I have a PreSonus Firebox but no firewire inputs on my Dell

kevmc28 · #1 02-16-2012, 10:15 AM

What are my cheapest options? The soundcard has a 15 hole midi port and USB inputs. I'm not ready to get a new machine and I'd rather not dump a lot of money on a new soundcard.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

portlandguy · #2 02-16-2012, 10:17 AM

USB to Firewire converter will run you less than $30

warnergt · #3 02-16-2012, 10:53 AM

You can get a Firewire Card for $10.

jgriffin · #4 02-16-2012, 10:59 AM

Per your not wanting to buy a new soundcard - there's no reason to do that. Firewire ports aren't found on soundcards.

Drivers for firewire audio interfaces on windows can be unstable, so I'm not sure I'd advise the usb to firewire converter. It might work, but a firewire card is not expensive either. If you have an open PCI slot on your motherboard, you should be looking at a dedicated firewire card - and you definitely want one with the texas instruments (TI) chipset. Non-TI chipsets are essentially unsupported by many audio interface vendors.

e.g.: Newegg.com - SIIG 1394 3-port PCI Card Model NN-440012-S8

dmac1961 · #5 02-16-2012, 12:03 PM

If it's a laptop, I have a PCMIA firewire card for sale.

moles · #6 02-16-2012, 12:12 PM

Considering the price difference between a "cheap" firewire card, and a top tier one - get a good, stable one with a TI chipset.

kraigo · #7 02-16-2012, 12:23 PM

Good advice, mostly. I'd be worried about a USB 2.0 to Firewire converter. I have a FireBox and it's been pretty good about working with any decent Firewire card. I've used a Trendnet PCMCIA, non-TI based, and it was fine.

Go for the larger (six pin vs. four pin) Firewire jack if you can, so you can power the FireBox through it instead of requiring a wall wart. With Windows 7 I have to manually set the card back to 48KHz to play back Windows audio. Once aware of it, it's not a big deal.

KO

Biggbass · #8 02-16-2012, 12:25 PM

Firewire card

agreatheight · #9 02-16-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moles

Considering the price difference between a "cheap" firewire card, and a top tier one - get a good, stable one with a TI chipset.

this

EricF · #10 02-16-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moles

Considering the price difference between a "cheap" firewire card, and a top tier one - get a good, stable one with a TI chipset.

That ^

Jazz Ad · #11 02-16-2012, 02:26 PM

You don't need a soundcard anymore, the interface replaces it. Actually you need to plug your speakers to the interface.
USB to Firewire is a bad idea.
Use a PCI (desktop) or pcmcia (laptop) card.

portlandguy · #12 02-16-2012, 02:32 PM

Yeah Id go with the card, I did not know the price of them

DigitalMan · #13 02-16-2012, 02:49 PM

Pci or pcie depending on your motherboard. A good new card is about $30 on newegg.

A TI chipset is a must.

Let me repeat that.

A TI chipset is a must.

Jazz Ad · #14 02-16-2012, 03:05 PM

TI aka not a Micron

Brian at IK · #15 02-16-2012, 06:07 PM

I got an Inland Firewire PCIe card with a TI chipset and a Molex power connector for stable power striaight from the PSU, and it works flawlessly with my Presonus Firewire units (Firebox and FireStudio Mobile).

Buy.com - Inland PCI-Express 4 Port Firewire 1394A (NEC Chipset)

It says (NEC Chipset) but it is clear even in the photo it is TI. Also says "4-port" but it's only 3.

BTW, TI chipset is not necessary with Presonus units, They work great with VIA and perhaps others as well. TI chipsets will work well with everything, which is why they have the best reputation, but for the most part it is really only MOTU devices that don't play nice with non-TI.

kevmc28 · #16 02-16-2012, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I'm going take all this into account when I get something. I may even have more questions down the road...like how that chipset connects to my computer! Who knows.

Thanks for coming through for me!

sonic assassin · #17 02-19-2012, 03:00 AM

+1 for a PCI card.

Tupac · #18 03-05-2012, 02:21 PM

Wait a minute... wouldn't getting a Firewire to USB converter nullify all the benefits of getting a Firewire interface, since it's still coming to your computer via USB? I thought the benefit of Firewire was reduced lag, and this would create more lag.

moles · #19 03-05-2012, 09:33 PM

^^^ Probably why just about everyone in this thread is against the idea...

KingRazor · #20 03-05-2012, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Actually you need to plug your speakers to the interface.

Does the OP have speakers that can connect to an audio interface? I know mine can't.