【 Weak current College 】 FireBox review---Power By 【 China power house network 】

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I tested many audio interface, many of which are for the same grade, they have a modest price, a low latency performance and good sound quality. But some is different, for example, there are some incredible DAC, extremely low latency, for example, of course, their RMEFireFace price is quite high; others have the same high quality of interfaces you have high-quality (translator's Note: in this case, the analog part of sound quality), exceptional performance and attractive prices. In my opinion, Presonus is the leader in the latter, the FireBox is hard evidence of this.

To illustrate my point, I'll introduce the FireBox in my G5 on installation process. Open the package, the Firewire connectors, and then in the audio and MIDI settings inside select FireBox, complete — it's that simple. FireBox is alive and computer-controlled power-off, so you don't even have to press the switch, as long as the FireWire connection. Of course, the FireBox also prepared a standby power interface, so even if you did not supply a four-pin FireWire interfaces are to use. Typically, you can use a power supply of 6-pin FireWire interfaces, so FireBox does not require external power.

FireBox is installed such a simple, one of the reasons is that it uses adaptive design. My Mac computer (OS version 10.3.7) automatically recognizes FireBox and installed drivers. Some people think that if there is no "real" professional driver, Adaptive audio interface may have high latency. But if you continue to read the following section, you will find this is FireBox is simply not a problem. However this is not to say that the FireBox is not equipped with software that random CD contains FireBoxControl and FireBoxMixer, as well as complimentary CubaseSE.

Feature configuration
FireBox has two way power supply with illusion, microphone amplifier with Neutrik multi-purpose interface, you can access the microphone, line input, or high impedance instrument input, all free front panel knob to adjust the gain. Microphone amplifier with 22dBu of hedroom (dynamic allowance). Back panel there are also two-channel input (grade 3 and 4), so a total of four-channel analog input.

Front panel with two knobs to control the volume and the total number of out of the headphone volume. If you'd like to shake the feeling that you can put the headphones volume up to 11 scale position so that it would be better than the market almost all headphone amplifier sound great! (well, but I think no one will do it, so it's just a joke. ) Seriously said that the volume of the headphone amplifier, which is enough to make the scene DJ, very convenient. Another great feature is the headset can be set to listen on any one output voices, for the use of such software on-site AbletonLive preview is simply too great.

Front panel is equipped with overload indicator. It will not tell you the exact level value (you can read from the software inside), but it will tell you what happened at overload. Although if you have a level indicator would be better, but the overall design of the FireBox is very compact and has no extra space. Finally, the front panel button takes on the Presonus consistent Blue style, just like in Eureka, FirePod, etc. products. My personal taste, button a little small, but feel very good, compared to the same most of the knob.

Another you surprise place is so compact interface contains a lot of output. You have two main outputs (grade 1, 2) used to connect to the monitor speaker, the remaining four outputs can be used to send the bus signal, or send the audio signal for a particular purpose, such as send to an external signal processors, and so on. All output is 1/4 "straight Jack. In addition, through an external connection you can also get a pair of S\/PDIF digital output and an input into a MIDI interface.

Portability
And all the other Presonus products, FireBox feels almost as strong and bricks. However I have two little dissatisfied. First of all, I want the drawing around the entire aluminum panel to the front panel and side panels and top, instead of this, there is only one inch at the top left of the drawing sheet while the remaining part is traditional black metal shell. I hope that such reasons are: first, it would save costs; second, in the device the above stacked other Presonus devices, like multiple TubePre stack up. The second is not satisfied, on the back panel of the 1/4 "interface has not been designed as a dip or and flat-panel, but the stand, plastic threaded and nut fixed, you can remove it. I called my two comments to "a little dissatisfied", because these are for FireBox is unrelated to the broad objective of small things, and that these views are the self personal aesthetic "views".

Performance
As I tested PresonusFirePod, FireBox on the slightest delay performance will not be disappointing. For example, I can set the delay in AbletonLive to 2ms or 32samples, while in the sampling rate 44.1kHz no explosive sound or broken code. If you use software effects and to input signals in real timeAfter listening, with such low latency of FireBox will not let you down.

Application software
Presonus FireBox ready for two small applications. First, a simple FireBoxControl small Windows program that lets you enter for four plus 12dB gain. Another is the mixer window FireBoxMixer, zero delay monitor input, output, and monitoring of the level as well as other circumstances. Very concise and clear sound mixer, in it you can also set any of the output into a headphone output, easy to adjust the audio track or sound footage. If you do not have a digital audio workstation (DAW), software, then you can also use the complimentary CubaseLE.

Conclusions of the
FireBox is an easy-to-use, comprehensive, accessible by FireWire port-powered Firewire audio interface, it has just enough input/output interface which can be used in ordinary compact recording or live performances. It does not have too many extensions, which makes it easy to carry and installation. At the same time it delayed low, good stability and high-quality sound, is ideal for out of Office or with running around. At the same time, it is also very suitable for those seeking a suitable performance and price, and does not require the standard 8 in 8 out of the rack audio interface for home users. If you are thinking to your notebook computer to configure one outstanding multifunctional Firewire audio interface, so you do not have to consider the other.