PreSonus is now shipping the Firepod ($799.95), a 10 input/10 output 24-bit, 96 kHz FireWire interface. The device includes eight Class A microphone preamps and comes with Steinberg Cubase LE. The front panel offers eight Neutrik combo (XLR and balanced 1/4-inch TRS) inputs and eight trim controls. Phantom power (+48V) is available on every channel, in groups of four. Inputs 1 and 2 can also be used as high-impedance instrument inputs and feature balanced TRS send and return connectors on the rear panel. Inputs 3 through 8 can also be used as line inputs.

The Firepod has eight balanced TRS line outputs, two balanced cue outputs for monitoring, and two balanced TRS main outputs. It also includes a stereo headphone output on the front panel, with mix control to balance monitoring levels between the mixed input and the main output signals for zero-latency monitoring. Two channels of S/PDIF I/O as well as MIDI I/O are also included. For more information, visit www.presonus.com.