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Firewire Interface with 8 Preamps

$622.60

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Condition: New

SKU: FIRESTUDIO
UPC: 673454000744
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Product Description

MODEL- FIRESTUDIO VENDOR- PRESONUS AUDIO

FEATURES- FireStudio
26x26 24-bit/96k FireWire Recording System with Optical Lightpipe
I/O, MIDI I/O, S/PDIF I/O, Mixer/Router software, and optional
MSR remote.
The PreSonus FireStudio is a complete 26x26 24-bit/96k professional
recording system combining eight Class A PreSonus microphone
preamplifiers, up to sixteen channels of optical ADAT input/output,
S/PDIF and MIDI input/output, along with the Control Console - a
36x36x18 zero latency mixer/router. The FireStudio also comes with
award-winning recording and production software, virtual
instruments, plug-ins, drum loops and samples to get you started
making music immediately.

PreSonus Preamplifiers
The FireStudio starts with eight on-board custom-designed Class A
microphone preamplifiers. Many other companies offering recording
interfaces add the cheapest possible microphone preamplifier as an
afterthought to the interface. PreSonus knows that every major component
in the signal path from the audio source to the hard drive are extremely
important and the preamplifier is a key component. The job of a
microphone preamplifier is to boost microphone level signals to line
level so that the signal can be converted from analog to digital. This
mic to line boost is generally an preamplification of over 400 times the
voltage of the original mic level signal. This preamplification stage is
one of the most important stages that the signal will go through before
converted to digital, and is why a high performance preamplifier is
important to achieving great results. A cheap "off the shelf op-amp"
type mic preamp that is found in most interfaces translates into thin,
noisy and harsh results. A PreSonus preamplifier which operates in Class
A mode and at higher voltage/current ratings than off the shelf op-amps,
is designed for high headroom, low noise, wide dynamic range and wide
frequency range, and most importantly, musicality and transparency -
smooth highs, solid deep lows, and everything in between.

Ins and Outs
The FireStudio is loaded with I/O for an extremely flexible and
expandable recording system. The FireStudio starts with eight Class A
customer designed PreSonus microphone preamplifiers. You can add
additional preamplifiers or analog inputs via the dual optical light
pipe ports on the rear panel. You add up to two DigiMax FS, for a total
of twenty-four microphone preamplifiers all in only three rack spaces!
Additionally word/clock I/O for ultra tight synchronization, MIDI I/O
and SPDIF I/O are on the FireStudio for further expandability.

JetPLL
The sycronization of the FireStudio is handled by patented JetPLL jitter
reduction technology. JetPLLTM incorporates noise shaping to virtually
remove all audio band jitter. JetPLLTM ensures the highest converter
performance possible, resulting in better stereo separation and clearer
more transparent audio. JetPLLTM delivers ultra-fast locking to any
digital format, through a wide range of frequencies and is extremely
robust, and tolerant of wide variations in clock frequencies. JetPLL
ensures near perfect clock performance when networking audio devices
thus creating the most stable and robust synchronization to the computer
and all devices synchronization with the FireStudio.

Control Console - Zero Latency DSP Mixing/Routing
The FIRESTUDIO also includes the Control Console - a 36x36x18 DSP
mixer/router for flexible mixing and direct routing any input to any
output including the headphone output, with zero latency. The Control
Console software application lives between your FireStudio interface and
your DAW software enabling the mixing and routing of input streams
coming into your FireStudio interface and playback stream coming from
your DAW software. The Control Console is capable of creating up to nine
stereo mixes and then routing to the outputs of your FireStudio for
headphone mixes and various aux sends. This way everyone in the band and
the recording engineer can have a custom mix.

Optional Monitor Station Remote (MSR)
The optional MSR (monitor station remote) for the FireStudio is a
complete surround/stereo speaker manager, input switcher and
communication system delivering a more efficient and flexible work flow.
The MSR connects to the FireStudio via standard Cat 5 Ethernet cable to
keep your work space as clean as possible. There are also two headphone
outputs on the FireStudio for even further flexibility and convenience.

