Cubase LE 4 monitor/playback problem

[doctor.k]

I've been using Garage band for several years now but I am brand new to Cubase LE 4. I currently am plugging my Jackson RR3 guitar into a Presonus Firebox connected via Firewire 400. I'm using a G5 Mac PowerPC (non-intel), OS 10.5.8 (Leopard, not Snow Leopard).

Here's my problem. I can't hear any of the audio whether I'm tracking or listening to playback. I can record, the wave forms are there to prove it, my level indicators show that I am getting a signal into the program but I cannot hear anything. When I bring up the driver control panel for the firebox, channels 1 and 2 are listed as active "inputs" and "outputs". I can't for the life of me figure out how to select a different output source. I don't see an option for the "Main" 1 & 2 channels, "headphone" or even my computers/built-in audio out. I'd like to be able to set it up so that I can track using the headphone out on the firebox and then listen to the playback through the computer's bulit-in output.

All of the threads and tutorial videos that i've tried don't seem to address this particular issue. The manual that is installed with the software doesn't help here either.

[willjrockstar]

I think you wanna go to your vst connections and set up an output bus.

[doctor.k]

Okay, when I add a new bus in my VST Connections - Outputs, I have the options to use all of the presonus channels but I cannot select my computers audio driver as an out put source. Creating a new bus did give me at least one way to hear playback/monitoring. One victory so far. Is there any way to get Cubase to output the audio through the computer driver? I have done it with Garageband, I have a "Built-In Audio" option right along side the Presonus option.

[willjrockstar]

Check the vst audiobay and select and apply yr driver. Still just throwin ideas out there.

[doctor.k]

It looks like in Mac speak my "Audio System" is your "Audio Bay". At any rate, Presonus Firebox (0880) is the only thing that is currently selectable...any other ideas?

[willjrockstar]

Not off hand but ill be thinkin on it and the mac guys will be here shortly.

[willjrockstar]

How about your channel routing , do you have the channel that you wanna hear routed to the stereo output(master buss)? AND do you have the proper monitor outs selected per where yr plugging in? And do you have yr monitors plugged into the main cr output. Sorry if this elementary, just trying to cover all angles.

[doctor.k]

No worries with elementary questions, Most of this stuff is pretty foreign to me. I've spent most of my home recording plugging straight into my Mac and getting playback through M-Audio BX5's.

I have the channel that I want to hear routed to output through the Firebox. I don't know if that is the "master bus" or not. I have the Firebox selected as my ASIO Driver, and my VST Connections "inputs" and "outputs" are both set to the firebox as well. My speakers are connected to the main computer output, I can hear everything on my computer through them except anything in Cubase currently.

When I press the record and monitor button on the track I want to use, I can hear my instrument before and during recording. I can also hear the playback when I deselect the monitor button. But it's all through the headphones plugged into the firebox. If I change the ASIO driver from the Presonus Firebox to "Built-In Audio" I don't get any playback or monitoring.

[willjrockstar]

Yeah bud the master buss is just some hot shot way of refering to the stereo out put fader. You know,, the one that evrything is routed to.

There should be an output on the back of yr interface(i think) thats where you wanna plug yr monitors into if you have selected the firebox as yr driver.

If you have your monitors plugged directly into your computer then your goin to have to select the computers soundcard as your output(In your audio system dialogue)

That should get it. Now im not super familiar with all thats goin on with your set up, but i have a firepod and on the back of it there is a place to plug in your monitors that is called the main cr (control room)output. Im just kinda takin wild stabs here assuming that the firepod is remotely similar to what youve got. All in hopes to get you goin.

Im hoping somebody with a similar set up to yours will be along soon to give you definate answers. Good luck Ill be here for you till we get it.Keep replying

[doctor.k]

Cool, it sounds like the only part that I haven't done is run the monitor signal out of the dedicated monitor output of the back of the Firebox. I'm trying to avoid that if I can. I don't want to have to run everything through the firebox if I'[m not actually tracking anything. Thanks for the help so far, I didn't have anything going until you suggested adding the bus for the output.