Firepod vs Fa101

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artCROSS

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This is in direct relation to my previous post about using a mixer.

I need 8 preamps, which is why I kept the mixer around, but since then the Firepod has become available. Currently I am using the Edirol FA-101 firewire interface, but I was thinking about selling that and the mixer to just get the firepod. How does the preamps compare between the firepod and fa101? And, more importantly, is the firepod BUS powered? Or do I absolutly need to plug it into the wall. The one thing I loved about the fa101 is that it was bus powered and I could take it anywhere w/ my laptop and still record. Thanks everyone!
 
I know this doesnt help you...sorry! - but i what do you think of your 101?, ive been think of getting one of these when i have the money (im a student!)
would you recomend it
- for recording thing like dums?
- is it simple to use?
- Sound quality good
- worth everypenny ...etc?

Cheers
 
It has definitely served me well. The only reason I'm considering selling it is b/c the Firepod has 6 preamps more. I used the fa101 w/ my behringer mixer in order to record drums, but w/ the firepod, i don't need the mixer's preamps anymore. The only thing stopping me now is whether or not the firepod is bus powered, which is a big thing for me.
 
I thought I read elsewhere that the firepod preamps have a max gain of 45 db. That's...not that great. i've heard they sound good, but with that little max gain, using some dynamics and ribbons might be an annoyance...
 
hmm...good to know. Does anybody know if the Firepod is able to be bus powered? please? thanks!
 
The firepod is not bus powered, but all bus powering will do is put more strain on your laptop. Its a great little unit FWIW...
 
Sklathill said:
I thought I read elsewhere that the firepod preamps have a max gain of 45 db. That's...not that great. i've heard they sound good, but with that little max gain, using some dynamics and ribbons might be an annoyance...
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That's not an issue recording drums with the big transients
 
Well, I did say "might" so...

I'm mostly condensers myself, and I've got other preamps for things like my SM7; I'm just noting the possibility of it being an issue, especially since someone was mentioning it being an issue just a week ago.
 
Any other viable alternatives to the firepod? That also has 8 pre's and in the $600 range? The reason I wanted BUS powered is because I like to sample sounds from the outdoors...i like driving my car and heading out to nowhere and slipping my mic out of the sunroof.
 
As fas as bus-powered is concerned, you will have to sacrifice the ammount of pre-amps that you get. The Firebox that is out now is bus-powered, but only has two pre-amps. And Edirol makes the UA-25, that is USB bus powered, but once again-only 2 pre-amps. M-audio also makes the MobilePre that is USB. If you're needing that many pre-amps, then you will have to plug it into the wall. If you do record in your car while driving around. You could get what's called a power inverter that turns your cigarette/power adapter into a 3-prong grounded electrical outlet. Just a thought.

As far as the Firepod is concerned. It is a nice piece of equipment. The pre-amps sound good, and I haven't noticed any issues in the gain not being enough of an increase. The one thing it does not have is software mixing/routing. (The Firebox does, so maybe they will make one for the Firepod someday) It's not that big of a deal, since you will always be mixing later on, but it's nice to be able to play with the mix while your recording sometimes. It can save you time later in some instances. Hope this helps.
 
There was a review on Toms Hardware of the Hercules 1612 Firewire interface. That only has 2 pres, but they also note that when they took it part, the saw the preamp section is based on a Burr Brown INA163, which most people rather like. Now Toms ain't an audio site, but simply knowing that makes me want to look more at this hercules offering...

not bus powered, though...
 
i have the firepod and it kick a$$, the preamps are awesome and if your usin it with a mac - it takes all but 10 minutes to get going withit.

i used all types of mics on it and i have never had an issue with it.
 
jsanfilippo5 said:
i have the firepod and it kick a$$, the preamps are awesome and if your usin it with a mac - it takes all but 10 minutes to get going withit.
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It takes 10 mins or less with a PC, too. Here's another very, very happy firepod user. I upgraded from a delta-44/dmp-3 set-up and the difference is amazing.
 
doesn't the firepod use converters to convert the analog to digital though?? wouldn't that decrease sound quality? What the hell does that mean anyway, I mean, doesn't everything start off analog anyway..... :eek: :confused: :eek:
 
dopey said:
doesn't the firepod use converters to convert the analog to digital though?? wouldn't that decrease sound quality? What the hell does that mean anyway, I mean, doesn't everything start off analog anyway..... :eek: :confused: :eek:
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????? what????
 
dopey said:
doesn't the firepod use converters to convert the analog to digital though?? wouldn't that decrease sound quality? What the hell does that mean anyway, I mean, doesn't everything start off analog anyway..... :eek: :confused: :eek:
Click to expand...


huh? Fire pod ..from what I understand has preamps and convertors built in, then sends them out via firewire. For the price , they may not be good as stand alone pre's and stand alone convertors. But that doesn't neccesarily mean it would decrease thesound quality. Now it you compare it to stand alone units then it may not be as good sound wise.
ya know? ;)
 
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