• Registered: 2011-02-08
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Fireface 800 Drop Outs w/ Host Light Flash + Mac Pro + OS X 10.6.8

Hello,

I am having an issue with my Fireface 800 dropping audio playback in itunes, and the red host light flashes for a second and then audio returns a few seconds later. Fireface mixer freezes when this is happening.

I did some searching but i am having issue finding the resolution for this. I am thinking my most recent update has caused this. I haven't updated my computer in a while, so I think that is why this hasn't been an issue. Any links or assistance would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Here are my specs:
I have a Fireface 800 (V 2.93 Unit 2.77 Kernel Driver V2.93)
Running on OS X 10.6.8
Running on 2009 Mac Pro

Model Name:    Mac Pro
Model Identifier:    MacPro3,1
Processor Name:    Quad-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed:    2.8 GHz
Number Of Processors:    2
Total Number Of Cores: 8
L2 Cache (per processor): 12 MB
Memory: 6 GB
Bus Speed:    1.6 GHz

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,667

Re: Fireface 800 Drop Outs w/ Host Light Flash + Mac Pro + OS X 10.6.8

When the HOST LED comes on, this is indicating a problem with FireWire communication. Do you have any other devices connected to FW on the Mac (even a Cinema Display FW connection)? Can you try a different cable? Have you tried changing to the front or rear port on the Mac, depending which you currently use?

Make sure the computer is off when plugging/unplugging FireWire.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2011-02-08
  • Posts: 4

Re: Fireface 800 Drop Outs w/ Host Light Flash + Mac Pro + OS X 10.6.8

Interesting. I had my icam hooked up though my cinema display. Disconnecting all firewire cables besides my Fireface 800 fixed the issue. Is this a Firewire Apple bus issue on my Mac Pro? Would a FW PCI card fix this issue? BWT, my connection is FW400 not 800.

Thanks for the reply.

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,667

Re: Fireface 800 Drop Outs w/ Host Light Flash + Mac Pro + OS X 10.6.8

The Cinema Display FW connection is known to cause interruptions on the bus. Separating the FF to it's own FireWire controller card would be a solution.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2011-02-08
  • Posts: 4

Re: Fireface 800 Drop Outs w/ Host Light Flash + Mac Pro + OS X 10.6.8

Thank you so much Jeff!
Very helpful!