No you plug it into the face, those connections are neutrik and accept xlr or 1/4" inputs. The rear inputs are for line level inputs (sources like electronic keyboards that have already been preamplified.) Change only the gain setting (volume) on the Presonus, turn it up to at least three or four oclock and see if you can get a response in the headphones or a meter (level) movement in the Presonus mixer software. We need to factually establish that the device is "reading" a source.

jg49 wrote: No you plug it into the face, those connections are neutrik and accept xlr or 1/4" inputs. The rear inputs are for line level inputs (sources like electronic keyboards that have already been preamplified.) Change only the gain setting (volume) on the Presonus, turn it up to at least three or four oclock and see if you can get a response in the headphones or a meter (level) movement in the Presonus mixer software. We need to factually establish that the device is "reading" a source.

Okay well I don't really see a place to hookup my elec guitar into the front....besides the headphone slot...

No plug it in the XLR ins. They have a hole in the middle of them for a reason. I still haven't figured out how they are different from a standard Hi-Z in though. I know you can raise the gain on them, but other than that...?

They're designed to see a different impedance... they're like a DI input, if I understand correctly.

Am I correct in assuming that you would still need a DI box even though you have these inputs?

Holy christ, my electric guitar works...

okay i heard it...

but a second later i tried to record something else and there is no signal...wtf...

WOW WTF I JUST HAD IT.....Im going fucking crazy right now

okay...i turned on cubase elec guitar in the machine...

It had signal...

Then i clicked on firebox mixer....i think thats wht fucked it up

You don't need a DI box if the unit says instrument input or has a toggle switch for line/instrument.

Does Cubase have some check box somewhere that says something to the effect of release ASIO driver in background? If so, uncheck that box.

You can not skip steps when checking signal path. Signal goes to the Firebox before it goes to Cubase and one should not negate the other. You should be able to see meters move though.

so when i unhook the firewire from my comp, i can hear myself from the heaphones. mic and elec guitar...

OK, just asking, because I recorded a bassline through the Hi-Z input in the back of my FireBox, and the same bassline through the Lo-Z in front of the box. The one in the back was quieter, but when boosted the sound quality was greater. I just thought the DI box would help the tone further when plugged in the front.

ManchesterUpanda wrote: so when i unhook the firewire from my comp, i can hear myself from the heaphones. mic and elec guitar...

So the output on your computer isn't set up right. I forgot if you said you were on PC or Mac, but if PC then right click sound in taskbar, and if mac go into preferences/audio.

Hi Z is the instrument input.

Guitarfreak wrote: [quote=ManchesterUpanda]so when i unhook the firewire from my comp, i can hear myself from the heaphones. mic and elec guitar...

So the output on your computer isn't set up right. I forgot if you said you were on PC or Mac, but if PC then right click sound in taskbar, and if mac go into preferences/audio.

Umm can u explain more. dunno wtf ur talkin about. and yes im PC.

Another thing. I just got my mic to work while recording. just turned up the gain.

but again, after 2 minutes, it just stopped working...

After 2 minutes, when it stops working...the sound immediately shuts off too...if that give any hints...

TheJackAttack wrote: Does Cubase have some check box somewhere that says something to the effect of release ASIO driver in background? If so, uncheck that box.

You can not skip steps when checking signal path. Signal goes to the Firebox before it goes to Cubase and one should not negate the other. You should be able to see meters move though.

That's at least part of the answer. When the "Release ASIO" is selected, a y time you click away from Cubase, the ASIO driver "turns off".

I guess I haven't asked yet so...

Did you download the latest driver from Presonus (2.46)? This is the only driver for this box with 64bit support.

Also, are you recording to a secondary drive on USB or internal cable?

hueseph wrote: [quote=TheJackAttack]Does Cubase have some check box somewhere that says something to the effect of release ASIO driver in background? If so, uncheck that box.

You can not skip steps when checking signal path. Signal goes to the Firebox before it goes to Cubase and one should not negate the other. You should be able to see meters move though.

