PRESONUS Microphone Preamplifier User manual

FIRESTUDIO
PROJECT
© 2007, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
24-bit/96k Recording Interface
w/ Eight Microphone Preamplifiers
User’s Manual
Version 1.0
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FIRESTUDIO
™
10X10 FireWire Interface | 8 XMAX Preamps | 96kHz | MIDI I/O | S/PDIF I/O | Digital Mixer
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PRESONUS LIMITED WARRANTY
© 2007, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
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. During the warranty period PreSonus shall, at its sole and absolute
option, either 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. All inquiries must be accompanied by a description of
the problem. All authorized returns must be sent to the PreSonus repair facility postage prepaid, insured and
properly packaged. PreSonus reserves the right to update any unit returned for repair. PreSonus reserves the
right to change or improve the design of the product at any time without prior notice. This warranty does not
cover claims for damage due to abuse, neglect, alteration or attempted repair by unauthorized personnel, and is
limited to failures arising during normal use that are due to defects in material or workmanship in the product.
Any implied warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are
limited in duration to the length of this limited warranty. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. In no event will PreSonus be liable for
incidental, consequential or other damages resulting from the breach of any express or implied warranty,
including, among other things, damage to property, damage based on inconvenience or on loss of use of the
product, and, to the extent permitted by law, damages for personal injury. Some states do not allow the
exclusion of limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from
state to state. This warranty only applies to products sold and used in the United States of America. For
warranty information in all other countries please refer to your local distributor.
PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.
7257 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
www.PreSonus.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Features ................................................................................................................................................ 4
1.3 What is in the Box ................................................................................................................................. 5
1.4 System Requirements ............................................................................................................................. 6
2 OPERATION
2.1 Quick Start Up ....................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1.1 Installation in Microsoft Windows .................................................................................................. 7
2.1.2 Installation in Mac OS X ................................................................................................................ 8
2.1.3 Cubase LE – Device Setup .............................................................................................................. 9
2.1.4 Cubase LE – Creating a Project .................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Sample Hookup Diagram ..................................................................................................................... 13
2.3 Microphones ........................................................................................................................................ 14
2.3.1 Condenser .................................................................................................................................... 14
2.3.2 Dynamic ...................................................................................................................................... 14
2.3.3 USB and other types .................................................................................................................... 14
2.4 Using The Preamp Output and Line Input as an Insert .......................................................................... 15
3 CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS
3.1 PreSonus FireControl Software ............................................................................................................ 16
3.1.1 FireControl Application Icon ........................................................................................................ 16
3.1.2 FireControl Master Section .......................................................................................................... 17
3.1.3 FireControl Mixer ........................................................................................................................ 18
3.1.3 FireControl Menus ....................................................................................................................... 20
3.2 Front Panel Layout .............................................................................................................................. 21
3.3 Back Panel Layout ............................................................................................................................... 24
4 TECHNICAL INFORMATION
4.1 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................... 26
4.2 Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 27

