PreSonus FirePod Manual
From WikiRecording
Citation
This article is based on a PreSonus manual and are used with the kind permission from the people at PreSonus.
WikiRecording thanks PreSonus for their support of our community.
The original manuals can be found at PreSonus's Technical Support Website.
PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc is not responsible for the content of this article.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
Below are the minimum computer system requirements for your FIREPOD.
Macintosh
-OS: MacOS X 10.3.5 or later -Computer: Apple Macintosh series with on-board Firewire port. -CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/800Mhz or higher (G4/Dual 1 GHZ recommended) -Memory(RAM): 512 MB or more
Windows
-OS: Microsoft Windows XP SP1
-Computer: Windows compatible computer with FireWire port.
-CPU/Clock: Pentium, Celeron with 900Mhz or higher (Dual 1.2 GHz recommended)
-Memory(RAM): 256 MB (512MB 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.
INSTALLATION OF FIREPOD DRIVERS
YOU MUST INSTALL SOFTWARE DRIVERS BEFORE CONNECTING YOUR FIREPOD.
Windows XP
The following is a detailed procedure for installation of your FIREPOD Drivers
Installation Steps:
-Quit all currently running applications
-Insert CD-ROM Driver Installation included with your FIREPOD into your computer. (DO NOT CONNECT YOUR FIREPOD AT THIS TIME.)
-CD should auto run. (If not, navigate to CD and double click on FirePod_Installer.exe)
There are three Parts to the installation of your FIREPOD. The installer will take you through each step. Please read each message carefully as the time at which you connect and power on your FIREPOD for the first time is critical to a successful installation.
Note: If at any point during installation a Software Installation message appears from Windows regarding Windows Logo testing click Continue Anyway to continue installation.
Make sure FIREPOD is NOT connected to your system and click Next.
Click Next to set up driver in selected Destination folder.
Click Next to prepare your system for installation of Drivers
NOW CONNECT YOUR FIREPOD AND TURN IT ON.
At this time the Found New Hardware Wizard will automatically appear.
Click Next to install FIREPOD ASIO Driver.
Click Next to Install FIREPOD MIDI Driver
Check Box and click Continue.
Wait a few seconds for the final Found New Hardware Wizard to appear.
Click Next to Install WDM Driver
Click FINISH and you have successfully installed your FIREPOD DRIVERS.
Note that you must install all three Found New Hardware Wizard Drivers for the FIREPOD to operate properly.
Macintosh OSX
The audio drivers for the FIREPOD are to be included in the CORE AUDIO of Macintosh OSX 10.3.5 and later. At the time of the printing of this sheet, the drivers had not yet been released by Apple Computers. Please visit www.apple.com to download an OSX update for your FIREPOD. (For questions call PreSonus at 225-216-7887).
After you have installed the OSX update, connect your FIREPOD to a FireWire port on your computer and turn on your FIREPOD. Your FIREPOD sync light should flash red and then stay blue to signify that your FIREPOD is properly syncd to your computer.
FIREPOD CONTROL PANEL (WINDOWS XP ONLY)
Once you have successfully installed your Drivers the FIREPOD Control Panel will be available from your system tray (typically located at the bottom right hand corner of your screen near your clock).
Double click on the FIREPOD Control Panel ICON to open the FIREPOD Hardware Control Panel.
Sample Rate: Drop down menu to select sample rate of FIREPOD 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96k. This must be set to the same sample rate in your recording software.
Clock Source: Drop down menu to select FIREPOD digital sync source.
- INTERNAL
- SPDIF - Must be selected to use the SPDIF input.
(Note that Control Panel settings will be saved upon power down.)
Latency: Sets the amount of delay time of your FIREPOD. (1.5ms 24ms). Latency is the time it take for the computer to process audio. Lower latency settings demands more CPU resources. In the case of inconsistent audio (i.e. drop outs, pops and clicks, digital distortion, etc) we recommend that you increase this setting.
FIREPOD CONTROL PANEL ADVANCED SETTINGS
You can Right Click on the FIREPOD control panel icon to select between three different computer optimization settings. These settings optimize the buffers and audio streaming settings based on the speed of your processor. If you are experiencing audio drop outs, it is recommended that you select a lower CPU setting.
High: Computer Processor 2GHz and higher
Medium (default): Computer Processor 1GHz to 2GHz
Low: Computer Processor 800MHz to 1GHz
CUBASE LE QUICK START UP
Once you have installed your FIREPOD drivers, if you plan on using CUBASE LE included with your FIREPOD, install the CUBASE LE installation CD and run the installer. Make sure to keep your CD envelope sleeve handy to reference the serial number during installation.
To select the FIREPOD in Cubase LE, go to Device -> Device Setup
Select VST multi-track.
ASIO Driver (pull down menu) select PreSonus ASIO Driver then OK.
