• Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Topic: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

HELP!

After 10 years of windows and the good old terratec EWS88 I decided to make the switch, a little unsure but I saved some money, it was now or never. So since last week I own a brand knew iMac 17" 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 AND the even newer RME Fireface UFX. I followed the instructions from Apple and RME and did the upgrades to OS 10.7, firmware and installed the newest drivers. I bought the firewire 6 to 9 pins cable and .....  IT DOES NOT WORK!!!! 3800 Euro spent on the latest hardware, THE standard, and I can't get it to work. The USB works fine, the FW  does NOTHING.

Please, make my first encounter with this equipment worth while and tell me what to do.

(I spend some time searching the forum but I could not find the answer yet)

Leo de Peo

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
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  • Registered: 2007-05-21
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Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

Did you ever install the Firewire driver? This is a separate installer from the USB driver.

There is no official RME UFX driver for Lion just yet, it should be updated soon. In the meantime, just use USB since it's working.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

I did install the FW-driver but that didn't do the job. (the FW-light stays black) I guess I'll have to wait.......

  • Registered: 2011-04-29
  • Posts: 76

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

The Fireface UFX works equally well under USB as it does FW - the theoretical speed of USB2 being faster than FW 400 anyway..

So what exactly are you "waiting" for ??

  • Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

I am waiting for the blue light that indicates FW to go on when I connect a computer to the Fireface UFX.
Today I tried:
- a windows machine (where the FW- connection works fine with an external hard disk)
- a G5 Mac Power PC ( where both FW-conenections work fine with an external harddisk)
- a MacBook Pro  (leopard) where FW- connection works fine with other interfaces.

The thing is, when I connect the USB- cable into the computers the blue USB light goes on immidiately (even if no drivers are installed). when I connect any of the FW-cables (I tried three different types) nothing happens. Also not when turning the UFX off and on and all drivers installed.

On firewire none of the 4 computers is recognized by the RME. So If anyone has a clue...
I really am out of options.

Leo de Peo

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
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Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

The UFX will never work with the G5 PPC. Are you testing FW while USB is already plugged in? This doesn't work as USB has priority.

Otherwise it sounds like the UFX might have a hardware problem. The Firewire LED should light up when you switch on the UFX, along with all the other LEDs.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

I'm testing with the USB plugged out (the manual is clear about that)

The blue lights both light up when I start up the FF (with all the other LED's) When The FW is connected they all go out, when the USB is connected, that one stays on.

So the blue LED of the FW indicator works fine in my opinion.

By the way, I appreciate your response to my messages.

Leo de Peo

  • Jeff
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Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

Please check on the Macbook Pro, is the UFX detected at all via Firewire? Open Applications/Utilities/System Profiler and check what is reported on Firewire. Make sure nothing else is connected to FW when you test.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

I checked on the Macbook Pro:
- first I connected a fire wire Hard Disk, this was recognized on the MacBook Pro in the System Profiler
- then I connected the UFX, same cable, same port. The UFX was not detected, the LED didn't light up.

Also after restart UFX and/or MacBook Pro nothing detected......

it looks like......

Leo the Peo

  • Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

Hello Jeff,
Is there something more I can try to make the UFX work by firewire? I'm out of options really.

Regards,

Leo

  • Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

Hello Jeff,

I am considering to bring the UFX back to the store, It is not working with firewire or at least I am not able to get it to work with the macs I have.

Regards,

Leo the peo

  • Jeff
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Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

Please take it in for a check up.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2011-08-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New iMac with OS 10.7 does not recognize FireWire new RME Fireface UFX

Well, I took my new UFX back to the store and it was sent away for a repair. Yesterday, the 25th of november, almost 4 month after I bought it, I got it back and now it works the way as it should work on the first day I used it.
The firewire hardware inside the Fireface UFX is replaced, don't ask me what was wrong with it.
It sounds as if it was brand new, but of course it is not. Although I can make music now  again I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Besides the fact that I wasn't able to make music for months and the useless hours I spent on figuring out why the new UFX was not working I ended up with a repaired "second hand" UFX with battered screws. It is obvious that it has been opened...
Because I don't want to walk the Via Dolorosa again, I stick with this one. I hope someone benefits from my bothersome experience with the UFX.

Thanks to Jeff for helping me!

Regards,

Leo de Peo