• Registered: 2021-10-05
  • Posts: 2

Topic: How to connect Fireface 400 to MacBook Pro USB 3 port ?

Hello,
Since it is very hard to find now a Thunderbolt 2 > Firewire adaptor, what would be the cables/adaptors set-up to connect my Fireface 400 to a USB 3 port of a MacBook Pro 15" 2015 A1398 (MacBookPro11,5) ?
Thank you in advance,

  • Registered: 2023-06-30
  • Posts: 161

Re: How to connect Fireface 400 to MacBook Pro USB 3 port ?

There is no way to connect a FireWire device to USB.

Fireface UCX II + ARC USB > ADI-2 Pro FS R BE > Neumann KH 750 DSP + MA 1 > KH 120 A
  • Registered: 2021-10-05
  • Posts: 2

Re: How to connect Fireface 400 to MacBook Pro USB 3 port ?

OK, thank you for your answer.
And do you think that the "OWC Thunderbolt 2 USB 3.0 FireWire 800" Docking Station for Mac might bring the appropriate connection, with a Firewire 400 > 800 cable from the Fireface 400 ?

  • Registered: 2023-06-30
  • Posts: 161

Re: How to connect Fireface 400 to MacBook Pro USB 3 port ?

Theoretically, yes. In practice, there might be caveats due to the FireWire controller in the dock and OS driver support. AFAIK, recent versions of macOS have dropped support for CoreAudio over FireWire.

Fireface UCX II + ARC USB > ADI-2 Pro FS R BE > Neumann KH 750 DSP + MA 1 > KH 120 A
  • Registered: 2017-12-17
  • Posts: 25

Re: How to connect Fireface 400 to MacBook Pro USB 3 port ?

unpluggged wrote:

There is no way to connect a FireWire device to USB.

That's not true.  I have a Nikon scanner that uses FW400.  I have a connection chain of FW400-FW800, FW800-T2, T2-T3, T3-USBC.

I think it is T2 & T3.  I lose track.  Anyhow it is the previous and current version, or are they up to T4 now?  Be that as it may I've used this setup.

You might find the necessary converters on eBay.

I have a UCX that is currently connected to  mini over FW, but it also has a USB port if I ever need to use that.

Mac Mini
Fireface UCX
Balanced output to Classe Power Amplifier and HSU subwoofers.
  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 4,539

Re: How to connect Fireface 400 to MacBook Pro USB 3 port ?

Many users did report success running Fireface 400 and 800 on MacOS Sequoia with USB adapters.
But I can't remember a single one with an OWC docking station.
Best you can do, buy with sendback option.
just try.
The docking station is not that expensive, would be a good device to have the FF400 working.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2023-06-30
  • Posts: 161

Re: How to connect Fireface 400 to MacBook Pro USB 3 port ?

rbpeirce wrote:

That's not true.

It's true. Thunderbolt is not USB, even if it uses the same plug type. You wouldn't expect your Thunderbolt 2 FireWire adapter to work from a GPU's miniDP connector, would you?

Fireface UCX II + ARC USB > ADI-2 Pro FS R BE > Neumann KH 750 DSP + MA 1 > KH 120 A