Click Switch to save PreSonus Driver Selection
TESTING YOUR FIREPOD WITH CUBASE LE
In order to test your FIREPOD, do the following:
Launch Cubase LE and make sure that you have selected the PreSonus FIREPOD ASIO driver as described above in Section 2.4.
Create a new project::
Create one new audio track within your new project by clicking on Project ->Add Track-> Audio (or you can right click (ctrl-click mac) in the track space within the project:
Record enable the track by pressing the Record Enable button.
Plug a microphone into channel one and turn on 48V phantom power if needed for the microphone. Turn up the channel 1 trim control on the front panel of the FIREPD while speaking into the microphone. You should see the input meter react to your speaking. Adjust trim so that input level at maximum without clipping.
Connect a set of headphones to the FIREPOD headphone output. Click the monitor button in Cubase LE for Audio 01. Adjust the MIX control counter clockwise to monitor input only for zero latency. Turn MIX control clockwise to monitor through the computer and Cubase LE.
Note that online help available for Cubase LE by pressing F1 or visiting www.steinberg.net
FRONT PANEL LAYOUT AND DESCRIPTIONS
Microphone Pre-Amplifier
Your FIREPOD is equipped with eight custom designed PreSonus microphone preamplifiers for use with all types of microphones including Dynamics, Condensers, and Ribbons as well as instruments and line level signals. The award winning PreSonus preamplifier design is a Class A input buffer followed by a dual servo gain stage. This arrangement results in ultra low noise and wide gain control allowing the FIREPOD user to boost desirable signal without increasing unwanted background noise.
48 Volt Phantom Power
The FIREPOD has 48V Phantom power available in groups via push button switches on the front panel. The top button turns on phantom power for microphone Inputs 1 to 4. The bottom button turns on phantom power for microphone inputs 5 to 8.
+22dBu Headroom
The FIREPOD mic-pre has +22 dBu of headroom. This feature gives you wide dynamic range and excellent transient response characteristics.
Neutrik Combo Connectors
Each channel of the FIREPOD has a Mic/Line connector using the Neutrik Combo connector. This revolutionary style connector lets you use either phone or XLR connectors in the same female input. The first two channels of the FIREPOD are instrument and microphone XLR inputs. The line level inputs for these two channels are on the back panel of the FirePod.
INSTRUMENT INPUTS (Channels 1 and 2)
The TS connector on channels 1 and 2 are for use with an instrument (guitar, bass, and etc.). When an instrument is plugged into the instrument input, the microphone preamplifier is bypassed and the FirePod becomes an active instrument preamplifier.
NOTE: Active instruments are those that have an internal preamp or a line level output. Active instruments should be plugged into a line input rather than into an instrument input. In other words, dont plug an active instrument into the combo jacks on channels 1 or 2.
Input Gain/Trim Control
This knob provides the following gain structure for each channel:
- Microphone Input XLR and 1/4 inch Inputs :45dB of variable gain (+14 dB to +55dB)
- Instrument HiZ Input TS (channels 1 and 2 only): 45 dB variable gain (+8dB to +50dB)
- Line Input TRS/TS Channels 3 thru 8: -10dB to +10dB trim adjustment
Clip Indicator
The clip indicator will light up if your input signal from the XLR (Mic) or (line) reaches +18dBu (0dBfs). At this level, your mic preamp/line trim signal may not exhibit signs of clipping such as distortion. However, this level would cause the A/D (analog to digital) converters to clip. Therefore it is highly recommended that you do not allow your converters to clip (the clip indicators to light up) as the sound quality would not be desirable.
Main
This knob allows control over the output level for the MAIN CR OUTPUT 1 and 2 on the back of the FIREPOD. It has a range of -80db to +10dB.
Mix
The mix knob is like a balance control. It balances the headphone MAIN and CUE outputs between Inputs 1-8 and playback outputs 1 and 2. This feature is an analog hardware mixer, so it allows you to monitor the signal before it goes to your computer providing zero latency monitoring.
Phones
The Phones knob controls the amount of volume going to the headphone output on the front of the unit. Notice the volume indicator goes to 11 (loud). Use this setting with caution.
Headphone Symbol and Jack
This is where you connect your headphones.
Red-Blue Power/Sync Light
This light is a clock (sync) indicator. It lets you know if your unit is receiving word clock correctly. Word clock is the manner by which digital devices sync frame rates. Proper word clock sync prevents digital devices from having pops, clicks, or distortion in the audio signal (due to mismatched digital audio transmission).
- Blue solid sync
- Red sync not present.
- Flashing Red and Blue external sync not present
BACK PANEL LAYOUT AND DESCRIPTIONS
Power Adaptor Input
This is where you plug the provide power supply into the FIREPOD. Please check the power supply to ensure that it is the correct voltage and plug type for your country.
