[Snarf]

You only get essential if you buy the Fast Track, Keystudio or USB microphone. So if you get a profire, Essential will not be included. (though it should be for all M-AUdio hardware, as it would be a great way to get more people into PT. Many young musicians usually start with whatever DAW is included with their first real recording interface.)

If you are spending the extra cash on the profire, go for full version m-powered instead. Or else you`ll have to buy two interfaces. The Profire, AND oen of the Essential ones, just to get Essential software.

One really good thing about Essential, is that it doesn`t require iLok. So you can put it on a notebook and have a portable PT rig with just the small Fast Track interface, and still have a free USB port if you have a macbook or similar notebook.