Just Bought a Presonus Firebox

I just bought a Presonus Firebox and since comments from a lot of people here helped me to make that decision I thought I would add my experience to help others who might be trying to make up their minds.
First, I chose it because I wanted a low-cost solution for digital audio that included MIDI and SPDIF. I primarily play all instruments myself, at this point one at a time so 6 ins is more than I usually need. I like the small footprint on the desktop too.
I read mostly positive things about sound quality and I have to say I am impressed with it, amazed in fact at the quality for the price. I find it very clean and balanced across the spectrum that I can hear.
The other big factor was that a number of people told me that Presonus has good technical support. I have to say that in my experience they are great. Outstanding. I had a number of issues that weren't covered in the manual and I got very quick and helpful feedback that was always accurate. In case anyone else runs into them, here they are with the solutions:
At first the unit seemed dead. The front light went blue-red-off and stayed off. Plugging in the adapter got it working fine, and afterwards the unit worked without the adapter just fine (i.e. powered via Firewire).
The manual seems to tell you to right-click on the Firebox Control Panel to set the CPU speed but the right-click does nothing. It turns out that this is only for Windows XP, and the manual is unclear about this. No big deal.
SPDIF wouldn't work. Core Audio should have detected it but didn't. Presonus sent me a modified Hardware Control that allowed me to choose SPDIF and now it works just fine.
I was really impressed with the help I got from tech support. I should add that I made it clear that I had read the entire manual and tried everything I could to make it work before I contacted them, so this may have inclined them to be more responsive. In any case, they were great.
I hope this is helpful to someone.
Chet

I am happy with my FireBox as well. But the only problem I have is "somtimes" when I shut my computer down and restart it later in the day or the next day, my iMac G5 does not recognize the Firebox. I usually find that if I put the computer to "sleep" for a few seconds then wake it up it will recognize the Firebox. However, sometimes I have to restart a few times or sleep a few times for everything to work OK. During this time I do freak out a bit but once it's working it seems pretty stable.
I sometimes wonder if the Firewire cable just dose not make a good connection with the firebox. Its always seemed to site pretty loose in the firebox's firewire connection.
Any thoughts?
Morris

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Just Bought a Presonus Firebox and want to know if I really need to install

Just Bought a Presonus Firebox and want to know if I really need to install the presonus software that came with it?
Is it really necessary?
thanks, technoreid

The Firebox Mixer allows you to set up different
routings for the monitors and headphones. You may
never use such features, but if you do, you'll
appreciate the flexibility. It can also be used to
provide lower latency monitoring of live signals than
you might get using softwre monitoring in Logic.
For most operation, you won't need it, and you'll
control everything from Logic and the front panel
level controls.
In my opinion, the Firebox is the king of small
interfaces.
Before worrying about a tube preamp, get some mics,
and learn how to use the EQ in Logic.
+1 a solid interface
personally i use the mixer feature to switch my main outs from 1-2 to 3-4 when using traktor to let 1-2 be the headphone cue.... ect....

I just bought a presonus 44vsl which working and now it because your new upgrade

I've bought a presonus audio box 44VSL which use to work on maverick OSX and this new upgrade you sent us, I'm having problem.

When i was using windows or pc, I never had this problem yet.
I understand your frustration but....
Those working with Windows 8.. are having similar issues when used in conjunction with newer PCs..... It's not just Apple... It's not just Presonus....
Hopefully newer drivers from Presonus will be available shortly.....
Note:
This why I posted up this notice and kept it at the forefont of this community for the last couple of weeks....
Latest OS X & Logic Pro Compatibility Information
That advice applies to any OS upgrade.. be it to OS X or Windows..... or iOS for that matter!
Cheers..
Nigel

Presonus FireBox issue

Hi.
I just purchased a Presonus FireBox as an upgrade from a Lexicon Omega audio interface. I have also used an M-Audio Firewire 410 briefly in the past with my black macbook. Before connecting my firebox I removed everything I could find that related to either previous audio interface from my computer so as to not interfere with the new one. But every time I plug the firebox into my macbook I get a blue light for a couple of seconds, then a permanent red light. I installed the drivers on my wife's PC and connected the firebox and it sync'd right up, steady blue light, so I know the firebox is working. I also am assuming that my firewire port on my macbook works since I have used the m-audio interface in the past. I tried plugging the firebox into the already booted computer, and booting the computer with the firebox already plugged in with the same results. I also reset the pram on my macbook and there's no improvement.
Is this an issue with OS X 10.5.8? I've only ever found info about 10.5.7 on Presonus's website. Do I need to move up to Snow Leopard?