That's at least part of the answer. When the "Release ASIO" is selected, a y time you click away from Cubase, the ASIO driver "turns off".

Okay i guess ill try that. But it also happens in audacity.

I also noticed in your first set of pictures, that you were messing with System Link. System Link is a means by which you can use a separate computer to boost your plug in capability. I'm assuming that you don't have a second computer hooked up so ignore this and if you for some reason have it enabled, disable it.

TheJackAttack wrote: I guess I haven't asked yet so...

Did you download the latest driver from Presonus (2.46)? This is the only driver for this box with 64bit support.

Also, are you recording to a secondary drive on USB or internal cable?

Yes, I'm positive i downloaded 2.46. That's the only installation i used for the firebox.

What do you mean by secondary drive? I'm just directing my files to desktop. Um, I'm using a UBS for my mouse.

Also, the microphone only starts working when i close my computer, than reboot it. I can't just have my computer on and hook it up (it will not work that way)

You are writing to your system drive. This is a no no. You want to record to a dedicated audio drive. What firewire card are you using. Is it built in? Are the drivers for your firewire port up to date? What is the chipset? Do you have anything else connected to your firewire port? Is there a web cam or DV cam also hooked up to the same firewire card?

I think the issue lies elsewhere than the Firebox at this point.

hueseph wrote: You are writing to your system drive. This is a no no. You want to record to a dedicated audio drive. What firewire card are you using. Is it built in? Are the drivers for your firewire port up to date? What is the chipset? Do you have anything else connected to your firewire port? Is there a web cam or DV cam also hooked up to the same firewire card?

I think the issue lies elsewhere than the Firebox at this point.

im not sure where to find or locate the firewire card. but it could be the Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset ? I'm pretty sure it's built in.

No, the firebox is the only thing connected to the firewire port. There is a built in web cam on my computer...

Does your computer run hot?

hueseph wrote: Does your computer run hot?

no

Alright I asked about how your unit monitors audio and they have changed the routing a little since my units were built. Here is the thread in their forum.
http://forums.presonus.com/showthread.php?t=8813
So the answer to the question "Does the Audiobox direct monitor inputs?" is no, it only monitors through the DAW or mixer. So the next step is to get the mixer working for monitoring now that you have a definite signal. While you are trying to configure this continue to use the elec. guitar as it has been proven to be a reliable signal input at that gain setting. I know this has been frustrating but I think you are only a few steps away from solving your issues.

Just to cover all grounds again, I remember you mentioning this is a laptop. You are using the power supply for the Firebox right?

If this is a laptop it is highly likely you will need to get a pc card or expresscard firewire card with a Texas Instruments chipset.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839150004

hueseph wrote: Just to cover all grounds again, I remember you mentioning this is a laptop. You are using the power supply for the Firebox right?

yes i'm using the power supply adapter connected to the back

TheJackAttack wrote: If this is a laptop it is highly likely you will need to get a pc card or expresscard firewire card with a Texas Instruments chipset.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839150004

sigh..ionno if i can really afford more stuff right now..

I mean my laptop is pretty new

Unless your laptop is on this list your onboard firewire is likely not adequate. This is true even though you aren't using ProTools.

http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=54&itemid=36861

sigh. i might just return it and just get a usb interface

If you continue with the recording bug you will only be shooting yourself in the a$$ by switching to USB.

You need a one time expenditure that will function with all firewire interfaces you look at in the future.

TheJackAttack wrote: If you continue with the recording bug you will only be shooting yourself in the a$$ by switching to USB.

You need a one time expenditure that will function with all firewire interfaces you look at in the future.

why? i feel like usb would be the easiest way for me.

I'm not that serious about recording. just wanna put some songs on purevolume or youtube

I mean if I have to buy a new card, for every firewire audio interface, i might as well just get a new usb interface...

If you aren't serious about recording then do what you want. As to easy, you don't what you're doing yet so you have no basis for easy or not easy.

