1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. PRESONUS Manuals
  4. Music Equipment
  5. FIRESTUDIO MOBILE - SCHEMA
  6. User manual

PRESONUS FIRESTUDIO User Manual

26 i/o 24-bit/96k recording interface with dsp mixer/router control console application
Hide thumbs Also See for FIRESTUDIO:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual See also: Owner's Manual
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.

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for PRESONUS FIRESTUDIO

Summary of Contents for PRESONUS FIRESTUDIO

  • Page 1 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.
  • Page 2 14 days of purchase. During the warranty period PreSonus shall, at its sole and absolute option, repair or replace, free of charge, any product that proves to be defective on inspection by PreSonus or its authorized service representative. To obtain warranty service, the purchaser must first call or write PreSonus at the address and telephone number printed below to obtain a Return Authorization Number and instructions of where to return the unit for service.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    2.1.4 Cubase LE – Creating a Project ........................14 2.2 Sample Hookup Diagrams ............................. 16 2.2.1 Mobile Recording with the FireStudio and Two DigiMax FS ................16 2.2.2 Full Band Set-up Using the MSR in Track Mode ....................17 2.3 Microphones ................................. 18 2.3.1 Condenser ..............................

  • Page 5: Overview

    MIDI I/O, as well as Cubase LE 48-track music production software and the optional Monitor Station Remote, the FireStudio is ready to go out of the box for professional quality computer recording. All you need is a computer with a firewire connection, a few microphones and cables along with your instruments and you are...

  • Page 6: Features

    The FireStudio includes PreSonus ProPak Software Suite with Cubase LE and over 2 GB of plug-ins, drum loops and samples – giving you everything you need for professional music recording and production.

  • Page 7: What Is In The Box

    OVERVIEW 1.3 WHAT IS IN THE BOX Your FireStudio package contains the following:  FireStudio Recording Interface  6’ 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable  Power Supply  Software installation discs: PreSonus FireStudio Installation Drivers Cubase LE ProPak Software ...

  • Page 8: System Requirements

    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) ...

  • Page 9: 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.

  • Page 10: Installation In Mac Os X

    When the Found New Hardware wizard launches, follow the recommended steps. When the sync light remains solid blue, your FireStudio is synced to your computer and ready to use! Please Note: When launching the FireStudio Control Console, you may be directed to update your FireStudio’s firmware.
  • Page 11 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.
  • Page 12 6) The FireStudio installer contains installations for the entire FireStudio family of interfaces. Select “FireStudio” from the list. A “ – “ will appear in the box to the left. Click “Upgrade” 10 | PreSonus 2008...
  • Page 13 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.

  • Page 14: Cubase Le - Device Setup

    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.
  • Page 15 Output busses. Please Note: you can change the bus routing to another FireStudio input or output at any time by simply left clicking on the Device Port name. You can also customize your bus names by double clicking on them.

  • Page 16: Cubase Le - Creating A Project

    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).
  • Page 17 9) Turn up the gain control knob on the front panel of the FireStudio for channel 1 while speaking/singing into the microphone or playing your instrument. You should see the input meter in Cubase LE react to the input.

  • Page 18: Sample Hookup Diagrams

    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.

  • Page 19: Full Band Set-Up Using The Msr In Track Mode

    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).

  • Page 20: Microphones

    One type of microphone to emerge recently is the USB microphone. Most USB microphones have their own built-in preamp and use drivers separate from the FireStudio drivers. Because USB microphones are, in effect, an audio interface, it is not recommended to use them with the FireStudio as the likelihood of conflicting drivers is great.

  • Page 21: A Brief Tutorial On Dynamics Processing

    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. This tutorial will take you through the basics of dynamics processing as well as explain the various types of dynamics processors.

  • Page 22: Types Of Dynamics Processing

    Care must be taken not to ‘over compress’ a signal. Too much compression destroys the acoustic dynamic response of a performance. (‘Over compression’, however, is used by some engineers as an effect, and with killer results!) 20 | PreSonus 2008...
  • Page 23 How fast the gate closes is determined by the release. How much the gate attenuates the unwanted signal while closed is determined by the range. 21 | PreSonus 2008...

  • Page 24: The Vocabulary Of Dynamics Processors

     Gain Makeup. When compressing a signal, gain reduction usually results in an overall reduction of level. The gain control allows you to restore the loss in level due to compression. (Like readjusting the volume.) 22 | PreSonus 2008...
  • Page 25 The gate range is the amount of gain reduction that the gate closes down to. Therefore, if the range is set at 0dB, there will be no change in the signal as it crosses the threshold. If the range is set to -60dB, the signal will be gated (reduced) by 60dB, etc. 23 | PreSonus 2008...

  • Page 26: Digital Connections And Synchronization

    88.2 kHz or 96 kHz over the same lightpipe connection originally designed to stream eight channels of audio at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. The FireStudio is equipped with dual S/MUX technology so that, should you choose, you can record 16 channels of audio at 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz.

