Using a nice mic pre with a Firebox?

[roderick]

I only need to record one channel at a time so that is why I use the Firebox but I was thinking about getting a nicer mic pre. Will the pre make any difference in audio quality if it's still going through the Firebox converters?

[bbgallaway]

Not sure if it helps or not, but I recently tried running an RNP through an RNLA into a Firepod. If the Firebox is the same way then there's no line level input, so there's no way to bypass the pre's in the interface. Even with no gain whatsoever being added on the Firepod, I had to do some extremely conservative gainstaging on the RNP and RNLA - anything approaching a normal signal level yielded a ton of pops. They cleared up if I either ran very low levels through the FMR stuff or if I ran directly into the Firepod.

[videoracer]

How the converters affects the sound through the internal pre or an external one is pretty much the same, as there's only one A/D in there. There may be electrical differences that may change the sound, but that all happens before the A/Ds. It's the source signal quality that really determines how it's going to sound.

The Firebox manual states it's mic pres have only 45 dB of gain, which isn't much (although typical for these kinds of boxes). What kind of preamp you want to use depends on what kind of mics you want to use. If you have a hot condenser you should be fine with the Firebox's built-in pres.

However if you're using a dynamic or a ribbon you definitely need more gain. Because the Firebox has line inputs this isn't a problem at all, just plug your external preamp in and set your gain.

Do you have a preamp in mind that you want to use? If not, if you want a clean, linear preamp consider the Rane MS-1b ($150-$200). This unit will give you 66 dB of gain, which is pretty decent.

For something more colored, look at the Golden Age Pre-73 Neve clone ($300). This will give you up to 80 dB of gain, although at the higher end it may get ratty if you have a hot input signal (usually you won't be up that high if you have a hot signal to begin with). It's my go-to preamp for my ribbons and dynamics.

There's plenty of preamp options out there, have a look around if you don't know yet what you want.

[dysenterygary]

Originally Posted by bbgallaway

Not sure if it helps or not, but I recently tried running an RNP through an RNLA into a Firepod. If the Firebox is the same way then there's no line level input, so there's no way to bypass the pre's in the interface. Even with no gain whatsoever being added on the Firepod, I had to do some extremely conservative gainstaging on the RNP and RNLA - anything approaching a normal signal level yielded a ton of pops. They cleared up if I either ran very low levels through the FMR stuff or if I ran directly into the Firepod.

The 1/4" input on channel 1 and 2 of the firepod are instrument inputs, but channels 3-8 are line inputs. Supposedly going from a preamp into lines 3-8 will bypass the firepod pre.

[bbgallaway]

Hmmmm....perhaps a little manual reading was in order before that session....and again before offering advice on GS? I'll let these other fine people direct you from here on out.

[roderick]

Originally Posted by dysentarygary

The 1/4" input on channel 1 and 2 of the firepod are instrument inputs, but channels 3-8 are line inputs. Supposedly going from a preamp into lines 3-8 will bypass the firepod pre.

So If i had - let's say an API lunchbox - i could run it through lines 3-8 or would it have to be S/PDIF?

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by roderick

So If i had - let's say an API lunchbox - i could run it through lines 3-8 or would it have to be S/PDIF?

dude, no offense, but if you get a lunchbox, then you have no excuse to upgrade your converter.

[awakened]

Originally Posted by rty5150

dude, no offense, but if you get a lunchbox, then you have no excuse to upgrade your converter.

haha!

you dont have to break the bank to get great conversion. they still got that 400f for cheap over at musicians friend

decent pres on that thing too!

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by awakened

haha!

you dont have to break the bank to get great conversion. they still got that 400f for cheap over at musicians friend

decent pres on that thing too!

*high five*

[roderick]

Originally Posted by rty5150

dude, no offense, but if you get a lunchbox, then you have no excuse to upgrade your converter.

sorry, i'm confused - do you mean no excuse not to upgrade my converters. I just bought an Apogee Duet. Does that count?

[Insomniaclown]

let me tell you that the Duet knocks the firebox out of the park! You don't even need to really look into high end pres for awhile. I used a firebox for a couple of years. Upgraded to a Duet and never looked back.

As most will tell you, conversion makes the smallest impact on your audio, but its always nice to know that your conversion is great when you want make high quality recordings.

If you are thinking of going the lunchbox route, you will have the ability to have a good variety of gear, but keep in mind that the Duet is a one way ticket. Meaning that you can't really use it in a send/return configuration. So if you fall in love with a 500 series compressor (and you will), you can only use it for tracking. Something like an Audiofire 12 would give you more flexibility for outboard processing. 12 ins/outs and no pres.

In closing, if you are only doing one channel at a time, the Duet should do it for you. Pres are clean, neutral, and have plenty o gain. If you want to add some spice, then get a different pre to use with the duet. For one channel at a time, you really don't need a lunchbox. My 2 cents.

Ryan

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by roderick

sorry, i'm confused - do you mean no excuse not to upgrade my converters. I just bought an Apogee Duet. Does that count?

yup.


but check out the title again...

no update about the duet either.