INTERACT FORUM

Devices => Sound Cards, DAC's, Receivers, Speakers, and Headphones => Topic started by: Matt on September 23, 2013, 11:41:24 pm

Title: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: Matt on September 23, 2013, 11:41:24 pm
Does anyone have any experience with PreSonus interfaces?  If so, anything you could share?

I see they make an 8+ channel Firewire interface for $400 and USB interface for $500.  With regards to price, this compares favorably to Steinberg, Lynx, etc.

Thanks for any insight.

Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: glynor on September 24, 2013, 10:08:29 am
I've seen these, but haven't directly used them myself.  I can ask my buddy who has one if you have any specific questions.

Also, to mention, I do have (personally) one of these:
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i4

Which has been great and works pretty well with MC (though when I used it last I didn't see the 3&4 outs, but I didn't need them so I didn't try very hard).  FocusRite also makes, for example, an 8-output USB version for $350 retail (http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-18i8), and versions up-to-and-as-crazy-as this FireWire one with 24in/outs (http://global.focusrite.com/firewire-audio-interfaces/liquid-saffire-56).
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: Matt on September 24, 2013, 10:21:14 am
I can ask my buddy who has one if you have any specific questions.

I'm mostly wondering about their suitability in an audiophile and/or home theater listening environment.  Stuff like I talk about here:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=77508.0

I need at least 6 analog outputs (preferably all of the same format), and would prefer more.
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: Matt on September 24, 2013, 02:41:11 pm
I ended up ordering a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 instead.  I'll start a new thread in a week or two after I get a chance to play with it.
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: mojave on September 28, 2013, 07:47:22 am
You were probably up late last night playing with the new Scarlett.  :D How do you like it so far?
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: Matt on September 28, 2013, 08:22:46 am
You were probably up late last night playing with the new Scarlett.  :D How do you like it so far?

I overnighted it Tuesday (https://www.fedex.com/fedextrack/index.html?tracknumbers=538728976730&cntry_code=us) from Amazon.  Friday I wrote to Amazon to say "I'm a little worried it's not coming."  Now they're overnighting a second one that should get here Monday.

As part of this project, I've tried to contact both PreSonus and Focusrite.  So far I haven't gotten either to write back.  If anyone has a contact, please share.
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: mojave on September 30, 2013, 10:11:03 am
You should complain more at Amazon. Maybe it will get elevated to Jeff Bezos (http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-08-05/business/41095340_1_jeff-bezos-newspapers-jeffrey-p).  :P

Quote
In describing Bezos, business associates and former employees tell stories that make one of three points: He pursues ambitious plans, he focuses on pleasing customers and he is willing to make even minute demands of his employees to achieve his ends.

Customers can write e-mails directly to Bezos, who frequently responds to comments or complaints. Nadia Shouraboura, who until recently worked closely with Bezos on Amazon’s senior executive team, also called the “S-Team” at the company, remembers getting an e-mail from Bezos on a Friday night about a customer whose package showed up a day late.

“To me, it’s one case — one of a million. But if you think about it the way Jeff thinks about it, if we missed one package, we probably missed others,” Shouraboura said. “So that would be a big deal.”

Her entire team worked through the night trying to figure out what went wrong. It turned out to be a package going on a truck half a minute late. Bezos expected a detailed e-mail afterward on exactly what went wrong and how to prevent the same mistake from happening again.
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: mojave on October 14, 2013, 03:39:33 pm
I overnighted it Tuesday (https://www.fedex.com/fedextrack/index.html?tracknumbers=538728976730&cntry_code=us) from Amazon.  Friday I wrote to Amazon to say "I'm a little worried it's not coming."  Now they're overnighting a second one that should get here Monday.
It has been almost 3 weeks and the first shipment still shows as In Transit.  ? Did you ever get the 2nd shipment?

Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: glynor on October 17, 2013, 09:05:54 pm
<clears throat>
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: Matt on October 17, 2013, 10:34:56 pm
It has been almost 3 weeks and the first shipment still shows as In Transit.  ? Did you ever get the 2nd shipment?

After a week or so (and after I already had the second one) I got an email from Amazon saying the package was undeliverable.

I actually needed a third one, because the second one had a broken button on the front.  I asked Focusrite if they'd mail me one (they're just a tiny slip on plastic thing), but they asked me to exchange it with Amazon instead.

Hopefully I'm not on Amazon's naughty list now.
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: mojave on October 21, 2013, 11:17:59 am
I was at Guitar Center this weekend to pick up some cables. I checked out their audio interfaces. They had two Scarlett 18i20's in stock. I think it was on only audio interface available with at least 8 channels.
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: mojave on November 13, 2013, 09:19:08 am
Matt, did you ever get the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20?
Title: Re: PreSonus FireStudio / AudioBox 1818VSL interfaces
Post by: Matt on November 13, 2013, 09:28:23 am
Matt, did you ever get the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20?

Yes.  I've been using it for several weeks and really like it.  I've also spoken with the manufacturer and they've been helpful.

I plan to write this up in more detail at a later date.