OVERVIEW
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1.1 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus FireStudio Project. PreSonus Audio Electronics has designed the
FireStudio Project utilizing high-grade components to ensure optimum performance that will last a lifetime.
Loaded with 24-bit 96K converters, eight PreSonus X-MAX microphone preamplifiers and Cubase LE 48-track
music production software, the FireStudio Project is ready to go out of the box for professional quality computer
recording. All you need is a computer with FireWire connection, a few microphones and cables along with your
instruments and you are ready to record!
We encourage you to contact us at 225-216-7887 with any questions or comments you may have regarding your
PreSonus FireStudio Project. PreSonus Audio Electronics is committed to constant product improvement, and
we value your suggestions highly. We believe the best way to achieve our goal of constant product improvement
is by listening to the real
experts , our valued customers. We appreciate the support you have shown us through
the purchase of this product.
We suggest you use this manual to familiarize yourself with the features, applications and correct connection
procedure for your FireStudio Project before trying to connect it to your computer. This will hopefully alleviate
any unforeseen issues that you may encounter during installation and set up.
Thank you, once again, for buying our product, and we hope you enjoy your FireStudio Project!
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Main
Mic Instrument
12
Mic Line
345678
FIRESTUDIO
™
10X10 FireWire Interface | 8 XMAX Preamps | 96kHz | MIDI I/O | S/PDIFI/O | Digital Mixer
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OVERVIEW
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1.2 FEATURES
The FireStudio Project is a powerful and affordable computer recording system complete with everything needed
for real-world recording applications. The FireStudio Project comes complete with eight high-quality PreSonus
X-MAX microphone preamps, S/PDIF and MIDI I/O, rock solid drivers, expandability, as well as a plethora of
music recording and production software.
The FireStudio Project includes PreSonus ProPak Software Suite with Cubase LE 4 and over 2 GB of plug-ins,
drum loops and samples – giving you everything you need for professional music recording and production.
Summary of features
•High-speed FireWire (IEEE 1394)
•24-bit / 96 kHz sampling rate
•8 Class A X-MAX microphone preamps
•28 simultaneous inputs and outputs (10 discrete i/o)
•Balanced send/return on channels 1 & 2
•S/PDIF I/O, MIDI I/O
•Built-in zero-latency DSP mixer
•PreSonus FireControl software
•Cubase LE 4 Music Production Software included
•PreSonus ProPak Software Suite (over 2 GB of plug-ins, loops and samples)
•OS X and Windows compatible

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1.3 WHAT IS IN THE BOX
Your FireStudio Project package contains the following:
•FireStudio Project Recording Interface
•6’ 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable
•6’ Standard IEC Power Cable
•Software installation discs:
oPreSonus FireStudio Project
Installation Drivers
oCubase LE 4
oProPak Software Suite
•PreSonus Warranty Card
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60+20-20 0
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Phones
Main
Mic Instrument
12
Mic Line
345678
FIRESTUDIO
™
10X10 FireWire Int erface | 8 XMAX Preamps | 96kHz | M IDI I/O| S/PDIFI/O | Digital M ixer
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OVERVIEW
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1.4 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Below are the minimum computer system requirements for your FireStudio Project.
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.
•CPU/Clock: Pentium or AMD with 1 GHz or higher (Dual 1 GHz recommended)
•Memory (RAM): 512 MB (1 GB or more recommended)
NOTE: The speed of your processor, amount of RAM and size & speed of your hard drives will greatly affect the
overall performance of your recording system. A more powerful system (faster processor with more RAM)
allows for lower latency (signal delay) and better overall performance.

OPERATION
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2.1 QUICK START UP
2.1.1 Installation in Microsoft Windows
After inserting the Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive, the FireStudio Project installer will take you
through each step of the installation process. Please read each message carefully – ensuring especially you
do not connect your FireStudio Project early.
1) The FireStudio Project Installer was written to
be as simple and easy-to-follow as possible.
Please read each message carefully to ensure the
FireStudio Project is properly installed.
Before continuing the FireStudio Project
Installation Setup, please close all multimedia
applications and disconnect your FireStudio
Project from your computer.
2) If you see any Windows Security alerts, click
“Install this driver software anyway” (Vista) or
“Continue anyway” (XP).
3) Before rebooting your computer, ensure the
FireStudio Project is connected to your
computer. If a Found New Hardware wizard
appears, follow the recommended steps, then
restart your computer.
After rebooting your computer, when the sync
light remains solid blue, your FireStudio Project
is synced to your computer and ready to use!

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2.1.2 Installation in Mac OS X
After inserting the Installation CD into your disc drive, browse the disc and run the FireStudio Project
installer, which will take you through each step of the installation process.
1) The FireStudio Project Installer was written to
be as simple and easy-to-follow as possible.
Please read each message carefully to ensure the
FireStudio Project is properly installed.
2) After rebooting your computer, connect your
FireStudio Project to your computer via the
included FireWire cable. When the sync light
remains solid blue, your FireStudio Project is
synced to your computer and ready to use!

