firewire interfaces plus external preamps

[anton]

Hello,

When using an external preamp with a firewire interface like the Firepod, what would the signal chain be? Would it go mic-external pre-input on the firepod? Or is running a signal through a good pre and then into the firepod pre not a good idea? Is there a way to bypass the firepod's pre with the send/recieve loop?


anton

 

[rockabilly1955]

not sure about the Firepod, but i have the presonus Firebox and it has 2 line inputs without the built in preamps, so i just use those inputs if i'm gonna be using external preamps. Just a thought.... can you turn the gain on the built in preamps down and just use your external preamps??

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

There's not much point putting a better preamp through a lesser preamp no.

You're ok with the firepod though as it has line ins:

"Inputs one and two of the FIREPOD can be switched between microphone or instrument level while inputs three thru eight can be switched between microphone or line input."

http://www.presonus.com/firepod.html

 

[anton]

Ok, so when they say line level input they mean that it bypasses the firepods built in pre's? I am trying to decided between the firepod and the RME Fireface 800. I know they are big differences in gear, but i think for most situation the Fireface would be overkill feature wise for me, though it seems to have the best converters of any of the firewire boxes i have read about.

 

[gcapel]

There's not much point putting a better preamp through a lesser preamp no.

You're ok with the firepod though as it has line ins:

"Inputs one and two of the FIREPOD can be switched between microphone or instrument level while inputs three thru eight can be switched between microphone or line input."

http://www.presonus.com/firepod.html

Thats where the limitation comes with those units.

 

[RAK]

Ok, so when they say line level input they mean that it bypasses the firepods built in pre's? I am trying to decided between the firepod and the RME Fireface 800. I know they are big differences in gear, but i think for most situation the Fireface would be overkill feature wise for me, though it seems to have the best converters of any of the firewire boxes i have read about.

Don't think of it as bypassing really. With Inputs 3-8, you're just switching level of the device to accept a mic or line level source. It's the same concept with Inputs 1-2 that can be switched between mic and instrument level.