Presonus Firebox or E-MU 1212m + M-audio DMP3 pre

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anarchist
  • Start date Start date

Presonus FireBox or EMU 1212m + M-Audio DMP3

  • Presonus Firebox

    Votes: 9 69.2%

  • EMU 1212m + M-Audio DMP3

    Votes: 4 30.8%
  • Total voters
    13
A

Anarchist

New member
I am deciding between a Presonus Firebox or M-audio DMP3 pre + E-MU 1212m
which option will give a better sound quality in your opinion?

SETUP:

AMD 64 3000+
1 gig RAM
Asus A8N SLI deluxe
7200 RPM HD
Boss GT6
Sonar 5 PE or Cubase SX3 (I like Sonar better though)
Acido Pro 5 for Live drum loops

USE/Recording:

Guitar/Bass/Vocals and some keyboards maybe, one at a time
Live drum Loops

My only concern is final product as sound quality of vocals cause guitar/bass I will be recording through SPDIF to the card.
 
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DMP3 is a better pre-amp (probably not much, but still better), and I believe that the 1212m has the better converters. So, that would probably be the option for better sound quality. However, the Firebox is nice in that it offers a portable solution with the Firewire. Plus I believe that overall the Presonus drivers are probably a bit more stable, I've heard some bad stories about the E-mu drivers, and hardly any negatives on Presonus.
 
I am pretty much all set on 1212m but for pre are there any better choices in the same price range? I am looking for pre-amp for Vocals only, I would prefer one channel better quality than 2 ch less quality for the same price, I would be using a budget condensor mic though.
 
I got a 1212m card.. I like it...

However the upgrades for the card are higher than just going out and buying the 1820m up front.

I've been using a *cough* Behringer ADA8000 *cough* with it with pretty good results for less money to take advantage of the adat input on the card.
 
Any of you think I should just get 1820m instead? more I/O more flexible, but 1820m pres are as good as DMP3? anoyone have experience with both?
 
Anarchist said:
Any of you think I should just get 1820m instead? more I/O more flexible, but 1820m pres are as good as DMP3? anoyone have experience with both?
Click to expand...

I've read at more than a few places that the 1820m pres are better than the dmp3....and the dmp3 are very good pres imho.
 
thanx a lot guys I think I will try 1820m and see how it works.
 
Anarchist said:
I would be using a budget condensor mic though.
Click to expand...
I would budget for a good mic first, and if you get the 1820m that gets you a couple of good pre's so IMO that's the way to go.
 
Anarchist said:
Any of you think I should just get 1820m instead? more I/O more flexible, but 1820m pres are as good as DMP3? anoyone have experience with both?
Click to expand...
I have an 1820m, and have heard the DMP3. I have not played with the DMP3 much, though just enough to learn that I did not like it.

In my very humble opinion the 1820m's pres are better than those of the dmp3. Not by a huge amount, but better.
 
How about a pre with digital out to go into the 1212m.
I have a ADA8000 and a Art DSP II that I use with my 1212m.
There are a few other pres with digital outs.
 
Anarchist said:
thanx a lot guys I think I will try 1820m and see how it works.
Click to expand...

I've been considering the 1820m myself. My only sound card up to this point, other than onboard sound, has been a 1010lt. There's always been something about it that I don't like, sound wise, but I really don't know what it is. I have'nt had anything to compare it to. If I do upgrade, I will hang on to the 1010lt for a bit to do some comparing.

Anyone compared these 2 card's?
 
if you're a computer retard like me I would go with the firebox....very easy to setup.....internal cards scare me.
 
brandrum said:
if you're a computer retard like me I would go with the firebox....very easy to setup.....internal cards scare me.
Click to expand...

Another vote for the firebox.
 
emu 1212

yeah I had problems with the drivers that came in the box...but that was solved in about 30 seconds after I downloaded the new ones for free off of their web site.




as far as the guy who doesn't like internal cards, I am no whiz, but the reason I purchased the EMu 1212 is that since it is a PCI card it didn't use up as much computer power and can be mixed with no cpu overhead...then again the firewire card may do the same thing...I am not sure.
 
you mentioned "Sonar 5 PE or Cubase SX3" are you asking which one to buy or that you purchased and own both. really I dont see why you would own both since they both do the same thing.
 
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