Audio I/O
Four mic inputs with individual preamps
Record four individual mics, or two stereo pairs
The 4pre combo mic/guitar inputs are equipped with pristine, transparent preamps and offer individually adjustable 48V phantom power and -20 dB pad. All settings can be adjusted directly on the front panel, or from the 4pre's CueMix software running on your computer. Mic inputs can be operated individually or in stereo pairs, as needed.
Two guitar inputs
Hi-Z guitar inputs deliver true guitar sound
Without proper impedance levels, direct "DI" guitar input won't sound right when you run it through your guitar amp plug-ins and virtual stomp boxes. The 4pre's two guitar jacks provide high-impedance load characteristics suitable for passive and active pickups alike, to deliver proper guitar tone to your host software. For even more authentic feel and response when using virtual guitar amp and cabinet plug-ins, use a ZBox guitar impedance adapter.
Stereo line inputs
Connect a keyboard or other line input
The 4pre analog inputs are designed to be flexible, so that you can address a wide range of recording situations. The line inputs provide proper level matching for keyboards, analog mixers, effects processors, or other gear with either -10 dB or +4 dB reference level input.
Main outs and line outs
Four analog outputs
Connect a pair of powered studio monitors to the main outs. The separate line outs can be used for a variety of purposes, either duplicating the main outs (perhaps for a 2nd set of studio monitors) or acting as an independent output pair (for a separate mix going to a mixing board or stage wedges, for example).
Two headphone jacks
Work with others, free from noise restrictions
A second phone jack can be life-saver when you need to finish the mix with your colleague in close proximity to family or neighbors you don't want to disturb. The left-hand phone jack always mirrors the main outs, and the "Main" volume knob controls both. The right-hand phone jack has added flexibility: it can mirror the main outs, with independent volume control, or it can mirror any other 4pre output pair.
Digital input/output
Digital transfers made easy
Digital transfers are an essential fact of daily studio life. The 4pre's standard S/PDIF input and output make stereo digital transfers a snap, with optional external clocking and support for sample rates up to 96 kHz.
Digitally controlled analog trim
Analog quality with digital precision
The 4pre preamps deliver clean sound, 60 dB of gain, and adjustments in approximately 1 dB increments using the front-panel trims or the on-screen CueMix software. The gain adjustment itself is smooth because it is analog, but the digital control gives you both precision and the ability to save and recall trim settings. So you get the best of both worlds: analog trim with digital precision and control. Trim is adjusted at the input, before the mixer, so it applies to all mixes. Mix levels are controlled separately from trim, so you never sacrifice sound quality for a balanced mix. The S/PDIF digital inputs can be trimmed, too.
