1 Topic by McD (edited by McD 2024-08-15 18:30:06)

  • McD
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Topic: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

Hi,

Although there are similar posts relating to this issue, I've yet to find a permanent solution so am hoping if outline the problem and all the moving parts, someone here maybe able to help me narrow down options.

I'm running a Mac Pro 5,1 with Big Sur 11.7 (installed by Opencore Legacy Patcher) which my FF800 connects to via FW. Prior to upgrading from 10.x, everything worked fine, now it's hit and miss if the Mac and FF800 play nicely. Once booted, although the FF800 host light shows connection and the TM & Settings apps load, when any audio is played from the Mac, there is a digital overload/feedback that lights up all the channels on TM etc. Equally, if I boot Cubase, when the ASIO is engaged the same feedback occurs. Should add, this happens 6 out of 8 boot ups and doesn't seem to follow any pattern

I've trashed and reinstalled all the relevant FF800 drivers (as advised on this forum) from 3.30 up to the latest 3.41 and the 2.77 FW. I've swapped cables, tried different FW ports and recently bought the https://www.startech.com/en-gb/cards-ad … pci1394b_3 FW card as it was suggested in another post relating to the same issue. The latter didn't help as although the Mac recognised the card, the FF800 didn't. The red host light stays illuminated. This could be for a myriad of reasons but for the time being, I'm just concentrating on finding an answer for the feedback.

It looks like something is going wrong in the transfer of audio between the Mac and the FF800 as it's recognised and TM/Settings shows it's connected so it's looking unlikely to be a FW driver issue otherwise the FF800 wouldn't be recognised. This is one of the reasons I've not tired the Kernal panic by MC  https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=33277

I'm aware that we're talking about a 20yr old device trying to work with a 8yr old Mac running an OS X it wasn't expected to run but there are users out there making this work. Unfortunately, they've not responded and or posted their solutions/workarounds.

So in conclusion, if anyone has a suggestion I've yet to try, please let me know and if you need any further info.

Thanks,

McD

Mac Pro 5,1 Big Sur 11.7
FireFace 800 3.41 / 2.77
Cubase Pro 12 & 13
  • waedi
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Re: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

In the HD create a separate partition with an original real MacOS.
Test there to sort out hardware defect of the Fireface 800.
As stated from RME in earlier thread, the driver does not support OLP opencore legacy patcher, nor does any other company support this.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • McD
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Re: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

Hi Waedi,

I have another Mac running High Sierra natively and the FF800 works so the issue is with Big Sur. Another user here posted they have it running with Big Sur via OCLP and another upgraded to 12.x again using OCLP so it can/should work.

Thanks

McD

Mac Pro 5,1 Big Sur 11.7
FireFace 800 3.41 / 2.77
Cubase Pro 12 & 13
  • waedi
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Re: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

Did you disable SIP for a test ?

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

5 Reply by MC

  • MC
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Re: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

McD wrote:

I have another Mac running High Sierra natively and the FF800 works so the issue is with Big Sur. Another user here posted they have it running with Big Sur via OCLP and another upgraded to 12.x again using OCLP so it can/should work

Links please. I only remember complete failures.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • McD
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Re: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

waedi wrote:

Did you disable SIP for a test ?

Yes disabled SIP via recovery mode but with the same outcome

Mac Pro 5,1 Big Sur 11.7
FireFace 800 3.41 / 2.77
Cubase Pro 12 & 13
  • McD
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Re: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

MC wrote:
McD wrote:

I have another Mac running High Sierra natively and the FF800 works so the issue is with Big Sur. Another user here posted they have it running with Big Sur via OCLP and another upgraded to 12.x again using OCLP so it can/should work

Links please. I only remember complete failures.

Lol, I bet ;-) Will go through my safari history and post the links

Mac Pro 5,1 Big Sur 11.7
FireFace 800 3.41 / 2.77
Cubase Pro 12 & 13
  • McD
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Re: FF800 digital feedback and glitchy audio

Morning,

Here's a thread where a user managed to get everything up and running by upgrading to 12.7.2 which I may try.

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=36890

I've returned the startech FW card as that just isn't working with the FF800. The Mac see's it but the FF doesn't. I'm going to try the next card up, StarTech V930305 3 Port Pci 1394B Firewire 800 Card as the previous card didn't have a bridge chip. Not sure if that makes a difference but worth a try.

Fully accept this could be a lost cause given I'm trying to get a 20yrd old device to work flawless with a Mac Pro running unsupported OS X but got to be worth a shot as the FF has been rock solid since the day I bought it 15 + years ago. I may if need be look at USB sound card options so would appreciate any feedback on comparable USB which can offer low latency and external inputs & outputs.

Thanks,

McD

Mac Pro 5,1 Big Sur 11.7
FireFace 800 3.41 / 2.77
Cubase Pro 12 & 13