All user reviews for the PreSonus FireBox

I chose him because of his preamps and firewire for computer music amateur but intensive
PowerMac G4 OSX and also PC Athlon Barton 2600 + 2GB RAM

UTILIZATION

No problem under Windows and Mac, I do not even speak ...
a child can use it without a manual

GETTING STARTED

Stable, very stable ...
Cubase SX3 and lots of VST, VSTi
0 to 6ms
I only records one or two simultaneous tracks

OVERALL OPINION

6 months
best quality / price
I hesitated between that and the FA66, but the presonus is better

Use with laptop (ASUS M2N)
Use with dynamic microphones (Beyer M88, M69) and ribbons (B & O, Fostex m80rp).
Mainly audio and VST.
Cubase and VST.

UTILIZATION

Super easy installation, zero PBMS.
We read the manual and shoo on.

GETTING STARTED

Driver trs stable.
good latency ~ approx. 11 ms.
MIDI impcable function (VST).
Simple.
HOWEVER:
The trs pramps are noisy with microphones dynamic types or ribbons!
With a trumpet 10 cm pramp must be running 3 hours! full of breath.
Can not use a ribbon microphone (s).
the headphone volume is standard (more than 10 hours clatent ears!), is nothing.
Hollow sound in the bass.
The knobs are quite dsagrables in touch. No on / off. Even more ugly in Photo! it looks like a car tuning.

OVERALL OPINION

I have made after two days because of the preamps (breath and not enough gain) and its imbalance (severe hollow treble booster, ...).

Good choice when using micro capacitors and / or to MIDI.
But for me it does not sound PRO.

I changed it against an Edirol FA-66 (see notice, I made too!)

I have over the past year, I just perform all necessary advice on all makes

UTILIZATION

Mac, you plug, it works

Or has it not work ... ... we will DCON Vior the merchant.

GETTING STARTED

Cool

OVERALL OPINION

Well then, ractions, this is just my opinion though sr:

- "The Firebox does not sound PRO": if so, Madonna does that the Firebox now she consoles dnigre totally worth the price of a villa on the hill, and racks 5000 pice, it prfre the Firebox!
-> To 300 and the wheelbarrow, you have an excellent quality sound input and output converters are the strengths of the fact bte
So if you bump on the next album of Michael, I guess you're looking for stuff with 2-3 zros more ...

- "Too much power in the headphone useless" means any fact, that's what I think. But this power s'avre useful when discovering that the output is nothing less than the output Stereo 7 and 8, prvu also to connect the monitors ...
Please note, convertos are worse against invoice, so the risk of reprage be false as the mix of your Ralite

- "A breath, there's no power with a dynamic": the actual, pre-amps and I do not suit me, I come back
Let's say against that with a static gain, although pushed (7-8) is sufficient, and breathless

Firewire it: attention, MUST CONNECT THE OUTLET, there is a risk of burn out port of your computer if not, what is often said in any case

2nd firewire it: he sees me he cot Repair Tool 4 weeks of my Lacie external HD, thankfully still under warranty.
It is strongly deprecated plug something on it because "it is said" that this port is not "stable" ... having paid the price, I believe this rumor, this port overheating crme the device and religious. I think even that I am right in saying that self-same Prsonus advise not to connect it, confirm or ...

Which m'emmne heat: the Firebox is boiling hot! It heats, it heats it brle after 1 hour prliminaires!
-To conclude, therefore, the pre-amps do not suit me, they are relatively correct, but my face is pre-amps analos day and night. At the same time this is not the same price, and my test is limited to catch votes. So my conclusion may be Hative me that the pre-amps of the Firebox are fat, a veil indgraissable serious, even once EQ and limiter ...


Here I leave around 10 symbolically, for the price it is a good map trs, especially since for me it is a way to get my records in the computer, so only the convertos m'intressent and I saw that they are on top, no worries for me
Couple of pre-amps analos connected to the inputs 3 and 4 non-pr-amplified, made sparks
Cheers

Ability to apply effects on MIC and Line of the box which allows you to use as a firebox housing effects.
Access to VST instruments with reduced latency.

