Inexpensive VO recording setup

Dave Pecunies · October 27th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Now that I have been able to run the Presonus Firebox through the paces I am starting to not like it. Everything I have done with it so far is all VO work so none of this is based on instrument recording. There are a few of us that have done VO work through the Firebox and I would rate all of our voices as mid to high on volume. Thus I have not run into any problems with the unit until I recorded someone with a softer voice. I had everything cranked and it still was not enough. Now I have a noisy VO that needs to be redone. Yes, I have spent many, many hours trying to repair the audio and bring the noise down but have come to the conclusion that it will take less time to re-record than to continue to beat the dead horse.

I will not put all the blame on Presonus, the unit comes with a software booster that adds about 12dB and if I crank the levels on the Firebox and record into Soundtrack it becomes useable for a softer voice but still not great. Since running into this problem I have read a number of other folks out there with similar issues. So if you have a medium to loud voice the Firebox has a very nice warm sound for the money. If you might record someone with a softer voice I would look elsewhere.

Ty Ford · October 27th, 2008, 02:32 PM

Hey Dave,

Which mic?

Ty Ford

Dave Pecunies · November 1st, 2008, 07:14 AM

Ty, I use a PL20.

At the bottom of the linked page there is a good write-up from an electrical engineer on why the Firebox doesn't perform as most would expect.

http://www.bradsucks.net/archives/20...x-gain-update/

Dave Pecunies · December 8th, 2008, 08:48 PM

A few weeks ago I picked up a used Apogee Duet on eBay to replace my Firebox. I must say that I am quite happy with the overall sound quality, ease of use, and most of all, volume (which I guess can go under the "overall sound quality" category). The Firebox was just not an adequate piece of equipment for what I was doing, which was only VO work. So anyone out there looking for an inexpensive piece of equipment for recording audio to your computer, spend the extra couple of bucks for the Apogee Duet. It will save you money and time in the long-run. I hope this helps someone out!!

dave

October 27th, 2008, 02:32 PM	#17
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Hey Dave, Which mic? Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

November 1st, 2008, 07:14 AM	#18
Dave Pecunies Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albany Township, ME Posts: 95	Ty, I use a PL20. At the bottom of the linked page there is a good write-up from an electrical engineer on why the Firebox doesn't perform as most would expect. http://www.bradsucks.net/archives/20...x-gain-update/ Last edited by Dave Pecunies; November 1st, 2008 at 12:15 PM.

October 27th, 2008, 12:37 PM	#16
Dave Pecunies Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albany Township, ME Posts: 95	Now that I have been able to run the Presonus Firebox through the paces I am starting to not like it. Everything I have done with it so far is all VO work so none of this is based on instrument recording. There are a few of us that have done VO work through the Firebox and I would rate all of our voices as mid to high on volume. Thus I have not run into any problems with the unit until I recorded someone with a softer voice. I had everything cranked and it still was not enough. Now I have a noisy VO that needs to be redone. Yes, I have spent many, many hours trying to repair the audio and bring the noise down but have come to the conclusion that it will take less time to re-record than to continue to beat the dead horse. I will not put all the blame on Presonus, the unit comes with a software booster that adds about 12dB and if I crank the levels on the Firebox and record into Soundtrack it becomes useable for a softer voice but still not great. Since running into this problem I have read a number of other folks out there with similar issues. So if you have a medium to loud voice the Firebox has a very nice warm sound for the money. If you might record someone with a softer voice I would look elsewhere.

December 8th, 2008, 08:48 PM	#19
Dave Pecunies Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albany Township, ME Posts: 95	A few weeks ago I picked up a used Apogee Duet on eBay to replace my Firebox. I must say that I am quite happy with the overall sound quality, ease of use, and most of all, volume (which I guess can go under the "overall sound quality" category). The Firebox was just not an adequate piece of equipment for what I was doing, which was only VO work. So anyone out there looking for an inexpensive piece of equipment for recording audio to your computer, spend the extra couple of bucks for the Apogee Duet. It will save you money and time in the long-run. I hope this helps someone out!! dave