Cant get volume through Presonus Firebox

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ballgame
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Ballgame

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http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html

Hi, I am having a problem being able to raise the volume level on my firebox. I have a Line 6 Flextone III amp that has a direct line out that is modeled to sound like the amp is mic'd...this works great through the firebox. But when I do mic an amp or try to record vocals its so low that I cant hear anything. I have tried messing around with the mixing board within the firebox software and that doesn't work. So is any familiar with this and have any advice?

I have windows XP and this is my chain...
guitar-> Line 6 Flextone III -> firebox-> Cool Edit Pro 2.0

thanks
John
 
What are you doing with the gain on the Firebox? Where is it set? Is the mic you use for vocals one that needs extra power to bring it up to 'unity'?
 
Monkey Allen said:
What are you doing with the gain on the Firebox? Where is it set? Is the mic you use for vocals one that needs extra power to bring it up to 'unity'?
Click to expand...

thanks for the reply Monkey. Yeah I played with the gain on the box and the phantom power. Its Shure 57 mic for the guitars and I have some drum mics for the kit.
Really there are only so many knobs to play with so thats why Im frustrated
 
I hear that. Can you just tell me again, are you using the the same mic that successfully mic's your amp, for vocals...and that same mic will not work for vocals?

ps Ok I read it again...what yuou're saying is that when you mic anything, as opposed to going direct into the Firebox, you get a really weak signal, right?

I had the same problem too. First of all, are you using the 'Input level boost'? My mic...a CADm177 needed that boost. Otherwise it did not have the juice to output a robust sound. Presonus told me about this....about the fact you need to bring the mic up to correct 'unity'. I don't know much about it, but that's what they told me.

I'm sure your shure mic is not a condenser, so I don't really know if it need powering or not.

Where abouts are you plugging it into the Firebox?
 
Monkey Allen said:
ps Ok I read it again...what yuou're saying is that when you mic anything, as opposed to going direct into the Firebox, you get a really weak signal, right?

I had the same problem too. First of all, are you using the 'Input level boost'? My mic...a CADm177 needed that boost. Otherwise it did not have the juice to output a robust sound. Presonus told me about this....about the fact you need to bring the mic up to correct 'unity'. I don't know much about it, but that's what they told me.

I'm sure your shure mic is not a condenser, so I don't really know if it need powering or not.

Where abouts are you plugging it into the Firebox?
Click to expand...

Hi Monkey,
yes I used the 12 db boost on the plate where you control the latency and I have also tried the phantom power button but its a Shure 57 so it doesnt need phanton power...but I tired anyway :D
Correct Unity huh..... I will email the customer service that although they arent much help.
I plug into input #2 XLR and I have the gain knobs at 12 o clock but I did try them in different locations and in input #1.
I honest thought it was a mixing problem but could I not have something set right within my own PC?
 
Hey ballgame, 12 o'clock? Thats straight pointing up right? Try setting them more like at 5 o'clock. Even with my 'supposedly' sensitive condenser mic, 12 o'clock just won't get me the gain I need.

I actually thought the preamps on the Firebox would be a lot more sensitive...but again, getting 'unity' out of my mic requires some extra voltage or boost, or whatever it is.

I find if I go to 3 or 4 o'clock and mic up my acoustic pretty good, I get a good signal....a bit bloody boomy for my liking...but then again I am forced to record in my bedroom which is tiny and has concrete floors. That's the boom I suppose
 
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