FIRESTUDIO 26 I/O 24-bit/96k Recording Interface with DSP Mixer/Router Control Console Application User’s Manual Version 2.0 © 2008, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PRESONUS LIMITED WARRANTY PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc. warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is enforceable only by the original retail purchaser. To be protected by this warranty, the purchaser must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 OVERVIEW 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ Features ................................................................................................................................................................. What is in the Box ..........................................................................................................
OVERVIEW 1.1 INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus FireStudio. PreSonus Audio Electronics has designed the FireStudio utilizing high-grade components to ensure optimum performance that will last a lifetime.
OVERVIEW 1.2 FEATURES The FireStudio is a powerful and affordable computer recording system complete with everything needed for real-world recording applications. The FireStudio comes equipped with eight high-quality PreSonus X-MAX microphone preamps, MIDI I/O, SPDIF, Dual SMUX 96k ADAT, BNC word clock and rock solid drivers, as well as a plethora of music recording and production software.
OVERVIEW 1.
OVERVIEW 1.4 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Below are the minimum computer system requirements for your FireStudio. Macintosh OS: Mac OS X 10.4.x or later Computer: Apple Macintosh series with FireWire 400 port CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/1 GHz or higher (Intel/Dual 1 GHz recommended) Memory (RAM): 512 MB (1 GB or more recommended) Windows OS: 32-bit Microsoft Windows Vista or XP (with at least SP1) Computer: Windows compatible computer with FireWire 400 port.
OPERATION 2.1 QUICK START UP 2.1.1 Installation in Microsoft Windows After inserting the Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive, the FireStudio installer will take you through each step of the installation process. Please read each message carefully – ensuring especially that you do not connect your FireStudio early. 1) The FireStudio Installer was written to be as simple and easy-to-follow as possible. Please read each message carefully to ensure the FireStudio is properly installed.
OPERATION 4) The installer will now display the directory path into which the FireStudio Control Console application will be installed. Click “Next” 5) The installer is now ready to begin. Click “Install” to copy the correct components to your computer. 6) The installer will now prompt you to reboot your computer to complete the installation. Click “Finish” to automatically restart your PC. Once your computer has rebooted, connect the FireStudio.
OPERATION After inserting the Installation CD into your disc drive, browse the disc and run the FireStudio installer, which will take you through each step of the installation process. Please read each message carefully – ensuring especially that you do not connect your FireStudio early. 1) To begin installing the FireStudio driver on your Mac, double click on the FireStudio logo. 2) You will be directed to the welcome screen.
OPERATION 4) Click “Agree” to continue installation. 5) You will be directed to choose the hard drive onto which you want to install the drivers and FireStudio Control Console Software. You must choose your system drive. Storage drives and partitions cannot be used as hosts for the driver. 6) The FireStudio installer contains the installations for the entire FireStudio family of interfaces. Select “FireStudio” from the list. A “ – “ will appear in the box to the left.
OPERATION 7) The FireStudio installer requires that your user password be entered as a security measure. Enter your password and click “OK” 8) You will be notified that the FireStudio installation requires that your Mac be restarted to finish the installation process. Click “Continue Installation” 9) Click “Restart” to automatically reboot your Mac. After rebooting your computer, connect your FireStudio to your computer with the included firewire cable.
OPERATION 2.1.3 Cubase LE – Device Setup Once you have installed the FireStudio drivers and connected your FireStudio, you can use the Cubase LE Music Creation and Production System software included with your FireStudio to begin recording, mixing and producing your music. Insert the Cubase LE installation CD into your computer and run the installer. Then, launch Cubase LE and follow these steps to begin recording with your FireStudio: 1) Select ‘Device Setup…’ from the Devices menu.
OPERATION 3) Select “PreSonus FireStudio” from the ASIO Driver dropdown list. A pop-up window will appear asking if you’d like to switch the ASIO driver. Click ‘Switch’ to begin using the FireStudio Driver. 4) Go to Devices>VST Connections to set up your FireStudio’s input busses. Click on Add Bus. You can choose between mono and stereo busses. Select the type and number of busses you’d like to create. In this example, we’ve created 26 mono inputs to access all of the inputs on the FireStudio.
