Apple might not think that FireWire has a future, but Lexicon clearly does. The company has just launched the IONIX FW810S - a FireWire 400 audio interface that has integrated channel strip processing.
This 24-bit/96kHz capable unit offers eight input channels, all of which are equipped with dbx high-voltage, ultra-low-noise mic preamps. There are two XLR/1/4-inch jack combi inputs on the front and six round the back.
Each input channel also sports dbx dynamics processing. Specifically, you get compression, limiting, gating and EQ.
On the output side, you get eight analogue TRS outputs and stereo main outputs. Additional connectivity includes S/PDIF and MIDI I/O and a 1/4-inch headphones output.
The IONIX FW810S offers zero-latency mixing and comes equipped with a built-in reverb for monitoring purposes (a copy of Lexicon's Pantheon II reverb plug-in comes in the box, too).
The new interface is Mac- and PC-compatible and ships with a software bundle that includes a cutdown version of Cubase and Toontrack's EZdrummer Lite.
At the moment, there's no word on how much the IONIX FW810S will cost - we'll let you know as soon as we find out. Further spec details are available on the Lexicon website.
