Firepod questions/concerns

[meister]

Hey all,

I have a Firepod and there seems to be an some unexpected problems.

Prior to the Firepod I had a Delta 66 with the Omni breakout box so I have some experience but it is not extensive.

I have had the Firepod for about a year. While I am really happy with the preamps for the mics... they are very clean. I am getting some level problems.

I have the inserts on channels 1 and 2 for a dbx dual channel compressor, Boss reverb, BBE sonic maximizer and a Yamaha dual channel 31 band eq. With it set up this way I have to bring the make up gain on the compressor, reverb, maximizer and the gain on the eq all the way to the top to get a sufficient recording level for my software.

Even if I set the compressor for no gating or compression I still have to crank the makeup gain to get a hot signal. When I use channels 3 through 8 I don't have to do this.

I have even set all my hardware to bypass and it still is very low at the computer. Of course I have the Firepod preamps set to give me the hottest signal without clipping at the Firepod.

Also, when I plug a guitar/bass direct into channels 1 or 2 I get a very low signal to the computer. The best I can get is about -18 db at the computer for recording level. I end up having to use an outboard mixer to get a good signal via channels 3 through 8. While it is not that inconvenient to use an outboard mixer, the mixer I have is pretty cheap quality and adds alot of noise.... and noise is the enemy.

Is it normal for hardware devices on the inserts to lessen the levels? If not, is it possible my hardware is failing? I would be suprised that the hardware would lessen the levels passed through so dramatically.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[ricknaqvi]

Here's a quick way to find out if the problem is the Firepod.

When you plug directly into the Firepod's 1 and 2 inputs without using the inserts, what is the gain like? If there is plenty of gain, then you may have a mismatch in levels with the gear you have inserted (some of it may be -10dB or +4dB levels).

I would start with the Firepod only. Then I would add one piece of gear at a time until you find the product that is the culprit.

Also, please note: The Firepod's send and return jacks are balanced TRS. Make sure that you are using TRS cables and that you are using the balanced connectors on your gear.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Kind Regards,

[meister]

This post has been edited:...

After posting originally in response to Rick, I've edited the post to update with more information.

I dug into the manual and now I am more confused.

Example:

My setup currently is to use all 8 mic inputs for recording drums

I then have cables run from preamp outs 1 and 2 (rear of Firepod) to a compressor. Out of the compressor and back to the Firepods Line In 1 and 2 (Rear of Firepod).

I was under the impression that this allowed for the mic input on 1 & 2 at the front to be compressed but would not have effect on the other tracks. I have recorded 8 tracks at once this way and been successful with it appearing that tracks 1 and 2 have been compressed during recording.

With the above setup mic/instrument inputs 1 and 2 worked but at a lessened signal. 3 through 8 worked fine. When recorded it appears that 1 and 2 are both impacted by the compressor as I want. This way I can record at least the snare and kick fairly hot without clipping. Also I can record two mics using the compressor for acoustic guitar, vocals, etc.

Per the manual:

Part 4.2 (I left areas out.........)
"The FIREPOD features 1/4" 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........Simply connnect the Preamp Output jack... to the input of the external processor. Then connect the FirePod's Line Input jack to the output of the external processor. The signal is now routed out of the FIREPOD, into the external processor, then back into the FIREPOD. The final, processed signal will be available to record now. The Line Input can also be used as a standard line level inpu for devices that do not require preamplification........"

"NOTE: The line inputs on channels 1 and 2 take precedence over the combo mic/instrument inputs of the front of the unit. If a cable is plugged into channel one line input on the rear of the FIREPOD, then the mic/instrument input on channel one will be inactive until the cable is removed from line input 1."

From reading this second section it would appear that when using the rear sends and returns for external processing that the inputs for 1 and 2 won't function. This is not true as I have been using it this way but as originally posted it was with difficulty getting a "hot" signal.

If the manual is correct in that I shouldn't use the mic/instrument inputs on the front for 1 and 2 like I have been then what are the send and returns on channels 1 and 2 for? Would I plug a mic into 3 through 8 then choose inputs 1 or 2 in my recording software?

I may seem obtuse but the manual is not making sense. What is the point of having external processing if you can't put your mic's through it?

Hopefully I have been clear with my question.

PS what are the 8 line outs on the back for? Direct outs from the mic inputs to a mixer?

[ricknaqvi]

Hi,

What the manual is saying is this:

If you have something plugged into the 'RETURN/LINE' input on the back WITHOUT plugging anything into the 'SEND' on the back, then that line input signal will take precidence over the mic input of the front. An application for this might be plugging the ouput of an external mic preamp into JUST the line input on the back.

In regards to your 2nd Question: The line outputs on the back are for streams coming from the computer. For example, you can assign the outputs of any track or software instrument to these. A good use of this would be sending click track that was made in software to an analog output that a drummer could play along with.

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,
Rick

[meister]

Thanks on clearing up the send return question Rick and the line outs as well.:)

After my last post I stripped my equipment down to just the firepod and my compressor. Turns out that my maximizer was only unbalance ports, my eq while balanced ports appears to not be functioning well, and the reverb unit, while balanced, was adding noise. I did confirm that I am using TRS cables and that my compressor has TRS ports.

Result:
I am still having to apply a great deal of makeup gain on my compressor even with the compressor not applying any effect to the source. But it is much better then before. Is this a normal occurence? In reading the manuals of the firepod and compressor neither mention this as a potential problem. I did look into other sources of info on my compressor and there was no mention of others having this problem. My TRS cable between the units are fairly inexpensive. Could cable quality be limiting the signal?

Thanks again for the quick responses Rick.