UTILIZATION

Trouble free installation of the box. My laptop IBM Thinkpad T42 is not equipped with standard IEEE1394 (firewire) I have a cardbus add. I chose the Billionton (Texas Instruments chipset) found Surcouf. Only one small problem: the port is a 6 pin firewire in principle provides power to the firebox. Now mine does not work with firewire and power must be connected via the supplied transformer.

GETTING STARTED

Currently no driver problem or latency. Playing instruments since my old synthesizer VST noon (Yamaha DX11) via Cubase there is no perceived latency, even under a range of effects. No clicks. I seriously before "fat" my Windows XP programs whose residents is mounting consuming memory and CPU. One problem observed: when I play the sounds native to the GM of the PC sound card, the time is considerable. I failed to understand why. In any case this is not the main objective of the firebox. The application of effects on the audio inputs of the card seems to work well too. Line input is not very sensitive: I apply the option of 12 db to hear a synthesizer connected to the input. I'll try the option Mic / Instruments next time.

OVERALL OPINION

For the time being very satisfied. Excellent value for money. Technical Support US also seems very responsive.

HELLO TO ALL,
j have one of the firebox, I find myself in incapcité to connect at the same time my 2xlr and my two entries online to access inputs on Cubase 4?
Help me! Or c 'is not possible and many of the gentlemen at NUL c PRESONUS!
thank you for advance
ju
THE firewire to the side with a portable laptop

UTILIZATION

No problems for the installation

GETTING STARTED

Drivers stable
updates once a year since
cubase
4ms latency ok
4 cons 2 tracks sold simultaneously in theory

OVERALL OPINION

1year
The 1 and 2 misplaced on pots
No other model tested
good value problem except for two entries
non can not be

Features: everything has been said I think if www.presonus.com
Usage: + VST sound pickup microphone omni (testing facilities)
Config: Dell XPS M1210 Intel intel graphics card, 2GB RAM, HDD 7200 tr / min
No other portable instruments + firebox
/////////!!!!!!!! IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM INSTALL READ THIS !!!!!!!!! \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
I have a firewire port shared with the express bus (ie on the same PCI bus of the motherboard. Read on to solve your problems if you are crack in the same config as me.

UTILIZATION

Good big problems with the installation but not due to the card (I tested it on Mac starts on the first try). I put one to attract the attention of readers who want to know if the card is compatible with their config

Currently, the firewire ports of the PC are pretty bad, it is the gadget all brands. We note = mac firewire, USB2 = PC if you want no problem. But it was not good when the dosh to buy a motu 828mk2 usb2, well we try to démerder with the config of the computer.

So the first installation: cracking after 30sec when I listen to an mp3 in WMP. Even with a latency of 25ms.

Solution: DELL on the firewire port is shared with the express card. So there are tricks to "optimize" the firewire which are as follows and that worked for my configuration (8ms latency more crunches):
0 - (it's an addition so I put 0
in the taskbar right-click on the icon of the presonus (bottom right of the screen near the clock) and set CPU to Low. For laptops, the core duo has a clock speed ranging from 1 GHz to 1.6 GHz T5500 for example which is why despite the very performance of Bécanne honest, they should be considered as low-frequency processors. Maybe some will have no problem in High mode (LOW = 800-1000MHz, 1000-Medium = 2000Ghz, Hig = above).
1 - follow the recommendations of presonus ->
https://presonus.com/faq/index.php?ac...=27&artlang=en
https://presonus.com/faq/index.php?ac...=28&artlang=en
2 - install the patch windows next -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896256
3 - to Start-> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System -> "tab" Hardware -> Device Manager
----> Disable the network card 1394 (personal for me it does not disable my firewire port is enabled as a bus controller IEEE 1394)
----> Disable controllers in IDE ATA / ATAPI everything Memory card, express card etc ... On my Dell there are 3: Ricoh Memory Stick Host Controller / MMC Host Controller Ricoh / Ricoh xD-Picture Card Host Conroler
!!!!!!!! Do not turn off most disks / controllers ATA / UDMA / IDE or SATA!! if not squeak.
----> Disable the 56k modem if you have one (that being said it should work without it anyway)