OPERATION
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2.1.3 Cubase LE 4 – Device Setup
Once you have installed the FireStudio Project drivers and connected your FireStudio Project, you can use
the Cubase LE 4 Music Creation and Production System software included with your FireStudio Project to
begin recording, mixing and producing your music. Insert the Cubase LE 4 installation CD into your
computer and run the installer.
Then, launch Cubase LE 4 and follow these steps to begin recording with your FireStudio Project:
1) S elect ‘Device Setup…’ from the Devices menu.
2) Select ‘VST Audio System’ from the Devices
column in Device Setup.

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3) Select ‘PreSonus FireStudio’ from the ASIO
Driver
dropdown list.
4) Click ‘Switch’ to begin using the FireStudio
Project Driver.
For more help on using Cubase LE 4, please read
the
Getting Started and Operation Manual help
documents located in Help > Documentation.

OPERATION
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2.1.4 Cubase LE 4 – 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 Project channel one and turn on 48V phantom
power if needed for your microphone (typically only for condenser microphones.)
2) Enter the File menu and select ‘New Project’.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N.
3) Select ‘Empty’ when prompted for a Template.
Click ‘OK’.

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4) Right-click in the track space within the new
project and select ‘Add Audio Track’ from the
dropdown menu which appears.
You can also add a track by entering the Project
menu and selecting ‘Add Track’.
5) When the Add Audio Track dialogue appears,
choose the number of Audio Tracks you wish to
add, whether they will be Mono or Stereo and then
click ‘OK’.
If you have two audio signals making up a stereo
pair (i.e. keyboard, FX processor, cd player, etc.),
you should use a Stereo Configuration.
Otherwise, if you have a single, mono audio source
(i.e. microphone or instrument), you will want to
choose a Mono Configuration.
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 Project’s 1/2 and Main CR outputs.
8) Select FireStudio Project 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).
Press <F4> on your keyboard to enter the VST
Connections menu for more details on your
specific input and output routing.
9) Turn up the gain control knob on the front panel of the FireStudio Project 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. Adjust the gain so the input level is near its maximum without clipping.
10) Connect a set of headphones to the FireStudio Project headphone output. You may also wish to connect
monitors to the FireStudio Project’s Main Outs.
11) You are now ready to record.
Cubase LE help is available by pressing <F1> on your keyboard or online by visiting www.steinberg.net.

OPERATION
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2.2 SAMPLE HOOK UP DIAGRAM
With the FireStudio Project, you can simultaneously record and play back up to 10 channels. Since it is loaded
with eight preamplifiers, you can plug in eight microphones to the FireStudio Project along with S/PDIF digital
input to record a full band. 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.
This is a typical rock band setup. Your needs may vary depending upon the number and variety of sources you
are recording. Feel free to adapt the sample setup below to your precise needs.

OPERATION
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2.3 MICROPHONES
The FireStudio Project 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 mic
choices for today’s studio recording applications. Because of their design technology, condenser microphones
require a power source, which can be provided from a small battery, external power supply or from
microphone inputs as
phantom power. The FireStudio Project sends phantom power over XLR inputs only.
2.3.2 Dynamic
Dynamic microphones are possibly the most widely used microphone type – especially in live shows. They are
relatively inexpensive, resistant to physical damage and typically handle high sound pressure levels (SPL)
very well. Unlike condenser microphones, dynamic microphones do not require a power source and, in most
cases, has no effect on a dynamic microphone’s audio quality or sensitivity.
Dynamic microphones, especially ribbon microphones, tend to generate low output voltages, so they typically
need more preamp gain than a condenser microphone.
Ribbon
Ribbon microphones are a special type of dynamic microphone and get their name from the thin metal ribbon
used in their design. Ribbon microphones have very high quality sound reproduction qualities – especially
higher frequencies sounds. However, they are very fragile and typically cannot handle high SPL’s.
The most important thing to note about Ribbon microphones is that nearly all
Ribbon Microphones do NOT
require phantom power.
In fact, unless a Ribbon microphone specifically calls for phantom power, sending
phantom power to a ribbon microphone will destroy it – usually beyond repair.
2.3.3 USB and other types
There are a vast number of microphone types available, and as technology increases, it is very likely more will
surface. 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 Project drivers.
If you are using a new or non-standard type of microphone (i.e., USB, headset, laser, MEMS, etc.), please
consult your microphone’s user’s manual for power requirement or compatibility information.
Regardless of the microphone type you are using, we recommend reading your microphone’s user’s manual
thoroughly before engaging phantom power or if any other usage questions may arise.

