All user reviews for the PreSonus FireBox

I wanted a single interface to make itself the sound of my electric guitar at a reasonable budget. So: a map with little input but a good recording quality. The Firebox is well within this category.

UTILIZATION

Drivers who are easy to install, update for vista (initially I was under XP) but apparently according to the forums it goes wrong within 7 (that's not cool).

I use an old Cubase, it works well, the latency down to 3 ms is enough to play without discomfort. Never more than one track at a time in my use.

I connected to the outputs of GFORCE plus a simulation of HP software convolution back and it sounds really good: quality production studio enthusiast without bothering the neighbors.

Sometimes she goes out of sync, it's hassle because according to the program, you sometimes stop and restart.

GETTING STARTED

Quick and efficient, it is configured not too bad (and associated apps are not very bloody but it is doing). The manual has remained in the box, I do not know how it looks?

OVERALL OPINION

This card has three faults, one way, a large and very large:

1) breaks sync from time to time (just often enough to annoy)
2) the volume knob that goes to sputter quickly
3) it heats too much, and it is getting worse with time!

My card died after about 5 years: Total overheating ... risk of fire in the office fuck! I tried to repair but its condos slamming one after the other when they are replaced. No time to change all the components one after the other, and anyway I have more confidence (4000 Euro plug stuff into something that is literally smoking, blah ...). In addition, I have a friend who has had the same forums and other such cases.

Conclusion: not very durable as a product! Too bad, this interface showed a good performance / price ratio. I does not sound cards Presonus because they all look like the same stuff. It's time for me to return to the big leagues (RME, but my bank account will feel it).

I wanted a simple interface for making models only on a PC running XP with Cubase 3. Two preamps sufficed for me from this point of view. At least there, we found it more and more effective.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are fairly stable: rather I say because I like the cartoon dog and the card, like all FireWire fetched from time to time: Cubase lost it and I had to reboot.

A word on the preamp, which were neither bad nor exceptional: as those found in this price range. Understand that they were relatively quiet but did not have, alas, high headroom. On a static (Behringer B2, then the M-Audio Sputnik tube), it had to push the gain to 3 / 4 to begin to get a good signal ...

GETTING STARTED

Simple installation and interface mixing very clear and nice shape. Not need for the manual for getting it together. As for the bundle, nothing extraordinary: Cubase LE and a handful of basic loops.

OVERALL OPINION

If I wrote this review in the past is that the card is dead after one year: Unable to synchronize, as if the party FireWire was dead. In short, I am not happy at all and even if the card fits perfectly to my needs in terms of functionality and ergonomics, I will not make this selection again: no more confidence in PreSonus, and a few in FireWire. I turned to a PCI solution for Echo ...

My first sound card. And for that I owe it a debt of gratitude! I wanted something compact with lots of inputs and outputs to experiment with synths sound effects used in inserts.

UTILIZATION

Before finding this card solution, I spent hours on the AF forums! My first year of use was laborious!! Then (with time) it stabilizes ... Latency is relatively low: 3ms. The mixer app that comes with the card is pleasant to use, while the control panel is a little less. At a frequency change the control panel indicates the new frequency while the card has still not synchronized with the computer. From time to time we get it right, always at a frequency change to a total loss of connection, the method is a bit barbaric disconnect the PSU and then plug it back.

GETTING STARTED

The installation posed a lot of little problems for me. It was on a laptop Toshiba Satellite M40. Clicks recording and playback, loss of sync, large latency. In hindsight I think the Firewire did not help because the installation itself was quick, card immediately detected.

OVERALL OPINION

Four years to be lugging a studio in the studio, from scene to scene, from hotel to hotel. It even underwent an emergency brake in a truck and went through the whole cabin caught by the Firewire cable like a shooting star. In short sturdy! So robust that it is now ...... rinsed!
Two outputs connections, the preamp and knobs are well worn, one of the preamp is tired, but it is now stable level software. The price is good value was the same right to S / PDIF.
With experience I think that's a nice little card to get started with. I now use a PCI card solution with the RME Multiface II and with installation ... can't compare ... and also can't compare ... the SOUND!

I chose this card for XLR inputs on the front: one for the microphone with phantom power and a dedicated instrument with separate input control. 1 headphone volume control and a general control. Other input jack 6.35 mm at the back, and separate outputs + MIDI inputs.

I use a Presonus preamp VOICE more and plug guitars (electric or electro) directly into the input 2 dedicated instruments.

The general outputs are connected to amplified speakers Samson Resolv 40a

UTILIZATION

Originally installed with a PC Laptop / Windows XP, the drivers were stable until I migrated to an iMac / Mac OS X Snow Leopard. I have a problem with firewire 400 on which I connect my firewire card and 800 on which I connect my hard drive working. In fact the map does more interfaces with the computer and the sound skips. The solution: I do not plug into the Firewire 800 when I'm in musical session ...

Latency is correct and quality mic preamps is the (quite neutral and not breathing), enhanced by the addition preamp VOICE course.

GETTING STARTED

No need to install drivers for Mac, maybe it's the true Plug & Play

OVERALL OPINION

I use this card since 2004. I also have a 610 Egosys quatafire I find a bit better in terms of mic preamps.

The price / quality ratio was good at the time (around 300 euros). Comes with Cubase LE, it can start without breaking the bank as well.

