Thinking of buying SX3

[Stratomaster]

I just joined this site. And am anxious to meet new friends that are into the same things I am. (Recording/ playing guitar...) This looks like THE forum for that. I have been (for 9 years) a user of PowerTracksProAudio to record with. And aCreative Audigy2 ZS soundcard. I have made some wonderful sounding recordings. But, I am tired of being limited to recording only one track at a time (two if you use left/right channels). I have decided to step into the multi tracking world.
I am thinking of getting the PreSonus Firepod FP10 which comes bundled with Cubase SX3.
Will Cubase SX3 run ok with XP Servicepace 2? I read somewhere that it is compatible with Servicepack 1.
Here's my system specs:
Windows XP
Service Pack 2
Pentium 4 CPU 3.20GHz
3.19 GHz, 1.99 GB RAM
Do you guys think this is what I need?

[Electriclight]

Originally Posted by Stratomaster

I am thinking of getting the PreSonus Firepod FP10 which comes bundled with Cubase SX3.
Will Cubase SX3 run ok with XP Servicepace 2? I read somewhere that it is compatible with Servicepack 1.

SX3 is a great program and will work with XPsp2. I don't believe it comes bundled with Firepod FP10. The Presonus site says that FP10 comes bundled with Cubase LE4. LE4 is also a powerful program that will run great on XP ( and supposedly on Vista as well.) Your computer specs are fine.

Here is the Steinberg comparison chart (They no longer sell SX3):
Feature Comparison :: Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

[Stratomaster]

Thanks for the reply Electriclight. Here's what I was talking about. It looks like a great deal. If everything is legit. What do you think?B Stock PRESONUS FireStudio Project Interface BEST DEAL - eBay (item 320253164715 end time May-19-08 14:21:30 PDT)
I also found this. PreSonus Firepod FP10 Firewire Recording Interface MIB - eBay (item 290229481178 end time May-21-08 17:00:00 PDT)
Which one is the best way to go?
I understand It's a bidding war.

[Stratomaster]

The only thing I'm concerned with is.. they come with Cubase LE instead of SX3. Can anyone tell me if there is any difference in the quality of the audio of these two animals?

[Electriclight]

I have never heard anything bad about either of these products. The Firestudio is the newer version, so presumably it will be supported with updates etc. longer than the Firepod. It looks like you save $100 because it's "B" stock. With a full warranty, it looks like a great deal, but I'm not really comfortable telling people what to buy. Good luck.

BTW the CUBASE "LE3" is a typo. Later the ad says LE4 which is correct. There never was an LE3.

[Stratomaster]

You are correct about the typo. Guess I'll try the Firestudio. It does look like the better way to go. I thank you for your opinion.

[Electriclight]

Originally Posted by Stratomaster

The only thing I'm concerned with is.. they come with Cubase LE instead of SX3. Can anyone tell me if there is any difference in the quality of the audio of these two animals?

The LE4 audio engine is based on Cubase 4. Quality of audio is really not an issue here, although sonically, (to my ears and in Steinberg literature) there might be a tiny, tiny improvement heard in the LE4 over the SX3 (an older audio engine.)

[Stratomaster]

Ok, thanks. You've been a big help.

[brandondrury]

Quality of audio is really not an issue here, although sonically, (to my ears and in Steinberg literature) there might be a tiny, tiny improvement heard in the LE4 over the SX3 (an older audio engine.)

I couldn't imagine how subtle this is. I'd love to hear an A/B between the two. This is getting into robo-subtle land.

As far as the products, I think it's safe to assume that they are both of equal sound quality. The difference between my Mytek converters, my Delta 1010, and now my Presonus Firestudio is SOOOOOO subtle that it barely even makes a difference at all.