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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: aberg on August 06, 2005, 09:19:20 PM

Title: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: aberg on August 06, 2005, 09:19:20 PM
So I'm looking to get a firewire/usb audio interface all in one box for taping with my laptop. I'm leaning toward the M-Audio Firewire 410 but I've heard good things about both the Presonus Firebox and Edirol UA-25.

Does anyone have any opinions on which of the three is a better choice? Thanks!
Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: F.O.Bean on August 06, 2005, 11:06:50 PM
fwiw, the 410 can alos be modded if enoughy begging is done w/ doug possibly, my man dustin, aka caymanreview on here ran a wmod410, and it actually has decent metering :)
Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: Billy Mumphrey on August 07, 2005, 07:31:16 PM
I have a 410 and ua-5. The ua-5 definitely "made friends" with my laptop(s) much more quickly and easily. In fact I've never had one single problem with ua-5 > usb > laptop, even at 24/96. However there are others that report problems at 24/96 and exclusively run 24/48. Keep that in mind.

The 410 took some work and many hours but I was able to get it stable.

I use these two preamps in conjunction with one another. I most often run the board feed into the UA-5 (usually rca in). Coax out of UA-5 into coax in of FW-410. Then I'll run aud mics into the pre's of the 410; you can then feed the board and aud feed SEPERATELY into a laptop so you can mix the two later in post-production. I was able to run this at 24/96 many many times. SO MUCH FUN.

As for as the firebox, I know nothing, but I'd love to see some new fresh gear out there. :)
Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: Morphius on August 07, 2005, 08:34:45 PM
fwiw, the 410 can alos be modded if enoughy begging is done w/ doug possibly, my man dustin, aka caymanreview on here ran a wmod410, and it actually has decent metering :)

I just bought (as in 10 minutes ago) a 410.  What do you mean by "modding?"  What would be changed and why?
Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: johnw on August 07, 2005, 08:55:13 PM
If you purchased it from Doug Oade (oade.com) they can improve the preamp section for a small price.
Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: F.O.Bean on August 07, 2005, 09:17:57 PM
If you purchased it from Doug Oade (oade.com) they can improve the preamp section for a small price.

bingo morphius!
Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: poorlyconditioned on August 07, 2005, 10:15:29 PM
I have a 410 and ua-5. The ua-5 definitely "made friends" with my laptop(s) much more quickly and easily. In fact I've never had one single problem with ua-5 > usb > laptop, even at 24/96. However there are others that report problems at 24/96 and exclusively run 24/48. Keep that in mind.

The 410 took some work and many hours but I was able to get it stable.

I use these two preamps in conjunction with one another. I most often run the board feed into the UA-5 (usually rca in). Coax out of UA-5 into coax in of FW-410. Then I'll run aud mics into the pre's of the 410; you can then feed the board and aud feed SEPERATELY into a laptop so you can mix the two later in post-production. I was able to run this at 24/96 many many times. SO MUCH FUN.

As for as the firebox, I know nothing, but I'd love to see some new fresh gear out there. :)

Why don't you run board into line in on the 410?  It takes more than two analog channels, right?

By the way, I have the Presonus Firepod, the big brother of the Firebox.  The firebox has 2 mic pres, two analog, and one digital input.  The Firebox has 8 mic/line inputs and one digital I/O (coax only).  I *think* the firebox is powered from the cable.  The Firepod needs a separate PSU (12 to 24VDC, but a lot of current I think).

OK, how does the Presonus sound?  My opinion is that it is better than the Unmodded UA5.  More detail/clarity.  It has a discrete transistor pair in front of a MC33079 preamp(s).  I think the opamp is low end, but that discrete stage makes it better.  Probably not as good as an Oade mod, but I like it just fine.

  Richard

Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: Billy Mumphrey on August 08, 2005, 11:46:19 AM
Why don't you run board into line in on the 410?  It takes more than two analog channels, right?

you'd think that but it can only take a max of 2 analog channels. the other two must be a digital feed.
Title: Re: M-Audio Firewire 410 vs. Presonus Firebox vs. Edirol UA-25
Post by: bdasilva on August 29, 2005, 01:15:16 PM
[
you'd think that but it can only take a max of 2 analog channels. the other two must be a digital feed.
Quote

 Are you shitting me??? Did I miss this? I was looking forward to four channels.