• From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2007-12-09
  • Posts: 36

Topic: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

Hi.

Same fireface 400 but going from firewire400 to firewire 800 (MacBook to MBpro)
What do i need to think of when buying a cable?

Emil

nilsemil's Website

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,774

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

You need a simple 800-400 adapter cable.


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

3 Reply by nilsemil (edited by nilsemil 2009-08-18 17:21:46)

  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2007-12-09
  • Posts: 36

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

well this wasnt the whole answer since i realized i need to solve the firewirebus problem. i have a late 2008 MBP. thought they had fixed this issue since all the mess with agere. hooking up through my rugged lacie drive makes the problem go away (atleast the most acute version of it)

wont this mess up my system going through another FW device? can it hurt my harddrive (i mean the data on the lacie rugged)?

please reply asap
Emil

nilsemil's Website

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,774

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

Your data is not at risk. No need to worry.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2007-12-09
  • Posts: 36

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

so what does this solution really do?

it doesnt add power, i dont really get it but it seems to work. does this affect all FW-soundcards. even new MBP's?

nilsemil's Website

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,665

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

Hi Emil,

This puts another FW chip between the Mac and the FF. It is also enough to use a FW hub, or active FW repeater cable. It allows the OS to access the FF hardware properly.

These bad chipsets do not affect all soundcards, but quite a few, not only RME. The new (mid-2009) Macbook Pro has an updated version of the Agere/LSI chip that does not exhibit the problem, it works fine.

BTW, I clicked through your website link. Just wanted to say I like the Loney, Dear records. Do you use the Fireface on your albums?

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2007-12-09
  • Posts: 36

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

oh thank you very very much. haha, the last touches on the album was done on fireface, but most of it is recorded on a pc with the built-in soundblaster card. im happy to finally have a proper card though. great when you feel like using anything else but the electret mic. its a long story though. ive had a hard time finding me at home with the new gear. thanks for asking! emil

nilsemil's Website

  • Registered: 2010-07-02
  • Posts: 1

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

Hello all, I'm new to forums, and the FireFace400, just bought it today.

I have an aluminium iMac with the firewire problem. I've managed to get my FireFace400 up and running after a bit of frustration and reading. Have connected it to my Glyph external hard drive and it works beautifully, have just upgraded from an M-Audio FireWire Solo, so you can imagine how much better everything sounds!

One problem, my external hard drive has a fan that's a little loud for my "studio", my iMac has a firewire800 outlet can I get a FW800 to FW400 adaptor or do I actually need an active repeater type cable, like the Lindy ones that are mentioned.

Sorry to add to this already long thread, but there's too many messages to wade through and thought some kind person might answer my question and save me some time.

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,665

Re: FF400 switching from FW400 to FW800

The 400<->800 cable is not enough. A FW hub or active repeater will do the trick.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website