  • Page 27: Master/Slave And Multiple Digital Devices

    “master” word clock device to which all other digital devices are synced or “slaved”. The FireStudio should perform equally well as a master or a slave in most cases, although syncing it to a lesser quality clock source may affect performance. Not all word clock generators are created equal. The general approach is to determine which device has the best clock from which to reference and to designate that device as the word clock Master.

  • Page 28: Controls And Connections

    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.

  • Page 29: Firestudio Control Console Application Icon

    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.

  • Page 30: Hardware Settings Tab Introduction

    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 ...
  • Page 31 Enable WDM Audio (PC only) Enables or disables WDM audio in Windows  Disabling WDM Audio is useful when the FireStudio is dedicated for DAW use only. Expanded Mix Mode Allows access to all 26 inputs (44.1 and 48kHz only) ...

  • Page 32: Msr Settings Section

    3.2.3 Version information Version Information Displays information about your FireStudio  This section displays the current Firmware and FPGA version of your FireStudio as well as the version number of the FireStudio Control Console application. 30 | PreSonus 2008...

  • Page 33: Output / Router Matrix Tab Introduction

    4 is not a physical output. It is a virtual output. This track is now "DAW 4" in the FCC. This track can still be routed to the FireStudio's physical out 4, but you can also route to output 2 or 16 and include it in the monitor mix assigned to outputs 7 and 8.

  • Page 34: Inputs And Playback Stream Routing

    Playback Source Viewer  If you assign a playback stream to an output on the Playback or Source 2 tab, this routing will be shown in the row directly above that output. 32 | PreSonus 2008...
  • Page 35 If you wish to assign a virtual instrument or a previously recorded track to one of these playback streams, you must first route the output of that track in your host application. (i.e “FireStudio DAW Channels 1-16 and 25-26” in your DAW’s output selection translates to “DAW 1-16 and 17-18”...

  • Page 36: Mix Routing To Outputs

     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. The Mix Source buttons are visible regardless of which router tab is currently active.

  • Page 37: Output Faders

    When channels are linked, the volume of both will be controlled with either fader. Mute  The Mute button cuts all signal coming from the specified output. If the channels are linked, muting either of the channels will mute both. 35 | PreSonus 2008...

  • Page 38: Mixer Tab Introduction

    You must set the level for the recording using the physical trim pots on the face of the FireStudio. If your signal is too hot in your DAW, it is these pots that will need to be lowered.

  • Page 39: Channel Fader Controls

    Solo button Below each meter is the solo button for that channel. Engaging  the solo button will mute all other inputs and playback streams that are not also soloed in the current mix. 37 | PreSonus 2008...

  • Page 40: Master Fader

    FireStudio Control Console will not lower the volume in your DAW application. Be sure to monitor your inputs in you DAW as well as the monitor mixes you are creating in the FireStudio Control Console. If a signal is clipping in your DAW, you must adjust the physical trim pot on the face of the FireStudio.

  • Page 41: Quick Route Section

    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. See below: Quick Route: Digital ...

  • Page 42: Naming Inputs And Mixes

    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.

  • Page 43: Front Panel Layout

    Plugging a line level source into the instrument inputs on the front of the FireStudio not only risks damage to these inputs but also results in a very loud and often distorted audio signal.
  • Page 44 32 dB of variable gain (-16 dB to +16 dB trim adjustment)  Main. The Main knob controls the output level for the Main Outputs on the back of the FireStudio with a range of -80 db to +10 dB.

  • Page 45: Back Panel Layout

    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. If your computer has a 4-pin connector (commonly found on laptops), you will need a 4 to 6-pin connector to connect your FireStudio to your computer.
  • Page 46 ADAT 2 : Channels 9-16 (44.1/48 kHz), 5-8 (88.2/96 kHz) The ADAT – S/MUX I/O also allows the FireStudio to send and receive Word Clock to external digital devices You should select ‘ADAT 1’ or ‘ADAT 2’ as the Clock Source in the FireStudio Control Console when using one of these inputs for external sync.
  • Page 47  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. Both the Main Output and the General Purpose outputs have additional functionality when an MSR is connected to the FireStudio.
  • Page 48 1 & 2 preamp outputs so take precedence over the corresponding Mic/Instrument input on the front of the FireStudio. (i.e. if a cable is plugged into channel one return input on the rear of the FireStudio, the channel one Mic/Instrument input will be inactive until the cable is removed from return input one.)

  • Page 49: Technical Information

    Flashing Sync Light The FireStudio’s Sync light flashes red and blue when it is not synced. Check the firewire cable to ensure it hasn’t become disconnected. If you are using an external digital device and your Clock Source is set to the correct digital input, set the sample rate in the FireStudio Control Console to the same sample rate as that of your master clock.
  • Page 50 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.

  • Page 51: Specifications

    Jitter Attenuation ........................>60 dB (1 ns in => 1 ps out) Power Input Voltage Range ............................. 18 to 30 VDC Power Requirements (Continuous) ..........................24W External Switching Power Supply ........90-230VAC / 35W (Factory Configured for Country of Destination) 49 | PreSonus 2008...

Table of Contents