ProPak Complete Software Suite
The PreSonus FireStudio also comes with the new ProPak Complete Software
Suite, which includes more than 20 real time plug-ins, a number of
virtual instruments and over 2 GB of drum loops and samples including:
Steinberg - Cubase LE; Propellerheads Reason Adapted PreSonus Edition;
IK Multimedia - Amplitube LE; FXpansion - BFD lite; Drumagog LE; Sonoma
Wire Works-Riffworks Jr.; Wave Arts -- TrackPlug LE, MasterVerb LE and
more!

-- SPECIFICATIONs -----------------------------------
MICROPHONE PREAMP- (XLR Balanced)
All measurements Microphone Input to Direct Output
Frequency Response (+0,- 0.5dB): 20Hz to 50KHz
Frequency Response (+0/-3.0 dB): 20Hz to 150KHz
Input Impedance : 1600 Ohm
THD+N (unwtd, 1KHz @ +4dBu Output, Unity Gain): < 0.003%
EIN (unwtd, 55dB Gain, 150 Ohm Input, 20Hz to 22KHz): -126dBu
S/N Ratio (Unity Gain, unwtd, Ref. = +4dBu, 20Hz to 22KHz): >101dB
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1KHz, 55dB Gain): >55dB
Gain Control Range (+/-1dB): -6dB to 55dB
Maximum Input Level (Unity Gain, 1KHz @ 0.5% THD+N): +17dBu
Phantom Power (+/- 2VDC): +48VDC
INSTRUMENT INPUT (1/4" TRS, Preamps 1 & 2)-
Input Impedance: 1 Mega Ohm
LINE INPUTS- (1/4" TRS, Preamps 3 to 8)
All measurements Line Input to Direct Output
Frequency Response (+0,- 0.5dB): 20Hz to 50KHz
Frequency Response (+0/-3.0 dB): 20Hz to 150KHz
Input Impedance (Balanced): 10 KOhm
THD+N (unwtd, 1KHz @ +4dBu Output, Unity Gain): < 0.003%
S/N Ratio (Unity Gain, unwtd, Ref. = +4dBu, 20Hz to 22KHz): >101dB
Gain Control Range (+/-1dB): -9dB to +12dB
Maximum Input Level (Unity Gain, 1KHz @ 0.5% THD+N): +23dBu
INSERT JACKS- (1/4" TRS)
Send Output Impedance (Unbalanced, Ring): 51 Ohm
Return Input Impedance (Unbalanced, Tip): 10KOhm
DIRECT OUTPUT/DAC OUTPUTS- (1/4" TRS)
Output Impedance (Impedance Balanced): 51Ohm
SIGNAL LEVEL LEDs-
Clip (+/- 0.5dBu): +18dBu
DIGITAL AUDIO-
ADC Dynamic Range (Awtd, 48KHz Sample Rate): 107dB
DAC Dynamic Range (Awtd, 48KHz Sample Rate): 110dB
Bit Depth: 24
Reference Level for 0dBFS: +18dBu
Digital Audio Output (2-Toslink Connectors, 8 channels): ADAT/SMUX
Digital Audio Input (2-Toslink Connectors, 8 channels): ADAT/SMUX
Internal Sample Frequency Selections (KHz): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96
External Sample Frequency Inputs: BNC, ADAT (SMUX),SPDIF
BNC Word Clock Output Level (75 Ohm load): 4.5V
BNC Word Clock Input Level Range: 3.0 to 5.5V
DIGITAL- Jitter Specification: < 300 pS
REQUIREMENTS-
PC : Microsoft Windows XP SP1
Windows compatible computer with FireWire port
Pentium, Celeron with 1.6Ghz or higher CPU
512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
Mac: MacOS X 10.4.x or later
Apple Macintosh series with on-board FireWire port
PowerPC G4/Dual 1 GHZ or faster, all Intel-based Mac models.
512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
POWER - Input Voltage Range: 18 to 30VDC
Power Requirements (Continuous): 24W
DC Input Connector Type= 5.5mm OD/2.1mm ID Barrel, Center Positive
External Switching Power Supply: 90-230VAC/35W

Customer Reviews

Reviewed on 2008-06-30

Great product; love the Firestudio
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Firestudio has great converters and preamps. My mics sound more open and transparent through this interface than my old Digidesign 002r. It installed perfectly on my PC in about 10 minutes. I will probably be adding a Digimax FS to add eight more inputs soon.

