FP-10/Firepod-based home studio. What else do I need?

[molson]

The firepod/fp10 pres are adequate, have recorded whole albums with them. But a higher $ pre or two would be nice to have, especially something with more gain, like the GAP Pre73, for low output dynamics & ribbons. Never hurts to have an external compressor, but never had that good of luck running one into the Firepod, even using the inserts supplied for that purpose. If you are tracking in 24 bit, just record the screamers at a lower level so there is no peaks and compress in the box.

[Chrisc_o]

Use the gear that you have until you know you need to add to it or upgrade it. Until then the only thing responsible for sub-par results is you.