[Soundcard:Traktor Pro] Setting Up Presonus Firebox Soundcard W\Traktor Pro

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[Soundcard:Traktor Pro] Setting Up Presonus Firebox Soundcard W\Traktor Pro
Posted on: 15.02.2009 by Xavier Emanuels
Alright,

We get lots of questions on exactly how to cue using different soundcards. Today i am going to demonstrate how to cue using a presonus firebox mixer. These basic principles can be adapted for nearly any soundcard though so even if you dont have a presonus firebox and you have no idea how to setup your soundcard read this tutorial anyway, it should help.

1) First you need to install the software that comes with the soundcard and connect up your soundcard.

2) Nows the software is installed we need to select which output is going to be used my the headphone jack. In this case the Presonus FireBox has a spdif out connection that i never so we will select this as the channel we wish to monitor.
\

3) Now we have that setup we need to set the audio latency of the card so lets open up the "FireBox Control Panel". You will want to tweak this as low as you can without hearing audible glitches so lets just start with this setting first and you can adjust this to suit your computer later.



4)Now to Open Traktor pro and set Traktor up with the soundcard. When you open Traktor press "file" then "Audio setup. Now make sure your settings look as shown in this picture.



5a) If you are mixing internally and not using an external analogue mixing interface then in Traktors "Output Routings" tab you need to set it up shown in this first picture. The "Output Monitor" setting what you want to come out of your headphones so lets select SpdifOut which we selected to monitor on the Firebox in step 2. Physically connect the output jacks 1 and 2 on the back of your FireBox to your amplifier or if your in a club into the back of the house mixer then select MainOut as the Output Master. The Output master is the decks mixed together and ready to be played out the speakers.



5b) If you wish to mix externally on a analogue mixer then select External and setup as follows-



6) Now if you wish to cue or preview just click the Cue buttons or click the Preview buttton on rather the interface or your midi controller and it will be played out your headphones. If you cant hear anything comming out of your headphones make sure the volume is turned up a cue volume knob in the Traktor software and on the face of the soundcard is both turned up.
Brenton Hernan
06.06.2013
Originally Posted by ToS
You are probably wrong.
Cue routing goes like this(for 1-3 decks, not 4):
Traktor Cue/Preview -> Presonus SPDIF(this is software/virtual channels)
Then after that is set up, in presonus-mixer you select/route SPDIF software channels to the headphones hardware channels/output. There is no need to "use the SPDIF -> RCA connector" since you have a nice headphone preamp built into the soundcard. That SPDIF output would not produce any sound as it outputs digital signal and not audio.
First of all thank you (all) so much - this whole thread is incredibly helpful for this amateur right here.

I've been trying to get this setup going... following along, it all works (setting up the FireBox mixer per the FAQ, etc) but no matter what I do I can't get SPDIF option to appear in Traktor's "output monitor" dropdown.

I'm using a Mac... does that affect whether SPDIF shows up? Thanks again.
Xavier Emanuels
02.04.2009
Originally Posted by DJ Ataru
I gotcha now. Although it brings up my other question related to the Mac side, as Presonus' site says that the software drivers are not required. Or maybe the drivers are required to have working cue channel?

Thanks for the information!
You will need the presonus mixer software to be able to select which output is being outputed to the monitor - im not sure about the drivers but you will definantly need that installed. I would personally install any drivers you can get for it anyway to make sure your using the latest drivers which should (hopefully) get you the best performance possible.
Brigid Lagerman
03.04.2009
Originally Posted by charo
TOS is correct, the SPDIF settings are just an internal routing option. basically you need to change what is being routed to the headphone jack and then select that as the cue in your software.
I gotcha now. Although it brings up my other question related to the Mac side, as Presonus' site says that the software drivers are not required. Or maybe the drivers are required to have working cue channel?

Thanks for the information!
Brigid Lagerman
02.04.2009
Originally Posted by DJ Ataru
Can you configure the headphone output on the Firebox as the Monitor Out? And I have a Mac which allegedly "does not need a driver".
I reread this and after a piece of restating what you said above, I get it now: you used the SPDIF -> RCA connector that came with the Firebox and plug the headphones into that (after setting monitor to 7/8).

Never mind!
Xavier Emanuels
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by liam.h
this is a really good post. would it be a good itea to start up a new sub community called "how to's". people would be able to submit an artical like this to an admin, then they can decided whether to post them or not. It could have all Eans youtube vid links etc.
People can make posts and if i believe they are useful ill add them to the FAQ up the top. People can also contact me about writing for the blog - good blog posts i personally believe are useful to new people and decent controllerism tutorials also get added to this list.
MadMan Ajms
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by charo
yes i was using a cord like that to do it. i just preview like bento said, cue on the mixer
simple as that and makes a nice, (dope sounding!!), 4 output, good priced, loud as foke, soundcard!
-got mine new for 220 USD off Ebay.

if ya want one, email this guy and bargain away.

[email protected]
juan garcia
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by claudek
Are you using a headphone to rca splitter for the headphones to get 4 outs? Good idea...