4 - unplug the wi-fi (I have a switch but otherwise it is also in the device manager (but it worked without me it was one of the recommendations of presonus)
5 - In Windows Explorer, right click on your hard drives, properties and uncheck the permission of the indexing disk for fast file search. This option Chow "power" and serves only to go faster during a file search. it does not play normally, but the latency as well as a trick to this is that it is well known and very useful.
6 - the Power of the bike for services background:
in Start-> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System -> "tab" Advanced-> Performance / "Button Settings" -> "tab" Advanced -> adjust the performance for background services
7 - If your firewire port is shared with the express card like me, there is little chance that installing a firewire express card solves the problem
Even if you want your chance tener presonus recommends cards with a chip Texas Instruments (rare!) and especially not the kind combo cards FW800 + USB2 + FW400 or FW400. It FW400 point bar.

8 - if the problem persists:
presonus forums
Audiofanzine forums, many people have problems with DELL and firewire ... but not with Dell. Similarly, we can tell you my inspiron machine works with the presonus, bought it and .... it does not work parcqu'un manufacturer does not warn the world when it changes the reference motherboard for its range of notebooks ..!
In short good luck.
Otherwise try this:
http://duc.digidesign.com/showflat.php?Number=1057701

GETTING STARTED

With all the shit pan I had time to use it ... but listening stand alone or VST my problems were solved.
The sound is good. I have an echo on my MIA fixed, however, has more silky treble for my taste. The presonus is however more dynamic.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall opinion: I open her anus, I repeat tomorrow and see if it turns nickel for three hours!

Otherwise from PreSonus technical support is seriously what is a priori not the case with other manufacturers, however, more "pro" as motu.

I have only one thing to say:
THANK POPEYE!
your advice saved me!
I thought it is still a card that takes my head,
but you have solved my problems with firewire laptop and
PRESONUS FIREBOX now my work.

ah, the sound of today is 10% and 90% of its CPU installation
ASUS A6VA
Pentium M 740 (1.73 GHz)
512 MB RAM

Firewire IEEE 1394 Host Controller OHCI-compliant 4-pin

and
PCM card added, BELKIN 3 Port Firewire 6-pin
recognized as a host controller Texas Instrument IEEE 1394

goal:
CUBASE SL3
and
ABLETON LIVE

UTILIZATION

The galley installation because the sound skips every 2 seconds, impossible to hear, unbearable
the manual explains how to install the firebox,
but not how to properly operate the firewire port:

disable network cards in 1394 as stated POPEYE

GETTING STARTED

Not tested for mao,
too happy to have figured out how to run the firewire, thanks to Popeye.
thank you Audiofanzine

OVERALL OPINION

Since 24
the sound is good!
ah, ah.
more

Hello everyone,

Well here is my opinion on the Firebox that I bought there a year and a half and I have to sell. Why?

I got the Firebox as the first map of its computer music.
I did not know absolutely nothing at the time and site is a lot of people praise this card so I have their trust in crooked.

I used it on Windows XP PC AMD X2 4400 + 2gig of RAM with a micro Rode and AKG C451B NT1a and a Universal Audio preamp solo/610

For the features of this map is complete enough for a guy who wants to start making recording simple and effective (if it was reliable).

CAD two good preamp power supply 48V IN / OUT and SPDIF for MIDI and a very good headphone (And the best part of this card) but no ADAT and so little mute button montior -2

UTILIZATION

Installation without any problems.

Easy setup.

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable on my setup.

I used the Firebox to Cubase SL 3

I can not give high marks to use because I had too many problems related to manufacturing quality and had to be delayed in my projects. PreSonus thank you!

