To buy or not to buy - Firebox

[Murph]

Simple question, before I spend my hard earned cash:

Can the Firebox Record at 96Khz or not?

Does the firmware update actually work without introducing a high pitched whine?

Issues I’m reading about like Preamps that can’t handle SM57’s, Firewire noise and not being able to record at 96KHz. This is really putting me off. Is it really that bad?

[vcovco]

DON'T buy it, especially if you have hopes of using an sm57 with it. I bought one and promptly returned it. Overall a decent sounding unit until you try to get any gain out of the preamps--not enough usable gain at all. There is a software button in the control panel that digitally boosts the signal, but then all you get is a ton of noise.

For a little more $$, see if you can find a a firepod / fp10 around, or if you are feeling brave, buy a firestudio project (seems like tons of hw compatibility issues with the firestudios.)

Whatever you do, buy from someplace with a zero hassle return policy.

If you are strictly limited to $300 range, I would recommend the Echo Audiofire 4 over the firebox--the pre's and converters are wayyyy better (sorry presonus...giving an honest opinion here)

I had high hopes for the firebox, but definitely a disappointment...

[samuel1]

I have to wonder, why are you recording at 96KHz? You are buying very small interface, entry level interface - it makes no sense to me. If the firebox is all that is in your price range, I cant imagine that have a microphone that can take advantage of that high sample rate? An SM57 certainly cannot. Many engineers at real studios have not even moved up to that 96KHz standard, I have been wondering lately why guys like me with home brew studios are begging for 96K when so few people have the other equipment to take advantage of it? I wonder why presonus offers 96K on their entry level interface.

That is what it is, by the way - entry level. This is the beginners box we are talking about here. It has smaller pres, and less inputs. If you want power pres, better a/d d/a converters, and things like that, go with a pro interface!

[Murph]

vcovco - Thanks for your thoughts. I have also been looking at the Echo as well as Eidorol's FA-66 and the Alesis io|14. The Firepod would be stretching the budget a bit and I don't know if it's worth it given that I simply don't need that many Ins and Outs.

Samuel 1 - I find your attitude very strange. The firebox SHOULD record at 96Khz but apparently it can't without a whole lot of trouble. If it CAN'T do it then it is poorly designed or just broken. There are other boxes that cost the same-ish amount of money that CAN record at 96KHz. The idea is to get the best for your money. The question of whether a home studio NEEDS 96Khz is a different matter - but why the hell not if it's avaliable? As for the SM57 thing: that mic is so standard that a preamp not able to give it sufficient gain is really not worth troubling with. We're discussing the unit's capabilities, not best production practice.

I have almost decided definitely not to buy the Firebox - Is there anyone willing to stand up for the Firebox?

[jlc]

I am a total novice when it comes to recording, but i have been playing music since the mid '50's, i bought the firebox for a no hassled (hopefully) experience so i could make a few cd's for the family. i have it hooked up to a hp desktop, xp o/s spk2 etc. and thankfully it is doing what i expected/hoped, the family thinks the cd's are great (they are biased) and it has been rather easy for and older guy to figure out, the basics anyway.

can't tell you what rate i am using off the bat, but i am sure it is the default, slowest i guess, but the quality of the recordings is good. i don't plan on upgrading any of the software, new versions, drivers etc., if it ain't broke and it sounds good, i am staying with what i have, and try to learn as much as i can about it. new software will always have bugs, don't jump on the latest versions, espsically if what you have works. Hardware wise, the firebox does what i expected, that is a good thing, i have only owned it a few months but the customer support via the phone is excellent.

good luck with your search.


peace

[samuel1]

All I meant really, is that the 96K features should not be a series defining factor in your purchase! They are useless to you, and if you really do plan on getting stuff that can use 96K, get a firepod.

In a nutshell, get a firepod, the firebox only wants to be what the firepod is.

[faderbug]

just record 24/44.1 and you'll be fine.

[piersonm]

Go FP10, you wont regret it.