Thanks for the response.
I tried messing with the Audio MIDI Setup but the problem is, the firebox doesn't even show up there. It's like the computer doesn't even recognized that there is something plugged in. That's why I tested the firebox on my wife's PC, to figure out which end was having the problem, the firebox or the computer. I suppose my firewire port could have crapped out, but it's obviously powering the firebox and I used it with an M-Audio Firewire 410 a few months ago with great results (the M-Audio wasn't mine, but after using it I wanted to switch to a firewire interface with more outputs for live performing and the firebox fit my budget).
Where is the firmware update on their site? I looked in Downloads for the firebox, and I searched for "firmware" in their main search and in the tech support forum and haven't found it.

Presonus Firebox and FCP

Hey everyone. I just got my Presonus Firebox. Runs great with Logic/Reason/even Itunes etc...BUT I'm having major problems using it with FCP 5. Major audio pops and clicks when playing any clips on the timeline. Strangely enough, audio plays clean in the viewer? Any suggestions? Seems like it might be some kind of sample conversion issue, but everything looks right in the settings...
Thanks in advance for your help,
gilzoo

Hey, I'm having this same problem. I've come up with a work-around by using headphones and monitoring audio directly from the deck (I'm using a Panasonic AJ-HD1200A DVCPRO HD).
And yes, once I capture the clip it sounds fine on playback in QT or FCP. It's only during remote playback in the "Log & Capture" mode that the audio is basically reduced to this horrible staticky/buzzing sound.
Anybody know what's up? Thanks!
- grant
G5 dual 2.5 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Presonus Firebox Interface technical problems.

Just got the PreSonus FIREBOX 24 BIT 96K unit. Have the firewire hooked into iMac - Garageband 2009.
Can only get the right channel to work on input source stereo setting 1/2. Very quiet - I'm getting a minimal signal on both mic and instrument inputs - all levels on the interface are cranked. I cannot make any other input sources pick up a signal. Not even getting a headphone signal back when plugged in.
What am I doing wrong?

That's the thing the stereo input source is the ONLY source in which I can get any signal and only very quietly. All the others I get nothing at all including Mono.

I just bought a new iMac and am ready to purchase Logic Pro X, but I have a Presonus Fire Studio Project with a firewire 400 as my connection. Will this work with my new iMac? I purchased the Presonus around 2007.

I just bought a new iMac 10.9 and am wanting to purchase Logic Pro X. My question is I have a 2007 Presonus Fire Studio Project 8 channel input box that hooks up with firewire 400 I believe, will this work with Logic ProX on my new iMac?

You will need a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter... may also need a Firewire 800 to 400 connector/adapter.
Also need to make sure Presonus has Maverick drivers for the FSP.

My Presonus Firebox is not working for me!

Hey so i just bought a macbook pro in the hopes of starting recording right away. When i plug in my firebox it is read by garageband and i have the choices of mono inputs 1-6 and stereo inputs 1/2, 3/4, and 5/6 so i know that i has been read by garageband. However when i try to use the mic i have set up in it, it picks up no audio. I have gone into the preferences of BOTH the computer and garageband to change the input to the firebox and i dont know where to go from there because it still wont work. please help me!

Depends on a few things. This is not unlike a problem I recently had with a Presonus Audiobox USB. (They always say, don't they, that "recording is easy" and "plug and play", but if you're not up with the jargon and the technics, it can be a nightmare). Your Macbook Pro is picking up the Presonus box, so that's good. Your cables are working. (I assume it's USB or Firewire, right?). Do you have the Phantom Power turned on? Most condenser mics need phantom power, and it's usually just a flick of a switch or a press of a button. (This will be on the Presonus box, not the mic). Check the levels coming out of the Presonus box. Are they high enough to get a signal through? (It's easy to forget to turn the volume up!). Does your mic have an ON switch? Some do, and it can be the last thing you think about. Having changed the INPUT to Firefox Audio (as you said, above), you need to also direct the OUTPUT somewhere. If you want to listen through the Macbook's little speakers, then send the OUTPUT signal to "Built-in output" (I think that's what it will be called--it is on my iMac). You do this in Garageband>Preferences>Output, and also in Apple>System Preferences>Audio>Output. If you want to listen through external speakers of any kind, you need to set the output to the Presonus box. Once again, you do this in Garageband>Preferences>Output (then choose the Presonus box), and also in Apple>System Preferences>Audio>Output (choose the presonus box). Check the recording levels in GB. Does the fader on the left hand side, near the record/solo/mute buttons light up green at all? If so, you're in business on the input side. To hear yourself, say, through headphones or through speakers, you might have to check the MONITOR SETTINGS... On the bottom right of your GB screen, you need to choose the monitor input. I choose "Mono 2 AudioBox USB", because I just have a single mic, running mono, plugged into channel (input) 2 of the Audiobox. I imagine your Presonus gear would be very similar. If that monitor is not turned on, you might not hear yourself at all (I'm happy to be corrected on that, but it's what I've found after a few days constantly on this). Failing all that, check your mic cable in another source (if you have one). (I'm have terrible trouble with Studio One, which came bundled with my Presonus box. If you can help me with that--setting up the audio in and out, I'd be most grateful). Anyway, that's all I can think of for now. Cheers Chris

