The DigiMax FS is an eight-channel microphone preamplifier, with 24-bit/96k ADAT dual SMUX I/O and word clock I/O. Loaded with direct outputs and inserts on every channel, the DIGIMAX FS is the perfect hardware expansion for your FireStudio or any digital recording system with optical light pipe expansion capability including DigiDesign's HD and 002 systems, RME, YAMAHA, Alesis, Mackie and many others.
The DigiMax FS is loaded with new patented JetPLL jitter reduction technology ensuring ultra-high converter performance, fast and robust locking through a wide range and variation of frequencies and noise shaping to remove nearly all audio band jitter.
Superior Analog Circuitry - XMAX Class A Preamplifiers
The DigiMax FS starts with eight custom-designed high-voltage, discrete, XMAX Class A microphone preamplifiers. PreSonus knows that the preamplifier is a key component in the sonic quality of a recording. The job of a microphone preamplifier is to boost microphone level signals to line level so that the signal can be converted from analog to digital. This mic to line boost is generally a preamplification of over 400 times the voltage of the original mic level signal. This preamplification stage is one of the most important stages that the signal will go through before converted to digital, and is why a high performance preamplifier is important to achieving great results. A cheap "off the shelf op-amp" type mic preamp that is found in many 8 channel preamps with digital output, translates into thin, noisy and harsh results.
All XMAX preamplifiers are built with the same three 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 an overall fuller sound.
Discrete - No op amps. Only transistors, resistors and capacitors. Op amps add noise, coloration and harshness to a signal. Discrete designs deliver ultra low noise and transparancy.
Class A - When a circuit is running in Class A mode the circuit is always in an "on" state operating at its optimal voltage requirements. Class A mode has zero crossover distortion and delivers purer, clearer and more musical sonics than class A/B designs which are found in most op-amp circuits.
The net result of the XMAX preamp design is is high headroom, low noise, wide dynamic range and wide frequency range, and most importantly, musicality and transparency - smooth highs, solid deep lows, and everything in between.
New Advanced Platform Technology - JetPLL
The synchronization of the DigiMax FS is handled by patented JetPLLTM jitter reduction technology. JetPLLTM incorporates noise shaping to virtually remove all audio band jitter. JetPLLTM ensures the highest converter performance possible, resulting in better stereo separation and clearer more transparent audio. JetPLLTM delivers ultra-fast locking to any digital format, through a wide range of frequencies and is extremely robust, and tolerant of wide variations in clock frequencies. JetPLLTM ensures near perfect clock performance when networking audio devices thus creating the most stable and robust synchronization to all devices.
Features
8 XMAX Class A microphone preamps w/ trim control24-bit resolution, 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96K sampling rate96k ADAT input and output (dual SMUX)JetPLL jitter reduction technology for ultra tight synchronizationDirect outputs and inserts on every channelWord clock input and outputHybrid design incorporates noise shaping to virtually remove audio band jitter.Ensures highest converter performance possible, resulting in better separation.Fast locking to any digital format, through a wide range of frequencies.Extremely robust, and tolerant of wide variations in clock frequencies.Ensures near perfect clock performance when networking audio devices.Dual VCXO loop performance and quality.
Specifications
Microphone Preamp (XLR Balanced)
All measurements Microphone Input to Direct Output
Frequency Response (+0,- 0.5dB) : 20Hz to 40KHz
Frequency Response (+0/-3.0 dB) : 20Hz to 100KHz
Input Impedance : 1600 Ohm
THD+N (unwtd, 1KHz @ +4dBu Output, Unity Gain) :