ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 (01) PDF Document

The minimum system requirements for the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 are as follows:

Follow these steps to install the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 on a Windows XP system with Service Pack 1 or higher:

Step 1. Do NOT connect the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 to your computer yet.

Step 2. Insert the included CD-ROM into your computer. The installer should start automatically. If it doesn’t, go to My Computer, double-click on your CD-ROM drive, and double-click on the “Setup” icon.

Step 3. A welcome screen will appear. Click “Next”.

Step 4. Read the License Agreement and click “Yes” to agree to its terms and continue.

Step 5. A screen will appear confirming the installation path for the FirePort software. It is recommended to use the default path. Click “Next”.

Step 6. The installer will now copy the files to your computer. A progress meter will be shown.

Step 7. When the file copy is complete, a screen will prompt you to connect the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394. First, connect the included AC adapter to the DC IN jack on the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394’s rear panel, and plug the other end into a wall outlet. Then, connect a 6-pin FireWire cable between the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 and your computer. Finally, turn on the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394’s power switch.

Step 8. After connecting the hardware, Windows will recognize the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 and a “Found New Hardware” balloon will appear in the lower right corner of your screen. Shortly thereafter, the necessary files will be installed and the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 will be ready to use.

Step 9. An icon for the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 Control Panel will appear in your Windows Control Panel and in the Windows System Tray.

Follow these steps to install the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 on a Mac OS X system (version 10.3 or higher):

Step 1. Do NOT connect the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 to your computer yet.

Step 2. Insert the included CD-ROM into your computer. An Alesis icon will appear on your desktop. Double-click on this icon.

Step 3. A window will appear. Double-click on the FirePort Installer icon.

Step 4. A welcome screen will appear. Click “Continue”.

Step 5. A screen will appear with important information. Read this and click “Continue”.

Step 6. Read the License Agreement and click “Continue”. A sheet will drop down asking you to agree. Click “Agree”.

Step 7. Select a destination for the installation. Click “Continue”.

Step 8. Click “Install”. You will be prompted for your password. Enter it and click “OK”.

Step 9. The installer will now copy the files to your computer. A progress meter will be shown.

Step 10. When the installation is complete, you must restart your computer. Click “Restart”.

Step 11. After your computer has restarted, connect the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394. First, connect the included AC adapter to the DC IN jack on the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394’s rear panel, and plug the other end into a wall outlet. Then, connect a 6-pin FireWire cable between the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 and your computer. Finally, turn on the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394’s power switch. The ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 is now ready to use.

Step 12. You can access the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 Control Panel from the System Preferences under “Other”.

The front panel of the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 features the following:

Input Jacks 1-4: These are “combo” jacks that accept both XLR and 1/4″ connectors. You can connect a microphone using an XLR cable or a line-level or instrument-level source using a 1/4″ cable. The ALESIS FIREPORT 1394’s preamps have 50dB of gain and very low noise.

Input Gain Knobs 1-4: These knobs adjust the input level of the preamps for the corresponding input jacks. Adjust these so the Signal/Clip LED flashes green and occasionally yellow, but never red.

Signal/Clip LEDs: These LEDs indicate the input signal level for each channel after the Gain knob. Green indicates a signal is present (-40dBu). Yellow indicates the signal is approaching clipping level (-3dBu). Red indicates the signal is clipping (0dBu), which causes distortion. If the LED turns red, turn down the corresponding Gain knob.

Phantom Power Switch and LED: This switch applies +48V phantom power to the XLR inputs for use with condenser microphones. The adjacent LED will light when phantom power is enabled. Phantom power should only be used with condenser microphones and should be off when they are not in use.

Headphone Jack: Connect a pair of stereo headphones to this 1/4″ jack for monitoring. The level is controlled by the Headphone Volume knob.

Headphone Volume Knob: This knob controls the volume of the headphone output.

The rear panel of the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 features the following connections:

Power Switch: This switch turns the unit on and off.

DC IN Jack: Connect the included AC adapter to this jack.

FireWire (1394) Ports: There are two 6-pin FireWire ports. Connect one to your computer. The second port can be used to connect other FireWire devices, such as an external hard drive. Note that the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 must be powered on for the second port to be active.

MIDI IN/OUT Jacks: Standard 5-pin MIDI jacks for connecting MIDI keyboards, sound modules, and other MIDI devices.

S/PDIF IN/OUT Jacks: Coaxial RCA jacks for digital audio transfer to and from devices like DAT machines or CD players. The S/PDIF input can be used in place of analog inputs 1 and 2.

Main Out Jacks: Two balanced 1/4″ TRS jacks for connecting to your powered monitor speakers or mixing console. The output level is controlled from the software Control Panel.

Insert Jacks: Two 1/4″ TRS jacks for patching external signal processors (like compressors or EQs) into the signal paths of inputs 1 and 2. These are wired with Tip=Send and Ring=Return.

The ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 Control Panel software allows you to configure the device’s settings.

Opening the Control Panel:

On Windows: Double-click the Alesis icon in the Windows System Tray, or go to Start > Control Panel and double-click the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 icon.

On Mac: Open System Preferences and click the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 icon under “Other”.

Using the Control Panel:

Sync & Sample Rate Section:

Source: Sets the master clock source for the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394. Choose “Internal” for normal operation. Choose “SPDIF” if you are slaving the FirePort to another digital device connected to the S/PDIF input.

Rate: Sets the sample rate for recording and playback. Options are 44.1 kHz (CD quality) and 48 kHz.

Status: This area indicates the current clock source and reports if the FireWire connection is “Locked” and active.

Output Section:

This section controls the audio routing to the various outputs of the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394.

