The PreSonus FP10 (formerly FirePod) is a complete 24-bit/96k recording system combining eight high-quality PreSonus XMAX microphone preamplifiers, 24-bit/96k sample rate conversion and as an added bonus, the PreSonus Pro Pak Software Suite featuring Steinberg's Cubase LE 48-track recording software, over 25 real-time plug-in effects and over 2 GB of drum loops and samples for music production.
Hardware
The FP10 FireWire recording interface is equipped with eight PreSonus microphone preamplifiers, 24-bit/96K analog to digital conversion along with SPDIF and MIDI inputs and outputs for professional quality convenient and compact no-hassle recording.
The FP10's Class A preamps are custom-designed by PreSonus to deliver high headroom with low noise sonic performance - perfect for recording a wide variety of sources including vocals, drums, guitars, bass, piano, keyboards, guitars, synths, horns, orchestras, choirs, and more. Eight potentiometers are on the front panel to easily control the input level of each preamplifier.
Inputs one and two of the FP10 can be switched between microphone or instrument level while inputs three thru eight can be switched between microphone or line input. Phantom power (+48V) is available on every channel in groups of four. Channels 1 and 2 feature fully balanced send and return TRS connectors on the rear of the rugged metal chassis for inserting outboard dynamics, EQ and effects processors. The FP10 has eight balanced TRS line outputs as well two balanced TRS main outputs as well as CUE outputs for additional monitoring.
The FP10 also includes stereo headphone output on the front panel, as well as mix control to balance monitoring levels between mixed input and main output signals for zero-latency monitoring. Two channels of SPDIF input and output as well as MIDI input and output are also included.
Two Firewire ports are loaded on the FP10 making it possible to daisy-chain multiple FP10's together creating the possibility for adding additional inputs and outputs (with mic preamps) to your system.
Superior Analog Circuitry - XMAX Class A Preamplifiers
The FireStudio 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.
All XMAX preamplifiers are built with the same three elements:
High Voltage
The XMAX preamplifier runs on power rails of 30V. Most off the shelf op amp based designs run on power rails of 10V to 18V. Higher voltage power rails deliver more headroom, deeper lows, smoother highs and an overall fuller sound.
Discrete
No op amps. Only transistors, resistors and capacitors. Op amps add noise, coloration and harshness to a signal. Discrete designs deliver ultra low noise and transparency.
Class A
When a circuit is running in Class A mode the circuit is always in an "on" state operating at its optimal voltage requirements. Class A mode has zero crossover distortion and delivers purer, clearer and more musical sonics than class A/B designs which are found in most op-amp circuits.
The net result of the XMAX preamp design is 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 FP10 is loaded with I/O for an extremely flexible and expandable recording system. The FP10 starts with eight Class A custom-designed PreSonus microphone preamplifiers. You can add additional preamplifiers by daisy-chaining up to three FP10's for a total fo 24 simultaneous inputs and outputs.
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
Separate Main and Cue Mix Outputs
Daisy-chain multiple FP10's for additional inputs/outputs
FREE ProPak Software Suite including Cubase LE Audio Production Software Included with the FP10
MegaStudio Producer Bundle
The MegaStudio Producer Bundle by PreSonus for the FP10 gives you everything you need to record your music, create your videos and distribute and sell your music worldwide!
Included with the MegaStudio Producer are more than four hours of tutorial video showing you step-by-step how to produce professional-quality recordings and videos taking the mystery out of music and video production.
MegaStudio Producer features the award-winning PreSonus FP10 (formerly FIREPOD) FireWire recording interface, more than $2,000 worth of music and video production software, 5 free uploads to iTunes from TuneCore, as well as free BroadJam.com membership and a complete “Go Pro” guide with tons of information on sharing, distributing and selling your music and video
Included Software
Audio recording and production:
Steinberg Cubase 4 LE
48-track audio recording and production software
Video editing and production:
Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD
Multi-track video and audio editing software and DVD creation software
Virtual instruments
Reason Adapted (Synths, Sounds, Loops)
Drumagog LE (Drum replacer)
BFD Lite (Virtual studio drummer)
Ultra Analog Session (Synthesizer)
SoniVox PreSonus VI (Virtual sample instrument)
Lounge Lizard Session (Vintage electric pianos)
Amplitube LE (Virtual guitar amplifier)
KeytoSound (General synthesizer)
Real-time effects
MasterVerb (Mono and stereo reverb)
EyeQ (Graphic EQ and spectral analyzer)
Chamberverb (Reverb)
Track Plug LE (Channel Strip)
Camel Crusher (Compressor)
PitchCraft (Pitch correction)
FuzzPlus 2 (Guitar effect)
SFX Machine (Virtual synthesizer)
Pluggo Jr (12 real-time effects plug-ins)
Drum loops and sounds effects
Sony 1001 Sound Effects
Discrete Drums PreSonus Edition
Cycling 74 loops
Twiddly Bits
CD burning
Sony CD Architect
Other
House of Worship Video Toolkit from CCI Solutions
Distribute and sell on iTunes
TuneCore.com one album (5 free songs) upload to iTunes included
Share and Promote
Free BroadJam.com membership
Instructional Videos and Booklets
Cubase LE4 Demystified – video manual
Sony Vegas Movie Studio Training by VASST
How to recording a song using the FP10
How to make a live recording & video with the FP10 & Sony Vegas
How to make a music video with Sony Vegas
Mixing a song in Cubase LE4
Distributing your music on TuneCore
Tour:Smart “Go Pro” Guide written by Martin Atkins
House of Worship Toolkit by CCI Solutions
Technical Info
FP10 Specifications
Preamp bandwidth: 10Hz to 50kHz
Preamp input impedance: 1.3k Ohms
Instrument input impedance: 1M Ohms
Preamp THD: <0.005%
Preamp EIN: -125dB
Preamp gain: 54dB
Preamp send output impedance: 51 Ohms
Preamp return input impedance: 10K Ohms
Line trim: +/-20dB
Line input impedance: 10k Ohms
TRS output impedance: 51Ohms
TRS main outputs impedance: 51 Ohms
TRS cue outputs impedance: 51 Ohms
Headphone output: 150mW/Ch 20Hz-20kHz
Phantom power: 48V +/- 2V
Power supply: Ext line transformer, internal switching
Analog to digital converters (ADC): 24-Bit / (44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz)
ADC dynamic range: 107db
DAC: 24-bit / up to 96kHz
DAC: Dynamic Range 110db
IEEE1394 Speed: 400mbps
Simultaneous record/playback channels and sample rate:
Single Unit (10 in, 10out @ 24/96K)
Two FP10's (up to 16 in, 16 out @ 24-bit/ 44.1k or 48K)
Three FP10's (up to 24 in, 24 out @ 24-bit/44.1k or 48k)
Note: FP10's and FirePod's can be daisy-chained
Computer System Requirements
Windows
OS: Microsoft Windows XP / Vista
Computer: Windows compatible computer with FireWire port.
CPU/Clock: Pentium, Athlon with 900Mhz or higher (1.5GHz)
Memory(RAM): 256 MB (512MB recommended)
Macintosh
OS: MacOS X ver. 10.3.5
Computer: Apple Macintosh series with on-board Firewire port.
CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/800Mhz or higher (G4/Dual 1 GHz recommended), all Intel/Mac models
Memory(RAM): 512 MB or more