【 Weak current College 】 Presonus Firebox Firewire audio interface evaluation---Power By 【 China power house network 】

In the price of 6 into 8 audio channels, extra comes with two high-quality microphone preamplifier, Presonus Firebox of interface looks great, doesn't it?
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Now, Firewire audio interface and the price is based on the USB external audio card products compete. In this era of portable music, "the price is right" and "FireWire" two nouns have intimate contact. I must say that a good USB interface audio card and there's nothing wrong with — the choice is large, performance is good, in fact, I myself have a piece. But for audio transmission and processing, the FireWire interface will make you feel more attractive and more at ease.

What is Firebox

Presonus has proven they can do very nice FireWire products, whether in February this year the SOS Magazine profiling the Firepod, or even earlier FireStation. The latter was in February 2003, SOS magazines before evaluating article for Yamaha mLan technology of based on FireWire, but I got the new audio cards use the independent drivers.

Firepod is a well-equipped audio interface, a total of 10 in 10 out of the interface, 8-top microphone amplifier, insert (insert) interface, digital input/output and MIDI input/output. If you put this thing in accordance with the functionality and appearance of the width of the cut, then get the Firebox. However the volume becomes small feature and not least: this audio interface still provides a total of six audio input (four of which support analog 24bit, 96kHz estuary) and eight output, along with a pair of MIDI input and output. All of these configuration together with FireWire interface to transfer data without any problem, but if possible USB1.1 interface transmission will be difficult.

Presonus is also able to ensure that the products come from a box can begin immediately after recording: forwards as SteinbergCubaseLE, 48-track audio and MIDI sequencing track, this is the full range of products. In the Firebox's package also includes a full version of the specification — it is very small, but sufficient to tell you everything you need to know.

Audio Kaka as

This sturdy, looks a bit like block brick-Firebox small things — it integrates a lot of things, its size, it is a bit heavy, but considerate design so that it is not complicated to use, while at the slightest performance and compromise on quality. For example, the first two analog input is in the front panel, the use of a socket used for Neutrik, each socket can be used as a balanced XLR (Canon), musical instrument input or balanced large three-core line input. Hidden in the inputs of the back is a dynamic to a sufficient allowance, ultra low noise amplification circuit and supports the illusion of power supply, on the front panel has a phantom power on and off. Input gain for musical instrument input, line-in or microphone input is sufficient, through the front panel of a control on the blue knob — you other Presonus products also meet the knob, the knob is stepping in, is very easy to control and positioning. No level table, in addition to the ears (and sequencer software provides a number of features), as a matter of fact you really need is the front panel of the built-in overload (clip) LEDs.

On the front panel of the other two knobs used to separate control headset and total output volume. I want to warn you that the two knobs gain degrees is very wide: I am not able to remember when headphones volume so big! last is a headphone jack and FireWire indicator: when the sound card working properly when displayed in blue, do not run properly when displayed in red, between the switch or State abnormal time flashes.

Next look at the back panel. Here are the other two balanced line input, there is also a main stereo outputs and four line output, all of which are balanced interface. Although the interface is in accordance with the form of a stereo pair, but the markup output interface can be designated to mono output, or (in the software implementation) is free of specified 5.1 surround output monitoring a channel. Back panel there are two FireWire interfaces, in most cases, the Firebox can supply by FireWire interface. However, if your computer has only four-pin FireWire port — usually this interface will appear on the PC laptops, this interface is not powered — you'll need to add a 16V power transformer. Interestingly, if you forget the power interface voltage values, that's not a problem, because you can easily find the right power — the power connector can accept 12-24V DC or 15V AC.
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Firebox's digital interface and MIDI interface implementation through successive lines outside the
Finally, there is a 9-pin interface, by connecting a trapezoid with card came with a connector that provides a digital input/output (two coaxial S/PDIF interface) and MIDI input/output. This is actually not a perfect approach, additional connector will result in inconvenience and placed on the potential risk of poor contact, but also in other devices stacked when connector may also be out of the way. But for such a small volume of the box, this may be the only additional connection Presonus approach. To me, these features are extremely necessary. Overall, the design of the overall shape is quite good.

More introduction
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And many similar computer audio interface, the Firebox is a built-in DSP mixer. This mixer can be used only by proprietary software to Firebox audio mixing desk calls, but this software provides a sound signal more comprehensive and meticulous control. As part of the driver, mixing desk software together with accompanying the Firebox will automatically install the control panel to the PC system. MacOSX is not need driver, because the Firebox audio and MIDI support CoreAudio, is truly Plug and play. Mac users will need to manually install the CD audio mixing desk and the Control Panel program onto the system. Incidentally, the Firebox supports only the above system, MacOS10.3.7 on PC only supports windowsXP systems. However, although the Presonus recommended configuration is more than Apple G4800MHz PC, but I in my old 450MHz machines use is still very good.

