FireBox vs. Audio Buddy

catch · Post by **catch** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:20 pm

So, er, up until now I've been using the M-Audio Audio Buddy preamp for recording. (Mic -> Audio Buddy -> 1/4 to 1/8 cable -> Mic jack on the front of my PC. Monitored through the headphone jack on my PC.) This worked fine enough for a while, but I was ready to upgrade. So, I bought the PreSonus FireBox, assuming it would be higher fidelity, lower latency, and have better pre's and converters.

But... is/does it really?

I don't know if it's not set up right, or I'm too tired, or what, but I'm really questioning if I made the right choice. I just can't tell.

Gods of home recording, let your wisdom flow forth. (Please!)

Adam! · Post by **Adam!** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:51 am

I've heard good things about the FireBox, and consider it comparable/superior in quality to the UA-25, which is the only remotely fancy recording device I've used. For recording simple sources like vocals and direct-in guitars I honestly don't think A/D converter quality will make a perceivable difference (people will shout and holler otherwise, but I think they've been reading too many hardware press kits and editorials). The latency should be much much better than you were getting from your stock sound card, and should be about the same as any ASIO interface. I assume the pre-amps are good, better than the instrument pre on the UA-25 (it's a little noisy), although I really like the soft limiting that the UA-25's pres do: it has saved a few of my vocal takes. I'm assuming the FireBox does that too. Last of all, I'm a huge fan of the impedance matching on the UA's instrument pre, because it audibly improves my recorded guitar tone. Again, I'd be suprised if the FireBox didn't do this.

So, I think it's a wise upgrade, assuming your other gear matches its quality. If I recall you had your eyes set on the B1 (just read your email on the subject. Oh man, I'm so behind on reading/answering emails...), which should be a good match. Just don't use a cruddy dynamic with the FB, because then the quality bottleneck would be the mic and not the interface.

Having done the Mic -> Pre-amp -> Mixer -> mono 1/8" -> stereo 1/4" -> cheap soundcard in a poorly grounded chassis forever, I can easily say that I prefer the simplicity of going straight in. The boosted sound quality and reduced noise doesn't hurt, either.

EDIT: Plus the FB apparently comes with a silly little version of Cubase, which is absolutely great software to get into.

catch · Post by **catch** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:03 am

Hey, man. Good to see you again! Heh.

Yeah, I've slept on it, and I'm feelin' pretty good now. When I was testing it out last night, we had three computers running, someone was watching TV, and I had a huge headache. But it seems worth it now, if not for the lack of cables/latency alone.

All I have is cruddy dynamic mics at this point, but I'm hoping to change that right quick. Should I go for the B1 or C1? I didn't realize they were different til just now.

ken · Post by **ken** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:13 am

I would think the immediate benfit would be that the Firebox can record at 24bit while your stock soundcard 16. The drivers are probably more stable and pehaps, the preamps are slightly nicer.

Ken

Adam! · Post by **Adam!** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:20 am

catch wrote:Should I go for the B1 or C1?

I plan on getting a new vocal condenser, because my current one is a little weird. People tell me that a pair of B1s is great on acoustic guitars and overheads, whereas a C1 is is better on vocals and miscellany. I also mostly want the C1 because of all the crap it comes with: nice case, shock mount, pop filter, a -10 db pad so I can get my scream on, etc.

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:31 am

Dude, the Firebox blows the Audiobuddy out of the fucking water. Seriously, find out who sold you that Audiobuddy, and go punch that guy in the face. It's pointless.

Now that you have a real interface, you may begin doing worthwhile things.

I'm sorry I didn't offer any concrete/helpful reasons why the Firebox is better, but at this time in the morning, I'm not prepared to compare and contrast a BMW with a unicycle. Maybe later.

Oh, and for a mic, it depends on how much you want to spend, and what you're mainly wanting to record. Most folks around here place priority on vocal mics, which means you'll want a large-diaphragm condenser. Super-cheap means MXL, which is like the Songfight brand*. The AT3035 is a super-solid step-up at $199. A few folks 'round here use them, including me. If you want to spend more than that, step up to the Groove Tubes 66 or the Bluebird, both at $499. More than that, and you have your priorities backwards, which is admirable.

I've never touched the b1 or c1. I'd say stay the fuck away from the b1, because it's made by behringer (ask blue if you're really curious about behringer). Try the c1 if you like, I guess.

*Generalization. Chill.

ken · Post by **ken** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:40 am

He means the Studio Projects B-1, not Behringer. I used the B-1 almost exclusively for many many years. I think it sounds great for vocals, acoustic, and drum overhead. Blue likes it as a kick drum mic. I haven't used the C-1, but I suspect it has more bells and whistles. I have the C-3, which is a great mic. I am starting to use it more and more.

Ken

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 1:53 pm

Oh.

Well, the audiobuddy still sucks.

jack · Post by **jack** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:22 pm

i have a behringer B1 and like it fine. best hundred bucks i ever spent.

Dan-O from Five-O · Post by **Dan-O from Five-O** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:28 pm

jack wrote:i have a behringer B1 and like it fine.

What did you say? It sounded garbled and unclear.

jack · Post by **jack** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:57 pm

i'm a cheap bastard. what can i say.

catch · Post by **catch** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:27 am

The Sober Irishman wrote:Now that you have a real interface, you may begin doing worthwhile things.

Haha, alright - I'll proceed now that I have your blessing.

ken · Post by **ken** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:40 pm

jack wrote:i'm a cheap bastard. what can i say.

I'm pretty sure the Studio Projects B-1 is $20 cheaper. Plus, it probably sounds better.

Ken

jack · Post by **jack** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:35 pm

ken wrote:
jack wrote:i'm a cheap bastard. what can i say.
I'm pretty sure the Studio Projects B-1 is $20 cheaper. Plus, it probably sounds better.

Ken

hehe...i don't know how many times we've debated our B-1's....

too many.

on a related topic, i just got a flyer from guitar center running some special on the audio buddy and 2 MXL condensers for $99. that's a deal!

all you productionally-challenged run don't walk to your nearest guitar center.......

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:12 am

Fuck off, all of you

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:53 am

I dunno, I'm totally impressed with the low price:quality ratio of MXL mics. I bought the deluxe/elite 'Pro' MXL pack for about 300 CAD dollars; this included the afore-mentioned MXL 2003 and 603 mics, a shockmount for each, foam windscreens, 2 XLR cables of the highest quality, and a cool aluminum travel case. I have no complaints.

http://www.fullcompass.com/Products/pages/SKU--77478/