Monitor Mix: This knob adjusts the balance between the live input signal (“Direct”) and the audio being played back from the computer (“DAW”). This is useful for zero-latency monitoring while recording. Turn it towards “Direct” to hear more of your live input, and towards “DAW” to hear more of the computer’s output.

Main, Phones, SPDIF Controls: These sections control the signal sent to the Main Outputs, Headphone Output, and S/PDIF Output, respectively. Each has a level fader and a mute button. The “Link” button ties the Phones fader to the Main fader, so they move together.

The ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 features zero-latency direct monitoring, which allows you to hear your live input signal without the delay (latency) that occurs when the signal travels through your computer and back out.

This is controlled by the “Monitor Mix” knob in the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 Control Panel. This knob blends two signals that are sent to the headphone and main outputs:

Direct: The signal coming directly from the analog inputs of the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394, before it goes to the computer.

DAW: The signal coming back from your audio software on the computer (Digital Audio Workstation).

When you are recording a new track, you can turn the Monitor Mix knob towards “Direct” to hear your live performance in real-time with no delay, while also hearing the existing tracks from your software (DAW). By adjusting the knob, you can create the perfect headphone mix for the performer.

To use the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 with your audio software, you need to select its driver within the application’s preferences. The general steps are:

Step 1. Launch your audio software.

Step 2. Go to the audio preferences or device setup menu. This is often found under a menu like “Options”, “Setup”, or “Preferences”.

Step 3. In the audio device settings, select the Alesis driver. On a PC, this will be listed as an ASIO driver named “Alesis FirePort ASIO”. On a Mac, you will select “Alesis FirePort” for both input and output in the Core Audio setup.

Step 4. You may need to set the input and output routing within your application to specify which tracks will record from which ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 inputs and which tracks will play back through its outputs.

For PC (ASIO Driver):

Step 1. Launch Cubase LE.

Step 2. Go to the “Devices” menu and select “Device Setup”.

Step 3. In the list on the left, click on “VST Multitrack”.

Step 4. From the “ASIO Driver” drop-down menu on the right, select “Alesis FirePort ASIO”.

Step 5. A dialog box will ask if you want to switch drivers. Click “Switch”.

Step 6. Click “OK” to close the Device Setup window.

For Mac (Core Audio):

Step 1. Launch Cubase LE.

Step 2. Go to the “Devices” menu and select “Device Setup”.

Step 3. In the list on the left, click on “VST Multitrack”.

Step 4. Select “Built-in Audio” from the pop-up menu and change it to “Alesis FirePort”.

Step 5. Click “OK” to close the Device Setup window.

For PC Only:

Step 1. Launch Cakewalk Home Studio.

Step 2. Go to the “Options” menu and select “Audio…”.

Step 3. Click on the “Drivers” tab. For both Input and Output Drivers, make sure only the Alesis FirePort drivers are selected.

Step 4. Click on the “General” tab. Select “Alesis FirePort 1/2” for both Playback and Record Timing Masters.

Step 5. Click on the “Advanced” tab. Make sure the “Driver Mode” is set to “ASIO”.

Step 6. Click “OK”.

For Mac Only:

Step 1. Launch GarageBand.

Step 2. Go to the “GarageBand” menu and select “Preferences”.

Step 3. Click the “Audio/MIDI” tab.

Step 4. From the “Audio Output” drop-down menu, select “Alesis FirePort”.

Step 5. From the “Audio Input” drop-down menu, select “Alesis FirePort”.

Step 6. Close the Preferences window.

If you are not getting any sound, check the following:

1. Is the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 powered on and connected to the computer?

2. Is the volume on your speakers or headphones turned up?

3. Is the Alesis FirePort driver selected in your audio application’s preferences?

4. In the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 Control Panel, are the Main or Phones faders turned up and not muted?

5. Are you sending a signal to the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394? Check the Signal/Clip LEDs on the front panel. They should flash green when a signal is present.

Distortion is usually caused by the input signal being too loud, which causes clipping. Check the Signal/Clip LED for the input channel you are using. If it is lighting up red, turn down the corresponding Input Gain knob on the front panel of the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 until the LED only flashes green or occasionally yellow on the loudest peaks.

A hum or buzz is often caused by a ground loop. This can occur when multiple pieces of audio equipment are plugged into different AC outlets. Try plugging all your equipment (computer, ALESIS FIREPORT 1394, speakers, etc.) into a single power strip. Also, ensure you are using balanced cables for connections where possible, such as from the Main Outs to your speakers.

Clicks and pops can occur if your computer’s CPU is being overloaded or if the buffer size setting in your audio software is too low. Try increasing the buffer size (sometimes called latency) in your audio application’s device setup or preferences menu. This gives your computer more time to process the audio, which can eliminate pops and clicks.

If your computer is not recognizing the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394, try these steps:

1. Make sure the unit is powered on and the FireWire cable is securely connected to both the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 and the computer.

2. Try connecting to a different FireWire port on your computer, if available.

3. Try a different FireWire cable.

4. Shut down your computer and the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394. Power on the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 first, then restart your computer.

5. Ensure you have installed the correct drivers from the included CD-ROM.

If your MIDI keyboard is not working, check the following:

1. Ensure your MIDI cables are connected correctly: Keyboard MIDI OUT to the ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 MIDI IN, and ALESIS FIREPORT 1394 MIDI OUT to your keyboard’s MIDI IN (if you are sending MIDI data back to the keyboard).

2. In your music software’s MIDI device setup, make sure “Alesis FirePort” is selected as a MIDI input and output device.

3. Make sure the track you are trying to record on is armed for MIDI recording and is set to receive from the “Alesis FirePort” MIDI input.