Clipping using Firewire Interface Presonus Firebox

Question

Hello, I'm new to this forum and recently just getting acquainted with using GB 2 and my new Presonus Firebox interface, which I acctually bought from reading the recommendations on this forum. So thanks for the suggestions!
My issue is I'm recording my electric bass and acoustic electric guitar (one at a time) and both instruments are clipping during playback. I can't even hear or monitor my playing during recording.
I've attempted adjusting the levels on both the bass and acoustic guitar AND on the Firebox, from low-mid and high AND also in the System Preferences input volume control. Whether I record with low or mid volumes I 'm clipping.
I'm using inputs in the front, lines 1 & 2 for mic/instrument. I've even tried using the rear inputs 3 & 4 but I don't even get a reading. I must be doing something wrong.
So I wonder if this has anything to do with the kind of cables I'm using for recording. Or my computer's speed and memory. I'm using an iMac G4 from a few years back.
Previously, I was using my old Powerbook G4 for recording, also from a few years back, and I did NOT get any clipping when I recorded my acoustic electric guitar, but I did have to raise the levels on the guitar AND on the Firebox - almost to the max! - to get a decent volume recorded.
Please help! I'm still getting acquainted with all this techy stuff. Thanks in advance
imac   Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

Answer 1

I can't even hear or monitor my playing during recording.
You should be able to listen to (monitor) the tracks. Double click on the instrument icon on the track and from the monitor pulldown menu select 'on'. Monitoring is off by default.
As far as levels, don't worry about the main level. It can clip in the recording stage. Worry about the individual track levels. You may not be able to get them into the yellow but at least get them as high in the green as possible.
You have a number of gains to play with. My suggestion is to leave the system gain on its default setting. Play with the gains on your guitars (if you have any) and the Presonus. There is usually a track gain and a main gain. Put the main on about 1/2 and then adjust the track gain. If this creates too much background noise do the opposite. Every interface is different so you may need to play with it.
Note that the harder you strum the more volume goes to your mic so in setting up the levels make sure you are strumming as hard as you would in the loudest part of the piece. This will give you your top level.
If you are clipping slightly and occasionally it might be all right. I have had several recording go slightly into the red with no digital clipping. There may be a little wiggle room in Garageband's meters.
The main meter is a different story. All tracks combine together, some frequencies are identical which may boost that frequency more so you end in the red a lot. Most of us use some sort of compression to control this. You want the signal high but don't want it to clip.
The best plugin for beginners is the C3 Multi Band Compressor 1.2. It comes with a mess of presets. The mastering presets are particularly useful for your master track. You can download it here. Follow the directions to install it.
Here is a goofy thing. Garageband defaults to hiding the Master track. This is plain silliness because you need to mess with the Master track to get your final product done. In Garageband press ⌘ +b to see the master track. Double click on the master track and you will see pulldown menus that you can select various plugins. This is where you would use the C3 plugin mentioned above. Plugins used in the master track pulldown menus apply to all tracks.
This is a great page to learn more about garageband basics:
Apple - Support - GarageBand
Kurt