Those Presonus have an input (instrument) on the front and it says for a passive instrument (guitar, bass, etc). I use the one that is in the back. Duh? When an instrument is plugged into the instrument input, the microphone preamp is bypassed, and the Studio Channel becomes an active instrument preamplifier. Okay, whatever that means. Ah, I tired, that's it.

I had my own opinions about that since it has no reverb or anything like that to add I guess. Add it later?
Whatever????
 
 
 
 

Mike - man, thanks a bunch for this exhaustive list and all the input! This has just been copied to my notes. :)
 
Spacealf - thanks a lot for the feedback on that unit. My mind isn't made up yet and to be honest, I wouldn't expect much from the "tube preamp" at that price point - the EQ is the first thing I'm concerned with, a passable compression would be nice. 
 
Because I'm always on a budget, I've always preferred to stick to solid state/transparent hardware. I figured that unless I could invest a sufficient amount of money, I could only buy a poor approximation which would actually do more harm than good.
 
I still have my trusty M-Audio DMP-3 which has tons of gain and is very clean, and my Focusrite audio interface also has its own preamps. But the convenience of having everything in one rack unit would be awesome. 

Well, I could take everything in one unit that has the works in it, but they do not make it, and it probably would not be cheap.
 
Oh, and that post before came out of the manual for it, finally found it tucked away. I guess I should try that front input for the heck of it, but then.................newer amp (probably not great Mustang V2).  As well as they have a Super Champ for slightly more that can do many things also (which is a tube amp and has models and effects I guess).
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SupChampX2/
 
But I use the channel strip on everything, since the compression can be the same (or different each time).
 
Well, someone came this morning at 6:15AM while I got to bed at 5AM, putting on siding next door, making noise and stuff. I need a nap.
Something new everyday it seems.
Me eyes are blurring.(and the fingers are missing the keys typing).
 
Buy something and the next day something new comes out it seems anymore.
Oh, well.
 
For the price I guess the Presonus is fine enough to work well enough. Where to try out though first is the hard part. Some talk  about the Art Pro whatever it is, but then it just did not seem to be any better and maybe not as good.
I need a nap.
 
 
 

Comes in a mini- Fender Amp Head and separate cabinet also:

http://www.sweetwater.com...lsiNDI5NDk2NzIzNSJdfX0

http://www.sweetwater.com..re/detail/SupChampX2HD/
 
Of course it is only a Fender, and a mini-Fender sorta of amp anyway.

Well, I crack myself up sometimes.