Firebox/Firepod Question

[metalinferno]

Hello people, I am in need of a audio/midi interface that will be able to record 4 tracks, (guitar, voice, base and a motif keyboard)
those who have used these 2 presonus audiointerface please help answer a simple question.

1. What is the maximum amount of tracks that the Firebox can simultaneously record? Is it four or two?.

2. Is the firepod identical to the firebox? (especially performance wise), besides the fact that firepod has more inputs and outputs.

3. What is roughly the min. specs for a PC to have enough power to support such a multitrack recording?


Thanks!

[godchuanz]

1. The specifications say the maximum tracks is 6, but only 2 from analog inputs. I won't count on it to do 6. They count the SPDIF and MIDI inputs as separate inputs as well. Guitar, Voice and Bass already takes up 3 analog channels, so you can't do it with the Firebox. Unless of course, you route one of the instruments through other gear with digital output. Then you can use the SPDIF input on the Firebox. If this sounds ugly or confusing (to me it does), ignore it and just take it that the Firebox does 2 simultaneously.

2. The Firepod has many more channels, that's about it. The preamps, AD and DA chips are the same (supposed to be), so there's unlikely to be much noticeable difference in terms of sound quality or ASIO performance.

3. Assuming Windows XP SP2, roughly: A computer with 1394 connection, 512MB RAM, enough HDD space for your recordings. Using the Firepod, I could do 8 simultaneous tracks (24-bit, 44.1kHz) on a 4-year old laptop (read: 5,400RPM HDD) with no lag/skips. In short, as long as your computer is not ancient, you'll do fine.

[metalinferno]

ahhh thanks a lot for the prompt reply

hmm looks like the firebox may not be that well-suited for me... am actually seriously considering the firepod cause i could get a brand new one for ard 680, although i must say that multi-track recording for 8 inputs is abit of an overkill since i only need 4.

Can u guys suggest any cheaper audio interfaces that support multi-track recording for 4 inputs?
Hopefully the alternative has phantom power and preamps too...

or? do u think i shld just go ahead and grab the firepod.

[untilted]

erm.... i think the firebox has 2 inputs with preamp( with phantom power)(1&2), and 2 line inputs (3 &4). remaining 2 inputs (5&6) are via SPDIF. Midi inputs are not counted in the total 6.
which also means that you could plug in
channel 1- mic
channel 2- keyboard
channel 3- guitar (if from amp)
channel 4- bass (if from amp)
channel 5 & 6 via spdif. - have only gotten it to work with my mindprint DI at 44.1khz though..

For your voice it really depends on the mic you use. i strongly suggest using a condenser mic because the preamp(firebox) is really shit and won;t be able to give enough juice to adequately amp dynamic mics like the shure 57 or 58.. etc..

also one very important thing to consider is your computer setup.
there are known problems on with fireboxes on dells (especially laptops)
and your firewire adapter should be either VIA or Texas Instruments...

you might want to consider the firepod or something else cos at the end of the day- you might want the flexibility of working with more inputs...
but also please note that usually with interfaces- what you pay for is what you get. in terms of stability, quality and reliability. of course you must also weigh that against the costs involved.

btw, i have a love/hate relationship with my firebox.
i hate it but i know its quirks and most of the time, just work with what it is.
i do wish though, that i took the time to save up a little more- do more homework and had gotten something else besides the firebox

just my 2 cents

[blueprintstudios]

go ahead grab the firepod, cos you'll never know if you wanna record multitrack drums when you get more microphones + a powerful laptop.

[godchuanz]

untilted thanks for the correction.

metalinferno, I suggest you get the Firepod. Remember, your keyboard should rightfully count as 2 inputs (stereo). And in the future, when you want to do backup vocals, or add another instrument, at least you have some free channels left. You might not need it now, but you may need it in the future.

On the Firepod, you can do:
Channel 1 - Guitar (Instrument In) (or you can mic it up and use the mic input)
Channel 2 - Bass (Instrument In)
Channel 3 - Voice
Channel 4 - Keyboard L
Channel 5 - Keyboard R

[Ahjon]

Please correct me if im wrong. =(
I heard firepod was really bad.
The sound quality.
If you're looking for quality focusrite might be a better choice?
They stopped production and changed the chip inside and named it to firestudio.
i duno if its still that bad.
But anyway gd luck =)

[soft]

Ahjon, i think FirePod is pretty good. I own one.

[blueprintstudios]

I borrowed james's firepod, I second that.

[Ahjon]

oh!
okok. sry for my ignorance.
Sry if i had misled someone. =(
hahaa

cheers.
I'mplanning to get a firebox though now.