Fix my Fire Box or upgrade?

[Billy's Little Trip]

What would you do?

My PreSonus FireBox finally took a crap. I bought it around the first month I joined here, so it's been faithful up until about a month or so. Not sure if I caused the problem, or if that's just the life span of this model. I paid around $300+tax.

So I email their tech department on Sunday and got a return email Monday morning. My option are to have them repair it for $75 flat no matter what's wrong. That's their policy. OR, upgrade to a new unit that they will give me a discount code to buy from ANY of their distributors.

But, their newest and coolest model is coming out this month. The PreSonus Fire Studio Mobile. It will retail for $299 and it is pretty sweet. 8 inputs, mic preamp, as well as everything my FireBox has.

So:
A. get my FireBox fixed for $75.00
OR
B. Buy the new Fire Studio Mobile for $299.00 (no discount)

Here, just so you know it's really me, here's a picture right after my haircut. >>>

[Spud]

Can anybody explain the 10-in 6-out config? What goes where?

[ken]

Sure. This is one of the deceptive things about recording boxes.

Inputs 1&2 are the preamps on the front.
Inputs 3,4,5,6,7,8 are line inputs on the back (you will need preamps to use these)
Inputs 9&10 are via spdif extension cable (you will need an spdif device to use these like the ART DPS)

Outputs 1&2 are the main line outs on the back
Outputs 3&4 are the headphones on the front
Outputs 5&6 are via the Spdif extension cable (you will need an spdif device to use these)

Actually, this box looks really good to me. You could have this box and a Mackie 1402 to get 8 ins to your computer in a fairly small footprint. Nice. However, if you didn't have 6 preamps already lying around, you may be better off spending the same $300 (minus the discount) on one of their current products that has 8ins with preamps integrated. Of course, this all supposes you need 8ins.

Ken

[ken]

If you are happy with your box, fix it for $75. These still sell for $200 new, so if you get it fixed you can sell it for $100-$150 whether you buy a new box or not. I would see what their discount is for another product as well. Is the box still under warranty or is the $75 for out of warranty?

[signboy]

dude, you totally need 8 ins, you just don't know it yet. Go for the full fire studio.

[jb]

I vote you fix it.

fwiw the only thing i gain from more than 2 ins is the ability to not have to replug stuff. And even then I only need 4 analog plus one SPDIF. And even THEN if I don't use the analog out on my keyboard I still only need 2 analog ins! (Although i am using the MIDI input. I guess that counts.)

[JonPorobil]

Not needing to replug stuff can be a huge bonus, though. I don't know how it works with you guys, but when I've got that itch to record something, fiddling with plugs can be a real drag that takes me out of the mood. Having enough inputs that everything is already ready to go would be a huge plus for me.

BLT, clearly you want the shiny new toy. That's understandable. So the real question is, can you afford it? If you can fit that extra $225 in your budget, then by all means, treat yourself. If, on the other hand, your conscience is telling you "no," then just spend the $75 and stick with the box that's delivered quality results in the past.

[irwin]

I regularly use 3 and 4 inputs at the same time, even by myself.

I'll often do a stereo pair on acoustic guitar and a third mic for vocals, or a stereo pair over the drums plus mics on the kick and snare.

So I don't think 8 inputs is totally unreasonable even for someone who records solo.

[jb]

hell, no amount of inputs is unREASONable. I'm just sayin' if it ain't broke don't fix it. Your workflow that is. Fix the device.

But if you've got the money and it's easier to just buy the new thing and toss the old one, do that. That's actually probably what I'd do, 'cause I sometimes have more money than sense.

Then again, I loved my Delta 66/Omni combo and wish oh how I wish I could still use it with my new iMac. Instead, I'm stuck using this Firewire 410 piece of garbage until I a)finish my ongoing projects and then b)choose a better solution. Projects will be done this month, then I'm going freaking shopping for a new interface.

[Billy's Little Trip]

It's not a money issue to buy the new Fire Studio, I just don't want to trash my Fire Box when I can get it fixed for $75.00, plus I don't like buying things I don't need. I'm a little bit cheap, lol. Even if I do get the new model, I can donate my repaired Fire Box to someone in need or use it as a loaner for musicians I know that are just beginning with the whole computer recording stuff.