This map is used in a MJC with teenagers. It has seen all the colors: it is very robust (Alu) and does not "chip" as some USB cards which shall remain nameless ...

Distrust with this product. I used it since 2007. The stability of the synchronization with the computer sound card has never been the strong point of the Firebox, but since upgrading my computer (I switched from Windows XP to Windows 7), frankly nothing works properly. I searched Forums everywhere looking for a solution. I'm obviously far from alone in experiencing this problem but Presonus does not seem very interested in fixing their product.

My advice: do not buy Presonus!

UTILIZATION

major driver Windows 7

GETTING STARTED

NO!

OVERALL OPINION

2007: do not buy!

The main thing I love about this unit is the firewire powering capability. Not needing a wall wart or any other power source makes this unit very convenient for live recording or live performing situations especially with my laptop. With a full battery, I can run the presonus firebox, two usb powered keyboards and all my software programs for three hours without the need of a power source! One of the best setups for creative people on the go.
My mobile rig consists of a MacBook (2.2ghz, 120gb internal HD, 320gb usb powered external HD, 4 gb ram), 2 M-Audio keyboards (88 weighted key, and 61 axiom) and Logic 8 and multiple NI programs.
I use the Firebox to simultaneously record my bands performance (stereo track from mains) and out put all my synth/key/samples/pads to the mains. This thing is so convenient.

UTILIZATION

The firebox is plug and play with Logic but unfortunately, I am having problems getting my Native Instruments to recognize it. I bypass that problem for the time being by selecting the firebox as my computers main output.
The general configuration is pretty simple. The firebox mixer application is a little confusing to me. I have not really dived into any help features yet. They did not send me any paper manuals, but the there is plenty of help on line. I wish there was a paper manual though, those always seem clearer to me.

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are great. I haven't noticed any updates yet, unless it does them without my knowledge. I use this mostly with logic 8 and they work together seamlessly. Like I said before, plug and play with Logic. It also has 24k recording capability which logic supports so thats a big plus. As for latency, I have been able to put most programs down to zero latency (at least thats what they claim) and so far, no problems. As for tracks, 16 internal software tracks is the most I have ever used thus far. I notice that when I first open up those tracks, logic gets "overloaded" when a part comes up with a lot of midi data, but I believe that is Logics fault. Its not a really big issue, it only stops that once. The next time through it works fine.

OVERALL OPINION

I have had the Firebox for 4 months and it has yet to disappoint. Again, the best thing is the firewire power capability. Other pluses are the 24k recording, 6 1/4" outputs for sending different signals to different amps/mixes, and the overall high quality sound I get out of my recordings. I didn't any other models personally but I talked to a lot of people who use the this device and the some of M-audio's interfaces and everyone recommended the firebox. I also did a lot of research online and found the same to be true. I would absolutely buy this item again. Its a must have for computer based/assisted musicians/engineers.

Nope,worked right out of the box.it is bus powered which makes it very moblie,comes with everthing you need to get started even Cubase LE

$299

UTILIZATION

This thing was a walk in the park,set you sample rate and your all set.the Mixer is very easy to use aswell

GETTING STARTED

Very rugged steel design,I've droped it off a table moving the mic that was pluged into it and it still works like a champ.

OVERALL OPINION

Very very clearn Class A Preamps and this unit will produce crystal clear Audio no need for EQing.I give it a 9 becuase I am sure there is something that sounds better but I am sure its about twice as much.

I love it for the easy of use and the sound quality is Amazing.well worth the money best investment I've made yet...

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: DreaminginStereo (January 1-, 2005)

In this price range, there were only a couple interfaces to choose from and presonus has a good reputation and from reviews I read the Firebox produced less latency due to the high speed firewire connection as opposed to USB.
I used this interface with a homebuilt 1.3ghz PC with a gig of ram, and Cubase LE which was free with the Firebox, and my wharfedale 8.1 monitors. I was mostly using it (and its phantom power) to record acoustic and electric guitar with a large diaphram condensor mic, I rarely went direct through it except for bass which it handled nicely. Having 2 quality XLR inputs right on the front is nice so I'm not groping around back. It would have been nice to have all the inputs on the front, but.... I only use 1 or 2 anyway.
I have to say, this thing is pretty beefy with its metal case and metal knobs. As small and portable as it is (a huge plus for those of us on the go with our gear) it would have been nice to get a dedicated carrying case instead of a foam lined package it comes in.

UTILIZATION

The software installed no problem, compatible from the get go which is great because I am NOT a techhead. Cubease LE was a bit of a challenge getting the settings on the Firebox ready to record, but the manual helped.

GETTING STARTED

Once I got it rolling, I never had a problem with the software. I only got noticeable latency when I was using my Drumkit From Hell which hogs up the ram on my computer, and it was bad. I only recorded one track at a time so I guess I've never really put it through its paces, it can record 4 simultaneously.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most about it is its simplicity, I would think its ideal for an informed beginner like myself. I dig the way its small and sits right up on top of my wharfedale monitors easily within reach.
It was pretty comparable to a few other manufacturer's interfaces, so I feel like I got a good deal. I wish we had affordable technology like this and the FirePod back in my band recording days, decent quality preamps and 24 bit digital converters all in one package.

Knowing what I know now, I might fork out a little extra money for a more dedicated field type recording unit and do without computer software for an even more portable setup, but for PC/Mac I would still use Presonus, either Firebox or Firepod. Most definitely.