How are you using "preview" with an external mixer?
yes i was using a cord like that to do it. i just preview like bento said, cue on the mixer
Xavier Emanuels
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by claudek
Are you using a headphone to rca splitter for the headphones to get 4 outs? Good idea...

How are you using "preview" with an external mixer?
Not everyone uses preview, loading it onto a deck and using the cue on the external mixer to listen to the track before you play it is what alot of people are doing.
MadMan Ajms
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by charo
i have set up and used 4 decks mixed externally with a firebox and it is just is a matter of adjusting the headphones volume and it works fine.

It is less then ideal because it won't be a balanced output, but it does work just fine.
Are you using a headphone to rca splitter for the headphones to get 4 outs? Good idea...

How are you using "preview" with an external mixer?
juan garcia
27.03.2009
Originally Posted by ToS
It is possible to use headphones out (on firebox) as channels 7/8 but that is too risky as it is built for the heaphones and not mixer line in. Also presonus has really loud headphone output it would be likely to overdrive mixer inputs and thus channels 7/8 would still be unusable.
i have set up and used 4 decks mixed externally with a firebox and it is just is a matter of adjusting the headphones volume and it works fine.

It is less then ideal because it won't be a balanced output, but it does work just fine.
Brenton Hernan
06.06.2013
Originally Posted by ToS
You are probably wrong.
Cue routing goes like this(for 1-3 decks, not 4):
Traktor Cue/Preview -> Presonus SPDIF(this is software/virtual channels)
Then after that is set up, in presonus-mixer you select/route SPDIF software channels to the headphones hardware channels/output. There is no need to "use the SPDIF -> RCA connector" since you have a nice headphone preamp built into the soundcard. That SPDIF output would not produce any sound as it outputs digital signal and not audio.
First of all thank you (all) so much - this whole thread is incredibly helpful for this amateur right here.

I've been trying to get this setup going... following along, it all works (setting up the FireBox mixer per the FAQ, etc) but no matter what I do I can't get SPDIF option to appear in Traktor's "output monitor" dropdown.

I'm using a Mac... does that affect whether SPDIF shows up? Thanks again.
DJ MENSAH
31.03.2011		I never had any experience with saffire14 (only saffire 6). If you have saffire drivers installed they should supply you with ASIO for that same soundcard and ASIO is usually pretty straightforward (no DSP/SoftMixer in the middle to fiddle with your sound).
In case the Saffire14 has some king of onboard hardware DSP (for routing at least), you should check your SoftMixer app that came with the soundcard driver installation.
Savannah Genovese
30.03.2011		O do you know about how connect saffire pro 14 and traktor pro, i am confused, i can not monitoring mix in headphones, do you know why?
Thanx
Blossom Patacsil
02.08.2009		I can't view the attached thumbnails - are the links broken?
Xavier Emanuels
02.04.2009
Originally Posted by DJ Ataru
I gotcha now. Although it brings up my other question related to the Mac side, as Presonus' site says that the software drivers are not required. Or maybe the drivers are required to have working cue channel?

Thanks for the information!
You will need the presonus mixer software to be able to select which output is being outputed to the monitor - im not sure about the drivers but you will definantly need that installed. I would personally install any drivers you can get for it anyway to make sure your using the latest drivers which should (hopefully) get you the best performance possible.
Brigid Lagerman
03.04.2009
Originally Posted by charo
TOS is correct, the SPDIF settings are just an internal routing option. basically you need to change what is being routed to the headphone jack and then select that as the cue in your software.
I gotcha now. Although it brings up my other question related to the Mac side, as Presonus' site says that the software drivers are not required. Or maybe the drivers are required to have working cue channel?

Thanks for the information!
juan garcia
03.04.2009		TOS is correct, the SPDIF settings are just an internal routing option. basically you need to change what is being routed to the headphone jack and then select that as the cue in your software.
DJ MENSAH
03.04.2009		You are probably wrong.
Cue routing goes like this(for 1-3 decks, not 4):
Traktor Cue/Preview -> Presonus SPDIF(this is software/virtual channels)
Then after that is set up, in presonus-mixer you select/route SPDIF software channels to the headphones hardware channels/output. There is no need to "use the SPDIF -> RCA connector" since you have a nice headphone preamp built into the soundcard. That SPDIF output would not produce any sound as it outputs digital signal and not audio.
Brigid Lagerman
02.04.2009
Originally Posted by DJ Ataru
Can you configure the headphone output on the Firebox as the Monitor Out? And I have a Mac which allegedly "does not need a driver".
I reread this and after a piece of restating what you said above, I get it now: you used the SPDIF -> RCA connector that came with the Firebox and plug the headphones into that (after setting monitor to 7/8).

