User’s Manual Version 1.0 PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.
W A R R A N T Y PreSonus Limited Warranty PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc. warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is enforceable only by the original retail purchaser. To be protected by this warranty, the purchaser must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Overview 1.1 Introduction 4 2 Installation and Set up 2.1 Computer Requirements 5 2.2 Installation of FIREBOX Drivers 6 2.3 FIREBOX Control Panel 7 2.4 FIREBOX Mixer 10 2.5 CUBASE LE – Quick Start Up 11 2.6 Testing your FIREBOX with Cubase LE 13 3 Controls & Connections 3.1 Front Panel Layout and Descriptions 16 3.2 Back Panel Layout and Descriptions 18 4 Mixer 4.1 Mixer 20 4.2 Operation of Mixer 22 5 Application Notes 5.1 Microphones 25 5.
1 OVERVIEW 1.1 INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus FIREBOX. PreSonus Audio Electronics has designed the FIREBOX utilizing high-grade components to insure optimum performance that will last a lifetime. The FIREBOX is the most powerful recording interface of its size, with the ability to record and playback six inputs and eight outputs simultaneously at 24-bit/96K sample rate.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP 2.1 COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS Below are the minimum computer system requirements for your FIREBOX. Windows - OS: Microsoft Windows XP - Computer: Windows compatible computer with FireWire port. - CPU/Clock: Pentium, Celeron with 900Mhz or higher (Dual 1.2 GHz recommended) - Memory(RAM): 256 MB (512MB recommended) Macintosh - OS: MacOS X 10.3.7 or later - Computer: Apple Macintosh series with on-board Firewire port.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP 2.2 INSTALLATION OF FIREBOX DRIVERS Windows XP Installation Steps: - Quit all currently running applications - Insert CD-ROM Driver Installation included with your FIREBOX into your computer. (DO NOT CONNECT YOUR FIREBOX AT THIS TIME.) - CD should auto run. (If not, navigate to CD and double click on FIREBOX_Installer.exe) Carefully read and follow the FIREBOX installation instructions. The installer will prompt you to connect your FIREBOX at the proper time.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP Macintosh OSX (10.3.7 or later) The audio drivers for the FIREBOX are included in the CORE AUDIO of Macintosh OSX 10.3.7 and later. Once you have verified that you are running OSX 10.3.7 or later, connect your FIREBOX to a FireWire port on your computer (power for the unit will be supplied via the Firewire cable). Your FIREBOX sync light should flash red and then stay blue to signify that your FIREBOX is properly sync’d to your computer. 2.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP FIREBOX HARDWARE CONTROL PANEL (Windows XP) Sample Rate: Drop down the menu to select the sample rate of the FIREBOX – 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96k. This must be set to the same sample rate in your recording software. Clock Source: Drop down the menu to select the FIREBOX’s digital sync source. INTERNAL SPDIF – Must be selected to use the SPDIF input. (Note that Control Panel settings will be saved upon power down.) Latency: – Sets the amount of delay time of your FIREBOX (1.5ms – 24ms).
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP Macintosh - FIREBOX HARDWARE CONTROL PANEL The included CD-ROM contains Macintosh software for the FIREBOX Control Panel as well as the Mixer software. To install the FIREBOX Control Panel, drag and drop the following file to your hard drive: FIREBOX Control Once this file is saved to your hard drive, double click on it to launch the Control Panel. Input Level Boost: clicking this button will boost the input level of each corresponding analog input on the FIREBOX by +12dB.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP High: Computer Processor 2GHz and higher Medium (default): Computer Processor 1GHz to 2GHz Low: Computer Processor 800MHz to 1GHz 2.4 FIREBOX MIXER WINDOWS XP Once you have successfully installed your audio drivers, the FIREBOX Mixer will be available in your program files. You can launch the Mixer by clicking: Start -> Program files -> PreSonus FIREBOX MIXER. (For details on the FIREBOX Mixer see chapter 4).
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP 2.5 CUBASE LE – QUICK START UP Once you have installed your FIREBOX drivers, if you plan on using the CUBASE LE software included with your FIREBOX, insert the CUBASE LE installation CD and run the installer. Make sure to keep your CD envelope sleeve handy to reference the serial number during installation. To select the FIREBOX in Cubase LE, go to Devices -> Device Setup Select VST multi-track.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP ASIO Driver (pull down menu) – select PreSonus ASIO Driver.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP 2.6 TEST YOUR FIREBOX WITH CUBASE LE In order to test your FIREBOX, do the following: Launch Cubase LE and make sure that you have selected the PreSonus FIREBOX ASIO driver as described above in Section 2.4.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP Create one new audio track within your new project by clicking on Project ->Add Track-> Audio (or you can right click (ctrl-click mac) in the track space within the project: Record enable the track by pressing the Record Enable button.
2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP Plug a microphone into channel one and turn on 48V phantom power if needed for the microphone. Turn up the channel 1 trim control on the front panel of the FIREBOX while speaking into the microphone. You should see the input meter in the Cubase LE track info react to your speaking. Adjust trim so that the input level is at its maximum without clipping. Connect a set of headphones to the FIREBOX headphone output.
