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Replacing my Firebox

Aram

Aram

Gold Supporting Member
Feb 2, 2003
1,698
255
New York, NY
#1
I think my Firebox might need to be replaced. I've always struggled with latency, and now the 48v button broke, so I can't record with my mic. I've had it about 4 years, but I think it's time to move on :scowl:

Any suggestions for a replacement that does roughly the same thing, but might be more durable, and have less latency?

My setup now is Presonus Eureka -> Presonus Firebox -> Yamaha HS50m + sub.

:help:
 
#4
They don't charge anything if it's under warranty. As far as the latency, I don't get any with mine. Where and how is it affecting you? I've had to fiddle around in the different software I've used with mine, setting up the proper way to monitor the sound. Depending on the options chosen, and if I'm listening to the wrong thing while monitoring, it's awful. But once I figure out the correct combination of stuff it's virtually latency free.

I use it every day, and have recorded with just about every DAW there is. Maybe I can give you a hand dialing it in.
 
#5
Thanks, I'd appreciate that! Basically, when I'm tracking everything sounds lined up, but when I go to play it back, the bass is always ahead of the beat. As soon as I move the track over a tiny bit (in Logic Express 8 btw), BAM, it's lined up again.

I know there's a setting in Logic where you can associate a lead or lag of a certain number of milliseconds, but I have no idea how to go about setting that up properly, besides a lot of trial and error.
 
#6
I've had trouble with my Firebox spontaneously cutting out. It will quit passing audio for no reason. I have to restart the computer to make it come back. There are lots of reports of this problem in the various forums but no good solutions. It also has weak preamps -- barely enough gain for dynamic mics. Presonus knows the low gain is a problem. That's why they include that little Firebox Control app, which provides a cheesy software gain boost.

So I've been thinking of ditching the Firebox and getting a Tapco Link.Firewire interface. They look cool and rugged and they've got good Mackie preamps. Sound quality is supposed to be the best in its price range. I assume the latency is good. They sell used for less than $100 on eBay.
 
#8
Hmm, thats record offset latency, and shouldn't happen to ANY interface if its working properly. It may be a problem with the soundcard, or may be a problem with the setup.

In logic, go to preferences>audio>core audio and check that your recording delay slider is on 0. If it isn't, and you didn't set it away from 0 for any specific reason, then thats your problem!

check this page > Invalid Link Removed

If it is set correctly but the problem still exists then you could work out how much you need to move an audio file by each time, and adjust the recording delay slider to permanently compensate for it. That would stop the annoyance temporarily.

Have you tried reinstalling the drivers etc?

That said, if you are thinking about upgrading to something a bit better, go with it!
 
#9
Interesting...I haven't tried messing with those settings because I don't usually have a ton of time when I'm sitting down to record. But now that you mention it, it may well be logic because when I first got the FB I used it with Garageband and I don't recall having that problem.

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
#11
Charling said:
Hmm, thats record offset latency, and shouldn't happen to ANY interface if its working properly. It may be a problem with the soundcard, or may be a problem with the setup.

In logic, go to preferences>audio>core audio and check that your recording delay slider is on 0. If it isn't, and you didn't set it away from 0 for any specific reason, then thats your problem!

check this page > Invalid Link Removed

If it is set correctly but the problem still exists then you could work out how much you need to move an audio file by each time, and adjust the recording delay slider to permanently compensate for it. That would stop the annoyance temporarily.

Have you tried reinstalling the drivers etc?

That said, if you are thinking about upgrading to something a bit better, go with it!
Click to expand...

I totally agree, it shouldn't be recording with lag like that at all, I use mine with logic 9, and have used it with cubase, sonar, reaper, just about anything you can think of, and unless you've got some plugin on the track that's causing the lag, like some hi falutin mastering compressor , or the unit is indeed physicaly defective, it should record in time with everything else. I've never had to nudge a bass track to sync it with the already exisitng tracks.

From your description it sounds like when you are recording, you aren't hearing any lag, meaning your playing your part in time and what you hear in your phones or monitors is in sync with the playback? But then once done , the recorded track is offset from the rest.
 
#12
jkramer5 said:
From your description it sounds like when you are recording, you aren't hearing any lag, meaning your playing your part in time and what you hear in your phones or monitors is in sync with the playback? But then once done , the recorded track is offset from the rest.
Click to expand...

Correct, U record through the headphone out on the Firebox and it's fine. When I play it back it's offset...I'll try some of these suggestions when I can sit down and fool with it.

Thanks guys!
 

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