PreSonus FP10 or FireStudio Project

timsdrums · 26th July 2008

I am just getting started and want to record a large drumset. I have been looking at the PreSonus FP10 and the FireStudio Project. I would most likey buy the FP-Studio as it is newer technology but I am concerned that I cannot dasiy-chain the unit at a later date. That said, the FP10 is $100 cheaper and already has the ability to chain. Any suggestions would be apreciated.... Thanks

kit · 26th July 2008

I have the project, but have heard some awesome mixes come off an FP-10.

Kit

D. Rumble · 26th July 2008

Look for a Firepod. The Firepod is identical to the FP10. Presonus had to change the name of the Firepod (into FP10). When that happened, all retailers were told to downprice the Firepods and get rid of them asap.
I recently scored two Firepods for $399 a piece on Amazon Marketplace. I think I got the last one there for that price, though. I see one for $449 now.

Here's an FP10 for $399 and free shipping: Buy PreSonus FP10 10x10 Firewire Recording Interface online at Gigasonic.com

Just Google around a bit. I'm sure you'll be able to find a Firepod for even less than $400.

If you use a computer capable of running a firewire connection at 2ms (or even 1ms) latency, the Firepod/FP10 will be fine. You'll be able to make a monitor mix in your DAW. If you are not able to get low latency, then the Firestudio Project might be more interesting, as it enables you to make stereo hardware monitoring mixes pre-DAW.
With the Firepod/FP10, you just get a mono mix of all the inputs, without being able to change levels. However, you can also just get a Firepod and a cheap 8-channel behringer mixer, run the direct outputs of all individual FP channels into the mixer, and make your own monitor mix that way.

I've made many pro drum recordings with my Firepods, that were sent off to "the real deal" studios. I never told the people what I used to record my drums, and the engineers and producers at those studios were all blown away and convinced I have a sick setup.
Killer drum sounds is 98% using a good drum set (tuned well), good mics, and a good drummer, and 2% preamps and A/D conversion. Don't let anyone tell you anything else.
A Firepod/FP10 is more than capable of delivering pro-quality tracks. I had a friend bring in an Avalon 737 recently and ran my kick and snare through it. The difference was almost inaudible. And if there was a difference, it wouldn't be a matter of "better". Perhaps "different", at the most.

Firepod drum tracks (only slight EQ and a hint of reverb on the snare): http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/v9pvpz (keep in mind that this is an mp3, so especially the high frequencies are somewhat low res)

d.

timsdrums · 26th July 2008

Thanks D,
Just the information I was looking for...save a few bucks here and spend more on the mics....

Tim

D. Rumble · 26th July 2008

That's what I did

Mics used on that sample:

snare top: Beyer M-201
snare bottom: Superlux ECO-H6A ($49)
kick in: Audix D6
Kick out: Autio Technica AT4040 (rolled off everything above 100 Hz)
10" tom and 14" floor tom: Sennheiser e604
16" floor tom: AKG D112
hi-hat: Superlux ECO-H6A
overheads: Shure BG4.1 (2x) (scored on eBay for $75 each)

Since recording that sample (about 3 months ago), I got a pair of SM81's for overheads (and must say the difference with the BG4.1's is extremely minimal). Also replaced the AT4040 with a woofer I built out of a $10 8" speaker cone. Thundering low end...

d.

bino_5150 · 26th July 2008

I have 2 firepods (actually, one firepod and one fp10) and a central station.

The fp10 and the central station, I got both off of ebay brand new, factory sealed, and both $100 cheaper than reatial. AND the central station came with the free remote, which is $150 anywhere else...

Just something to think about... Keepin mind that these are not used items.

That said, I LOVE them!

timsdrums · 26th July 2008

thanks for the info, I was concerned that seeking out the pods or FP10's would lock me into older technology... It sounds like these are a great solution as I can expand the ports and then expand my Drum recording studio into more at some point...

Now I will start the Mic selection.... D has some good pointers

Tim

Herman Munster · 26th July 2008

I agree with everything said. Everything on the myspace pages below was cut through a Firepod. I also understand from my friendly neighborhood gear salesman (who is reliable) that Presonus will re-release a version of the Firepod later this year. A date has not been set.

