Presonus FIREBOX User Manual
User’s Manual
Version 1.0
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. During the warranty period PreSonus shall, at its sole and absolute
option, either repair or replace, free of charge, any product that proves to be defective on
inspection by PreSonus or its authorized service representative. To obtain warranty
service, the purchaser must first call or write PreSonus at the address and telephone
number printed below to obtain a Return Authorization Number and instructions of where to
return the unit for service. All inquiries must be accompanied by a description of the
problem. All authorized returns must be sent to the PreSonus repair facility postage
prepaid, insured and properly packaged. PreSonus reserves the right to update any unit
returned for repair. PreSonus reserves the right to change or improve the design of the
product at any time without prior notice. This warranty does not cover claims for damage
due to abuse, neglect, alteration or attempted repair by unauthorized personnel, and is
limited to failures arising during normal use that are due to defects in material or
workmanship in the product. Any implied warranties, including implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited in duration to the length of
this limited warranty. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty
lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. In no event will PreSonus be liable for
incidental, consequential or other damages resulting from the breach of any express or
implied warranty, including, among other things, damage to property, damage based on
inconvenience or on loss of use of the product, and, to the extent permitted by law,
damages for personal injury. Some states do not allow the exclusion of limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to
you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights,
which vary from state to state. This warranty only applies to products sold and used in the
United States of America. For warranty information in all other countries please refer to
your local distributor.
PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.
7257 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 216-7887
(800) 750-0323
www.presonus.com
2005, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
PreSonus Limited Warranty
PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc., © 2005
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
5.2 Sample Hook Up Diagram 25
6 Technical
6.1 Trouble Shooting 26
6.2 Specifications 29
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. Loaded with four analog inputs, including
two PreSonus microphone preamplifiers and two line inputs, six balanced analog
outputs, SPDIF I/O, MIDI I/O, and Cubase LE 48-track recording software, the
FIREBOX is ready to go out of the box for professional-quality computer recording. For
further flexibility, the FIREBOX can be bus-powered by a six-pin FireWire connector or
externally powered by the included power supply. The FIREBOX is the perfect
computer recording system that gives you the power for professional quality
recordings in the palm of your hand.
We suggest that you use this manual to familiarize yourself with the features,
applications and correct connection procedure for your FIREBOX before trying to
connect it to your computer. This will hopefully alleviate any unforeseen issues that
you may encounter during installation and set up.
Thank you, once again, for buying our product and we hope you enjoy your FIREBOX!
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2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP
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.
- CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/800Mhz or higher (G4/Dual 1 GHZ recommended)
- Memory(RAM): 512 MB or more
Note that the speed of your processor, amount of RAM and size and speed of your hard drive will
greatly affect the overall performance of your recording system. Also, a more powerful system
(faster processor with more RAM) will allow for lower latency (signal delay) that you might
experience while monitoring audio or MIDI signals.
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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. (NOTE: If you are you
connecting the FIREBOX via a standard 6-pin Firewire cable, power for the unit
will be supplied via the Firewire cable. If you are using a 4 to 6-pin Firewire cable,
you will need to connect the included external power supply to power the
FIREBOX.) This installation procedure will also install the FIREBOX Control
Panel and Mixer software.
Note: If at any point during installation a “Software Installation” message appears
from Windows regarding Windows Logo testing click “Continue Anyway” to
continue installation.
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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.
2.3 FIREBOX CONTROL PANEL
WINDOWS XP
Once you have successfully installed your audio drivers, the FIREBOX Control Panel
will be available from your system tray (typically located at the bottom right hand
corner of your screen near your clock).
Double click on the FIREBOX Control Panel ICON to open the FIREBOX Hardware
Control Panel.
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
INTERNAL
Latency:
is the time it takes for the computer to process audio. Lower latency settings demand
more CPU resources. In the case of inconsistent audio, (i.e. drop outs, pops and
clicks, digital distortion, etc) we recommend that you increase this setting.
Input Level Boost:
analog input on the FIREBOX by +12dB. Use this feature for recording quiet
instruments or devices with low output.
: Drop down the menu to select the FIREBOX’s digital sync source.
SPDIF – Must be selected to use the SPDIF input.
(Note that Control Panel settings will be saved upon power down.)
– Sets the amount of delay time of your FIREBOX (1.5ms – 24ms). Latency
clicking this button will boost the input level of each corresponding
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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:
analog input on the FIREBOX by +12dB. Use this feature for recording quiet
instruments or devices with low output.
FIREBOX CONTROL PANEL ADVANCED SETTINGS:
You can “Right Click” on the FIREBOX control panel icon to select between three
different computer optimization settings. These settings optimize the buffers and audio
streaming settings based on the speed of your processor. If you are experiencing
audio drop outs, it is recommended that you select a lower CPU setting.
clicking this button will boost the input level of each corresponding
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2 INSTALLATION AND SETUP
High: Computer Processor 2GHz and higher
Medium (default)
: Computer Processor 800MHz to 1GHz
Low
: Computer Processor 1GHz to 2GHz
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).
Macintosh
The included CD-ROM disk contains Macintosh software for the FIREBOX Mixer.
To install the FIREBOX Mixer, drag and drop the following file to your hard drive:
Once this file is saved to your hard drive, double click on it to launch the Mixer.
(For details on the FIREBOX Mixer see chapter 4).
FIREBOX Control
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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.
Click Switch to save PreSonus Driver Selection
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