Firewire audio interface and drive on Macbook Pro?

Apologies if this is in a FAQ which I can't find.
I have been recording on the internal drive of my MacBook Pro up to now, with a MOTU896 (notHD) but want to buy an external drive, partly to save wear on the internal.
My last experience of this was in the days of bronze G3 swhere it was advised not to run a drive and an audio interface on the same firewire bus - in fact, I experience glitching when I tried to do this. Perhaps this is no longer an issue? I'm recording at 44.1/24 but do want to be able to record 8 simultaneous tracks.
Is it best to get an extra FW port via the slot on the side of the computer?
Thanks
Gorwel

Exactly the same question was posted yesterday, here is the link to the thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9649795#9649795

Similar Messages

  • Audio pops and crackles on MacBook Pro

    Help!!!
    I have a Late 2011 15' MacBook Pro, 256gb SSD, 750gb (7200) and 16gb RAM. When listening back to music after about 30 seconds to a minute the sound starts to randomly pop and crackle. I've go to find a fix for this.
    I am running 10.8.4. I have already reinstalled Mountain Lion, reset the SMC and reset the PRAM. Nothing seems to work.
    It doesn't seem to be a hard drive issue as it happens on any hard drive I'm playing from.
    I haven't heard it using the onboard speakers. I've only heard it so far with my external speakers connected through USB. This makes me think it could be a USB problem.
    Does anybody have any other suggestions? I'm going mad!!
    Thanks!

    I think I figured it out. I found a firmware update for my audio interface (REM - Babyface) and so far so good.
    I'll post again if it comes back.
    Thanks.

  • Connect firewire audio interface and external monitor

    I have just bought my MacBook Pro 13 and I will mainly use it for audio recording . I have connect my audio interface through the firewire port. I need to connect an external monitor . The only available ports are thunderbolt and USB . Can I connect a monitor with these available ports ?

    Hi charisio,
    Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
    If you would like to connect an external display to your MacBook Pro, you can use the Thunderbolt port. See these articles for some good information about Thunderbolt:
    Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5219
    OS X Mountain Lion: About Thunderbolt
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11407
    All the best,
    Jeremy

  • What is the best audio production hard drive for macbook pro 13" 2.53 ghz?

    I'm new to mac, this has been a big transition.
    I've been looking on newegg and there are tons of choices.
    Looking for a good hard drive for music production in live 8, 7200 rpm has been recommended. Should it be internal or external?
    I'm making minimalist oldschool synthpop so I don't need too many plugins or tracks at once but I am gigging so I want gear that's simple, I love everything about the apogee duet in this respect.
    I have macbook pro 13" 2.53 ghz 4GB ram
    Apogee Duet
    Ableton live 8 standard

    For internal, you can't go wrong with the Hitachi Travelstar. They work very well with the MacBook Pro and right now you can get 300 GB of 7200 RPM for less than 75 dollars at Newegg. You could try that and see if you really need an external given the type of music you're working with.
    If you decide to get an external, I would steer away from all-purpose drives and get one designed for audio, like the Glyph drives. Along the Apogee Duet simplicity lines, they're designed for music production and they just work. Most of them come with carrying cases. Just plug the Glyph into your MacBook Pro, plug the Duet into the Glyph, and that's it.

  • Audio Hijack and PowerBook or MacBook Pro?

    Hi all..
    I currently have a PowerBook Ti and a MacBook Pro on order... I'm a big user of Audio Hijack and recently I wanted to digitise my Vinyl Record Collection for a Wedding DJ gig that I'm doing in February. I read the documentation on the Audio Hijack help guide and bought the *"In most cases, you'll need a stereo mini-jack (1/8") patch cable coupled with a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, like these from Radio Shack"* that was suggested.... but when I selected the Audio In... all I got was a microphone... so when I went to play the file... it was nothing but a recording from the mic. Do I now have to purchase Griffin iMic... or will my new MacBook Pro have a better Audio In port??
    Any comments most welcome....
    Yours sincerely,
    Anthony MacCarthy,
    Irish MacUser and MacAddict
    Message was edited by: Anthony MacCarthy

    Thanks for the excellent comments....

  • FW audio interface and FW drive Q's

    Hi all, we're planning on upgrading our home studio with a quad g5's and have a couple questions regarding the audio interface. We currently have a MDD with 2 internal ATA drives running in RAID as the scratch drive. We're planning on putting them in a RAID firewire 800 enclosure to continue using them as a scratch disk. We also run a PCI audio card which will have to be replaced. Since I've seen no PCI-E audio cards, I'm looking at firewire breakout boxes. Are we going to run into problems with running both a firewire audio interface and a firewire scratch disk?

