Shadix Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Anyone have any suggestions for a new firewire based audio interface that might possibly work a bit better than the firebox does and might possibly get lower than 2ms latency? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmony Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 wait, died? Did you do anything extraordinary to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadix Posted August 6, 2009 Author Share Posted August 6, 2009 nope. I think it was a faulty unit anyways. It always had overheating problem (lol I know "fire box"), but a couple months ago the preamp blew out for some reason, and then last week the entire unit died. the light went out. I think it still sortof works, it's just now it won't register any connections to the computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rig1015 Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Well if it's broke, open that bitch up and see what broke... you might be able to fix it with some solder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmony Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I think it was a faulty unit anyways. That's pretty lame. Well, my next interface will most likely be the Firestudio Project which would be an upgrade for you, but if you've got the money, I think the music gods were telling you something. Of course, if the "Firebox" overheats and destroys components, what should I expect from the "Firestudio"!? :tomatoface: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big giant circles Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 That's pretty lame. Well, my next interface will most likely be the Firestudio Project which would be an upgrade for you, but if you've got the money, I think the music gods were telling you something. Of course, if the "Firebox" overheats and destroys components, what should I expect from the "Firestudio"!? :tomatoface: Brandon, I do not recommend the Firestudio Project. When I was at GC, we went through at least 4 bad ones in about 6 months on our demo computer. Much like the Xbox, you get a red light of doom and then have to send 'em out on RO. Pretty much since then, I've been wary of Presonus Interfaces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmony Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Ugh, way to ruin my dreams Jimmy (a.k.a. thanks for the heads up!). Well, I guess the next best thing for me, besides possibly the MOTU 8Pre, which I know nothing about, would be the M-Audio Profire 2626 which is $200 more and has a bunch of digital I/O that I don't need. Wish M-Audio made a "Project" version of the 2626 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big giant circles Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 So you're pretty set on a firewire interface then? Well the Profire 2626 has been pretty good to me so far, so I'd say you have my recommendation. OR you gentlemen can check out the Lexicon I-Onix series. They are pretty badass. The preamps are awesome, among other features. Read about 'em here: http://www.lexiconpro.com/product_list.php (right column) As a replacement for the Firebox, perhaps try the U22 or the U42S. For an alternative to the Firestudio, either the FW810S or the U82S should be comparable. One of the most badass things about the FW810S is this: With built-in dbx Type IV™ conversion, your digital recordings will preserve their dynamic range even when levels get too high. They’ll acquire that forgiving, oversaturated quality once only found on big analog recorders. Type IV conversion actually gives you more headroom, capturing subtle details in higher level signals instead of hard clipping them. So pretty much it's between that, or the Octane preamps of the Profire (along with some extra routing crap). Both are excellent choices, I think. Money well-spent either way. Same thing goes for the I-Onix USB series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmony Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I haven't had any real problems with my usb interfaces, but I have gotten surprised a couple of times. (Surprise #1: USB 1.0 limits recording/monitoring options. Surprise #2: Alesis MultiMix 8 USB != Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0) I was just trying to avoid anymore surprises by going firewire. However, since $700 seems to be the sweet spot for firewire with 8 preamps (too rich for my blood right now), I may have to bow out and go with a nice usb 2.0 interface. My options do open up a little more then. So I'm going to have to look into the U82S. I don't know how it sounds, but it looks sexy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big giant circles Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Yeah, they do look pretty cool, although a bit odd, I think. They sit kind of slanted on your desk, and the 8 will take up a good chunk of space, so that's really the only drawback there. And I guess they're designed so cables can run underneath them, which I guess is practical. There is one other inexpensive option I can think of for a firewire soundcard - The Alesis IO26. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-iO26-Portable-26-Input-FireWire-Audio-Interface?sku=246031 It used to be $400+ (still is some places) but in the Musicians Friend catalog there's a huge price drop (as you can see in the link). I believe this guy is discontinued though, so if you decide you want it, I'd grab it in a hurry. I'll admit, I don't know a whole lot about it (haven't taken the time to read) but hey, it's a firewire interface by a reasonably reputable brand, and it's super cheap right now. The only quirk I can tell you that I DO know about it is that if I recall correctly, the knobs are endless rotary, which I do not prefer (don't really see why anyone would, when it comes to controlling levels). But hey, it got good reviews on zzounds http://www.zzounds.com/productreview--ALEIO26 Whoops, also, I totally overlooked that you mentioned MOTU. Another general rule of thumb is that MOTU = good. I've only had good experiences with their hardware. I'm pretty sure JJT has a MOTU interface, he could probably tell you more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmony Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 the knobs are endless rotary, which I do not preferYeah, that's a big turn-off. I've also had bad experiences with Alesis. At one point I had two MutliMix 8 USB's and I couldn't get either to work without significant pops/crackles on two different setups. Meh, but that's what return policies are for Thanks for the suggestions Jimmy. You've given me a few things to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanthos Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Whoops, also, I totally overlooked that you mentioned MOTU. Another general rule of thumb is that MOTU = good. I've only had good experiences with their hardware. I'm pretty sure JJT has a MOTU interface, he could probably tell you more. I've only heard good things about MOTU as well. I've ordered an MOTU Micro Express MIDI interface that I'll be using as a MIDI interface to my computer when I need it and as a standalone MIDI patch bay for my keyboard rig. I'll post back again once I get it to comment on the quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadix Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 So I went ahead and picked up an IONIX u22... Gotta say, the thing sounds amazing, the sound comes in so clean compared to my previous unit. In fact, I'd say every single thing about it is better than the firebox... Except for the fact that I think that it's USB is holding it back performance-wise. FL is spazzing out at the 2ms setting and is completely unusuable at the lowest setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big giant circles Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Hey, cool, glad you like it. Now dig up the "OCR cribs" thread and post some pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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