My expliquaions below .....

OVERALL OPINION

I used it for a year and a half with this opinion I make a big warning about the build quality of the Firebox and the PreSonus products in general.

On my first day of purchase I found the store because one of the knobs of an input of my preamp kidding when I turned. (Loss of sound and crackling)

I changed it for another Firebox that it has worked well for 3 months then it's set to make a kind of buzz when I sent him the low frequencies.

So I did a test at the store with my firebox that buzzer and another brand new and we noticed that even the new buzzit also very very low but always with low Frequency converter (Maybe mine had this little buzz also initially and as I used the buzz is heightened?) 3 short Firebox tested and none passed the test. Bad luck? It's a bit far-fetched.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>With experience, you do again this choice?</span>

Ever it is not serious and I am extremely disappointed that's why I changed completely and end I got an RME Fireface 800 and I am satisfied.

Edit (after reading the notice to lucetamdoute who has probably never tried another card nomadic life) By the way I did not notice this for destroying the brand I have other things to do but more interesting given notice sincere and realistic manufacturing quality and durability of the product as I gave many a chance to mark which has not lived up to my expectations. I must say that I also have the Presonus HP 4 is not better for two good reasons but that's another story.

The renowned brand in the field of pramplis ... the quality of pramplis, FireWire (connection + power supply, which have quickly taken a supplmentaire plug), the small size and big capabilities ads ... (2 in combo XLR / jack + jack two inputs, three outputs Stereo, the possibility of "cascading" the machine with other FireWire devices (hard disk, controller ...)
The ct "robust" in bte ... UPDATE: I will come back to the firewire ...
Used in home studio use only ...

UTILIZATION

No installation problem ... you put the cd in the drive, it does what it tells us to do is connect the small box ... and it is prt! UPDATE: If the box is recognized ... Recognized immediately in all software utiliss.
No incompatibility.
Easy Setup ... very easy ... to the point that even I did not see that there was a manual ... you teach me

GETTING STARTED

Trs stable drivers ... not yet been updated since the purchase.
Software: Cubase, WaveLab and SoundForge
Cubase latency: in gnrale, it RULES of 10 ms, which is well enough to work comfortably with the blind instruments vst. (P4 3G + 1024 MB RAM).
I happen to rgler of 6 ms for audio recording, but better not have too many effects or vst instruments ... small, but delicious even when cpu resources.
I record one track a time ... Finally, for the moment, but I have to purchase a small audio-technica at3035 I will link my old Shure mic ... we'll see what gives a ...
8 / 10 ... UPDATE: What innocence!

OVERALL OPINION

For three months I do know that little of trsor lctronique ...
Most: pramplis, the solid appearance ...
The -: uh ... bah ... Gourmet ... but is gre ... UPDATE: THE FireWire
I have not tried other cards at the time of purchase ... but day and night with my Previous ... (Soundblaster home ...)
The report quality is pretty good price: 325 euros for the prsonus home ...
With exprience, I do it again ... with a bigger budget, I will deal plutt for Motu ... but it will be for nol ...
UPDATE: For over a year since I have this card ... but it does not work! Why? Rponse: firewire connectors too low ... I knew the dpart ds, one of the two had taken the game and should not be that I plug my computer ... a year later, not only one that had the game not working at all, but in addition, the other also lach me! I see now all of a seller Home Studio (I did not buy from them but the box I bought it o put the key under the door ...)... I asked him how long it would take and how much cost me to make rpar ... rponse, I will pay for shipping only (since it is still under manufacturer's warranty) ... but I can not rcuprer at least a month and a half since the SAV is currently in Prsonus "dbordquot; HS ... the seller told me they arr ter to sell this card because, I quote: "8 out of 10 returns due to taient same problem: the firewire connectors dfaillantes ..."...
I am now Amre exprience ... I think Prsonus, which is nevertheless a good brand trs should vrifier its products, more so when they outsource to China ... (I have nothing against the Chinese)
... Finally, brief ... So, I bought a sound card ... and as an end, a value sre: a MOTU! Thank you for this purchase Prsonus imprvu sudden and I have to do before coming to see you ... I brought the economy of 300 euros ... and since I do not expect that going to cost me to make rpar! Voil ... So ... pril and your risk!

