I've owned a presonus firebox for about 3 years now. It's been fairly solid and has done what I've needed it to do. Recently though, one of the main outputs (the right one, to be specific...I tested with different cables, plugging different monitors in) has some-sort of strange (perhaps not, but I'm unused to it) defect in that whenever I increase or decrease the volume on the unit, it creates incredibly loud cracking/static noises which often carry over into the selected volume level.

I'm quite sure that this is an irreparable issue, so I'm wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a worthy replacement? I'm quite honestly considering getting another one (unless they have some sort of reputation for breaking down like this), as it's difficult to find something better for under or around $200 USD. I need to have at least two outs, and at least 2 1/4" inputs.

Cheers!

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Try my post on this page....

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...12&pagenumber=3

If you've got any questions, let me know!

I don't have quite the same problem, but my monitors constantly hiss when I use the Firebox (HS 80ms by the way.) I'm thinking of just switching to a MOTU product, even though my Firebox is basically brand new.

Maybe it's not the interface's problem though?

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Originally posted by Owsey2008 I don't have quite the same problem, but my monitors constantly hiss when I use the Firebox (HS 80ms by the way.) I'm thinking of just switching to a MOTU product, even though my Firebox is basically brand new. Maybe it's not the interface's problem though?

It's the interfaces probably unfortunately. Tried it on a different computer, different cables, different speakers, and the same issue. Maybe its an inherently flawed product then?


@DJRANN

Thanks for the suggestion (the Echo Audiofire 4)! It definitely looks like a good alternative, and isn't that far out of my optimal price range to scare me away from it.

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Originally posted by psymon.d Maybe its an inherently flawed product then?

I've never tried any other Interface, so I wouldn't know if it's my monitors or Interface sadly. My cables seem to be ok and I've tried different ones, but I'm thinking of upgrading to MOTU anyway. Hopefully the hissing will stop then

Most speakers do have a tiny inherant hss, but I'm positive that's not what you're hearing.

TBH, I've never been much of a fan of the firebox, and when ever I mentioned the numerous issues I'd heard about it, I got a ton of responses from owners saying it was great.

Personally, I think they've had build quality issues ever since they released it, but it was decent when it was a working one.

Psymon - If I understand you correctly, the crackling comes when you turn up the pot (knob) on the front, correct? If so, get some fader contact cleaner or switch cleaner (available at any radioshack) and try to spray it (using the thin straw attachment) under the knob and in to the potentiometer. Also, try taking the housing off the unit (it out of warranty anyway and very easy to do) and see if you can get better access to the pot that way. Turn the pot back and forth as you spray it in there. Leave it for a couple of minutes s to dry then close it back up.

If that doesn't fix, then time for a new unit I'm afraid. Honestly the Audiofire 4 is without doubt the best soundcard less than $500, which is great as you can by one for $300 new or less second hand. IT will also sound slightly better than a firebox as well.

Owsey - I'm wondering if you're cables are wired correctly. I had this issue until I figured out that two peices of kit had different wiring standards (XLR's where they needed different "hot" pins at either end). So before I figured it out, even though the cables were balanced they were behaving as unbalanced due to the wiring conflict and the hiss was coming from interference due to the long run.

What are you going to and from exactly? And hoe long is your cable run? and how close to power cables are the audio lines?

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Originally posted by DJ RANN What are you going to and from exactly? And hoe long is your cable run? and how close to power cables are the audio lines?

The Firebox main outs are both going to my monitors. They're the only things I have connected unless I'm using a Mic, which plugs into the XLR anyway. The cable run is about 150cm to one of the monitors, and around 60cm to the other. I try to keep them running along my desk (behind my screen), but sometimes they have to be on the floor, which also means they're overlapping a lot of other cables (including the power cables.)

There's definitely a fault somewhere that I'm missing, but I've tried dodging other cables with no positive outcome

Might as well use this thread to ask the following.

I just came back from Holiday and suddenly my Firebox has quit working. I can narrow it down a little, I don't think it's anything to do with my Firewire port, as it still powers on. I tried to install new drivers because I'm still running older versions, but it gets to the stage where I have to turn the Firebox on (which I thought I had) for it to finish installation. That throws the driver option out the window. I can't really say much more, this hasn't happened before.

So, has anybody had this issue? Any tips?

I guess i'll just contact Tech support, but I might as well ask here as well. Cheers!

Owsey, first you need to plug another firewire device in to your computer and see if that works fine - not just powers up, but actually passes data properly and the other unit functions as desired. I've seen damaged FW birdges that still pass power but nothing else, even though the most common problem with FW is the bridge popping completely due to hot plugging or power surge.

Also, try a different FW cable - unlikely but again, seen it happen

Next completely uninstall the old drivers - so make sure it's plugged in then go control panel, device mamanger then uninstall the firebox.

Other than that, unless you've got a OS/service pack conflict with the unit/drivers (which it could be) then the unit is buggered.

What OS and what drivers are you running?

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Originally posted by DJ RANN Owsey, first you need to plug another firewire device in to your computer and see if that works fine - not just powers up, but actually passes data properly and the other unit functions as desired. I've seen damaged FW birdges that still pass power but nothing else, even though the most common problem with FW is the bridge popping completely due to hot plugging or power surge. Also, try a different FW cable - unlikely but again, seen it happen Next completely uninstall the old drivers - so make sure it's plugged in then go control panel, device mamanger then uninstall the firebox. Other than that, unless you've got a OS/service pack conflict with the unit/drivers (which it could be) then the unit is buggered. What OS and what drivers are you running?

Hey Rann, thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

The Firebox is the only Firewire device I own, which means I only have the one cable. I uninstalled the old drivers, but for some reason Device Manager isn't picking up the Firebox. I can't see it anywhere, although I know I haven't uninstalled it, as it's control panel is still available.

I think you might be right regarding the service pack conflict. I'm running Vista 32-bit. The problem is that I no longer have any drivers for it, as I uninstalled them (they were old anyway). There's a more recent driver I can download for Vista, but the Firebox needs to be syncing for it to finish installation.

I've sent an email to tech support, so hopefully they can help. Thanks once more, Rann

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Originally posted by Owsey2008 Hey Rann, thanks for the input, I appreciate it! The Firebox is the only Firewire device I own, which means I only have the one cable. I uninstalled the old drivers, but for some reason Device Manager isn't picking up the Firebox. I can't see it anywhere, although I know I haven't uninstalled it, as it's control panel is still available. I think you might be right regarding the service pack conflict. I'm running Vista 32-bit. The problem is that I no longer have any drivers for it, as I uninstalled them (they were old anyway). There's a more recent driver I can download for Vista, but the Firebox needs to be syncing for it to finish installation. I've sent an email to tech support, so hopefully they can help. Thanks once more, Rann

No problem and I hope you get it sorted.

The problem is that the unit needs to have a firmware update as part of the installation and it's no going execute this final stage as your box is not being detected by the computer. The unit would still be detected (as an unknown device) if it were just a software issue so to be honest, this makes me nearly positive it's a hardware issue. Unless your FW cable is damaged, then the FW bridge in the unit is fried and nothing can be done unless you can get it fixed under warranty.

Hope that helps and let us know how you get on