    Well I ran xbench and our current scratch disk scored consistently about 70 : ( The only high score (144) was the random uncached read with 256k blocks. The only thing is that xbench changed their base computers. I have a saved xbench file from a year or so ago and it scored a 116 with nearly equal speed if looking at MB/s/. If you still have your detailed xbench results, can you post how well it compares with mine?
    Disk Test     67.92     
              Sequential     76.94     
                   Uncached Write     97.63     59.94 MB/sec [4K blocks]
                   Uncached Write     96.64     54.68 MB/sec [256K blocks]
                   Uncached Read     47.45     13.89 MB/sec [4K blocks]
                   Uncached Read     96.88     48.69 MB/sec [256K blocks]
              Random     60.79     
                   Uncached Write     27.89     2.95 MB/sec [4K blocks]
                   Uncached Write     143.74     46.02 MB/sec [256K blocks]
                   Uncached Read     97.80     0.69 MB/sec [4K blocks]
                   Uncached Read     78.35     14.54 MB/sec [256K blocks]

  • IChat AV doesn't work with M-Audio Firewire audio interface

    I saw similar topics to this but none dealing with a Firewire audio interface and none with exactly the same problem.
    Every other piece of software I use works with the M-Audio Firewire Solo, except for iChat AV. When it is the selected output device and I start a video chat with someone, I get just horrible, loud static when the person on the other end speaks.
    Running 10.4.10 on a Macbook Pro (2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo).
    Does anyone know of incompatibility issues with iChat and Firewire interfaces?

    In Audio MIDI Setup (In applications/Utilities) the setting for my Mic is 44100khz 1Ch 16bit.
    The Internal Audio connection also shows up at 44100Khz 2Ch 16bit
    Are you looking in the same place or in the device itself ?
    I would set it in the Audio MIDI Setup and then make sure it responds in System Preferences > Sound > Input tab.
    Once the Blue bar moves to at least halfway there I would then check iChat > Preferences > Video Section to see if the green bar under the Vido pics is moving.
    4:25 PM Friday; September 7, 2007

  • Firewire chain for external audio interface and hard drive

    I use Logic Studio 8 on a Macbook Pro with a Presonus Firebox, an external Lacie Firewire hard drive for audio recording, and another Lacie Firewire drive for backups.
    Is there a recommended chain order when chaining my Firewire devices together? I read somewhere on a ProTools forum that they recommend putting their Firewire audio interface Mbox2Pro at the end of the chain.
    So right now I have Macbook Pro -> Backup Drive -> Audio Drive -> Presonus Firebox. I once had it in a different order with the audio drive first, but I found it was reading more slowly from/to the audio drive when it was in that order. I have no idea technologically why this would be the case.

    I just found and joined this great forum. Following up on Ray's comments about his MacBook set-up, I have a similar MacBook 2ghz, 4mb ram, 9400 chipset, and am exploring getting into Logic Pro 8 and was wondering if my MacBook was underpowered, and whether I needed to step up right away to a MacBook Pro because of my lack of PCI slots for recording audio to an external eSATA drive.
    I was encouraged to hear that the USB 2.0 connection for Ray's external WD 7200 hard drive has worked and improved things and his audio isn't getting choked and he is not getting the clicks and other problems.
    I'm wondering if Ray or anyone else has any other tips on using a MacBook for Logic and for optimizing one's setup. And Ray, did you notice a point at which the clicks started? .. in terms of number of tracks? Or were they present from the outset? I'm wondering how many tracks you are running now on your system.
    I might mention that I don't have an audio interface yet but was impressed with what I've read about the Apogee Duet. Any comments on interfaces and the Duet?
    By the way, I'm just recording one instrument/one track at a time and perhaps occasionally two instruments at a time. And right now, my main purpose for getting into Logic is for editing and mixdown of pre-existing tracks that have already been created on a standalone hard-disc based DAW. If all goes well and if I like the whole Logic experience I'd expect to get a more powerful MacBook Pro or even a Mac Pro or whatever higher end iMac exists in the future.
    To summarize, all I'm intending to do initially with the MacBook is:
    1) transfer individual digital tracks from a standalone hard disc-based DAW into Logic for mixdown and mastering.
    2) Record a few extra new tracks one at a time - probably not using any instrument plug-ins but relying on external synth/sampler/guitar sound sources ..in each song (maybe 3-4 tracks at most), and
    3) apply standard effects like reverb and EQ and panning to the mix down and master songs, each song containing a of approx 25-40 tracks.
    My basic question is, can a MacBook 2Ghz with firewire 400, 4gb memory and USB2.0 to external hard drive handle this or is it underpowered? Thanks.
    Derek