OPERATION 2.1.4 Cubase LE – Creating a Project To begin recording in Cubase LE, you first need to create a project. Once you have the project environment, you can begin adding audio and MIDI tracks to record and edit on. Follow these simple steps to begin recording your first audio in Cubase LE: 1) Plug an XLR microphone or instrument into FireStudio channel one and turn on 48V phantom power if needed for your microphone (typically only for condenser microphones).
OPERATION 6) Click the Record Enable button to arm the new track for recording. 7) Click the Monitor button to hear the input through the FireStudio’s 1/2 and Main CR outputs. 8) Select FireStudio input ‘Stereo In > Left’. When choosing a mono from a stereo pair, the “left” channel is typically the odd-numbered channel, and the “right” channel is typically the even-numbered channel (i.e. Left is 1; Right is 2).
OPERATION 2.2 SAMPLE HOOK UP DIAGRAMS With the FireStudio, you can simultaneously record and play back up to 26 channels. Since it is loaded with eight preamplifiers, you can plug in eight microphones to the FireStudio. Using the ADAT optical and S/PDIF inputs, you can connect external A/D devices like the DigiMax FS. This makes recording extremely easy. All you need are a few microphones, some cables to connect them, a musician (or two or three or more) and the creative energy to bring it all together. 2.
OPERATION 2.2.2 Full Band Set-Up Using the MSR in Track Mode Please note: This set-up can be used with or without an MSR connected. This example implies that seven monitor mixes have been created in the FireStudio Control Console and routed to the 8 General Purpose outputs of the FireStudio and 4 of the DAC outputs on the DigiMax FS in stereo pairs. The seventh mix is assigned to an unused output and copied to the Main Outputs for control room monitoring (see below).
OPERATION 2.3 MICROPHONES The FireStudio works with many microphones including dynamic, ribbon and condenser microphones. 2.3.1 Condenser Condenser microphones tend to generate a high-quality audio signal and are one of the most popular microphone choices for today’s studio recording applications. Condenser microphones require a power source, which can be provided from a small battery, external power supply or from microphone inputs as phantom power.
OPERATION 2.4 A BRIEF TUTORIAL ON DYANAMICS PROCESSING The first two channels on the front panel of the FireStudio feature insert points for use with external dynamics processors. This section is an excerpt from brief tutorial on dynamics processing written by PreSonus President and Chief Technical Officer, Jim Odom. It is included to help you get the most out of your FireStudio.
OPERATION Why do you need noise gates? Consider the compressed vocal example above and you now have a 20dB dynamic range for the vocal channel. Problems arise when there is noise or instruments in the background of the vocal mic that became more audible after the lower end of the dynamic range was raised (air conditioner, loud drummer, etc). You might attempt to mute the vocal between phrases in an attempt to remove the unwanted signals; however this would probably end disastrously.
OPERATION Compressor / Limiters are commonly used for many audio applications. For example: A kick drum can get lost in a wall of electric guitars. No matter how much level is increased, the kick drum stays ‘lost in the mud’. Add a touch of compression and tighten up that kick drum sound allowing it to ‘punch’ through without having to crank the level way up. A vocal performance usually has a wide dynamic range.
OPERATION 2.4.3 Vocabulary of Dynamics Processors In scientific research, it is widely accepted that if one needs to master a subject quickly, learn the associated vocabulary and industry terms. The same is true with audio recording and production. Most manuals and text books assume a prior level of knowledge. We hope this section will help you to get the most benefit from your independent study in the world of music production. Compressors Threshold.
OPERATION Compressor Sidechain. The sidechain jack interrupts the signal that the compressor is using to determine the amount of gain reduction to apply. When no connector is inserted into this jack, the input signal goes directly to the compressor’s control circuitry. When a connector is inserted into this jack, the signal path is broken. This signal can then be processed by an equalizer for example to reduce sibilance (de-essing) in a vocal track.
OPERATION 2.5 DIGITAL CONNECTIONS AND SYNCHRONIZATION The FireStudio works with any digital device equipped with ADAT lightpipe I/O or S/DIF I/O. This includes digital mixers and standalone A/D devices like the DigiMax series of microphone preamps by PreSonus. 2.5.1 What is ADAT optical? “Alesis Digital Audio Tape” or ADAT was pioneered by Alesis to simultaneously record eight tracks of digital audio at one time.
