when Im not around.

Active musician.

Horrorcore Rap.

I've owned my Mobile Pre Amp for about 3 years and use it to record songs on Garage Band software on my 2006 Imac. I love, love, love it. It took awhile to figure out how to make everything work together, but once I did, it can record just as well as a professional studio (and for so much cheaper and you can take as long as you want!). Use good quality cords. Buy good quality mikes designed for the proper sound frequencies - high for vocals and strings, low for drums. Plug electric guitars, etc., right into the back with a regular 1/4 inch instrument cable. Record these as "real instruments." Adjust the input volume on the mobile pre amp: as high as you can without it blinking red (that's clipping). For keyboards with a USB output, skip the pre-amp and go right into the computer. To play it all back, I hook up a 1/4 inch instrument cable to the back and into an amp -- sounds great! Or, plug headphones into the front for adjustable stereo sound (not the back).

The product came with almost nothing -- you have to buy a mike, mike stand, and a mike cord to start recording voice or acoustic instruments. I can't remember if it came with a USB cable or not (sorry), but it uses a standard one.

The only problems I have had have been with my own software and computer settings defaulting back to factory audio internal input/output.

It's a freakin' work horse. We cart it all over the place and have dropped it a few times. (1/4 inch cords must be replaced frequently as with any instrument device).

I paid about $100 for it 3 years ago. Call me cheap, but that's what I'd pay now.

Plain Jane device. Mounting strips would be nice so it doesn't fall off the table when we yank on the cords.

Active Musician

Alt Country and Experimental

Dont believe the other previews cuz I dont think they dont know what they're doing.......seriously!! This preamp gives you an excellent sound and is clear like fresh spring water. So your recording really depends on the kind of mic you have. I now use the AT3035 and my tracks sound like they were created in an actual studio.... I use my acoustified bedroom to record!! Check out my finished works USING THE MOBILEPRE USB INTERFACE on my myspace page to judge: myspace.com/bigextrael. Note: the only thing I dont like about the preamp is that when I use the Channel 1 MXL input to record, the recording only appears in the left stereo output on the software I use and the same thing happens when I use channel 2 but in the opposite output. But I had no worries cuz I can easily copy and paste the recording in the opposite output and it comes out how it should be....in both ears. Its prolly cuz of the mono output properties of the mic or something but consider what I said if you want to buy the preamp. Hint: I use Cool Edit Pro when recording and EQ'in.

((These are on the back of the preamp))USB port, 2 outputs [L & R], Stereo line, 2 inputs [Stereo mic & Channel 2 instrument/line], 2 MXL mic inputs Ch1 & Ch2. ((These are on the front of the preamp)) Channel 1 Ins/line, 2 Gain controls for Ch1 & Ch2, Headphones input and the volume control. I only use the Channel 1 MXL input for my mic and the headphones input when recording so I know that the vocals are superb with the preamp. I cant really be a judge on using instruments on it but im still giving it a 10.

VERY VERY EASY to use!!

Very durable so i never had problems with it.

Yes the value is incredible for the performance the preamp gives most definitely!! I returned my first one for a cheaper one and I regretted that decision BIG TIME!!! I ended up returning the one I had exchanged for for a used MobilePre USB and im still satisfied with the preamp.

The best support.....none at all!!

Its not really sexy but who cares about the looks?? its the inside that counts!!

Music Producer, Artist

Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B

This is an EXCELLENT unit! Works flawlessly. And it's portable, so you can record anywhere! The only interface better than the Mobile Pre is the FireWire Solo! If you need a recording interface that's simple and easy to use this is the ne!

Professional Musician

Rock, Metal, Alternative

Sounds clean enough but not much head room for peaks, you need to run it on the cool side.

OK for the price

Very easy with XP, very buggy with Vista

I've had this over a year and still works great with my XP laptop.

For the price its OK.

As far as XP no problems, but with my Vista desktop the driver is very buggy. Look on the Net all kinds of problems with sound output from the Mobile Pre in Vista. Have gone back and forth with tech support and they don't have a clue.

I dont care what gear looks like it just needs to work.

recording engineer

all

The sound is really good, I've been pretty impressed with the preamp and it sounds great with all of my mics.