You will still need to have a secondary hard drive to record to OTHER than your main OS hard drive which SHOULD be usb. Yes your desktop is your main hard drive. Interface on one protocol (firewire) and hard drive on the dumb protocol (usb). Or get a secondary internal hard drive and use a USB interface.

http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_27

I'm out of this thread now.

When I first had issues with my Presonus gear which turned out to be bad drivers the first thing that they said was it was the firewire not being Texas Instrument. Well two years later and no problems at all I am still usiing the Asus set up that came with the computer. Before you invest in I would try all other avenues.

TheJackAttack wrote: If you aren't serious about recording then do what you want. As to easy, you don't what you're doing yet so you have no basis for easy or not easy.

You will still need to have a secondary hard drive to record to OTHER than your main OS hard drive which SHOULD be usb. Yes your desktop is your main hard drive. Interface on one protocol (firewire) and hard drive on the dumb protocol (usb). Or get a secondary internal hard drive and use a USB interface.

http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_27

I'm out of this thread now.

I have no idea what ur trying to say >_<

I'm guessing ur saying to get a second hard drive....ionno why.

thanks for trying though

jg49 wrote: When I first had issues with my Presonus gear which turned out to be bad drivers the first thing that they said was it was the firewire not being Texas Instrument. Well two years later and no problems at all I am still usiing the Asus set up that came with the computer. Before you invest in I would try all other avenues.

so ur saying to get a texas instrument firewire card?

I'm so frustrated right now. One person is saying to get another hard drive, another is saying to get a new firewire card...

do i even need these extra things with a usb audio interface?

ManchesterUpanda wrote: I mean if I have to buy a new card, for every firewire audio interface, i might as well just get a new usb interface...

Nobody said you need a different firewire card for each interface you buy. If anything you should return your laptop and invest in one that supports firewire. There is nothing wrong with the FireBox, believe me, I own one. If there is a weak link here it is your computer. Whether or not you want to believe it.

If you want to put your songs on purevolume then you are going to want some quality behind it then correct? Of course you would, why handicap yourself? It's a competitive world in the audio industry and if you are putting down your guns because of a little issue like this then you might as well give up now.

I understand that you are frustrated, believe me we have all been in one way or another. We are trying to help you in any way we can, look at this thread, six pages long and we are still posting. Don't go USB, you will only regret it later. Find a way to get that FireBox to work or get a new PC.

Guitarfreak wrote: [quote=ManchesterUpanda]I mean if I have to buy a new card, for every firewire audio interface, i might as well just get a new usb interface...

Nobody said you need a different firewire card for each interface you buy. If anything you should return your laptop and invest in one that supports firewire. There is nothing wrong with the FireBox, believe me, I own one. If there is a weak link here it is your computer. Whether or not you want to believe it.

If you want to put your songs on purevolume then you are going to want some quality behind it then correct? Of course you would, why handicap yourself? It's a competitive world in the audio industry and if you are putting down your guns because of a little issue like this then you might as well give up now.

I understand that you are frustrated, believe me we have all been in one way or another. We are trying to help you in any way we can, look at this thread, six pages long and we are still posting. Don't go USB, you will only regret it later. Find a way to get that FireBox to work or get a new PC.

Okay, I'm not going to buy another computer just for this. I understand that the "Weak link" is my computer. But I just don't understand the advice everyone is giving me regarding new computer equipment. Of course I am grateful for all of the forum's help. I'm just having a hard time understanding what to get exactly...

As for how good I want my stuff to sound, many friends of mine sound amazing without an audio interface..they just use a mixer. I'm trying to find the cheapest way to record stuff; but not to the point of using my built-in microphone on my laptop.

I feel like to get this firebox to work, I will have to spend even more money...which is extremely limited due to my college fees.

I've seriously tried almost everything (except buy more computer equip.)
I've even called presonus 10 times today. No technical support was available.

So...please, what do I get? Another hard drive? Or another firewire card. Please be clear.