Mar 15, 2009 - Presonus,Audiobox, Windows Vista, explained Step By Step

Alright, so most of you have learned that cheaper is not always easier. I have solved the problem with the compatability of the Presonus Audiobox Vs Windows Vista.

Step 1: Uninstall Presonus Cubase LE4 if you have installed it already. First download the Asio4all driver.

http://www.asio4all.com/

Step 2: Install the Presonus Software CD (Audiobox usb) And then Install the Cubase LE4 disc.

*note* I think it play an important role to turn off all programs that are not in use by reducing the activity on your computer while going into recording (mode). I was also under the impression that trying a different usb port and turning off windows sounds and alerts may improve performance.

Step 3: After you have installed everything, lets play with our new progz. (programs). Click on the Icon Cubase LE4 program to run it. If you get an error message vst-plugins, M-Audio FW Asio Driver, unable to record or sample rate not supported, or saying it can not read as an input, for most error messages I think I can help guide you through some ways to tweak it up and get it running. If you ask me it's Bullshit Presonus makes you do all this , but it's not IMPOSSIBLE, nothing is impossible, you just have to do way more work then what is lead to believe when purchasing the product.

Step 4: Click ok on the error message, continue opening your Cubase program. Go to Devices, Device Setup, Highlight Vst audio to your left. Then in that menu you should select your asio driver, and Asio4all v2 should be selected, if its not an option then go to start menu/programs/cubase LE4/Asio Directx full duplex driver, that came standard with the disc WHICH IS USELESS FOR VISTA.. Liars... and Select that.
Now in this window you should see two seperate catagories marked by inputs and outputs. Your output ports should have an x in the boxes, and I use headphones on the audiobox and studio speakers from the computer headphone jack. For example I put an x in the following outputs /digital output device spdif or speakers or headphones, basically anything that relates to your desired output, make sure it's selected. However I do no select the audiobox or firestudio etc. as a desired output because I just use the headphone jack on the usb box.

Step 5: I highlight my desired output port and select in Sync Refrence Direct Sound Output, below that I select Full duplex and start input first. As for the input ports I x the boxes ONLY for analog, audiobox usb etc. Deselect Mircrophone and all that other junk. Then hit okay.

Step 6: While Cubase Device setup still open, For Asio Drivers Select Asio4all, it should show up by now, if it does not show up still then redo this process from step one using different usb ports untill it shows up. Once it does select it as your default asio driver in the cubase recording software.

NOTE: Another tip is to have your computers power supply set on high performance.

Step 7: Advanced option in the vst audio system menu, I select low latencey, Multi Processing, and adjust for record latencey. Now Go to Vst System link. Select Asio Input USB1 and Asio Output headphones, speakers, what ever you use it all has to correspond from the asio direct x full duplex driver menu to the vst system link menu.

NOTE: I only select USB1 for input and headphones 1 for output, always select the first one. As I have come to learn that when recording it's in mono and having the 2 input audiobox is left and right pan. That's something I'm still working on and I don't believe the cubase program can transfer, though I've tried from mono input to stereo output.

Step 8: Go to midi port set up and configure again the corresponding X audiobox usb as active, and make sure your output is not active or x in the box for the same as your input, and that your output is not selected with an x in the box as inactive. if it says active that's okay to have an x in that box. now click ok.

Step 9: Go to Devices again and select vst connections. Again we are looking for corresponding settings, in the inputs section I want you to highlight the first device port which is the left input/input one on the usb box and then select USB1 or corresponding input 1 then below it change that one to USB2 or corresponding to the right input. And that is two instruments acting as mono in each speaker becoming stereo.heh... I guess that part still messes with me... I just think it should read as stereo and both instruments be on the sound of both speakers for playback instead of divided.

Step 10: Go to the outputs and select corresponding to headphones,speakers / play around with those options till it works for output speakers direct from the computer and not the usb box outputs.

Step 11: If you have trouble in that menu by selecting the corresponding inputs and outputs , try deleting the bus by righ clicking it and then click add bus/stereo 1cut etc then select the desired inputs and outputs. after that you should see your signal from your instrument, if its in the 2nd port, for me as I'm having this problem it acts as the right side speaker in stereo where as the 1st input on the usb box acts as the left speaker in stereo. I'm sure this is an easy problem to fix and I will get to it when I can.

Step 12: You are ready to record, now go to file, select your desired project, I use Master, choose your saving location, and then select the o button meaning record enable and then record when your ready at the top of the screen the red o record button. and you should get a signal. Now to play that back, you make sure it is not on mute M and playing multiple tracks the S solo is not activated either. Play around with this a bit and get the hang of the equalizing and effect, input levels , etc. When you want to export the file into a wave, make sure that on your graph where the music has been recorded at the top there is a slider that highlights the timelength of the track, make sure that slider goes to the right all the way at the end of your song. Then click file and export. I know this is long but I hope it helps, I had to figure it all out on my own, and if your still having a problem I suggest fooling around with your drivers and make sure they correspond in your system, or any simple thing you might be able to think of. All in all, I would say I'm pretty pissed off with Presonus but it is possible to get there equiptment running on our individual home computers.


If you have any questions or if you would like solve my problem with the mono to stereo in cubase LE4 program please reply to this blog.