  • Bus power (firewire): both Audio interface  - and - hard drive ? Risk

    Is there a known risk to damage to the firewire controller (MacBook Pro April 2008 rev) if I connect both a Motu Traveler bus-powered audio interface and a G-Tech 5400 rpm bus-powered drive.
    I seemed to recall seeing if one does this, there is a risk of "burning out" the firewire port on the MacBook Pro. Is this a real risk ? Is anyone doing this ? More generaly, what are the risks of chaining multiple bus-powered devices together ?
    Thanks up front ...

    Is there a known risk to damage to the firewire controller (MacBook Pro April 2008 rev) if I connect both a Motu Traveler bus-powered audio interface and a G-Tech 5400 rpm bus-powered drive.
    I seemed to recall seeing if one does this, there is a risk of "burning out" the firewire port on the MacBook Pro. Is this a real risk ? Is anyone doing this ? More generaly, what are the risks of chaining multiple bus-powered devices together ?
    Thanks up front ...

  • Hi, Ive been trying to hook up my M-Audio interface to my Mac Book Pro 15 laptop and it doesnt have the same size firewire port is there some kind of adapter i can buy?

    Hi, Ive been trying to hook up my M-Audio interface to my Mac Book Pro 15 laptop and it doesnt have the same size firewire port is there some kind of adapter i can buy?

    Just Google for a Firewire 400 to Firewire 800 cable, you are sure that this is what you have I hope?

  • Playing DVDs in 5.1 With Firewire Audio Interface Connected for Logic Pro

    This is exactly the same q as asked by plantwebguy in July 06, link
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2696970#2696970...
    I'm struggling to get an answer on this anywhere... I have Logic Pro running 5.1 Surround Mixes on a g5, using a Metric Halo Mobile IO Firewire audio interface - its 6 analog outs are connected to a M Audio LX4 powered surround system. It all works great - until... the problem is when I need to listen to DVDs with 5.1 soundtracks (for reference), or even HD trailers (with 5.1 soundtracks). With the Mobile IO selected as audio interface, DVDs only play in stereo. I think this is because the 5.1 soundtrack is only output thru the optical out - but connecting the optical out to the Mobile IO and selecting 'Digital out' on the g5 brings silence.. Im told this is because the MIO's optical in wont decode 5.1. I'm interested to hear from anyone with a Pro Audio interface - like a MOTU etc - who needs to switch between mixing their own music in 5.1 and then listening to DVDs in 5.1.. I cant be the first, surely?
    Plantwebguy said he solved his issue with VLC. Do we know if VLC willl decode 5.1 and then output it to the Interface via Firewire? I've searched the net for a Pro Audio interface with (1) 6 analog outs & mic inputs etc (2) firewire connection and (3) optical in that reads AC3/5.1 etc (rather than just ADAT).... nada. Sorry to be long-winded but I cant get a solution anywhere..
    Thanks in advance
    g5 dual 2.5   Mac OS X (10.3.9)   Logic Pro/Mobile IO 2882 FW Interface/M Audio LX4

    This is exactly the same q as asked by plantwebguy in July 06, link
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2696970#2696970...
    I'm struggling to get an answer on this anywhere... I have Logic Pro running 5.1 Surround Mixes on a g5, using a Metric Halo Mobile IO Firewire audio interface - its 6 analog outs are connected to a M Audio LX4 powered surround system. It all works great - until... the problem is when I need to listen to DVDs with 5.1 soundtracks (for reference), or even HD trailers (with 5.1 soundtracks). With the Mobile IO selected as audio interface, DVDs only play in stereo. I think this is because the 5.1 soundtrack is only output thru the optical out - but connecting the optical out to the Mobile IO and selecting 'Digital out' on the g5 brings silence.. Im told this is because the MIO's optical in wont decode 5.1. I'm interested to hear from anyone with a Pro Audio interface - like a MOTU etc - who needs to switch between mixing their own music in 5.1 and then listening to DVDs in 5.1.. I cant be the first, surely?
    Plantwebguy said he solved his issue with VLC. Do we know if VLC willl decode 5.1 and then output it to the Interface via Firewire? I've searched the net for a Pro Audio interface with (1) 6 analog outs & mic inputs etc (2) firewire connection and (3) optical in that reads AC3/5.1 etc (rather than just ADAT).... nada. Sorry to be long-winded but I cant get a solution anywhere..
    Thanks in advance
    g5 dual 2.5   Mac OS X (10.3.9)   Logic Pro/Mobile IO 2882 FW Interface/M Audio LX4

  • Using Carbon Copy Cloner which is quicker firewire 800 Macbook Pro to external hard drive or Macbook Pro to same via Airport Extreme?