Technical character: a lot plutt worked before.
Use: Rock Band recording mlodique.
config: Acer laptop. aspire 1610 series, something that normally the PCHE.

UTILIZATION

Install: no way to operate the system.
there is a conflict with the sound card of the computer that I can not dconnecter. ds in dconnectant peripherals, has not changed the points.
is a grazing with sound and it is clear that in a dfile does not (read non-linear)
using full duplex and testing, said config ok but then the more with his right dfile ....
nothing in the manual to get by.

GETTING STARTED

I'm running Cubase LE. on another PC, it works pretty good.

OVERALL OPINION

2 years
the least: the story of config which never works the first time, must spend more time on these pb on music is really pnible. not tried other models.

difficult for our answer. on the other pc, went well. and j'hsite ...

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?
Connections Firewire Midi connectors, standalone operation
- For what purpose?
To make and live tracks.
- What is your config?
Macbook pro 2ghz 2gram
- Which instruments do you use or Systmes the connection and how?
I use it with a religious EMX1 midi and audio directly into Ableton Live 5.2
I connect my firewire firebox directly.
The output of the Firebox is a small mixing desk, which she released on a lamp amplifier (home).

UTILIZATION

- Installation is it without problem?
No worries .. In fact I have not done much right branch I put the cd for
the two management apps. Otherwise she dtct automatically.
To my surprise reboot the mac in the sound of my emx still running! it works so well and truly stand alone.
- Have you experienced any incompatibility?
Pb no incompatibility.
- The configuration gnrale is easy?
I thought that she silent as easy I done nothing and walk nickel
- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Read during the journey, we can not help it. So I find English manual has
shame there against him by no more details on its capabilities ..

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?
Yes, start the mac and red LED ests when the interface is dtcte it turns blue. The card is dtcte everywhere even in my games. It's not necessarily so CoreAudio third installation.
- What software do you use most often?
I use Ableton Live 5.2 and Reason 3
- What you get lag?
No and it's the only I found my Intrets before I had just a small interface midi / usb c'tait and delay settings in any way. With the presonus I press Play and my emx and is perfectly in sync with Live, just 10 ms of delay settle once and for all and that's good. It is the one really sees the capacity of dialogue noon on the firewire instead of USB! Regarding latency gnral level sound is the core audio so I see no real diffrence from before. Still fluid.
- How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment? ...
I have not tried m'nerver really on its capabilities, but dej test on 10 tracks and it's perfect.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
Two days, so I bought his new universe. I expect not to have a pb quelquonque with this interface it works so well!
- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
I love its connectivity in large jack and firewire port connector SERIES noon so that the map does not take much space and can quickly be forgotten.
Fortunately, because it is ugly .. I do not like at all its design but not buy a sound card because she is pretty ^ ^
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
I tried the m (firewire audio> retard excessive twelve o'clock
I tried the tc Konnekt 24D> Too expensive and unnecessary for what I did.
I tried the echo indigo io> input / output minijack to avoid!
- How do you report qualitprix?
Excellent! So I bought new 279 euros.
I find it really excellent I wait a map like this for a long time, the sound is much better, I complained of not knowing make the difference between a particular sound, but there is still a marked change from the sound (dj excellent) of the original mac. For what I intend to make this interface for me, I make music for the live then only with machines, not with instruments, it is on there especially mieu level converter, but it is perfect for beginning and very cheap.
- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
I have long hsiter buy a sound card as a given that I'm going abroad soon. When I dpart I sell it for some money before leaving and it is clear (even after two days of use) I do it again the same choice.

