A Great way to add 8 class A mic pres to your studio.

The PreSonus DigiMax FS

The PreSonus DigiMax FS is an 8-channel class A microphone preamp with optical digital I/O. You can choose from 8-channel ADAT output up to 24-bit/48kHz or dual S/MUX at 24-bit/96kHz. You also get direct outputs and inserts on every channel and word clock I/O.

 Fig 1

The DigiMax FS uses patented JetPLL jitter reduction technology to ensure 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.

The DigiMax FS has extensive analog insert and output options, making it very useful as an independent mic pre that can feed an audio interface in a budget home studio. For the semipro or pro studio with unused Lightpipe-equipped devices, the DigiMax FS can serve as a high-quality clock source.

Class A preamps

The DigiMax FS provides eight Class A preamps, which you access through Neutrik combo connectors on the front panel.

Inputs 1 and 2 are configured for instrument level on the connector's TRS jack. The rest of the ¼-inch inputs are set for line level. (You can use the rear-panel insert jacks to feed line-level signals to inputs 1 and 2.) To the left of the input connectors are two rear-illuminated buttons that let you assign phantom power to inputs 1 to 4 and inputs 5 to 8.
To the right of the input connectors are gain pots for the eight inputs. The pots have markings for both mic and line gain ranges (0 to 60 dB and -20 to +20 dB, respectively). The controls are staggered, which makes them easier to grasp and operate. LED clipping indicators sit to the side of each pot.
At the right edge of the front panel are a power button and two buttons for setting up the unit's sync configuration. An Internal Clock button cycles between 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz settings. An External Sync button changes color when pressed: red for ADAT sync and blue for synchronizing via the unit's rear-panel BNC connectors. Sync is internal when the button isn't illuminated.

To the Rear 

 Fig. 2

PreSonus has provided a many of analog outputs on the DigiMax FS's rear panel. There are eight TRS outputs marked DAC that are fed directly from the Lightpipe inputs. Because all connections are active at all times, you could use these to, for example, process Lightpipe tracks (say, from an archived ADAT tape) through analog effects devices while also passing the original digital versions to a separate DAW.

A multitude of analog outputs, including preconverter insert points, makes the DigiMax FS a serious front end for studios with ADAT Lightpipe connections.

The DigiMax FS's rear panel supplies eight direct outputs from the unit's input channels. A set of eight insert points (ring equals send) completes the analog output section. This is the perfect way to add compression or other effects to signals from mics or instruments before the signals are digitized.
On the left of the rear panel are BNC in and out connectors with a 75Ω termination switch, which can be engaged on the final DigiMax FS in a chain. You can add as many of the units as you like to create additional input and conversion capabilities.
Alongside the BNC section is the 96 kHz ADAT-SMUX section, which provides four Toslink connectors, two each for input and output. Standard ADAT devices (up to 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution) use the first connector in each section for all eight channels of input or output, whereas units capable of higher sampling rates and with SMUX implementation use the first connector for channels 1 through 4 and the second for channels 5 through 8 in each section.


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 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.

Digital Converters and JetPLL Sync

The synchronization of the DigiMax FS is handled by patented JetPLL™ jitter reduction technology. JetPLL™ incorporates noise shaping to virtually remove all audio band jitter. JetPLL™ ensures the highest converter performance possible, resulting in better stereo separation and clearer more transparent audio. JetPLL™ 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. JetPLL™ ensures near perfect clock performance when networking audio devices thus creating the most stable and robust synchronization to all devices.

After a price drop from 749.00 to 449.99 the PreSonus DigiMax FS is a great addition to anyone looking to add to their digi003