Channels one and two have inserts. You may patch an external preamp into the line input jack of the insert section ...

Kurt, you're the bomb dude. I didn't know that would bypass the pre. Thanks for all your help on this site!

i'm waiting for my seb vmp-4000e to turn up to use with my firepod..as I understand it from the many posts I have made on this topic..

channels 3-8 if you use a 1/4 trs jack into the XLR/Jack inputs on the front then you will bypass the f/pod pre's - but quite rightly as kurt stated, channels 1 and 2 are mic level? or something like that and so they placed the line input on the back. It actually tells you all about this in the manual should you care to read it! :wink:

Channel 1 and 2 (line) are not mik level, but instrument inputs. But yeah, they are close to Mic level but are for direct input primarily with guitars and basses.