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?
Pramp Neutrik, Reduces size, various connectors.

- For what purpose?
Home studio, sound recording and MIDI CONTRL.

- What is your config (motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?
An Acer laptop 12.1 "(Pentium M 1.7Ghz, 1GB DDR2, 80GB 5400rpm HDD), a tower (A64 3000 + DFI LP on Ultra-D, 1GB DDR1, Seagate 7200rpm HDDs)

- Which instruments or Systmes (console, prampli, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ...
A couple of microphones bte capacitor (XLR), an old synth (MIDI jack and 6.35).

UTILIZATION

- Installation is it without problem?
All done, just follow the instructions.
Install drivers, wait until the installation requires the insertion of the cable into the port FW FW to Get You Started installing the drivers and it's done.

- Have you experienced any incompatibility?
None.

- The configuration gnrale is easy?
Any fact, the interface is a bit gross but it's clear.

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Everything is sufficient.

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?
No instability point (despite 3 sound cards, PCI, USB and FW branches at the same time).

- Are they often put day?
No IDE, we'll see.

- What software do you use most often?
Cubase SX, Ableton Live.

- What you get lag?
5 ms

- How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment? ...
I have not had the opportunity to test more than 7 tracks (including VSTi), but works with 7.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
A little over a month.

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
Most: its size
The least: no toslink

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
No.

- How do you report qualitprix?
Excellent, the quality of pramps is bluffing Reduces the price (under 300).

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes, everything.

Usage: home studio, recording vocals and electric and acoustic guitars.
Config: Pentium 4 HT 2.8 CHZ PC with 2 GB of RAM
I use Cubase SE 3 for now and soon on imac (hi hi hi) and nickel!
I transplanted a Line 6 Vetta II combo and it is happiness!

UTILIZATION

Installation without any problem in less than 5 minutes, I already started recording.
Compatible with no problems and an easy grip.
Manuel? or does it? anyway, no need, the interface is very clear and easy.

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable, orderly ... no problem and recorded with ... attention ... 0 lag ... and yes ... 0! impeccable!
High-quality preamps, the sound is hot!
But for the voice, I still recommend going through a mixing desk before entering the firebox to make a little gain and pre EQ.
In any RSAC with Cubase LE and Cubase SE 3, no but really no worries!
I recorded with two XLR inputs simultaneously, and nothing to say!

OVERALL OPINION

I've had a year now, and it is:
Nice
Solid
Fast
Stable
Performance
more firewire is fine, we go out faster than a direct or USB card (I recommend the passage ...)
I would not change that to make the Studio!

I needed an interface to generate 24bit/96kHz materials in MSP and for mixing, not enough for RME, I decided to buy the firebox and to help me finish my project.
I work on a MacPro, 2 * bi2.66 with 5GB of RAM.

UTILIZATION

No problem (except maybe sometimes she "rode" no, I had to de-reconnect for it to be recognized).
Incompatibility: it is not recognized by Kontakt, you must create an Aggregate Device in the editor "Config. Audio-MIDI" ... and this device "virtual" to be recognized.
In general, normal operation.

GETTING STARTED

No driver required, the widget is "class compliant".

I use it with Digital Performer, WaveEditor, Kontakt and MaxMSP (mainly)

So since I am asked to answer questions and registration latency: let's get to the point!

I use this card for a short time, as I said earlier, it was to help me out and complete a project (primarily for mixing and editing). The 'monitoring', say it's fair, it does the job ...

For cons, I had the bad idea to try to catch sounds: This is a DISASTER! A kind of 'hiss' or clock noise as soon as you push the preamp (which sound miserably to use music).

OVERALL OPINION

So it's a quick purchase, on a recommendation from a friend (?) That I would do absolutely not. As a professional musician, I can not work with this type of material, and have, as was the case, having to redo much of my sounds, even after trying to "denoiser" everything.

For someone who wants to podcast, or recording as a hobby, still going ... but ... let us remember the adage:

"You get more for your money"