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 Kyma Forum
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 Audio Interfaces that work with one FW port macs
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| Author | Topic: Audio Interfaces that work with one FW port macs |
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Phi Curtis Member |
posted 09 February 2012 10:44
 
I just recently got a new (actually refurbished Feb. 2011) MacBook Pro and am having trouble getting a MOTU Ultralite mk3 to work with it, due to the MacBook having only a single FW 800 port. If I plug the Pacarana in directly to the MacBook FW 800 port, and then use a FW 400 to FW 800 cable to plug the MOTU interface into the second FW 800 port on the Pacarana, my MacBook sees the Pacarana (as determined by looking in System Profiler) while the MOTU is turned off. As soon as it is turned on, the MacBook no longer sees anything on the FW port. Right now I have a PreSonus Firebox that is working with the Pacarana on the single MacBook port. Has anybody had any success with the MOTU Ultralite with this kind of setup? How about the TC Electronic Konnekt line of interfaces? In a few weeks I'm going to need an interface with 8 inputs and outputs that works with my computer for a project. Any setups that work are welcomed - I looked on the Tweaky page with suggested working setups, but only one seemed to work with a single FW port on the host computer (that one involves a TC Electronic Konnekt Live, which appears to be no longer made. thanks, IP: Logged |
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SSC Administrator |
posted 09 February 2012 11:18
A few things to check: Are you powering the MOTU from its power supply? If you are running it off bus power, it may not be getting enough power to function properly. You could also double-check that the Mac audio midi setup is not using the MOTU for any system sounds or alerts. It's probably also a good idea to try swapping out the 800/400 cable with another one, just in case. (Cables are usually the weakest link in these configurations). An alternative setup might be to get a FireWire 800 hub so you would have multiple ports (for example: http://www.amazon.com/Sonnet-Technologies-Firewire-FW800-FHB-8284/dp/B0046TNMWY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1328807696&sr=8-3) BTW, I believe the TC Konnekt has become the TC Impact Twin model. IP: Logged |
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Phi Curtis Member |
posted 09 February 2012 13:55
Thanks. I meant to write that the MOTU interface is plugged in, not running on bus power. I haven't installed the software that comes with the interface, so didn't think the system would be trying to use it, but should check on that. The 400-800 cable works with the Presonus interface, so I assume it is okay. Phil IP: Logged |
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Phi Curtis Member |
posted 13 February 2012 14:35
Turned out the MOTU I was using had a bad FW port. I went back to the store and swapped it out with another and the new one works fine. Just one question though: I didn't seem to need to reset the settings on the MOTU as described here: Since it works as is, is there any reason I should go through that procedure anyway? It's a hybrid FW400/USB2 unit. thanks, IP: Logged |
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SSC Administrator |
posted 13 February 2012 16:56
If it's working, I don't see a need to go through the factory reset procedure. Thanks! IP: Logged |
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garth paine Member |
posted 22 February 2012 01:28
I have been using the Ultralite for a few years and have found it is fine bus powered and an excellent interface. I do have one question though, which I that I believe that plugging the interface into the same FW bus using FW400, means the entire bus slows to 400, including the communication from Kyma to Pacarana - is this true? I did purchase a Thunderbolt adaptor with 4 FW800 port card recently, however it does not supply powere to the Ultralite and would therefore necessitate powering the interface separately which would be a drag when touring and I am guessing that this bus too is slowed to FW400 when the interface is connected. BTW, the Thunderbolt to FW bus was not seen by Kyma if the Pacarana is connected to the mac directly IP: Logged |
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SSC Administrator |
posted 22 February 2012 11:11
The Thunderbolt adapter card creates a completely separate FireWire bus from the one built into the Macintosh. Devices on separate buses cannot "see" each other, so you should put your Paca(rana) and its audio interface on the same bus. Regarding the FW400 devices slowing down the communications: if there is a direct FW800 path between the Paca(rana) and the computer, then Kyma will be able to communicate with the Paca(rana) at FW800 speeds. This means that you could plug the Paca(rana) and its audio interface into FW800 ports on your Thunderbold adapter card. This would enable FW800 communications between Mac and Paca(rana) and FW400 communications between Paca(rana) and its audio interface. IP: Logged |
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garth paine Member |
posted 22 February 2012 11:48
Yes just as I had thought re the Thunderbolt - thanks Also great to know that if Paca is connected 800 to the computer it operates at that rate - thanks for the clarification. IP: Logged |
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