Firebox audio mixing desk software provides comprehensive volume control, and other operational tools, you can access the sound sequencing software before making their channel, or from software playback sound flows. In addition to these, you can use it to eliminate recording latency issues. Sound card itself and there is no "zero latency monitoring" switch, but as long as the correct settings for sound mixer, and close monitoring of the sequencing software, you can get the recording of zero delay eavesdropping.
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Firebox audio mixing console interface, which is on the mac, on your PC and the same. Looks very nice, and very easy. Turn off the sequencing software for listening, and then through the sound mixer you can achieve zero latency monitoring.
The above chart, sound mixer interface to meet your every need: six input channels and a stereo sequencer returns channels, each with faders and sound like location, as well as mute (mute) and solo (solo) button. Each input channel has a stereo connection switch (stereolink), lit after two faders will at the same time, actions, and sound like automatically jump to a left-right. But strangely silent and solo switch remains a separate action. Another strange places is no level meter shows, maybe a future upgrade will solve this problem?
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When used on a PC's main settings interface, note that the sample rate and delay settings window
Total output provides a volume faders and a master control solo and mute switch, the switch will allow users to quickly relieve multiple track mute State. Finally, a series of switches you can choose to enter the headphone output of the signal source, and that all settings can be saved. In passing, although not from sequencing software in specified directly, but the headphones output can still serve as a sound card mixer independent output to use, this makes the Firebox can be done six into ten. This feature is useful, for onsite performances and DJ who can play sounds at the same time convenient preview other tracks for recording, can also be more of an independent monitoring outputs.

Very strange Firebox settings interface without and mixer interface together. It provides basic clock signal source select (internal synchronization or s/PDIF) and for each analog input provides a 12dB gain switch. When using a non-balanced-10dBV standard input or recording sound from a small sound source when useful. In the PC's settings interface also provides a sampling of settings and flexible delay time settings. Mac version not both, although the instructions mentioned using "right click" the mouse, but I have no right, and I tried all the key combinations has still not found the option. In any case, the delay time and the total sample rate settings can be set in the CubaseSX or CubaseLE.

Practical test

In addition to the CubaseLE, I also tried a Firebox I familiar with and have been using software: dual-platform (Mac and PC platforms) full version for PC platforms CubaseSX, Cakewalk's Sonar4, and i3 of DSPQuattro, my favorite Mac platform sound editor, PropellerheadReason3.0 and AbletonLive, also twin platform. Results in all areas is satisfactory. Recording software work very smoothly, I liked the sound card mixer interface provides functionality for zero delay eavesdropping. In any software, I can simultaneously record multiple tracks of sounds, but does not appear off sound or the sound of the explosion.

In my old Mac MIDI keyboard playing on using Flex sources, delay has become a prominent issue that I almost can't adjust playback settings to resolve the problem, however I also mentioned earlier, my Mac than the recommended minimum configuration for Presonus is even lower. The same problem also exists on the PC, but has a much smaller, as long as you use the appropriate settings, play MIDI soft sound source when Basic is not aware of any problems.

Finished Firebox audio input and output, following the discussion at its representations, in that regard it cannot find any disadvantages. In fact, compared to my existing audio card, the voice of Reason is more a sense of depth and more comfortable. Front panel microphone on most of the performance is quite good. I access the electric bass, or hardware sound generators for audio output, or a microphone, in any case enter the voice always so perfect, the noise is very low. From the audio playback sound quality are also available, sniffing out and headphone output with volume also impressed me. 24bit-96kHz converters sound transparent, highly resistant to hear;As I mentioned, excellent analog circuit parts on the audio conversion. So excellent sound quality in this affordable product, say that it is of great value.

Conclusions of the

Overall, the Firebox is a money value of products, price is very high. It sound impeccable, i.e. the use of expensive out many products to follow it more favourably, and its sample rate and sampling accuracy to meet the needs of almost all of us. It's input and output channel are sufficient to meet the family work and mobile working.

Another point I have mentioned, this audio card when heat is very large, even with FireWire power supply. This, of course, is nothing, just watch out for the display of the location or equipment to the attention of the it stack does not have any trouble. I received the package does not contain rubber feet, this could be big problem, however hard crust Firebox indeed there are some sharp corners, could be designated bad painting surface of the table. However, dealers should have some price suitable accessories.

For this kind of product you almost picked without any defects. Plus complimentary CubaseLE — you just have to be installed on the computer, this is a full-featured audio system. No need to discuss the USB and FireWire interfaces is better, the Firebox is no doubt is a unique portable audio interface products. Listen to the sound of it, it won't let you down.