M-Audio MobilePre USB Mobile Preamp and Audio Interface

by M-Audio

Product Features

• 2 x 2 16-bit/48kHz analog I/O with preamps
• 2 microphone inputs (XLR balanced) with 48v phantom power
• 2 high-impedance instrument/line inputs (balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS)
• Zero-latency hardware direct monitoring (mono/stereo) with software level control
• USB-powered for total mobility

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0000TP57E
• Item model number: US41401
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,817 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #42 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > Audio Interfaces

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

MobilePre USB is the preamp with a built-in audio interface that's designed for laptop recording such as field recording and sampling expeditions. It's completely bus-powered (of course, you can use it on the desktop as well). A total of three kinds of audio inputs and outputs provide maximum flexibility for any application--including two on-board microphone/instrument preamps and high-impedance instrument inputs ideal for connecting guitars and basses. And unlike many competitors, zero-latency direct monitoring provides you with a streamlined professional recording experience.

Perfect for laptop recording such as field recording and sampling expeditions. Click to enlarge.

A variety of input options. Click to enlarge.

Gain control knob for each input channel (+40 dB max).

Flexible Input Options
The MobilePre USB boasts a variety of inputs to suit a variety of applications--two balanced XLR microphone inputs with built-in preamps, complete with a phantom circuit to power your condenser mics; two 1/4-inch instrument/line inputs for guitar, bass, etc.; and even an 1/8-inch stereo microphone input.

Line and Headphone Outs
Monitor while recording with the stereo headphone output, conveniently located right on the front of the unit.

Both a stereo 1/8-inch and two mono channel outputs on back let you send to powered monitors, computer speakers, etc.

Hardware Direct Monitoring
Thanks to the MobilePre's zero-latency hardware direct monitoring and software level control, you can overdub without lag, and adjust the levels to best suit whatever you're tracking.

Total Mobility
Because the MobilePre is USB bus-powered, it's perfect for field recording or other sessions where you want to travel lightly. No need for a "wall wart" power adapter.

Ableton Live Lite
Ableton Live Lite delivers much of the functionality of Ableton Live--the revolutionary, multi-award winning music production solution that allows you to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment. Live brings your acoustic, electronic and virtual instruments--as well as your digital audio recordings and MIDI sequences--together in a single interface with unparalleled ease of use.

What's in the Box
MobilePre USB audio interface, One high-quality USB cable, M-Audio Driver CD (includes driver installation software), Additional software installation CDs, This Product Manual.

Product Description

MobilePre USB is the preamp with a built-in audio interface that's designed for laptop recording such as field recording and sampling expeditions. It's completely bus-powered (of course, you can use it on the desktop as well). A total of three kinds of audio inputs and outputs provide maximum flexibility for any application--including two on-board microphone/instrument preamps and high-impedance instrument inputs ideal for connecting guitars and basses. And unlike many competitors, zero-latency direct monitoring provides you with a streamlined professional recording experience.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Interface for Solid Machines, July 9, 2005

By 

P. Jones "Music Hack" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: M-Audio MobilePre USB Mobile Preamp and Audio Interface (Electronics)

The MobilePre USB has been a fantastic performer in my home studio for some months now. No latency issues when recording Mic (XLR or 1/4") or Guitar. Clean output for my Alesis monitors and Sennheiser headphones. I've had no driver issues, no unexpected noise, nor latency setting problems - but...I do have a newer PowerMAC Dual G5.

Whether working in GarageBand, Logic 7, or Reason 3 with Native Instruments' "Guitar Rig", or just using it to play back my collection via iTunes, it's been a joy.

However, I also tested it on an older G4 500 iMac and I witnessed what others are complaining about. So, if you have a dinosaur CPU, you may want to look into a soundcard rather than the MobilePre USB (or other USB sound interface). Or better still, it may be time to update your computer :).

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for demos and budget home studios, October 13, 2005

By 

Ian Butler (Santa Barbara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio MobilePre USB Mobile Preamp and Audio Interface (Electronics)

This is a great value as it can power a condenser mic as well as being a recording interface.

Two gripes:
First, as another reviewer pointed out, this unit is a little more noisy than advertised, with a noise floor of about -75db in my testing. This is fine for demos, but not for recording anything for a major release.

Second, there seems to be some bleed-over from one channel to the other, which is fine if you're recording one channel at a time, or using both for stereo recording, but don't expect a pure channel of drums and a pure channel of guitar.


However, for the money, this is a good unit, especially with its portability and preamp.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Audio for PC, July 7, 2005

By 

leosport (MD) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio MobilePre USB Mobile Preamp and Audio Interface (Electronics)

I was looking for a device that would allow me to use my professional XLR mics to record voiceovers on my PC and MAC machines. This device allows the recording of professional sounding audio without high-end studio equipment. I am extremely satisfied with this product.