Clipping using Firewire Interface Presonus Firebox

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)

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

Premiere Pro CS6 and Presonus Firebox w/Matrox MXO2

Good Day.
I just installed the newest Matrox MXO2 Mini w/Max technology on my 64bit Win7 system.
Got my HDMI monitor working. Yayy! - seriously... that was a real problem a few months back, so I'm happy I can see my Output on that monitor.
My problem is all of my audio is now piped over there too, and I'd much rather have the choice of mixing with my M-Audio speakers through my PreSonus Firebox, OR listening to it through the crummy speakers on my HDMI TV.
I've gone into the Prefs>Audio Hardware and set it to the PreSonus, but that didn't help.
I've scoured the www and YouTube, as well as these forums, the Presonus formums and even the Matrox forums and it SEEMs I'm alone in this configuration - or, at least, I can't find anyone with the same setup and same problems.
Can anyone walk me through the setup of my Firebox to be used with PP CS6 (as well AE and all the rest)? I'd be much obliged, as my frustration level has just about peaked at this point.
Thanks very much for any advice, input and assistance you may be able to offer!

Yikes!
I thought I was being clever by getting the MXO2.
I'm stuck with it now, but what's the "Right" way of getting a correct signal to my HDMI LCD HD TV?
But yeah, it's been a hassle ever since I got it. VideoGuys (from whom I bought it and are normally very nice) were quick to wash their hands of me and the product. I thought I'd have a lot of support from them, since they recommended it, but they passed me off and never looked back.
But the good news is, thanks to this forum, I now have video and audio live from my timeline.

Presonus Firebox. clash with the Garage

Hi everybody.
Im repeating myself with a post in the Garage 2 forum but It is possible that in here it might be more viewed.
Im writing from the Spanish town of Bilbao. Just to introduce myself in case someone lives closed.
Ok. I recently bought the pre Presonus Firebox, to record a new project with my Garage.
All of a sudden this pre does not accept the instruments and makes an awful noise piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii when i try to make it work.
I checked in the system preferences the input and output and everything seems normal.
the most weird thing is that the music from Itunes and skype comes from the Presonus Firebox output BUT If i use the Garage the music of my songs comes out from the internal speakers for no reason!
Whats going on??? it never happened when I used to use my old pre a M-Audio.
Does this stuff makes any sense to anyone??
cheers.
jf

Yes you are right.
I was a little bit desperate. After almost a week trying to make it work all of a sudden I had this problem and I went a little bit mental. I bought it form ebay and I began to think that it might be broken. It is not the first time.
thanks for replying down at the forum GB@. You were right and the problem has been sorted.
All the best.
jf

PreSonus Firebox w GarageBand 2...not recording

Trying out my new PreSonus Firebox for the first time.
1) Tried bring in song from a tape casssette: used two 1/4" plugs on back of preamp...Lines In 3 & 4. Used the back because the tape deck has a preamp;
2) Tried recording with a mic: 1/4" plug into Mic/Instrument Line 1 on front of preamp.
--iMac System Preferences are set for PreSonus Firebox
--GarageBand Audio Prefs is set for PreSonus Firebox
No sound, and no evidence of recording activity, from headphones either into the iMac or into the Firebox preamp....or from computer speakers.
Is this something to do with a "line out" into the computer? I had thought the FireWire would take care of that.
Hoping this is something simple that I'm just not getting.
Appreciate you help

