using Presonus Firebox(or line inputs for "instruments" on sound cards)

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Member Since: Dec 09, 2006

Hi, I'm still VERY new to this hobbie and i'm trying my best to record drums by using what i could find.

I have a Presonus Firebox soundcard, it has 2 xlr inputs with preamps and 2 regular line inputs.

Now, in the instruction manual it says these line inputs are supposed to be used for "active instruments". I don't know if it's possible, but i wanted to try to use it for plugging in my sm57 and shure beta 52 drum mics with regular 1/4 cables......it didn't work, no sound from either mics was fed into my computer and showed up in logic......Next i tried using an old peavey amp board preamp thingy that i found in my garage to run the mics through, and then plugged that into the firebox, thinking that maybe it would make it treat the mic as an "active instrument" going through an amp......that didn't work either, my computer still didn't recognize the mic.


So yeah....you probably know by now that I have no idea what I'm doing....so if anyone knows a way that I can get my sm57 and beta 52 to be recognized through the line inputs in my firebox, i'd appreciate the advice. I don't really have any usable mixers that I can use for preamps, because one is fried and one only has S/pdif outputs..


-thanks, if you bothered reading all of that...then kudos....you must have lots of tolerance.

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 30, 2006 09:46 pm

Both of those mic's are dynamic type microphones. You should actually plug them into the XLR inputs of the Firebox as that is what those inputs are made for. And the mic's indeed need the pre amps that are built into the Firebox. Simply use a full XLR type cable and you will be all good. I do believe the unit can actually record all of its inputs at once as well. Input 1 is for mic only input, input 2 will do mic and high z such as guitar's, bass and acoustic with pickup. The line inputs on the back are strictly for items such as synths, drum machines and other audio type gear.

Member
Since: Dec 09, 2006


Dec 30, 2006 10:08 pm

i need to use the two xlr inputs for my condenser overheads.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 30, 2006 11:25 pm

Well then and option may be to look for a cheap or simple 2 channel pre amp. That will allow you to plug the mic's into the pre amp, then the line outs will be able to go into the Firebox through the line inputs. You may want to double check your settings in whatever software you are using as well to verify that you have the line inputs drivers active for the Firebox.

Member
Since: Dec 09, 2006


Jan 12, 2007 05:51 pm

I tried using an old korg mixer with preamps to run the mics through and into the line inputs on the firebox and i still can't get any recognition from the line inputs.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 13, 2007 01:17 am

I would check the manual then to make sure the thing can actually record 4 channels at once then. IT seems odd that it wouldn't but who knows.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jan 13, 2007 08:49 am

http://www.presonus.com/images/FIREBOXhookupbig.jpg



this picture above shows two inputs on front being used, and then two line inputs on back being used, then 2 channels of spdif being used.

Cool little unit, me thinks.

No help from me, other than the picture above, sorry.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 13, 2007 08:29 pm

OK, this is direct from their website. [quote]
The FIREBOX has the highest record/playback track count of its size with the ability to record six inputs and playback through ten outputs simultaneously all at pro-quality 24-bit/96kHz.[/quote]

So I assume it should be able to record all the inputs simultaneously and playback all the outputs the same. I would read into the manual some more and see if it has info on exactly how to set it up to do so.

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