NAMM:M-Audio’s New MobilePre USB Preamp

US Bus-powered device delivers mic/instrument preamps in a USB audio interface 16/01/03

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M-Audio start the new year with a flurry of new products - well they do have to live up to their ranking as the fastest growing music industry company for the past two consecutive years (by Music Trades magazine), Their latest offering is the MobilePre USB—a bus-powered USB interface with built-in two-channel mic/instrument preamps. Deriving power from the USB bus eliminates the need for an external power supply, making the product ideal laptop-based mobile recording applications. Sporting two XLR balanced microphone connectors with switchable +48v phantom power for professional microphones, 1/8” mini stereo microphone jacks for desktop mics, and two 1/4” TRS balanced instrument/line inputs it’s comes well equipped. The line ins are high impedance optimized for signals such as guitars and basses. Each input channel also features a gain control knob (+40dB gain maximum), phantom power indicator, and a signal presence/clipping indicator. MobilePre USB outputs includes two 1/4” unbalanced outputs, an 1/8” mini stereo line output, and 1/8” mini stereo headphone output with level knob. MobilePre USB connects directly with a computer via standard USB cable. The unit supports 16-bit audio input and output at sampling rates of 8k, 96k, 11.25k, 12k, 16k, 22.5k, 24k, 32k, 44.1k, and 48k. USB MobilePre also offers zero-latency direct hardware monitoring with software control of levels. Combined with its extremely compact size, MobilePre USB is ideal for mobile studios based on laptop computers. The unit ships with drivers and support for Windows and Mac OS computers, including OS X. The package also includes M-Audio’s Maximum Audio Tools bundle including an assortment of software designed to get users making music immediately. “MobilePre USB is another example of our commitment to the growing breed of mobile musicians,” says Aubrey Parsons, M-Audio’s UK Marketing Manager. “We have a range of solutions that cater to the needs of different users. With its built-in preamps, accommodating I/O and bus-powered design, MobilePre USB is optimized for people who want the flexibility of recording audio under their own terms.” MobilePre USB is expected to ship in mid-March with an MSRP of £139.00 +/- $225 US

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