26th July 2008	#1
timsdrums Gear interested Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 4 Thread Starter	PreSonus FP10 or FireStudio Project I am just getting started and want to record a large drumset. I have been looking at the PreSonus FP10 and the FireStudio Project. I would most likey buy the FP-Studio as it is newer technology but I am concerned that I cannot dasiy-chain the unit at a later date. That said, the FP10 is $100 cheaper and already has the ability to chain. Any suggestions would be apreciated.... Thanks

26th July 2008	#8
Herman Munster Lives for gear Joined: May 2006 Location: Mockingbird Lane Posts: 608	I agree with everything said. Everything on the myspace pages below was cut through a Firepod. I also understand from my friendly neighborhood gear salesman (who is reliable) that Presonus will re-release a version of the Firepod later this year. A date has not been set. __________________ Mike (Mockingbird Lane Studio, Cullman, AL)

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26th July 2008	#2
kit Gear addict Joined: May 2007 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 474	I have the project, but have heard some awesome mixes come off an FP-10. Kit

26th July 2008	#3
D. Rumble Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 197	Look for a Firepod. The Firepod is identical to the FP10. Presonus had to change the name of the Firepod (into FP10). When that happened, all retailers were told to downprice the Firepods and get rid of them asap. I recently scored two Firepods for $399 a piece on Amazon Marketplace. I think I got the last one there for that price, though. I see one for $449 now. Here's an FP10 for $399 and free shipping: Buy PreSonus FP10 10x10 Firewire Recording Interface online at Gigasonic.com Just Google around a bit. I'm sure you'll be able to find a Firepod for even less than $400. If you use a computer capable of running a firewire connection at 2ms (or even 1ms) latency, the Firepod/FP10 will be fine. You'll be able to make a monitor mix in your DAW. If you are not able to get low latency, then the Firestudio Project might be more interesting, as it enables you to make stereo hardware monitoring mixes pre-DAW. With the Firepod/FP10, you just get a mono mix of all the inputs, without being able to change levels. However, you can also just get a Firepod and a cheap 8-channel behringer mixer, run the direct outputs of all individual FP channels into the mixer, and make your own monitor mix that way. I've made many pro drum recordings with my Firepods, that were sent off to "the real deal" studios. I never told the people what I used to record my drums, and the engineers and producers at those studios were all blown away and convinced I have a sick setup. Killer drum sounds is 98% using a good drum set (tuned well), good mics, and a good drummer, and 2% preamps and A/D conversion. Don't let anyone tell you anything else. A Firepod/FP10 is more than capable of delivering pro-quality tracks. I had a friend bring in an Avalon 737 recently and ran my kick and snare through it. The difference was almost inaudible. And if there was a difference, it wouldn't be a matter of "better". Perhaps "different", at the most. Firepod drum tracks (only slight EQ and a hint of reverb on the snare): http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/v9pvpz (keep in mind that this is an mp3, so especially the high frequencies are somewhat low res) d.

26th July 2008	#5
D. Rumble Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 197	That's what I did Mics used on that sample: snare top: Beyer M-201 snare bottom: Superlux ECO-H6A ($49) kick in: Audix D6 Kick out: Autio Technica AT4040 (rolled off everything above 100 Hz) 10" tom and 14" floor tom: Sennheiser e604 16" floor tom: AKG D112 hi-hat: Superlux ECO-H6A overheads: Shure BG4.1 (2x) (scored on eBay for $75 each) Since recording that sample (about 3 months ago), I got a pair of SM81's for overheads (and must say the difference with the BG4.1's is extremely minimal). Also replaced the AT4040 with a woofer I built out of a $10 8" speaker cone. Thundering low end... d.

26th July 2008	#6
bino_5150 Gear addict Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 316	I have 2 firepods (actually, one firepod and one fp10) and a central station. The fp10 and the central station, I got both off of ebay brand new, factory sealed, and both $100 cheaper than reatial. AND the central station came with the free remote, which is $150 anywhere else... Just something to think about... Keepin mind that these are not used items. That said, I LOVE them!