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2.4 USING THE PREAMP OUTPUT AND LINE INPUT AS AN INSERT
The FireStudio Project features ¼” 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 allow the use of external
processors such as compressors, limiters, EQ’s, de-essers, etc. Simply connect the Preamp Output jack to the
line input of your external processor. Then connect the line output of the external processor to the Line Input 1
or 2 of the FireStudio Project. The input signal from channel 1 and/or 2 is now routed out of the FireStudio
Project into the external processor and back into the FireStudio Project. The final, processed signal can now be
recorded using channel 1 or 2.
NOTES:
The line inputs on channels 1 and 2 are normalled to the channel 1 & 2 preamp outputs, so take precedence over
the corresponding combination Mic/Instrument input on the front of the FireStudio Project. (I.E., if a cable is
plugged into channel one line input on the rear of the FireStudio Project, the channel one Mic/Instrument input
will be inactive until the cable is removed from line input one.)
The Preamp Outputs are not connected to the DAC (digital to analogue converters) in any way and so are only
capable of routing the input signals from channels 1 & 2. If you need to route recorded audio or input from
channels 3-8, you will need to use your recording software and one or more of the Line Outputs.

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CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
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3.1.2 FireControl Master Section
The Master Section is always visible and gives you control over the FireStudio Project’s outputs’ source and
level as well as the Sample Rate and Buffer Size of the FireStudio drivers.
Output Select Section
•Output Select Buttons Changes the Output Mixer displayed
The FireControl has five output mixes – one for each of the
FireStudio Project’s five outputs.
•Mixer Toggle Buttons Enables or disables the associated Output’s mixer
When set to ‘PlayBack’, the output pair’s DAW playback
outputs are routed directly to it.
•Post Fader Output Meters Displays the output level of each stereo pair
These meter post fader levels, which means they represent
the actual audio output levels of your FireStudio Project.
Hardware Settings Section
•Sample Rate Selector Changes FireStudio Project Sample Rate
A Higher Sample Rate increases frequency range and sonic
accuracy but also increases recorded audio file sizes.
•Buffer Size Selector Changes the FireStudio Project Buffer Size
This selector is not present in Mac OS X.
A large buffer increases latency but is more stable.
•Clock Source Selector Changes the FireStudio Project Clock Source
The ‘S/PDIF’ option is used to slave the FireStudio
Project to an external device via S/PDIF.
•Resizing Corner Resizes the width of the FireControl
Click and drag the bottom right corner of the FireControl
to resize its width on your screen and increase / decrease
the number of channels visible in the Mixer.

CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
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Master Output Section
•Master Output Fader Changes the selected output’s audio level
Move the Master Fader up and down to increase and
decrease the level of the selected output’s audio.
The dB value of boost or attenuation is displayed below the
Channel Fader from –infinity to 0.0 dB.
Two virtual LED meters to the right of the Master Fader
display the pre fader levels of the audio signal.
The peak value in dBFS of the channel’s audio is displayed
directly above the Master Output’s virtual LED meter.
NOTE: If the peak values display “CLIP”, then your
Mixer channels and/or your DAW playback levels
should be reduced. The clip indicators clear when
the mouse pointer hovers over them.
•Master Mute and Solo Clear Clears all active channel Mutes or Solos
The Master Mute and Solo clear buttons are only active
when a channel’s mute or solo button is active.
3.1.3 FireControl Mixer
The FireControl Mixer allows you to create a customized mix of up to 18 of the FireStudio Project’s
hardware inputs and software playback outputs and adjust their levels independently for each of the
FireStudio Project’s stereo output pairs with zero latency. The Mixer section is only visible if the selected
output pair’s Mixer Toggle is on.
NOTE: The Mixer is common to all of the FireStudio Project’s outputs, so if you add or remove a channel
from the Mixer, every output with the Mixer Toggle on will be affected by the change.