Definitely hit Radio Shack and get these items:
Stereo Mini Y adapter for iPod (allows two sets of headphones to use one iPod output). Since the two outputs are connected together, you can now use it as a stereo Mini (Male) to stereo Mini (Male) coupler for which you can find cables and adapters to take the audio to split RCA (Stereo Mini to RCA out adapter cable (#422483) or plug (274-883?) and, finally, Standard Phone plug (2 RCA to Phone plug (1/4") adapters.) for use with your interface outputs.
Connect speaker plug (Mini Plug) to stereo Mini Y adapter. Plug Stereo Mini to RCA in other Y. Connect RCA plugs to Phone plug adapters to output of Box. Tape over Mini Y adapter's unused plug.
Definitely NOT elegant, but works. Otherwise clean the whole thing up with a pair of wire pliers and a soldering tool.
I'm SURE there are better solutions, but this was a quick one from Radio Shack's online catalog...
...J
PS Just bought a Firebox solution for my kid at school and he wants to use his JBL Creatures...same thing...computer speakers. Headed out to Radio Shack today to get the same or similar solution for him...Ha ha ha.

Presonus Firebox w/ line-in monters

Garageband has an option to use a different driver for line in and line out. Logic does not seem to have this ability. My monitors (m-audio studiopro 3) won't plug in to the line outputs on the firebox so I plug them into the back of the comp. So basically, I can't monitor as I record. Too hear the recording I have to switch drivers in Logic. The only option I can think of is to use headphones for the firebox.
My question is : Am I missing something or is Logic really less capable than Garageband in this regard?
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7) Logic Express, Presonus Firebox, M-Audio Studiopro 3

Definitely hit Radio Shack and get these items:
Stereo Mini Y adapter for iPod (allows two sets of headphones to use one iPod output). Since the two outputs are connected together, you can now use it as a stereo Mini (Male) to stereo Mini (Male) coupler for which you can find cables and adapters to take the audio to split RCA (Stereo Mini to RCA out adapter cable (#422483) or plug (274-883?) and, finally, Standard Phone plug (2 RCA to Phone plug (1/4") adapters.) for use with your interface outputs.
Connect speaker plug (Mini Plug) to stereo Mini Y adapter. Plug Stereo Mini to RCA in other Y. Connect RCA plugs to Phone plug adapters to output of Box. Tape over Mini Y adapter's unused plug.
Definitely NOT elegant, but works. Otherwise clean the whole thing up with a pair of wire pliers and a soldering tool.
I'm SURE there are better solutions, but this was a quick one from Radio Shack's online catalog...
...J
PS Just bought a Firebox solution for my kid at school and he wants to use his JBL Creatures...same thing...computer speakers. Headed out to Radio Shack today to get the same or similar solution for him...Ha ha ha.

Presonus Firebox Audio Interface AND LaCie 1T "Big Disk" hard drive

I just bought a G5 primarily to edit video with FCP 5. But of course I also want good audio and want to upgrade my audio interface for recording music. I've read great things about the Presonus Firebox.
I want to connect the LaCie drive to my Firewire 800 port.
The question is: Can the computer handle the Firebox going into a FW400 port AND the LaCie drive going into the FW800 port? I have read murmurs that this is actually a serious problem.
If the G5 and Tiger can't handle both these at the same time, what do you suggest for a solution?
Thanks!
Paul S.
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I just bought a G5 primarily to edit video with FCP 5. But of course I also want good audio and want to upgrade my audio interface for recording music. I've read great things about the Presonus Firebox.
I want to connect the LaCie drive to my Firewire 800 port.
The question is: Can the computer handle the Firebox going into a FW400 port AND the LaCie drive going into the FW800 port? I have read murmurs that this is actually a serious problem.
If the G5 and Tiger can't handle both these at the same time, what do you suggest for a solution?
Thanks!
Paul S.
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I'm having an intermittent problem with my midi controllers triggering Mainstage 3. I'm using a PreSonus Firebox audio interface. It's been working fine for months, but now when I first turn on the computer in the morning , I'm not able to trigger Ma

I’m having an intermittent problem with my midi controllers triggering Mainstage 3.
I’m using a PreSonus Firebox audio interface.
It’s been working fine for months, but now when I first turn on the computer in the morning , I’m not able to trigger MainStage from the keyboard. I tried different midi controllers, different keyboards, different midi cords, and check midi preferences. The audio interface is working fine and is recogonized, but the midi doesn’twork. I re-started the computer several times and then finally it miraculously starts working again.
I’ve been having to this every day now. Any help or ideas is very much appreciated.

I Had the same problem with a FireStudio. Try unplugging the FireWire plug and the power plug. Wait for a few seconds, then plug both back in. The light on my FireStudio was flashing blue/red which means "not connecting." I did what I just described, and everything works again. Hope it works for you.

Just Bought a Presonus Firebox

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