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Originally Posted by KGrob
I'm not sure what the exact purpose/function of this device is???
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It has the same purpose as a standard computer soundcard, to get sounds in and out of your computer. The only difference is that this unit is made for audio recording so it is much higher quality than a stock soundcard and it has more features for recording, such as:
- Multiple inputs and outputs (instead of just a microphone input, line input, and output like a stock computer soundcard).
- Good quality mic preamps
- Phantom power for condenser microphones
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Can I use my two Shure SM-58 mics with this interface?
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Yes, it has 8 inputs so you can plug up to 8 mics (or other instruments) in to it at the same time.
Each input is a hybrid XLR and 1/4" connector so you can plug a microphone cable (XLR) or a guitar/instrument cable (1/4") into the same input.
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Can I plug my guitars or amps into this somehow?
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If your amp has a line output, or a headphone output, then yes.
However, the better option is to mic your amp. This will give a much better sound. The Shure SM57 is an industry standard for miking guitar amps and the SM58 is the same thing as the SM57 just with the rounded grill on the mic. So you should be able to use the SM58 on your amp with similiar results.
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I have a small laney mixer/PA...will that plug into this?
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Is the mixer a powered mixer? If so, then you want to make sure that you
DO NOT plug the outputs meant for speakers into your computer. This will fry not only your powered mixer, but your computer as well! Someone on another forum I frequent said they did this and the computer caught fire, so be very careful about which outputs you plug in.
There should be a way to get two line outputs out of the mixer and go into your computer, what model is the mixer?
However, if you do this this you are limiting yourself as everything from the mixer will be mixed down to a stereo channel. So if you plug in 4 microphones into your mixer, they will be recorded on your computer as a right and left channel only and you won't be able to adjust each mic channel individually after recording.
But since the Firepod interface has multiple intputs you can plug the same 4 mics into 4 inputs on the Firepod and record onto 4 separate tracks in your recording program. Since each track has been kept separate you can now adjust the volume, pan, add effects, edit, etc. for each mic separately in your recording program.
You can record 8 tracks at a time like this and you can overdub to get as many tracks as your computer can handle. Everything is recorded onto separate tracks so you can mix each track after all of the recording is completed.
-tkr