Firebox problem: distortion input sounds horrible.

[zoobooboozoo]

Hi. when I connect my guitar directly to the firebox it's sounds fine...

but when I kick in my tonbone distortion, it's sounds horrible.
super-overdrived, compressed. as if it can't handle the signal....

what can I do?

[genereaux]

Well, it probably can't.
I presume you're plugging into an instrument input (on my Firestudio, the first 2 1/4 inputs are instrument, the last 6 are line)
After plugging into the Tonebone, you may likely be overdriving the instrument level preamp.

I'd reccomend going: Gtr>Dist>DI Box>Firebox. Using the DI will allow you to go into a mic input and may fare better results.
If you don't have a DI box, you can try plugging into a Line level input. This may also provide you a better signal.

The IDEAL setup would be plugging into your amp as usual, mic'ing THAT, and run the mic into the Firebox.

sean