    Using Carbon Copy Cloner which is quicker firewire 800 Macbook Pro to external hard drive or Macbook Pro to same via Airport Extreme?

    Firewire 800 is the fastest and most reliable. Also it's bootable if you hold the option key down on a wired or built in keyboard.  Not bootable via Airport obviously or if Filevault is used.
    It's only your first clone that's usually takes the longest, it's shorter when it updates as you only do the changes which you can control to keep a pure clone if you wish.
    Most commonly used backup methods

  • My roland Ua-25ex usb audio interface audio input no recognised by macbook pro running osx 10.

    my roland Ua-25ex usb audio interface audio input not recognised by macbook pro running osx 10. ...the audio outputs are ok but the (audio in) input preference  for the UA-25ex is greyed out and the sliders for input volume etc  are disabled ... and I can only record voice by using the macbook pros onboad microphone not the usb interface 

    Logic Users
    Looooong Tutorial for beginners
    MacPro Videos on Logic
    i have all the logics but i don't know them deeply.
    i like some of the music files/loops you get bundled with it, there's plenty to get started.

  • Audio interface and external hard drive config for new imac 21"

    Hi. Just got the new imac 21" and I'm considering using it as my main daw with Logic Studio as an upgrade from my old sonar mobo. I usually run up to 40 tracks of recorded audio with fx plugs. I hope to do this at 24 bit 96 instead of 24bit 44 like I did on the old system. I also run the occasional softsynth and sequencer which I don't mind bouncing down to .wav to conserve cpu.
    I really like the specs on the m-audio profire 2626 (I need the 8 mic inputs for recording drums) which needs firewire. But at the same time I'm reading a lot of recommendations about using an fw800 external drive for audio. I've read a little about daisy chaining and I'm wondering if anyone's gotten this type of configuration to work. I'm also open to any other configuration options you have to share that would enable my goal of successfully using this mac with logic.
    thanks in advance for the help,
    dave

    I run three firewire audio interfaces daisy chained together, 2 Presonus FP10's and an Alesis Multimix8.
    This gives me 24 simultaneous inputs. I normally record 24 bit at 88.2 . My iMac has a FW800 and a FW400 port. What I tried to do was run all the interfaces through the 400 and record to a FW800 external hard drive but I it kept dropping out interfaces, even if I used only one interface. I switched firewire cables on the hard drive to a 800/400 so that the hard drive was now operating as a 400 and I did not have any more interface drop outs.
    Even though the iMac has 2 firewire ports, they connect to a single cable to the i/o inside the Mac. If I try recording to an external hard drive, that is 24 tracks going into the Mac, back out to the hard drive, back in to the Mac and then back out to the interfaces and on to the monitor speakers. That is a lot to ask of a firewire connection.
    So, I record to the internal drive and use the external for backing up and saving the projects.

  • Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 or Motu Ultralite firewire audio interface

    Hello one and all.
    Newbie here so please bear with me as I realise this topic has been covered in lots of various ways before.
    I work in a theatre and spend my time creating sound effects, soundscapes, editing pre recorded music and A/V work. I'm currently upgrading our pre, live & post production equipment.
    You can see I've gone for the iMac 2.8GHz & i'm about to receive Logic Studio 8. I'm looking for a firewire audio interface as I want to link up a midi controller to it (Edirol pcr 300) and also connect to our Allen & Heath GL3300 mixing desk. I'd like to try to, "future proof" our options (i.e differing i/o options) as we never know what recording/playback needs are around the corner. I've tried to research audio I/O's as much as I can and I've ended up with a choice of 2, Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 or Motu Ultralite.
    Any views, reviews or ideas greatfully received.
    Thanks
    P*

    I've done installation work for theatres/theatre groups. Reliability is a nr. 1 priority. I suggest you take a hard look at the Metric Halo 2882.
    I like my MOTU 828 mk2(it always works), but my experiences with the MOTU Traveler (will often go berserk if you inadvertently pull the FW plug) and the MOTU 896 HD haven't been very favorable. The 896HD will give you a full blast burst of noise whenever you switch it on. Not good in a theatre where the amps are normally left at full throttle. Also, I had a lot of failures/technical problems.
    The 2882 is a bit more expensive, but worth every cent. And the technical support is second to none.

Maybe you are looking for