PreSonus FireStudio Project FireWire Interface

FREE ProPak Software Suite including Cubase LE 4 Audio Production Software.

Item: PRSFSPROJECT

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PreSonus FireStudio Project FireWire Interface reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

17 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 6 out of 10

 

8 People wrote reviews

Read all PreSonus FireStudio Project FireWire Interface reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"It has its problems, but its benefits are GREAT!"

Feature:
Class A preamps across the board are wonderful. Worth the extra money it costs above the FirePod just for that. It comes with Cubase LE - which I personally don't like - I use Sonar. But it's a standard, professional-grade DAW, and the fact that it comes with a professional DAW at ALL is great! It comes with TWO control panels. One is installed on your Windows taskbar, another you have to go find and open manually from your hard drive. The first is simplified, the second is more in-depth. Both are easy to use. The plugins it comes with are sub-par, but enough to get an amateur started.

Quality:
The zero-latency software monitoring is AMAZING! The Vista drivers have issues. I mean, BIG issues. Nothing that can't be totally straightened out with some tweaking, but there are issues nonetheless. I know someone who uses this in Windows XP and it works flawlessly under that - but for Pete's sake, don't taunt "Vista compatibility" if I have to tweak the drivers a bunch to get standard stability. I know Vista's a total ****, and so it's not completely PreSonus's fault, but I digress. The saving grace of this is how WELL you are allowed to adjust the drivers. In the simplified taskbar Control Panel, you can choose between FOUR different driver modes, including THREE Safe Modes. I had never tried Safe Mode 3 - and the WDM driver kept crashing. I finally tried Safe Mode 3, and it's been FLAWLESS ever since! You can also switch sampling rate, buffer size, and input routing on the fly.

Value:
One of, if not THE best for the price.

Desirability:
Knowing what I know now from personal experience, I would look into other interfaces - read through FORUM discussions on these products. Try to get a good idea of how this product and its competitors perform under identical conditions. This thing should definitely be in your top three, though.

Sound:
The raw sound of this thing is where it really shines. The preamps aren't the best of the best, but they do sound SURPRISINGLY good. My mid-grade condensers sound GREAT through this thing. Dynamic mics such as the i5 and SM57 sound GOOD off the line, and with a knowledgeable tweaking in your DAW, you'll get 'em sounding pretty darned awesome. The only problem is that this thing is a bit quiet. I have to turn the volume knob halfway up to get a "standard loudness" through my KRK 8's, and to really get my 8's at a "loud stereo" level, I gotta turn the volume knob over 3/4's of the way. These are POWERED monitors that amplify the signal put through them, so they should be screaming loud at halfway - but they're not. Testing volume through my headphones confirms that the FireStudio is the issue, not the monitors. The headphone amp is noticeably louder though. It's strange. 3/4 volume and your ears will be ringing. Wish I could get that through the standard speaker output! This issue extends to the preamps as well. I have to crank them pretty good, unless I'm recording overbearingly loud stuff like drums. I mean, having to turn the knobs way up isn't THAT big of a deal - but I would think that it would stress the hardware a bit more than needed, and affect the overall lifetime of the product. So other than *slightly* weak powered volume, this thing sounds GREAT!

Ease of Use:
READ THE MANUAL, then it's a piece of cake. The most important thing you need to know is NOT to plug active instruments into the first two inputs. Other than that, it's totally plug-n-play.

Support:
We've been sitting on the same exact Vista drivers almost since I bought this thing in January '08. People are having similar driver issues under the Leapord OS, so if you have a MAC, you're not entirely out of the water from some of these issues. PreSonus has a great product here, but they owe it to their customers to make every effort to solidify their drivers for both MAC and Windows.

Overall:
Overall, this thing was way worth the money! It had its issues, and it took me the better part of a year to straighten them all out, but now it's working flawlessly. I don't expect to replace this puppy any time soon.

Submitted: 10/4/2008

Style of Music: Various


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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Firestudio Project is the SHIZNIT"

Feature:
Love the meters. They really help you to see whats happening. The built in software mixer is also a huge help. I did a session with a four piece band and was able to send every musician a separate headphone mix. Kind of wish it had ADAT inputs but then again that's what the other Firestudio is for.

Quality:
The knobs feel sturdy and I love how they are detented as well. The other nice touch is no wall wart. This unit looks amazing in my rack.

Value:
It's simply the best interface that you can buy below an RME that costs twice as much (TRUST ME I'VE TRIED THEM ALL).