Reviewed on 2007-11-08

Hiss, electronic interference, returned for refund
I thought I had done all my research and determined that the Presonus Firestudio was the best for recording my drum kit. I even went to a music store and had them show me all of the features in comparison with the other products available. The firepod (it's predecessor) has great reviews as well, so I thought I couldn't go wrong buying a firestudio.

As far as features go, I think it is a great product. As far as sound quality goes, thats where the trouble comes in. When you buy recording equipment, isn't sound quality the most important feature? After finally figuring out how to get sound through the monitors from the microphone (Cubase LE that comes with this is not very user friendly) I decided to try recording. Everything seemed to work fine but I heard this background hiss. I thought maybe I just had the gain up too loud. Nope, even with gain on zero there was still hiss (although it did increase as I turned the gain up). I first noticed this through the headphones, so I tried a new set of headphones I had recently purchased. Still hiss. I plugged the headphones into the outs from the different preamps. Hiss was coming through there as well. Plugged the phones into the main out. Didn't notice the hiss as much there. Plugged a monitor speaker into the main out. There was the hiss!

Also, while I had it plugged into the monitor I noticed that it picked up sounds from my computer. Electronic sounds, such as if I scrolled with the mouse it picked up a scratching sound, etc. Interference. I thought maybe it was the mics or cords. Nope. Unplugged them and still the problem.

Called tech support, very dificult to get a hold of but once I did they were very friendly and helpful. They said that they have tested the firestudios in the factory and hadn't found any hissing (or other interference sounds), BUT they had some complaints about hiss from other customers, and were working on resolving the issue. They said it was likely a driver issue and they are coming out with new drivers in a month (this was 10/2007) and that should fix the problem. They said I could wait for the drivers or they would exchange it out for a new one if I would like.

After talking to them I thought I would test it out withour it hooked up to the computer, to see if it was a driver or software issue. Nope. Still hisses even not connected to anything. I suppose there is the possiblility it could be an internal driver within the unit. Don't know.

I thought I would try one last thing just to see if my ears were too picky and I had to high of expectations for a unit in this price range. I went to a music store and plugged into their firestudio with my headphones. There was hiss, although not nearly as pronounced as in mine. Then, I tested all of the outs on the back. They all had a low level of hiss except one, out 2 had louder hiss and other sounds. I checked the gain on that imput, it was the same as all the others.

At this point I had decided that this is just an ongoing problem with firestudios, and lost confidence in owning a presonus product. While at the music store I plugged my headphones into a MOTU 8pre and voila! NO HISS! The MOTU doesn't have all of the fancy features that the firestudio does but it has all of the essential ones for me to record my kit (like daisy chaining units to add more mic preamps). I bought the MOTU and took it home and tested it side by side with my firestudio. I have not notice any hiss with the MOTU, except with the gain very high (wich isn't abnormal I don't think). I was hesitant to get the MOTU because I read another review that says they have hiss. All I can say is mine doesn't, and it sounds a lot clearer than the firestudio (as far as noise is concerned). Also, with the MOTU, no wierd interference such as when I scroll the mouse like with the firestudio.

Needless to say, this was a hassle and I do not recommend Presonus. Maybe someday they will fix this problem, but you are taking a risk buying this product.

Reviewed on 2007-03-05

Does not work well with SONAR
This device looks great on paper. Don't buy it if you are a SONAR user. Presonus has designed this device to work well with Cubase LE. That, and other editions of Cubase, are about the only DAWs that I have heard user success stories about. There are plenty of Firestudio / Cakewalk SONAR problems. Also, be careful of what MAC OS you have. The Presonus minimum requirements are 10.3.9 but users have reported needing 10.4 at a minimum. The Windows minimum requirements are WinXP SP1. I can attest to this being incorrect. You will suffer many BSODs if you use anything below WinXP SP2. The preamps sound good. There is plenty of headroom, plenty of output gain, etc. The drivers need to mature, particularly Presonus1394.sys. This audio interface is not quite there yet. I give it two stars for features. I returned mine for a refund.