Arts >> Music >> Recording Music

How Do I Do Live Sound With a Firewire Snake?

A Firewire Snake is a multiport device used for hooking up numerous IEEE 1394 (Firewire) devices for inputting and outputting audio signals. The Firewire Snake acts as a switchable control panel. For example, musicians can connect digital headphones to hear sound, or DJs can hook up multiple sources of digital music and switch back and forth between them at a live gig. The Snake connects only with a Firewire cable, so it may be of limited use to musicians accustomed to analog guitar and keyboard audio cables, but digital DJs can put a Firewire Snake to immediate use.

Things You'll Need

  • IEEE 1394-compatible audio devices
  • Firewire cables
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Shut off the power to all digital equipment before connecting any Firewire cables.

    • 2

      Attach Firewire cables from the digital outputs on devices, such as computers and microphones, to the stereo inputs on the Firewire Snake back connection panel.

    • 3

      Hook up Firewire cables from the outputs on the Firewire Snake to inputs on devices, such as digital headphones, speakers and audio recorders, to listen to the sound from the other devices connected to the Firewire Snake.

    • 4

      Play the output devices connected to the Firewire Snake as you normally would, pressing the button on the front control panel that corresponds to the Firewire jack for the connected device you wish to use.

    • 5

      Adjust the signal level by dialing the control knob on the front panel that corresponds to the Firewire device you are using.

+:
+:

Recording Music

Related Categories