3 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.1 FRONT PANEL LAYOUT AND DESCRIPTION 1.Microphone / Instrument Pre-Amplifier. Your FIREBOX is equipped with two custom designed PreSonus microphone / instrument preamplifiers for use with all types of microphones including Dynamics, Condensers, and Ribbons as well as instruments and line level signals. The award winning PreSonus preamplifier design is a Class A input buffer followed by a dual servo gain stage.
3 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS NOTE: Active instruments are those that have an internal preamp or a line level output. Active instruments should be plugged into a line input (3 or 4) rather than into an instrument input. In other words, don’t plug an active instrument into the combo jacks on channels 1 or 2. 3. Input Gain/Trim Control.
3 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 3.2 BACK PANEL LAYOUT AND DESCRIPTION 12VDC Power Adaptor Input. This is where you plug the provided power supply into the FIREBOX. Please check the power supply to ensure that it is the correct voltage and plug type for your country. Note that you can also power your FIREBOX with a sixpin FireWire port from your computer instead of using the external power supply. FireWire Ports. There are two firewire ports on the back of the FIREBOX.
3 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS MIDI stands for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”. However, the MIDI standard goes well beyond just instrumentation and sequencing. The MIDI inputs and outputs allow connection and/or communication with external MIDI equipment. One function of this port is MIDI programming. This port can also be used for MMC (MIDI Machine Control) and MTC (MIDI Time Control). Please consult the manual of the software manufacturer to learn setup and usage of different MIDI applications.
4 MIXER 4.1 MIXER The FIREBOX includes a software MIXER/ROUTER for flexible monitoring and routing of the audio signal before it hits your software program. This is helpful to avoid the time it takes to process the audio you are recording – called latency. Therefore, you can mix the input signal going into the FIREBOX with the playback from your software for zero latency recording and monitoring.
4 MIXER FIREBOX Mixer Flowchart: Playback from Software Mixer Output to one of six stereo outputs on FIREBOX To set up your Mixer application for zero latency recording (example): 1. Record enable your desired track – turn off input monitoring function (or mute the track) in your software. 2. Select playback channels of the main output of your audio software in the SOFTWARE PLAYBACK channel of the FIREBOX mixer. The input on this channel will be the output of your software. 3.
4 MIXER 4.2 OPERATION OF MIXER The silver tracks represent the six possible inputs from the FIREBOX as well as the software playback. The blue section contains information on the output of the mixer. Each input has the following functions: Pan (green vertical line.) You can click-drag the pan (stereo image) of each input by moving the green vertical line to the left or right. Double clicking on the green line will reset the pan to the center.
4 MIXER Input (software playback channel) – This is the audio return from your audio software. The same functions are available as the other inputs including PAN (balance between left and right channels), LEVEL, SOLO and MUTE. This is a stereo channel. This channel picks up the audio stream that is sent from your software and enables you to mix it with the direct input of your FIREBOX. PLAYBACK – Indicates the stereo stream output channels from your software.
4 MIXER OUTPUT SECTION Output Level (fader) – Adjusts the output level of the mixer. Global Solo Clear – Clears (ON) or restores (off) solo’s that have been selected in input channels. Global Mute Clear – Clears (ON) or restores (off) mute’s that have been selected in input channels. Playback to Phones – selects the audio stream output coming from your software. Mix to Phones – Pressing this button sends the Mixer’s zero latency output to the headphones.
5 APPLICATION NOTES 5.1 MICROPHONES The FIREBOX works great with all types of microphones including dynamic, ribbon and condenser microphones. Dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones are generally lower output devices and require no external power source. Condenser microphones are generally more sensitive than dynamic and ribbon microphones and typically require external 48V phantom power. NOTE: If you are using a ribbon microphone, please check the manual for the mic before applying phantom power.
6 TECHNICAL 6.1 TROUBLE SHOOTING Please note that many technical issues can arise when converting a standard computer into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). PreSonus will only provide support for issues that directly relate to the FIREBOX interface. It may be necessary to contact the manufacturer of the computer, operating system and/or software to obtain additional technical support. PreSonus does not provide support for issues in regards to operating systems, additional hardware or software.
6 TECHNICAL No Sync (Red) – Macintosh Users –Open Audio MIDI Setup and change the Format sample rate speed to anything different. This will re-establish synchronization and the Blue sync light will turn on. Once you have the blue sync light you can then reset the Format sample rate to your desired setting. Audio Drop Outs – Can occur when the speed of your processor cannot buffer audio fast enough.
6 TECHNICAL Power Issues Q: I just bought a FIREBOX from (dealer name goes here) in (city and state go here) and I live in Morocco. When I plugged in my FIREBOX it caught on fire and smoke came out of the top. What do I do? A: PreSonus has a distributor in almost every country. Therefore, PreSonus does not authorize or condone exportation of any of our products by US dealers.
6 TECHNICAL 6.2 FIREBOX SPECIFICATIONS Preamp Bandwidth .......................................................................... 10Hz to 50kHz Preamp Input Impedance ...................................................................... 1.3k Ohms Instrument Input Impedance.................................................................... 1M Ohms Preamp THD ............................................................................................ <0.005% Preamp EIN......................................