OPERATION 2.5.4 Master/Slave and Multiple Digital Devices Whether you are using the BNC, S/PDIF or ADAT outputs of the FireStudio to generate word clock or you are using the BNC word clock output of another device as your word clock generator, it is necessary to denote one device as the “master” word clock device to which all other digital devices are synced or “slaved”.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.1 FIRESTUDIO CONTROL CONSOLE APPLICATION The FireStudio is a revolution in PreSonus interface design because of the flexible routing and mixing capabilities of the FireStudio Control Console (FCC) application. With the FCC, you can: Create up to 9 different stereo mixes of inputs and playback streams for flexible zero-latency monitor mixing (i.e.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.1.1 FireStudio Control Console Application Icon Once you have successfully installed your FireStudio, the FireStudio Control Console will be available from the Notification Area of your taskbar (typically at the bottom right corner of your screen near the clock). The FireStudio Control Console icon is red when your FireStudio is disconnected or not installed and blue when the FireStudio is connected and properly installed.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.2 Hardware Settings tab This is where you can set all the basic controls for your FireStudio. We will be including the features that are enabled when an MSR is connected. 3.2.1 FireStudio Settings Sample Rate Selector Changes FireStudio Sample Rate You can set the sample rate to 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96kHz. When set at a rate higher than 48kHz, the ADAT/dual SMUX I/O is limited to 8 total channels and requires both ADAT ports.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS Terminate BNC Terminates BNC: Check this box to terminate the BNC Word Clock input. This may be necessary to achieve stable sync depending on the external device to which you are syncing. If this device is not self terminating, use this box. Sample Rate Lock Mode (PC Only) Sets which types of applications can change the sample rate Unlock All. Any WDM or ASIO application can change the sample rate WDM/Windows Locked.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.2.2 MSR Settings Copy 1/2 to Mains in surround mode Allows you to use mute or enable your Main monitors in surround mode Enabling this feature allows you to use the monitors connected to Main L/R as your front left/right pair in surround mode without having to recable anything.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.3 Output / Router Matrix True to its name, the Outputs / Router Matrix is the section of the FireStudio Control Console where you have full control of the physical outputs of your FireStudio. The Matrix Router allows you to create custom routing of inputs and playback streams to any output.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.3.1 Inputs and Playback Stream Routing Along the left side of the router matrix, there are two tabs: “Inputs” and “Playback”. When the Inputs tab is selected, the matrix will show any inputs that have been routed. When the Playback tab is selected, you can view your playback streams or virtual DAW outputs in the Router Matrix. The Router Matrix patches the selected input or playback stream directly to the specified output.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS Playback / Source 2 tab Selecting this tab will allow you to view your DAW playback streams in the router matrix. If you are in Expanded Mix Mode, this tab will be named “Source 2”. You will be able to view DAW playback streams 1-10 and the ADAT 2 inputs. OR Playback Source When the Playback tab is selected, you will see a list of your virtual DAW outputs (Daw 1, Daw 2, etc).