It has a decent amount of inputs/outs on it, which is nice. The phantom power is nice too.

This item is very high quality in terms of construction, it does feel ( like others have said) like it's pretty solid and could take a beating if it had to. I've been a little dissapointed with the playback I've experienced. While the sound is good when it works I've had consistent problems with "Dropouts" on Cakewalk Home Studio 9. I believe it's related to the speed of USB 2.0 but I'm not sure. Either way, I was expecting to be able to use effects on my tracks and then listen back but that seems to be a bit too much for the unit to handle.

Overall I'd say it's a good value. I think I may have underestimated the quality I was wanting out of a first-time studio setup and thus I'm a little dissapointed with this unit.

It had me hooked before I purchased it. Sadly it didn't quite live up to the excitement.

Hobbyist

Jazz, Rock, Alternative, everything

The sound is alright so far, Im using a cheap mic and i hear alot of hiss with these cheap headphones but the ins and outs are what u pay for with this product I guess.

for this price yes the features are outstanding the ableton live lite that came with it looks pretty neat and by me producing hiphop, the samples and loops that came with it didnt hurt at all. i think its the 2 channels it has is a nice idea for the hobbyist/home recorders like myself, ideal for software producing as well

This is a nice product with great quality...its sexy and sheek...( i have the silver and black newer one) and its small enough to fit in a pouch, yes I can see myself traveling with this.

never had to use it

Before I purchased this I was in love with this and now im married to it. It just wouldnt feel right with out it.

Hobbyist-BeatMaker

Hiphop, R&B, Rap,

clear,good quality,good product

enough plug-ins for the price,easy use

Artist,Recording Engineer,Producer

Hip-Hop

Good sound, except when the phantom power broke after 6 months of use, with approximately 20 minutes of total regular use per week. Now it sounds really poppy and scratchy, even though I have tried it with TWO different condenser mics and three sets of cables (I know it is the Mobile-Pre that is broken - not my other gear).

Nothing really fancy, gets the job done.

Fairly easy to use. Software is a little outdated (running Windows 2000 era software on Windows XP works, but it is a little buggy), but once you get the hang of it, it works ok.

The phantom power broke after about 6 months of use.

Okay value, as long as yours doesn't break like mine did after 6 months.

I've called their non-800 support line to get a warranty return authorization, and have been on their phone for well over an hour. THEIR TECH SUPPORT SUCKS!!!!

Not impressed with durability.

podcast host

podcast audio

really disappointed with the sound it sounds cheap and with time because I've had this box for about 4 years it messes up on you and your recordings come out jumpy.

very little features.

yeah it doesn't take a genius to know how to use this.

so cheaply built the headphone jack comes loose with time the plastic is sooo cheap look people it's not worth buying this crap your better off spending a little more it'll be worth it in the end because now i have to buy another one.

totally not worth it

never used it.

Singer Producer

Hip hop Rap alternative

The sound is decent for the $150 I paid. If you want $10,000 sound - you'll probably have to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000.

It's hard to find a place to set this thing where it's convenient, but not in the way. One channel on the front, another on the back, this output on the front, that one on the back. Cords and cables coming out of this thing on all sides.

It's plastic - nuff said

It's not the greatest product available to the digital audio world - but then again it is only $150.

Of all the equipment I've bought over the years, this product has the worst tech support I've ever experienced. They know absolutely nothing about the product - and they act like, we got your money - it's your problem now.

As far as electronic devises go - it's a five. wtf

Active Musician

a lot of different types of "music" which leaves hip hop or rap out.

My OS is Vista and I'm using it for voice only. I can't seem to get rid of a hiss, at the M-Audio control pannel or my recording software no matter what I do to adjust it out.

If you are calling the operators manual an accesory then yes it did. The manual was/is a little confusing at times.

The physical location of the ins and out doesn't seem to have any reason.