Desirability:
Great metering and it looks sexy in my rack.

Sound:
Very beefy sounding preamps. Not noisy like my old M Audio. I'm very happy with the sound I'm getting.

Ease of Use:
Installation took about 15 minutes. I have a PC (Pentium 4/3gHz) and it sync'd up in a few seconds and I was recording within 20 minutes.

Support:
I called Presonus because I was missing a serial number in my software bundle. They were very cool about it. I haven't had any other reasons to call but they seemed to be easy to reach.

Overall:
I think my search for interfaces is done. This one is great.

Submitted: 12/11/2007

Style of Music: Rock


20 of 23 people (86.96%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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Read all PreSonus FireStudio Project FireWire Interface reviews...

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About This Product!
Description
Docs
From Our Catalog
News
The FireStudio Project is a complete 24-bit/96K professional recording system combining eight Class A XMAX microphone preamplifiers, 24-bit/96k sample rate conversion, zero-latency matrix router mixer, and the PreSonus ProPak Software Suite featuring Steinberg's Cubase LE 4 48-track recording and production software, over 25 real-time plug-in effects (EQ’s, compressors, reverbs), and more than 2 GB of drum loops and samples.

Great for professional studio recording, live sound recording, performance, podcasting and more, the FireStudio Project is designed for flexibility and ultra-high sonic performance. Whether you need to record a live drum set, mic a guitar amp, or a complete band, the FireStudio Project is ready and more than able. With the new FireControl Mixer/Router you can send up to five individual mixes to different musicians during recording so that every band member can have a custom headphone mix.

Based on the award-winning FP10(FirePod) the FireStudio Project starts with eight PreSonus Class A XMAX microphone preamplifiers found in the FP10(FirePod) and adds the folllowing improvements:

Improved analog to digital converters (114dB dynamic range)

Improved syncronization with JetPLL (jitter elimination technology)

FireControl Mixer/Router to send up to five separate zero-latency stereo mixes to musicians during recording

Three-segment LED input metering on all analog channels

Internal IEC-based power supply

ProPak v3 software suite with Cubase LE 4, BFD Lite, Wave Arts Plug-ins, Cubase LE 4 Demysitified Tutorial DVD video and more.

XMAX Class A Preamplifiers
The FireStudio Project starts with eight custom-designed high-voltage, discrete, XMAX 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 the preamplifier is a key component in the sonic quality of a recording. 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 a 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.

New Advanced Platform Technology - DICE II and JetPLL
The FireStudio Project is loaded with the new ultra powerful DICE II FireWire chipset delivering 10 channels of simultaneous inputs and outputs at professional-quality 24-bit. The strength of the DICE II chip lies with its ability to easilly handle high channel count at high bit-rate while minimizing latency and load on your computer.

The synchronization of the FireStudio Project is handled by patented JetPLLTM 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. JetPLLTM 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 Project.

FireControl - Zero Latency DSP Mixing/Routing
The FireStudio Project also includes the FireControl mixer/router a 18x10 DSP mixer/router for flexible mixing and direct routing any input to any output including the headphone output, with zero latency. The FireControl software application lives between your FireStudio Project interface and your DAW software enabling the mixing and routing of input streams coming into your FireStudio Studio Project interface and playback stream coming from your DAW software. The FireControl is capable of creating up to five stereo mixes and then routing to the outputs of your FireStudio Project for headphone mixes and various aux sends. This way everyone in the band and the recording engineer can have a custom mix. Also, the FireStudio Project is loaded with internal flash memory so that all FireControl settings are saved and recalled in the FireStudio Project during power off/on. This allows you to configure your FireStudio as a stand-alone device, without being connected to a computer for uses such as a submixer, A/D and D/A-converter, headphone mixer, format converter, instrument or microphone pre-amplifier!

ProPak Software Suite (v3)
The FireStudio Project also comes with the new ProPak Software Suite (v3), 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 4, BFD Lite; Wave Arts – TrackPlug LE, MasterVerb LE, Discrete Drums and more!

