chickenjedi
Published on 06/18/08 at 21:27
When selecting this device, I was specifically interested in inexpensive devices using FireWire 1394 only, as I'd max-ed out the native USB ports on my iMac, and I did not wish to run through a USB Hub, because I saw nothing but heartache there.
I use this with an Oktava condenser mic and with a few inexpensive vocal mics to record vocals and acoustic instruments with Garage Band and Ableton Live 7
I am using this device with my Intel iMac Dual Core 2.0 GHz, with 1GB of RAM (which I may just upgrade to 2GB)
It has dual 1/4" and XLR, and LR RCA input. While you can use more than one input at a time, my purposes haven't called for it. Also, you can use several different types of output for monitoring, ranging from an 1/8th" headphone jack and a 1/8" line out to or RCA outputs for powered monitors.
UTILIZATION
I purchased the Inspire GT Limited Edition model, as it was more aesthetically appealing to me. The Inspire GT driver did not work properly with my Mac, but when I installed the Inspire 1394 drivers, everything quickly fell in to line. I find it compatible with all of my equipment. I've experimented with different mic setups for acoustic guitars, and even run the stereo outputs on my POD XT Live in the 1/4" inputs, and it's given me some creative flexibility.
Configuration was a breeze, and after installing the correct driver I was working in a flash.
The manual was a bit sparse, but PreSonus online support was sufficient.
GETTING STARTED
The drivers are stable enough for my needs, and hobbyist/entry level users should find the features in the driver easy to work with. I am getting limited latency with Live and GarageBand, though I'm sure if I add ram, this will get better. At the moment, I'm one track at a time, working as a single musician.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using the Inspire GT for a little over a year. After my initial problems with drivers, I found it to be an adequate replacement for my MBOX that I retired because I hadn't kept my Pro Tools LE licenses up to date. I looked at a few other models, but this was the only full-featured 1394 FireWire device at the price point. I feel it was a good value, however, better quality interfaces have invaded that market since my purchase and I may have been better served by a device with a few external controls, i.e. volume and fader, rather than a device with strictly software driven controls.
I use this with an Oktava condenser mic and with a few inexpensive vocal mics to record vocals and acoustic instruments with Garage Band and Ableton Live 7
I am using this device with my Intel iMac Dual Core 2.0 GHz, with 1GB of RAM (which I may just upgrade to 2GB)
It has dual 1/4" and XLR, and LR RCA input. While you can use more than one input at a time, my purposes haven't called for it. Also, you can use several different types of output for monitoring, ranging from an 1/8th" headphone jack and a 1/8" line out to or RCA outputs for powered monitors.
UTILIZATION
I purchased the Inspire GT Limited Edition model, as it was more aesthetically appealing to me. The Inspire GT driver did not work properly with my Mac, but when I installed the Inspire 1394 drivers, everything quickly fell in to line. I find it compatible with all of my equipment. I've experimented with different mic setups for acoustic guitars, and even run the stereo outputs on my POD XT Live in the 1/4" inputs, and it's given me some creative flexibility.
Configuration was a breeze, and after installing the correct driver I was working in a flash.
The manual was a bit sparse, but PreSonus online support was sufficient.
GETTING STARTED
The drivers are stable enough for my needs, and hobbyist/entry level users should find the features in the driver easy to work with. I am getting limited latency with Live and GarageBand, though I'm sure if I add ram, this will get better. At the moment, I'm one track at a time, working as a single musician.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using the Inspire GT for a little over a year. After my initial problems with drivers, I found it to be an adequate replacement for my MBOX that I retired because I hadn't kept my Pro Tools LE licenses up to date. I looked at a few other models, but this was the only full-featured 1394 FireWire device at the price point. I feel it was a good value, however, better quality interfaces have invaded that market since my purchase and I may have been better served by a device with a few external controls, i.e. volume and fader, rather than a device with strictly software driven controls.