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]

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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 ...

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.
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Derek

Since upgrading to Mavericks my Interface and hard drive are shutting down when Mac put to sleep

Hi,
Since upgrading to Mavericks, when I put my Mac to sleep both my audio interface and my time machine hard drive are put to sleep also. Effectively making it so that when I start up my macbook again it means removing both the aforesaid from the usb outlets and putting them in again so that the mac recognises them.
This means two things. First of all all my time machine backups fail that are attempted whist the mac is put to sleep, whereas before they succesfully ran. It also means that my audio interface does'nt work and has to be re-set.
Anybody have the same kind of USB / Sleep issues?
Many thanks in advance.

Hello jamieesa,
You might cosider resetting your system's SMC and PRAM.
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
OS X Mavericks: Reset your computer’s PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222
Cheers,
Allen

I recently bought a dbx hardware compressor and am not quite sure how to use it in logic express 9. I hav a focusrite saffire 6 usb audio interface and am not dont how to use it in logic. Please help???

I recently bought a dbx hardware compressor and am not quite sure how to use it in logic express 9. I hav a focusrite saffire 6 usb audio interface and am not dont how to use it in logic. Please help???

MUYconfundido wrote:
Pancenter,
Thanks for the response, but I do not have a midi interface. I am using a midi to usb connector cable, thus bypassing the need for a Midi interface.
The Mac reads the USB cable as a midi device, but not the keyboard that I am trying to use as a controller. I have tried it with my korg sp 300 and with my Nord Electro 2.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Tristan
Tristan...
This is what you have, correct?
http://www.alesis.com/usbmidicable
This from Alesis..
"The AudioLink Series USB cable receives and outputs MIDI signal thanks to its internal interface. The USB-MIDI Cable connects plug-and-play to your Mac or PC for an all-in-one USB-MIDI solution."
Notice, -internal interface-. What you have is a simple USB MIDI Interface. Most MIDI interfaces are USB.
My point is (was), MIDI OUT of the Korg goes to the connector marked MIDI IN on the Alesis, those new to MIDI often get this wrong.
pancenter-

Help with M-Audio interface and GB

First time with any kind of audio interface and GB. I just got a M-Audio Mobile Pre USB and am a little confused by the monitor settings. Been to the web site and read the manual and they said turn the monitoring off in garageband so I don't hear double monitoring. My question is, is it possible to record and hear the effect I have chosen as well. With monitor off all I can hear is the dry signal.I never had to worry about this before since I was going directly into the Mac, no interface. Is there a FAQ or web site that can help a newb like me with these most basic questions?

Sounds like good advice Christoph. I have been only recording bass thus far, very few effects and no latency yet. I was puzzled by the M-Audio manual that says to turn off the software monitor but on the M-Audio web site forum an expert says to turn on the monitoring in garageband. This will all makes sense to me soon I hope.

Audio Interface and Converter HardWare for my future Logic

Hello, I'm French.
I will buy a logic studio 9 software + a mac pro computer
But i don't really know what Audio Interface and Converter HardWare take?
I'm look for Digidesign + HD Cards or Apogee System or RME, MOTU
After I will buy an SSL mixage table for my studio (in a long time^^)
Sorry for the bad english :S

Logic and Protools don't have exactly the same concept when it comes to audio hardware. But if you want Apogee hardware to use with Logic, then there are options for either PCI-based or FireWire. Go and look at the Apogee site:
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/symphony-system.php
or
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/ensemble.php

Input problem with UCA202 usb audio interface and Garageband

Hello, i've tried to connect my guitar in my UCA202 Bheringer audio Interface, and the sound goes fine for few minutes and after i get a noisy distorsioned sound with a big delay...
I dont know if the problem comes from the MacBook, the sound card, Garageband or else...
it come only from input guitar device.
Thanks to help.
Alex

There are other posts concerning this problem. I also have a UCA202 and a Peavey PV10 USB mixer. It seams that anything using the 10.4.11 or 10.5.1 mac USB drivers are having this issue. I had to go back to 10.4.10 to resolve at this point. My recordings are clean when going back. There is 10.5.2 comming soon and it is not known if this will fix it. Check this thread for updates.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5964474#5964474

Audio interface and software for my 13" MBA?

I just bought a new Macbook Air, the $999 13" model, and installed OSX Mavericks
I'm looking to purchase a compatible audio interface and recording/editing software to use with my XLR microphone.
Any pointers? I just don't want to spend $500 and get home and have it not work!

I'm quite impressed by Apogee Duet. 2-channel & no MIDI (still does provide some control function with its single knob) which sounds like it suits what you're looking for. Very simple & elegant design, the sound quality is supreme considering its cost.
Near field monitor of my choice is KRK V8's. Nice natural sounding set of monitors. In comparison to competitors at the price range, these sets 'breathe' & provide a bit more air in sound production without exaggerating any particular freq.
When it comes down to choosing monitor speakers, go to a local pro audio shop & try out a bunch so you can compare. Just remember to bring test CD that you know well what it should sound like.
Good luck!

