Offering a studio-quality FireWire interface that you can use anywhere, the FireStudio Mobile ten-input, six-output professional recording system enables you to record a whole band with one portable device. All you need is a computers with a FireWire connection, a few microphones and cables, monitor speakers or headphones, and (of course) your instruments. It features two PreSonus XMAX Class A microphone preamplifiers; six line-level, analog input channels; S/PDIF digital input and output; MIDI I/O; and headphone monitoring with separate gain control. The PreSonus FireStudio Mobile recording system (see larger image). Back ports (see larger image). The FireStudio Mobile includes custom-designed, high-voltage, discrete, XMAX Class A microphone preamplifiers that are suitable for use with all types of microphones. XMAX preamplifiers are built with three key elements: High Voltage. The XMAX preamplifier runs on power rails of 30V. Most off-the-shelf, op-amp-based designs run on power rails of 10V to 18V. Higher-voltage power rails deliver more headroom, deeper lows, smoother highs, and a richer overall sound. Discrete components--not op-amps. We only use genuine transistors, resistors, and capacitors. Op-amps add noise, coloration, and harshness to a signal. Our discrete design delivers ultra-low noise and transparency. Class A. Class A circuits have no crossover distortion and deliver purer, clearer, and more musical results than the Class AB designs that are found in many preamps. A pair of 3-LED level/clip indicators let you check the signal levels for channels 1 and 2, and a button enables 48V phantom power for the two mic channels. Also on the front panel are gain knobs for the two mic/instrument inputs and for the main stereo outputs and a stereo headphone output with gain knob. Gain for the mic inputs ranges from –10 dB to +70 dB; the high-impedance instrument inputs range from –30 dB to +50 dB of gain. Finally, a power/sync indicator LED shows whether the FireStudio Mobile is receiving adequate power and is correctly receiving word clock. Loaded with inputs and outputs, the FireStudio Mobile includes a pair of combination XLR/TS mic/instrument jacks, which are in the inputs for channels 1 and 2. The XLR mic inputs are routed to the XMAX solid-state mic preamplifiers. The high-impedance, TS instrument inputs let you plug guitars or basses directly into the front panel. On the back are 6 more balanced, 1/4-inch line level inputs for channels 3 through 8, plus a DB9 connector that accepts a breakout cable (included) to provide stereo S/PDIF digital I/O and MIDI I/O. You get two FireWire 400 ports: one port connects to your computer, and the other can be used to connect a hard drive or to daisy-chain any FireStudio-family interface The FireStudio Mobile is bundled a software package that includes PreSonus Studio One Artist DAW software for Mac OS X and Windows XP and Vista, which makes producing high-quality projects easier than ever before. As part of the Studio One Artist package, you get 20 new PreSonus Native Effects plug-ins and virtual instruments and a generous bundle of third-party loops, software, and instrument sounds. What"s in the Box PreSonus FireStudio Mobile, FireWire cable (6-foot; 6-pin-to-6-pin), power supply, software discs, user manual Key Features Plug-and-play, high-speed FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394) 24-bit resolution with 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz sampling rates Record/playback 10 inputs and 6 outputs 2 XMAX PreSonus microphone/instrument preamplifiers with true 48V phantom power for condenser mics 8 line inputs, 2 line outputs Stereo S/PDIF and MIDI input/output -- DB9 break-out cable included Zero-latency monitoring Headphone output with gain control Software router/mixer Powered via FireWire bus or using included power supply Windows- (32- and 64-bit) and Macintosh-compatible Universal Control control-panel software DICE II Chipset -- extremely efficient data transfer JetPLL -- jitter-elimination technology Road-rugged construction Shockproof, reinforced metal chassis Silky-smooth, sealed rotary controls Military-grade circuit board Chassis-mounted input/output sockets resist strain from jacks Full shielding from external interference