Power Switch
Push the top part of the switch to turn the unit on. Push the bottom part of the switch to turn the unit off.
FireWire Ports
There are two firewire ports on the back of the FIREPOD. Both FireWire ports are standard 6 pin firewire jacks. If your computer has a 4 pin connector, then you will need to get a 4 to 6 pin connector to connect your FirePod to your computer. One of these ports (either one) should be used to connect the FIREPPOD to a FireWire port on your computer.
S/PDIF IN and OUT
The S/PDIF I/O allows the FIREPOD to receive and transmit audio from other digital audio devices. The S/PDIF standard allows for two channels of audio to be transmitted at up to rates of 24bit/96Khz. The S/PDIF input also allows the FIREPOD to receive and transmit word clock. Word clock is the synchronizing signal that indicates the sampling frequency or rate of sample words over a digital audio interface. Note: When using SPDIF In, you must select SPDIF in your FIREPOD Hardware Control Panel (located in your system tray Windows XP only).
MIDI In and Out
MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. However, the MIDI standard goes well beyond just instrumentation and sequencing. The MIDI inputs and outputs allow connection and/or communication with external MIDI equipment. One function of this port is MIDI programming. This port can also be used for MMC (MIDI Machine Control) and MTC (MIDI Time Control). Please consult the manual of the software manufacture to learn setup and usage of different MIDI applications.
CUE Mix Line Out
This outputs the results of the setting of the Mix knob on the front of the unit. The Mix knob is a balance control between the inputs and the first two outputs.
Main CR Output
These outputs are the same as line outputs 1 and 2. The level of this output is controlled by the Main volume knob on the front of the unit. The Mix knob on the front of the unit also affects the Main CR Output.
Line Inputs/Preamp Outputs
The FIREPOD features TRS balanced Send and Return jacks on Channels 1 and 2. These jacks are labeled as Preamp Output (SEND) and Line Input (Return). These connectors will accept either balanced (TRS Tip Ring Sleeve) cables or unbalanced TS (Tip Sleeve) cables. These connectors allow the use of external processors such as reverbs, de-essers, limiters, EQs, etc. Simply connect the Preamp Output jack, balanced or unbalanced to the input of the external processor. Then connect the FIREPODs Line Input jack to the output of the external processor. The signal is now routed out of the FIREPOD, into the external processor, then back into the FIREPOD. The final, processed signal will be available to record now. The Line Input can also be used as a standard line level input for devices that do not require pre-amplification (such as a CD player, drum machine, sampler and etc.).
NOTE: The line inputs on channels 1 and 2 take precedence over the combo mic/Instrument inputs on the front of the unit. If a cable is plugged into channel one line input on the rear of the FIREPOD, then the mic/instrument input on channel one will be inactive until the cable is removed from line input 1.
MICROPHONES
The FIREPOD works great with all types of microphones including dynamic, ribbon and condenser microphones. Dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones are generally lower output devices and require no external power source. Condenser microphones are generally more sensitive than dynamic and ribbon microphones and typically require external 48V phantom power.
NOTE: If you are using a ribbon microphone, please check the manual on the unit before applying phantom power. Applying phantom power to some microphones could cause damage to the microphone.
USING THE PREAMP OUTPUT/LINE INPUT AS AN INSERT
The FIREPOD features TRS balanced Sendand Returnjacks on Channels 1 and 2. These jacks are labeled as Preamp Output (SEND) and Line Input (Return). These connectors allow the use of external processors such as reverbs, de-essers, limiters, EQs, etc. Simply connect the Preamp Output jack, balanced or unbalanced to the input of the external processor. Then connect the FirePods Line Input jack to the output of the external processor. The signal is now routed out of the FIREPOD, into the external processor, then back into the FIREPOD. The final, processed signal will be available to record now. The Line Input can also be used as a standard line level input for devices that do not require preamplification (such as a CD player, drum machine, sampler and etc.).
NOTE: The line inputs on channels 1 and 2 take precedence over the combo mic/Instrument inputs on the front of the unit. If a cable is plugged into channel one line input on the rear of the FIREPOD, then the mic/instrument input on channel one will be inactive until the cable is removed from line input 1.
RECORDING ROCK BAND DIAGRAM
With the FIREPOD you can simultaneously record and play back up to 10 channels. Since it is loaded with eight preamplifiers, you can have eight microphones plugged into the FIREPOD along with SPDIF for digital input to record a full band. This makes recording extremely easy. All you need are a few microphones and some cables and you are ready to go.
FIREPOD 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 ........................................................................ 24-bit / up to 96khz
ADC Dynamic Range .....................................................................................................107db
DAC ........................................................................................................24-bit / up to 96kHz
DAC Dynamic Range .....................................................................................................110db
IEEE1394 Speed.......................................................................................................400mbps