Bus-powered audio interfaces and preamps

I'm hoping to take a PB G4 Logic system to South Africa to do some remote recording of music in a rural village. There's no electricity in the village. Wondering what options might exist and be appropriate for bus and/or battery-powered audio interfaces and mic preamps. I will be taking 4 mics with me and would like to be able to record to 4 tracks simultaneously.
Thank you!

Groovy, I do think it is an option worth considering if sound quality or DSP demands exceed the Traveler's mark, as I have stated.
ULNs are 4 lbs each, smaller, lighter, they may be battery powered, like the MOTU.
The Mobile I/O ULN2 has been designed specifically to be... erm... 'Mobile', and of superior quality.
The traveler is more affordable and would fit the bill, I never said it wouldn't.
You can say I am being the devil's advocate and offering the less voiced option-I don't at all think I am off the mark by offering a real alternative which is worth considering given the prerequisites. I would have no problem recording with this setup. It is an option for some people, and for some people the best one. Of course the traveler would be recommended in this thread, and I have stated in each post the condition that ULN2 is a very good option for superior quality. And if you get +DSP you get a great processor too, 80 bit mixing bus-there are things which for some people this option would be preferred. I never said it was the only option-but a good option for location. It IS worth looking into.

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

Presonus Firebox Audio Interface AND LaCie 1T "Big Disk" hard drive

I just bought a G5 primarily to edit video with FCP 5. But of course I also want good audio and want to upgrade my audio interface for recording music. I've read great things about the Presonus Firebox.
I want to connect the LaCie drive to my Firewire 800 port.
The question is: Can the computer handle the Firebox going into a FW400 port AND the LaCie drive going into the FW800 port? I have read murmurs that this is actually a serious problem.
If the G5 and Tiger can't handle both these at the same time, what do you suggest for a solution?
Thanks!
Paul S.
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I just bought a G5 primarily to edit video with FCP 5. But of course I also want good audio and want to upgrade my audio interface for recording music. I've read great things about the Presonus Firebox.
I want to connect the LaCie drive to my Firewire 800 port.
The question is: Can the computer handle the Firebox going into a FW400 port AND the LaCie drive going into the FW800 port? I have read murmurs that this is actually a serious problem.
If the G5 and Tiger can't handle both these at the same time, what do you suggest for a solution?
Thanks!
Paul S.
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

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.

Firewire for interface and hard drive

I have a firewire Lacie external hard drive and m-audio 410 firewire interface, does using firewire for both affect the overall performance in logic express, or firewire and usb is better?

Hi John,
I use usb and firewire just because my audio interface doesn't have firewire.
Also, has been using booth firewire ports on my PowerBook, with the Lacie on one and a camera on the other importing video, and had no problems.
So, I think you're ok, you have a G5, Firewire's faster, you really shoudn't have reasons to worry. Give it a go!
regards,
Jorge

FW 400 audio interface + FW 800 drive simultaneously?

Hi,
I have:
Presonus Firestudio Mobile FW 400 audio/MIDI interface
iMac Intel 24-inch Mid 2007, OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard
2.4 GHz Intel Core Duo, 3 Go 667 MHz DDR2 RAM
I'm looking to get an external drive to host (and record to and edit) my Presonus Studio One music files.
The obvious option appears to be a FW 800 drive, like a G-DRIVE (or OWC or Glyph, but I'm not sure you can get OWC and Glyph easily in Europe).
My question:
Is it possible to use the Firestudio and external drive at the same time, performancewise?
The iMac has one FW 400 port and one FW 800, so the devices would NOT be daisy-chained, but it seems that the two ports are on the same bus internally?
Would this possibly cause a hiccupy performance?
If so, would an adapter such as Sonnet Yin-Yang solve the problem?
Thanks a lot for any input.
Message was edited by: hammett92

Thanks for answering,
actually the Firestudio does have an external power cord, as I recall the notice says the device will pick the "stronger" power source automatically, between FW-powered mode and external.
And the G-DRIVE and other mentioned drives have external power supply.
I'm ruling out USB as it is unanimously said to be too slow when the drive plays back N tracks and writes new track(s) at the same time. I don't have USB 3.
I've read of people having problems with a FW x 2 config, one of them said setting the clock source in Audio MIDI setup to "Mac" solved it.
Could you please explain briefly how do I use Ethernet? Is that what's called a NAS drive?
As I understand from what you said, it's the only alternative to switching to a non-FW audio interface, but that would be USB, i.e. too slow?
If that is correct, I fail to see how I can use my setup to create multitrack songs, other than using the main internal drive to house the music files, which is not recommended.
Or going the Ethernet way, which I practically never heard of related to home recording. Or do I have to assume that's what all FW audio interface users do?
I'm sorry, I know next to nothing about hardware and stuff so I may not fully understand how the whole setup is supposed to work. Please bear with me! :|

FW audio interface and FW drive Q's

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