But to be honest, my home recordings haven't required more than the 4 inputs the Fire Box has. I've used 3 at once. (two on my acoustic and one for vocals)
So I'm guessing the 8 inputs on the Fire Studio would be plenty.

Also, even though they say the Fire Studio will be out in Sept of 09, it could be longer. I'm too impatient to wait. I was going nuts on Sunday when I was in the mood to record, but couldn't, lol. I think I looked like a guy that needed a fix. (pun intended)

So I'm taking my Fire Box to their closest authorized repair place to get it fixed, then wait for my email invitation from PreSonus to purchase the Fire Studio. They may have a limited time deal to offer me. So I'll wait it out as long as I have my old unit back in action.

Thanks or the opinions, guys.

By the way, when I'm recording by myself, I don't mind plugging and unplugging mics and instruments. Mainly because I like to concentrate on one layer at a time and get it on the track as clean as I can without other ambient sounds sneaking in.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Ok, I sent my FireBox off yesterday 09/02/09 to PreSonus Audio Electronic in Baton Rouge, LA. That's the only option for the $75 repair deal. So I'll post when I get it back so we can see their turn around. So far they've been very responsive. *tic toc, cold sweats, looks at calendar, impatient, want naow!*

[Billy's Little Trip]

Ok, I sent my FireBox off yesterday 09/02/09 to PreSonus Audio Electronic in Baton Rouge, LA. That's the only option for the $75 repair deal. So I'll post when I get it back so we can see their turn around

OK, I'm back in bees wax, YAY! I just got my FireBox back from PreSonus. 09/23/09. So 21 day turn around.
But, the $75 dollar repair charge was reversed back to me, AND they sent me a couple hundred dollars worth of discount coupons towards music gear, a calandar and a t-shirt. I forgot that when I talked to the guy at PreSonus to get my RA number before shipping, he asked me what size shirt I wear. So 21 days sucked, but the customer service was great.

Bottom line. PreSonus is a stand up company that cares about their customers.

[Paco Del Stinko]

That's good news, and good to hear. Now get to work and make some new music, dammit!

[Billy's Little Trip]

I'm on it, lol. I should be at work right now, but I'm hot on the trail of the greatest song in the world!

[Rabid Garfunkel]

You got a teeshirt? Fuckin' A!

[Billy's Little Trip]

Damn! I finally plug in to record some stuff and there is no signal from the FireBox to Cubase.
I get the signal from Cubase to the FireBox, because I re-mixed a song I had previously recorded and my headphones are plugged into the FireBox. So I hear everything coming back just fine.

I've checked all of my inputs and they all point to the FireBox as the input source, as far as I can tell.

If I plug in my guitar and crank the level to max, I hear a very faint sound from the guitar. But it doesn't flash the clip light like it normally would being cranked all the way up, nor does it show on the input level meter on the Cubase track that I'm trying to record on.

Also, I've tried different cords, mics, guitar, bass. All the same results.
Any ideas?

Signed,
Flaccid and Hungry

[ken]

Reinstall your Firebox drivers.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Thanks Ken, but no go. I just contacted PreSonus. If they tell me I have to send it back to Baton Rouge LA, I'm going to be in complete dismay. *dismay smiley*

[Billy's Little Trip]

Any other ideas? The guy from PreSonus said to try it on another computer and double check to make sure it's not a computer prob. But I only have this one computer with a firewire card. He said he'll have it picked up and do a fast turn around. But I'm sure it means me packing it back up. 8)

[ken]

It sounds busted to me if you can playback but not record. Have you tried the line in? Do you have an external preamp?

[Billy's Little Trip]

No external pre amp. The FireBox just plugs into my computer via firewire.

By the way, I know Cubase hears it, because when I unplug a cord from my FireBox, the track meter jumps on Cubase from the pop. So it sure seems like the FireBox input is bad somehow.

[Billy's Little Trip]

I know you guys have been on the edges of your seats waiting for the news, so I figure I better run right over here and let you know that my FireBox arrived today, for the second time.

....yeah, I know, I can now relax, too.