Features
High-Speed FireWire (IEEE 1394) Audio Interface

Up to 96K Sampling Rate

8 XMAX Class A Microphone Preamplifiers (+60dB gain) w/ Trim Control

8 Analog Mic/Line Inputs, 2 Instrument Inputs

8 Analog Line Outputs

S/PDIF Digital Input and Output, MIDI Input and Output

Balanced Send / Return for Channels 1 and 2

Zero Latency Monitoring with FireControl Mixer/Router

Separate Balanced Main Outputs and 8 Balanced Analog Outputs

FREE ProPak Software Suite including Cubase LE 4 Audio Production Software

Technical Info

Computer System Requirements

Windows

OS: Microsoft Windows XP SP1
Computer: Windows compatible computer with FireWire port.
CPU/Clock: Pentium, Celeron with 1.6Ghz or higher
Memory(RAM): 512 MB (1 GB recommended)

Macintosh

OS: MacOS X 10.4.x or later
Computer: Apple Macintosh series with on-board FireWire port.
CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/Dual 1 GHZ or faster, all Intel-based Mac models.
Memory(RAM): 512 MB (1 GB recommended)

Note that the speed of your processor, amount of RAM and size and speed of your hard drive will greatly affect the overall performance of your recording system. Also, a more powerful system (faster processor with more RAM) will allow for lower latency (signal delay) that you might experience while monitoring audio or MIDI signals.
Monitor resolution for both PC and Macintosh should be no lower than 1024x768 pixels.


FireStudio Project Specifications

Microphone Preamp

Type: XLR Female Balanced

Frequency Response (±0.5 dB): 20 Hz to 50 kHz

Frequency Response (±3.0 dB): 20 Hz to 150 kHz

Input Impedance (Balanced): 1600 Ω

THD+N (unwtd, 1kHz @ +4 dBu Output, Unity Gain: < 0.0003%

EIN (unwtd, 55dB Gain, 150 Ω Input, 20Hz to 22kHz: -126 dBu

S/N Ratio (Unity Gain, unwtd, Ref. = +4 dBu, 20Hz to 22 kHz: > 101dB

Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1 kHz, 55 dB Gain): > 55dB

Gain Control Range (± 1dB): -4 dB to 50dB

Maximum Input Level (Unity Gain, 1 kHz @ 0.5% THD+N): +14 dBu

Signal Level LEDS:
Red / Clip (±0.5 dB)
Yellow (±0.5 dB)
Green (±0.5 dB)

+10 dBu (o dBFS)
+4 dBu (-6 dBFS)
-30 dBu (-40 dBFS)

Phantom Power (±2 VDC): +48 VDC

Instrument Input (channels 1 & 2 only)

Type: XLR Female Balanced

Input Impedance: 1 MΩ

Line Inputs

Type: XLR Female Balanced

Frequency Response (±0.5 dB): 20 Hz to 50 kHz

Frequency Response (±3.0 dB): 20 Hz to 150 kHz

Input Impedance (Balanced): 10 KΩ

THD+N (unwtd, 1kHz @ +4 dBu Output, Unity Gain
< 0.0003%
S/N Ratio (Unity Gain, unwtd, Ref. = +4 dBu, 20Hz to 22 kHz: > 101dB
Gain Control Range (±1 dB): -16dB to +16dB
Maximum Input Level (Unity Gain, 1 kHz @ 0.5% THD+N): +10 dBu
Maximum Input Level (Minimum Gain, 1 kHz @ 0.5% THD+N): +22 dBu

Line Ouputs (including Preamp Output, General Purpose Outputs and Main Outputs)
Type: 1/4 in. TRS Balanced
Output Impedance: 51 Ω

Headphone Output
Type: 1/4 in. TRS Active Stereo
Maximum Output: 150 mW/CH @ 60 Ω Load
Frequency Response (±1.0 dB): 10 Hz - 70kHz

Digital Audio
ADC Dynamic Range (Awtd, 48 kHz Sample Rate): 114 dB

DAC Dynamic Range (Awtd, 48 kHz Sample Rate): 114 dB

Bit Depth: 24

Reference Level for 0dBFS: +10 dBu

Internal Sample Frequency Selections (kHz): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96

External Sample Frequency Input: S/PDIF

Power
Input Connector Type: IEC

Input Voltage Range: 90 to 230 VAC

Power Requirements (Continuous): 20W

Note Cubase LE and Cubase SE are NOT supported by the PreSonus FaderPort
All-inclusive rack interface with 8x 24-bit/96kHz mic preamps. XLR/TRS combo jacks with phantom power, dedicated level control, and metering. Additional ADAT, S/PDIF, and MIDI I/O. Includes ProPak software bundle with Cubase LE, over 25 real-time plug-in effects, and more than 2GB of drum loops and samples.
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