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.3.2 Mix Routing to Outputs In addition to being able to patch any input to any output, you can also assign up to 9 different stereo mixes to any pair of outputs as well as assign your main outputs and headphone outputs to mimic a physical output. Mix Source button Clicking on the Mix Source button above the desired pair of outputs will allow you to assign any one of the 9 stereo monitor mixes the FireStudio Control Console allows you to create on the Mixer tab.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.3.3 Output Faders At the bottom of the Outputs/Router tab, you will see all of your physical outputs enumerated (Analog 1 through S/PDIF R). Each output is visually represented as a fader on a traditional console. Channel fader The fader controls the volume of the signal on any given output. The signal is metered realtime directly to the right of the fader Realtime decibel readout Above the meter on each channel strip, you will see a number.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.4 Mixer tab The FireStudio Control Console allows you to create 9 stereo monitor mixes. The mixes can be renamed and saved. You can also rename you inputs and playback streams. It is important to mention that these mixes have no effect on what is being recorded in your host application. This has obvious advantages.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.4.1 Channel Fader Controls Each input and playback stream is equipped with its own fader strip. This strip has all the same features as a classic physical console. Channel Fader The fader controls the volume of the signal on any given output. The signal is metered in realtime directly to the right of the fader. Pan Slider Realtime Decibel Readout Fader Attenuation Mute button Below each fader is the mute button for that channel.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS Clip indicator Each meter is equipped with a clip signal. A red “C” will illuminate when the track has clipped. To reset the meter, simply click on the “C”. Please note: The metering in the FireStudio Control Console is completely independent of your host application. If an input signal is clipping while being recorded, lowering the volume in the FireStudio Control Console will not lower the volume in your DAW application.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.4.3 Quick Route section During a recording session, time is of the essence. The Quick Route section allows you to assign the current monitor mix to the any physical output without bringing up the Outputs / Router matrix. As explained in section 3.2.1, there are two modes for the Quick Route option: Digital and Monitors. When Digital is enabled all 18 of the outputs available in the FireStudio Control Console are visible.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.4.4 Naming inputs and mixes The names of inputs, playback streams and mixes on the FireStudio Control Console can be customized. Once these names have been changed on the Mixer tab, the changes will be reflected on the Output / Router Matrix tab as well, making it easy to know at a glance what is connected to each input and for whom each monitor mix was created.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.5 FRONT PANEL LAYOUT Microphone Pre-Amplifier. Your FireStudio is equipped with eight custom designed PreSonus X-MAX 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.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS These two channels also feature a send and return on the back panel of the FireStudio. These return inputs can be used as line level inputs for these two channels if instrument preamps are not needed. Input Gain/Trim Control. These knobs provide the following gain structure: o XLR Microphone Inputs. 54 dB of variable gain (-4 dB to +50 dB) o TS ¼” Instrument/Hi-Z Inputs. 54 dB of variable gain (-4 dB to +50 dB) o TRS ¼” Line Inputs.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.6 BACK PANEL LAYOUT Power Adaptor Input. This is where you plug in the proprietary power supply. The FireStudio features a locking connector to ensure solid power connectivity. FireWire Ports. There are two standard 6-pin FireWire ports on the back of the FireStudio. Either (and only one) should be used to connect your FireStudio to a vacant FireWire port on your computer.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS ADAT – S/MUX Input and Output These are the ADAT – S/MUX connections for your external digital devices. When recording or playing back at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, each ADAT I/O will provide 8 of the 16 channels consecutively from left to right. When recording or playing back at 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz, each connection will provide 4 of the 8 channels. o o ADAT 1: Channels 1-8 (44.1/48 kHz), 1-4 (88.2/96 kHz) ADAT 2: Channels 9-16 (44.1/48 kHz), 5-8 (88.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS Main Output. This stereo TRS output derives its source signal from the FireStudio Control Console as described in Section 3.3.2. This output level is attenuated by the Main Level control on the front panel of the FireStudio. General Purpose Line Outputs (TRS Balanced). These are general purpose line-level outputs. All eight Line Outputs can be accessed in the FireStudio Control Console and can be used for separate mixes, additional speakers, external effects processors, etc.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS Return 1 and 2 (Line Inputs). These are the line-level inputs for channels 1 & 2. Their gain structure is identical to the ¼” inputs for channels 3-8 and are typically used for signals not requiring preamplification (like CD/MP3 players, effects processors, etc.) These inputs are normalled to the channel 1 & 2 preamp outputs so take precedence over the corresponding Mic/Instrument input on the front of the FireStudio. (i.e.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4.1 TROUBLESHOOTING Please note that many technical issues can arise when converting a standard computer into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). PreSonus can only provide support for issues that directly relate to the FireStudio interface. It may be necessary to contact the manufacturer of the computer, operating system and/or DAW software to obtain additional technical support.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Recommended Firewire Chipsets The FireStudio will work with a wide range of firewire cards and configurations. However, due to the plethora of firewire chipsets currently on the market, it is not possible to thoroughly test each one for compatibility. Most users will not need to alter their current PC configuration to use their FireStudio.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4.2 SPECIFICATIONS Microphone Preamp (XLR Balanced) Frequency Response (+0, -0.5dB) ................................................................................................................ 20Hz to 50kHz Frequency Response (+0/-3.0dB) ............................................................................................................... 20Hz to 150kHz Input Impedance .........................................................................................................
