Converter and Preamp Upgrade from FP10

PapaConductor · 5th February 2012

I've been using the FP10 for the last few years and am ready to begin investing in nicer preamps. I've temporarily worked out of nicer studios and have had access to great preamps and great converters and understand the benefit to having nicer equipment. I've also accumulated a pretty nice collection of mics over the years. I feel like preamps and converters are one of the main things holding me back.

I've realized recently that a lot of the stuff I do (vocals, bass, guitar, misc percussion) are recorded with only one or two channels and I'm wondering if I'm okay going with something like an Apogee Duet or if I should really invest in the higher end stuff. This is just a hobby and I don't make much money from the bands I record, so I don't want to throw too much into it if I don't have to, and wouldn't mind keeping it simple. I've also read that some of the cheaper converters are starting to sound quite nice, like the Behringer ADA8000, and maybe that would be worth having for drums.

PapaConductor · 7th February 2012

I guess I'm wondering if you think the preamps alone are a good enough upgrade and I should stick with the FP10, or if I should look into getting something like the Apogee Duet to get better converters, or would those not be much of an upgrade from the FP10.

FilmNMusicman · 7th February 2012

As an owner of an FP10 for about 6 years now I'd say that the converters aren't really something you need to worry about. Take a listen to an Mbox2 and then listen to your FP10 again; that would be a situation where a converter upgrade would be a big help. Overall the Presonus DA/AD is good...

Preamps are fine, nothing fancy, they're clean BUT they don't really hold up against say my Presonus Eureka preamp. When you start to mix, EQ etc the FP10 pres kinda fall apart (like a focusrite trakmasters, but not nearly as thin)

I'd say that if you're looking to upgrade your preamp look to something like the ART Line, PRO MPA II, or maybe a Eureka, you could probably get both for under $500 together if you check ebay or your local Craigslist!!

PapaConductor · 7th February 2012

Mixing with the FP10 pres is tricky. If I'm not careful things can start to sound kind of off and have a particular sound to them. For whatever reason the tone of the mix starts to fall apart once I start stacking lots of tracks. I have a Digital MPA II and got new tubes from BOWIE here on gearslutz and it's a good preamp, the tubes sound great, and I can get some pretty good sounds out of it. This does help a lot, but I still don't seem to get that clear open sound I would get from working in a studio and running high end preamps into high end converters. I'm probably going to get a moded GAP-73 and possibly a RNP. I also hear good things about Chameleon Labs 581 pres.

molson · 7th February 2012

I am a longtime Firepod/FP10 user here, now running six external pres into the channels 3-8. I think different nicer or colored pres are a nice addition. I don't think the conversion is too big of deal unless you are going out to analog gear and then back in again.

The best thing about the FP10 is it's simplicity, no driver issues, and no onscreen menus to turn on phantom power etc..

I have looked pretty hard for a better option myself and can't really find one under $1500, even then you still have to deal with a bunch of DSP BS and and having an extra window open while tracking etc.. All depends on your needs though..

FilmNMusicman · 8th February 2012

I totally agree Molson...It's about the simplicity, I don't need an onscreen mixer taking up CPU and desktop realestate. Though it's no longer supported by newer Operating Systems (for the most part). The FP10 is just as easy as plug and play.

I have 3 preamps and them 5 compressor channels hooked up via the line inputs of my FP10....work perfect, sounds exactly like it should.

molson · 8th February 2012

I've not had an issue over 3 laptops and a desktop, first XP and now Windows 7. Would love a higher end pre that was this simple, they just don't seem to make one...

PapaConductor · 8th February 2012

Cool, thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll keep the FP10 and just invest in better preamps. That seems to be the way to go.

5th February 2012	#1
PapaConductor Gear interested Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 14 Thread Starter	Converter and Preamp Upgrade from FP10 I've been using the FP10 for the last few years and am ready to begin investing in nicer preamps. I've temporarily worked out of nicer studios and have had access to great preamps and great converters and understand the benefit to having nicer equipment. I've also accumulated a pretty nice collection of mics over the years. I feel like preamps and converters are one of the main things holding me back. I've realized recently that a lot of the stuff I do (vocals, bass, guitar, misc percussion) are recorded with only one or two channels and I'm wondering if I'm okay going with something like an Apogee Duet or if I should really invest in the higher end stuff. This is just a hobby and I don't make much money from the bands I record, so I don't want to throw too much into it if I don't have to, and wouldn't mind keeping it simple. I've also read that some of the cheaper converters are starting to sound quite nice, like the Behringer ADA8000, and maybe that would be worth having for drums.

7th February 2012	#5
molson Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 220	I am a longtime Firepod/FP10 user here, now running six external pres into the channels 3-8. I think different nicer or colored pres are a nice addition. I don't think the conversion is too big of deal unless you are going out to analog gear and then back in again. The best thing about the FP10 is it's simplicity, no driver issues, and no onscreen menus to turn on phantom power etc.. I have looked pretty hard for a better option myself and can't really find one under $1500, even then you still have to deal with a bunch of DSP BS and and having an extra window open while tracking etc.. All depends on your needs though.. __________________ Ghost In My House Studio Brahman Shaman Objective Subject

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7th February 2012	#3
FilmNMusicman Gear addict Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 386	As an owner of an FP10 for about 6 years now I'd say that the converters aren't really something you need to worry about. Take a listen to an Mbox2 and then listen to your FP10 again; that would be a situation where a converter upgrade would be a big help. Overall the Presonus DA/AD is good... Preamps are fine, nothing fancy, they're clean BUT they don't really hold up against say my Presonus Eureka preamp. When you start to mix, EQ etc the FP10 pres kinda fall apart (like a focusrite trakmasters, but not nearly as thin) I'd say that if you're looking to upgrade your preamp look to something like the ART Line, PRO MPA II, or maybe a Eureka, you could probably get both for under $500 together if you check ebay or your local Craigslist!!

8th February 2012	#6
FilmNMusicman Gear addict Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 386	I totally agree Molson...It's about the simplicity, I don't need an onscreen mixer taking up CPU and desktop realestate. Though it's no longer supported by newer Operating Systems (for the most part). The FP10 is just as easy as plug and play. I have 3 preamps and them 5 compressor channels hooked up via the line inputs of my FP10....work perfect, sounds exactly like it should.