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I'm so excited and can't wait to try it out. It is an ADC right? Will this mean that I will be able to drive a hotter signal without clipping? I ask this because sometimes currently with DI the sound audibly clips while the level stays comfortably within the yellow.

Comments

Jeremy Mon, 03/02/2009 - 18:06

You made the correct choice to start with a Firebox. Best bang for the buck IMO. I started with a Firepod the box's older brother. When you are ready to upgrade, the Mackie Onyx as of this day and time is a logical jump. Who knows maybe that studiolive will knock the socks off the Mackie's, only time will tell.

Codemonkey Mon, 03/02/2009 - 18:59

"It is an ADC right?"
You mean you bought it without knowing what it was?

Here, buy this. Features:
- easy interaction,
- simple to learn,
- instant feedback on actions,
- clean, ergonomic design
I'm not telling you what it is or does though.

"Will this mean that I will be able to drive a hotter signal without clipping?"
Maybe. This is irrelevant though.

Search for "gain structure" and work on it. There's no need to record the hottest signal you can.

Codemonkey Mon, 03/02/2009 - 19:08

Ah. My bad.

Gain structure (quick overview, I suggest you still dig for additional info) basically, keep your inputs -6dB at max volume. Once you get out of the realm of soundblasters the signal-noise ratios are generous so noise isn't really a worry.

Just keep your signal from clipping (unless that is your bizarre intent) and then a little bit more headroom on top of that.

Guitarfreak Mon, 03/02/2009 - 19:24

When looking up gain structure, I read where boosting a signal via preamp too much adds noise, is this because we are talking about a digital preamp? I remember hearing something with analog equipment, maybe tube or tape related, but the more you boost the signal the LOWER the noise floor gets.

I can see this with the tape deck in my car, the tape deck being a basic ADC. I have my iPod plugged into my tape player and using the built in iPod volume as a sort of "preamp" I can see the results. Below 50% volume, the signal is weak and dull sounding and there is a lot of static noise. The noise floor drops steadily until around 75-80% then the signal gets so hot that it starts to clip and the speakers start to rumble.

I just realized that I have no idea what I am talking about and am just rambling...oh well. Maybe someone can make sense of this.

Codemonkey Mon, 03/02/2009 - 21:35

Preamps are analog!

Err... the only thing I can think of that would lower the noise floor is if you engage the pad - then it drops by 20dB (and RemyRAD, among others) think it provides a more open sound. They have their reasons, I don't have quality gear to hear it.

Anyway - your preamp should be set so that the output signal from that is about -10dB allowing for headroom etc. - if you're likely to get carried away with the music then make it -15dB for regular volume - this gives you plenty of headroom.
All additional gear (if you have any) should receieve an input of about the same - (most analog gear can handle greater input volumes, however it's not necessary to feed them hotter) - and your ADC (which is the end of the analog chain) should recieve the same again.

Guitarfreak Tue, 03/03/2009 - 08:21

I just realized that in my last post I may have been hung up on some terminology. When I said the noise floor, I probably meant S/N ratio.

Can someone comment on this for me? So far (and I know I need to just play around with it to get a feel for it, bear with me it's not here yet and I'm antsy :D) But it seems that when setting a preamp level you must set it high enough to get a good S/N, but not so high that the device starts to add noise (Noise floor).

Also, the firebox has a clip LED. In my head I think what I'm going to do is boost it until I find the spot where the LED clips, and then from there back it off 5-10dB. Does this sound like a good starting method?

Codemonkey Wed, 03/04/2009 - 09:00

The preamp in itself is designed to be as low noise as possible.

I think you mean,
You should set the preamp so that subsequent parts of the signal chain receive a hot enough input so to minimise the need for further gain and thus adding noise, but not so hot that the signal clips.
Allow for headroom to taste.

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