Yes

Never called

Once I figured out the layout it didn't/doesn't matter much.

various bands, singer, percussions, woodwinds, brass, current on-air announcer

Primarily jazz not at the exclusion of other genres

The biggest drawback for me with this thing has been recording vocals. The preamp, though it's supposedly 48v phantom power, is quite weak. I have to turn it WAY up when singing quietly, and WAY down when singing loudly. It's really annoying having to mediate between volumes like this and split up my vocals in accordance to loudness. I know it's not my condenser mic - I just got a PreSonus Firestudio and ran the same mic through that - everything is gravy. So, something is up with the preamp.

For what it is, it's a must for beginners. It's the first thing I got, and though constantly having to turn it up and down was annoying, for the price, it was well worth it. It helped me learn when I knew absolutely nothing. Easy to use and set up. Definitely recommend it for beginners to recording.

It's cake.

Made sturdy, packaged well.

For the price and application, it's awesome. If you're looking to start recording, have very little money, and don't know much - get this thing. You won't be disappointed.

In the range of novice-intermediate interfaces, it's pretty solid. However, if you can muster up a couple hundred bucks more, you'll be MUCH happier with a FirePod.

It's an interface. Good A/D converters. No noise. M-Audio is good about drivers and updates, just keep that sorted and you'll be good.

For what it is it will be perfect for most. For me, it has a combined line out/headphone output. So I can't trim down headphone volume for a performer, and mix at the same time. The alternative is to just run things through out of my mixer. Pre amps sound excellent, has phantom power, and an instrument jack on the front. This is a solid piece of kit for those just needing something to plug and play.

Plug it in, grab drivers, and your set. 3 knobs on front, 1 button. Also has a stereo 1/8" out on the rear.

I've been using this thing now for 3 years or so. Rock solid. Only problem I've had is the no separate controls for line out and headphone. Excellent low/no latency drivers. A/D converters and Pre Amps solid.

I'd give it a 10, but it would need to be 50 less :p This is a solid solution for the computer music junky like myself.

M-Audio has been good to me. Website is top notch.

At the time, it was the hottest thing out. Firewire hadn't broken onto the market yet. That said, today, it's still a desirable piece of kit that won't let you down.

Engineer - Producer - Sound System Tech - any friggin thing involving audio

Personally - Electronic stuff, house etc

After 15 seconds of recording the thing clicks then makes everything sound low, like slow motion or something. So frustrating.

Pretty good once you get the set up running. very small device, doesn't take much room, and sounds good.

Very simple features for the basics to get started. If you don't need too many knobs and I/O you'll be satisfied with this product, it does the job!

I don't think it could be any easier to use, everything is right in front of you so, just use what you need.

very sturdy, made to last for a couple of years, looks to be in great shape, size, and strong to last.

Price?!? Very cheap compared to other audio interface. This one is easy to use, cheap, and good quality as well, can't ask for more at this value.

Didn't need it, and when I did, I just read the menu and there it was the answer for my simple question. =)

It's just a practical addition to my setup, but the most important one. =) It's a must have!

Hip Hop, Rap

perfect for what i needed. im just recording vocals, and the preamps on the Mobilepre are silent. no hiss, no hum, no nothing. and dont let the "USB is slow" myth worry you, becasue i have no latency issues with the unit.

it came with Ableton Live, which sucks, but the direct monitor feature i nice, and the drivers are ready right out of the box. truly a plug and play device. OH, and Protools M-Powered support puts a smile on my face :)

you gotta dumb as hell to have problems with this thing. if its hard 2 use, its not the unit, its you.

well made and sturdy, not much to say, everything works fine!

hell yea, you get waaaaaaaaaaay more than what you pay for. they could sell this thing for double the price if they wanted. its great!

i dont kno, i havent had any problems with it..

yea, looks good in the studio, makes girls all hot and bothered when they come over, lol

Best Rapper/Song Writer Alive

Hip-Hop and R&B

Decent sound -- I have no complaints

Level control knobs have a nice feel to them.

Seems solid!

good price, decent product.

No experience asking for support.

hobbyist

all over the map

i plug an sm57 mic straight in and use the audacity software. the clipping isn't too bad and there's ok gain. for 150, it's awesome, but the sounds would be loads better with a preamp. but, if you've already got a preamp, you might as well get an audiophile.