2 Product reviewes : Presonus mobile &Events Opal

[Markemark]

Promised review long back, but didnt have time, till today to pickup the Presonus Mobile. Very much as expected sound comparable to (same basic chip) TC and Focusrite ( but better drivers, lower latencies). Amazingly small for the 8 inputs (and 1 stereo digital). Installed and worked on Mac in few seconds, Windows took some 20 windows to say yes but also works perfectly @ 64 samples. From what I heard from support no returns so far and overall quality got better as compared to those old Fireboxes. Its is ugly like most things Presonus (except software which works and looks fabulous, no wonder since it is made in Hamburg) but who cares. Checked it with few bigger sets and it works perfectly on both mac and pc. Fine for DJ, and for musician set can be used (possible to route bypassing computer) as little mixer with some hardware synths etc. Unlike all other brands the PSU is light and small.
I am sure Babyface- probably only comparable product in that size will sound way better but cost 3x more too and "steals" precious USB port which indeed was main reason I took the Presonus home.
What REALLY impressed me today were the Event Opals on which I was testing the Presonus. I love my Genelecs but these Opals are something else. Heavy like hell perhaps too big for home studio but what a punch, definition, clarity and details ....and the bass.....and impossible to distort. In case anyone goes to test those be sure they were played for long enough, my buddy told me he was initially disappointed, only after 2-3 days of continuous play they got their real sound.
Those Aussies really bring great stuff for less money (Events belong to Rode now) first the mics now monitors. These are definitely fabulous monitors. They work on more models, sizes - something to look forward.

Complaints on the firebox where:
1. Weak pre's
2. Slight bleed from the outputs back to the inputs.
3. Headphone output/main outs not balanced(volume level L/R)

Would you say these problems where fixed with the new firestudio mobile? Also since it only has main outputs and sdif, could you use the headphone outputs to monitors as well?

That's excellent, really low latency, is that with a decent track count and plug-ins?

[rikhyray]

1. Weak pre's
2. Slight bleed from the outputs back to the inputs.
3. Headphone output/main outs not balanced(volume level L/R)

Would you say these problems where fixed with the new firestudio mobile? Also since it only has main outputs and sdif, could you use the headphone outputs to monitors as well?

That's excellent, really low latency, is that with a decent track count and plug-ins?

1. cant compare, never use old one
2.&3. have not noticed anything like that
I think they fixed lots of thing, guess the mixer software come from the Hamburg crew, very sleek indeed. Easy to make various, separate mixes, main, monitor etc. Certainly you can use headphones outs as you want.
My buddy who does support for them (and some other brands) says the quality of Presonus got much better (less work for him) in recent months.
I am seriously considering getting full version of the Studio One software, their mastering section is very tempting (absolutely brilliant ) nothing of the kind in Logic or PT.

[Markemark]

rikhyray, great that you can give us some feedback on this new presonus device, would you be willing to give us your results on the test I discuss in this thread:

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=143667

You can just set your preamp gains where you normally would and the headphones and main gain at maybe 50%, no need to plug any gear in.

I would love to use the firestudio mobile with some guitar plug-ins and some live backing tracks, but its only possible if they have eliminated this crosstalk/bleed issue.

[3phase]

sorry guys..theese event opals sound nice and look nice... but to have such differences between a pair of speakers that turn a mono signal to wide spread stereo are beyond a discussable point for studio monitors...

And there was no hint on the original packages that the guys in the shop have mixed up matched pairs.. they are not delivered as matched pairs

my judgement about them would be different if i wouldnt had to listen to such a badly matched pair...and when i read the next day a review that praises the extra wide stereo imaging... and no indication that the even try to match pairs...

ähemm.. what shall i say? you are warned


my choice? i would prefer to spend a bit more..and go for a pair of geithan 901... a professional choice with a real woofer..besides its the actual german broadcast standard... that never hurts to have a broadcast stndard in your studio..especially when its beefy enough for techno


when i would even tend to buy event opal crap i would get the written guaranty from the dealer that i get a matched pair... but its pretty disgusting that you have to make sure to get one... in case thats even possible...
i doubt it

[timothyallan]

You're a funny guy.

[3phase]

You're a funny guy.

because i am stupid enough to talk with guys like you about monitoring questions? thats indeed funny

[timothyallan]

Yes, that is why.

[esky]

Hey, i was really close to insult 3phase for his ever ongoing "i know it better than you all" attitude, which i think is really a pain...but i will not do so...

[rikhyray]

rikhyray, great that you can give us some feedback on this new presonus device, would you be willing to give us your results on the test I discuss in this thread:

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=143667

You can just set your preamp gains where you normally would and the headphones and main gain at maybe 50%, no need to plug any gear in.

I would love to use the firestudio mobile with some guitar plug-ins and some live backing tracks, but its only possible if they have eliminated this crosstalk/bleed issue.

I did what you say with GR LE- I never use such stuff- no bleeding but better test yourself. I have no any other bleeding issues.
Presonus mobile will work for my live purpose ( Ovation Adamas phantom powered DI and mic) latency wont bother me since I will have mostly direct sound (bypassing DAW) mixed with bit of Lexicon VST ( enjoying that one enormously).
If I was to use lots of time dependent stuff, would only go for RME USB

[Dennis DeSantis]

Hi folks,

Seriously?

You're talking about studio monitors. It's really not the type of topic that requires such personally aggressive and inflammatory behavior.

Just try to be a little nicer to each other, ok?

Thanks,

[SubFunk]

Hi folks,

Seriously?

You're talking about studio monitors. It's really not the type of topic that requires such personally aggressive and inflammatory behavior.

Just try to be a little nicer to each other, ok?

Thanks,

can you please leave us alone, thanks!

[timothyallan]

Hi folks,

Seriously?

You're talking about studio monitors. It's really not the type of topic that requires such personally aggressive and inflammatory behavior.

Just try to be a little nicer to each other, ok?

Thanks,

can you please leave us alone, thanks!

Monitors bring out the worst in people!

[SubFunk]

Monitors bring out the worst in people!

he he , yep at least it's real and not after the book / school copy and paste language from PR or law school behaviour, welcome to humans with soul*

































*that is addressed to you dennis.

[leedsquietman]

I don't think this thread has excessive insulting. 3Phase set himself up for the insult and it was obvious someone would oblige him.

Dennis, I appreciate the positive thoughts and the intervention but there have been much, much worse insults and flamefests occurring here in the recent past and no mods tried to get in the middle of that and be a peacemaker, or start warning people about their conduct.

You probably know of some of these threads and some serial offenders when it comes to nasty insults, yet in this relatively weak thread in terms of foul/abusive/insulting behaviour you flex your muscles. Just an observation, not a criticism, because we do appreciate Ableton staff taking time to communicate with us via the forum, something uncommon on many competitor's forums.

It would be nice to have some consistency though

[3phase]

you guys are really to stupid for everything.. really a waste to warn you about bad products.. you dont deserve good ones anyway..or lets say they would be wasted because it obviously dont makes a difference for you...

what also sheds light on all the sound related debates and the high tollerance towards lethal bugs...

its really a bit like in smurf town here