Presonus Firebox Reviews?, Anyone actually use this yet? Options

[Jonasji]

Well,
I guess every box has it problems. I had and Motu 828 before and it wasn't perfect but sounded really good. I have heard of the cracking noise of the firepod is that what you are noticing as well Jubei? Does it show up on your recorded audiofiles as well? People has said it does on the firepod.

Any one used it on a firewire chain?


Really appreciate your inputs and advice guys!


Jonas

[Jubei]

I don't think i have done enough recording to say for sure, but so far so good with the recorded audio files. I really like the sound of my vocals...nice mic pre's for this price. No this is just one of those "huh" little quirks that i guess come up. Can anyone else wih a Firebox tell me if they have heard this? Also do you still control your computers volume with the computer keyboard or the master volume knob on the box?

thanks.

This post has been edited by Jubei: Wed 27 Apr 2005, 22:50

[bobmusic]

I haven't had a chance to try this yet, but here are the instructions from Presonus for SPDIF:

Jason's connection setup for Live (from email):

First of all you need to go to Applications>Utilities>Audio Midi Setup.

Once you are in there, change the "Properties For" menu to PreSonus FireBox.

Then below that, there is a "Clock Source" menu. Change that menu to PreSonus Firebox Spdifin.

I can`t change the clock source here at all, the fields are greyed out!
The only thing i can change here is the samplerate. Can anybody help!

My Mac: G4 500 Dual, OSX 10.3.9 with Logic 7

best regards
bobmusic

[ArchivalAudio]

BOBmusic
I made the same mistake in upgraging to 10.3.9
you might try the new control pannel.
I had the same problem an heres what butch from tech support said

You used to be able to change the 'clock source' for the FireBox to SPDIF
with the Audio MIDI Setup application, so that you can get the SPDIF input
to work.

However, OS10.3.9 has this feature overlooked this functionality.

OS10.3.9 does not currently support SPDIF functionality with the FireBox.

We are addressing this issue as fast as possible.


ther is now a fireboxcontrol 1.0.3 version, and on ityoucan selectthe spdif in... or at least I could but have not had the time to try it yet myself

go here http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html

then at the bottom here
Mac OS (10.3.8 or later) - Control Panel ver 1.0.3 - updated for Mac 10.3.8 or later

It might help....

might try it later on this weekendmyself
-- Ian

[munkifunki]

(((PLEASE HELP)))

i get constant pops and clicks during playback, and even when auditioning soundbites.
playing audio with itunes while DP is in background has same problem, however when
DP is closed, there's no problem.

the reason why it must be a firebox problem and not a DP problem is that my old
tascam USB interface worked great (just couldn't do 96kHz).

also, i've noticed that projects with almost no or no plugins don't have the crazy pops and
crackles.

***i've tried TWO fireboxes (my friend and i both bought one, and before he had a chance to get set up with his, i nabbed it to test the problem). SAME PROBLEM!

[Jubei]

Hey Munkfunki.....I hear you. I now have been using the the box for a week and starting to see to many little problems. The main one is when I record my vocal track, sometimes it sounds like someone is eating a bowl of rice crispies in my mic!

so far it seems random? I have raised and lowered the buffer settings and nothing. Could this be a firewire cable, mic cable or my mac? I will call presonus on monday(tomorrow) and see what they say. Otherwise it's going back.

Did you try raising your buffer settings? Fool around it may not be the firebox.

[bobmusic]

ther is now a fireboxcontrol 1.0.3 version, and on ityoucan selectthe spdif in... or at least I could but have not had the time to try it yet myself

go here http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html

then at the bottom here
Mac OS (10.3.8 or later) - Control Panel ver 1.0.3 - updated for Mac 10.3.8 or later

It might help....

Thank you Ian!

I tried the new controlpanel 1.0.3 and after some hassle i now can record over spdif-input in Logic 7
before starting Logic, the clock must be set to internal and only change it to spdif after Logic has started. This is how it works here.
I will test the firebox more to see if the random crackel noises return and if sync remains stable.
I really like this unit and only hope, the software problems will be solved by presonus and apple.

I got a reply from presonus also and they don't recommend to use the Firebox with Tiger by now:

"We are still testing Tiger and we are not suggesting to upgrade at this time."

best regards
bobmusic

[chappy]

I'm going to guess that this is a clocking problem.
Check out your audio setup and make sure that no one is fighting for control of the input box. Clocking should be set to 'internal' unless you're using other digital devices. Check out your Audio/Midi setup before you give up.
peace,
chap

[Dreadman718]

I purchased a Firebox two weeks ago and I can't say that I am that satisfied. Yes it's a great size, but I have had weirder issues. I am running a powerbook 1.67 ghz machine with a gig of memory. At first she would studder and then I increased buffer size. Then the popping and crackling. I went and lowered track outputs and adjusted master volum on Firebox. Then I noticed when using my Reaktor sessions certain sounds would break up..UNLESS I kept the reaktor sessions track selected during playback. I sent an email to support and this is what they said: Hi,

I am not sure...

I cannot troubleshoot LOGIC very much as I do not have a copy of it to test.

I can only suggest that you setup a similar project within Cubase LE and
compare the performance between the two.

Get back to me with your results.

Now why the HELL would I trouble shoot with Cubase LE if I'm a Logic 7.1 user?

And this was my reply:
No disrespect to you... I know your job is to support Presonus products, but I run Logic on my day to day. And I don't see how me testing Cubase LE will solve issues that are coming up with a program (Logic) that is being used by a good number of individuals. If anything I think that it would help to make your product more in demand if it were more of an across the board type interface. I work with Logic 7.1 and would like the Firebox to do the same. I thought the Firebox was an interface for ALL who would need an audio interface. Didn't realize it was product specific... I never would have bought it.
Needless to say I am not satisfied....

[bobmusic]

Now why the HELL would I trouble shoot with Cubase LE if I'm a Logic 7.1 user?

Hello!

Do you use Tiger already? Presonus don't recommend to upgrade at the moment.
So far, Firebox works fine here with Logic 7.0.1 & Panther. Even spdif-in works now with new controlpanel 1.0.3.

best regards
bobmusic