Old 03-19-2019, 03:55 PM   #1
Jimmy James
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Default Focusrite and Presonus together?

I have a buddy with a Presonus Firestudio. He said he would like to give it to me if I can use it. I have a Focusrite 18i20. His Presonus works with firewire as far as I know. My setup is all usb.
Is there a way to use this Presonus as a preamp and add 8 more channels?
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Old 03-19-2019, 04:24 PM   #2
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you could link then together using the adat / optical port and use the presonus as an extra 8 ins (if you're not already using the optical in on the focusrite)
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Old 03-19-2019, 04:25 PM   #3
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you could do 1 of 2 things:

1. connect analog outputs of the firestudio to inputs on the focusrite. Use the preamps on the 1st just for input which will feed the focusrite, the focusrite is plugged into your computer to return the audio.

2. connect the digital outs of the firestudio to digital ins of the focusrite. Same thing really, just different ins/outs.

If you need to keep your analog ins/outs free, use the digital option #2
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Old 03-19-2019, 05:00 PM   #4
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you could link then together using the adat / optical port and use the presonus as an extra 8 ins (if you're not already using the optical in on the focusrite)
Having 16 inputs would be great. I have optical on my Focusrite. But looking at pictures (He doesn't want to bring the unit unless I can use it for something) I seen no optical/adat port?
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Old 03-19-2019, 05:02 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet View Post
you could do 1 of 2 things:

1. connect analog outputs of the firestudio to inputs on the focusrite. Use the preamps on the 1st just for input which will feed the focusrite, the focusrite is plugged into your computer to return the audio.

2. connect the digital outs of the firestudio to digital ins of the focusrite. Same thing really, just different ins/outs.

If you need to keep your analog ins/outs free, use the digital option #2
1. I have a handful of Ribbon microphones I like to use. They need SO much gain. This sounds like a brilliant way to boost my ribbon mics?
Even with a48v line booster into a 2 channel preamp into Focusrite. I still have to use a lot of gain.
With what you laid out, this should make using Ribbon mics even easier yes?

2. How would one do this? Connect the digital in and outs?
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Old 03-20-2019, 12:46 PM   #6
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is it a firestudio or a firestudio project?
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Old 03-20-2019, 01:15 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy James View Post
1. I have a handful of Ribbon microphones I like to use. They need SO much gain. This sounds like a brilliant way to boost my ribbon mics?
Even with a48v line booster into a 2 channel preamp into Focusrite. I still have to use a lot of gain.
With what you laid out, this should make using Ribbon mics even easier yes?

2. How would one do this? Connect the digital in and outs?
I'm not sure it will really help the ribbon mics, you'll need something like a cloudlifter to get good clean gain, otherwise you're not helping the signal/noise by just gaining after input.

You'd use an optical cable to connect digitally. They are pretty cheap, always good to have at least one of those. looks like one set is for in/out 1-8, another for 9-16. Remember these are mono, so if you feed anything stereo you'll use two.
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Old 03-20-2019, 01:35 PM   #8
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Technically, its the same thing a cloudlifter does. But the cloudlifter has the benefit of being extremely close to the mic so line noises won't necessarily be amplified as much
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Old 03-20-2019, 03:08 PM   #9
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is it a firestudio or a firestudio project?
it is a project
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Old 03-20-2019, 03:10 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet View Post
I'm not sure it will really help the ribbon mics, you'll need something like a cloudlifter to get good clean gain, otherwise you're not helping the signal/noise by just gaining after input.

You'd use an optical cable to connect digitally. They are pretty cheap, always good to have at least one of those. looks like one set is for in/out 1-8, another for 9-16. Remember these are mono, so if you feed anything stereo you'll use two.
I have some booster currently. It still requires a LOT of gain. But my current setup does a good job. But I would always like to improve upon it if possible.

If I go straight into my Focusrite I get great levels. When I use my outboard gear I have to use a small preamp in the setup. That preamp has less usable gain than my Focusrite.
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