Never mind!
Brigid Lagerman
02.04.2009		Can you configure the headphone output on the Firebox as the Monitor Out? And I have a Mac which allegedly "does not need a driver".
Xavier Emanuels
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by liam.h
this is a really good post. would it be a good itea to start up a new sub community called "how to's". people would be able to submit an artical like this to an admin, then they can decided whether to post them or not. It could have all Eans youtube vid links etc.
People can make posts and if i believe they are useful ill add them to the FAQ up the top. People can also contact me about writing for the blog - good blog posts i personally believe are useful to new people and decent controllerism tutorials also get added to this list.
Franke NU_Energy_Events
02.04.2009		this is a really good post. would it be a good itea to start up a new sub community called "how to's". people would be able to submit an artical like this to an admin, then they can decided whether to post them or not. It could have all Eans youtube vid links etc.
DJ MENSAH
02.04.2009		charo, tnx for that.
About that "4ourth deck not balanced output": not many mixers have balanced inputs so it is not a big problem.
MadMan Ajms
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by charo
yes i was using a cord like that to do it. i just preview like bento said, cue on the mixer
simple as that and makes a nice, (dope sounding!!), 4 output, good priced, loud as foke, soundcard!
-got mine new for 220 USD off Ebay.

if ya want one, email this guy and bargain away.

[email protected]
juan garcia
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by claudek
Are you using a headphone to rca splitter for the headphones to get 4 outs? Good idea...

How are you using "preview" with an external mixer?
yes i was using a cord like that to do it. i just preview like bento said, cue on the mixer
MadMan Ajms
01.04.2009		sounds good.
Thx
Xavier Emanuels
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by claudek
Are you using a headphone to rca splitter for the headphones to get 4 outs? Good idea...

How are you using "preview" with an external mixer?
Not everyone uses preview, loading it onto a deck and using the cue on the external mixer to listen to the track before you play it is what alot of people are doing.
MadMan Ajms
01.04.2009
Originally Posted by charo
i have set up and used 4 decks mixed externally with a firebox and it is just is a matter of adjusting the headphones volume and it works fine.

It is less then ideal because it won't be a balanced output, but it does work just fine.
Are you using a headphone to rca splitter for the headphones to get 4 outs? Good idea...

How are you using "preview" with an external mixer?
juan garcia
27.03.2009
Originally Posted by ToS
It is possible to use headphones out (on firebox) as channels 7/8 but that is too risky as it is built for the heaphones and not mixer line in. Also presonus has really loud headphone output it would be likely to overdrive mixer inputs and thus channels 7/8 would still be unusable.
i have set up and used 4 decks mixed externally with a firebox and it is just is a matter of adjusting the headphones volume and it works fine.

It is less then ideal because it won't be a balanced output, but it does work just fine.
Irwin Ney
27.03.2009		understood now, thanks ToS!
DJ MENSAH
26.03.2009		I believe that saffire headphone outouts are not routable/assignable.
Bento diaplayed saffire's mixer (not LE).
Best option would be to go to the store(s) and requre a test in order to be really sure.

Think about his fact:
saffireLE as FireBox has 6 line outputs. If you are mixing internally, you only need 4 (2 for master and 2 for CUE). On the other side, if you are mixing externally, you would be plugging headphones to the mixer and thus it is not a problem to what channels is set your headphones out on the soundcard.
It is possible to use headphones out (on firebox) as channels 7/8 but that is too risky as it is built for the heaphones and not mixer line in. Also presonus has really loud headphone output it would be likely to overdrive mixer inputs and thus channels 7/8 would still be unusable.
On the other hand, saffire is bulk-ish and has really weird placement for power plug (all the way up there).
MadMan Ajms
26.03.2009		thanks!
Irwin Ney
26.03.2009		Thanks Bento, really helpful stuff here...
I believe that i will be going to a firebox too, but its hard to find here in Brazil... I insist so much about Saffire LE because i alredy found it at 3 stores here hehehe
Xavier Emanuels
26.03.2009
Originally Posted by V-Hoff
Can I do the same thing that you did with the headphones with the Saffire LE Audio Interface Software? Or the headphones out from Saffire LE are not "direcionable"?
I am not experienced with that soundcard in particular but its more or less the same procedure on all soundcards. Going off this immage its hard to tell if you can or cant - it would take some clicking around to find out if it can or cant.

Irwin Ney
26.03.2009		Thanks for the info Bento!
It really helps begining people like me to start out. I dont have an Audiocard yet, but this tutorial helps everyone in general to understand what an Audiocard do in our setups.

Can I do the same thing that you did with the headphones with the Saffire LE Audio Interface Software? Or the headphones out from Saffire LE are not "direcionable"?
Adolf Hit
15.03.2009		Cheers Tos that has always bugged me
DJ MENSAH
15.03.2009		Lemme add some helpfull info.
If you've adjusted some routing in Firebox mixer that requres you to start your mixer app one every boot in order to restore that routing, this batch script might help:
Code:
start firebox_mixer.exe
ping -n 3 127.0.0.1
tskill firebox_mixer
It starts the mixer app, waits 3 secs and closes it down assuming that it started and got the routing set.
Save it to the same dir where presonus_mixer.exe is located and link in into system startup.
DJ Pablo
15.02.2009		nice one Bento!

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