Digi 003 to Macbook Pro questions

[toddamo]

Hi...

I'm an old ProTools user and a new MacBook Pro user.
(The MacBook Pro is one of the recently released models.)

I have a few HW connection questions...

#1 What's the recommended connection path? Digi003 (rack) to HD and then to the Mac? Or can the Mac directly be connected to the Digi003? In the PC world, it's a HD for the OS and a HD for music data, and it's not advised to use one HD for both. Does this hold true for Mac's?

#2 I purchased a 400/800 Firewire cable. Got home and realized the 800 end did not fit into my Digi003. Depending on the answers in #1, what cable(s) do I need?

Thanks very much in advance for your insight!

[nst7]

Having a separate drive to record audio to is recommended regardless of whether it's Mac or PC.

If you have a recent Macbook Pro (non-Retina), then it should have firewire, Thunderbolt, and USB 3 (if it's one of the very newest ones).

Your best bet would be to plug the 003 into the firewire port (the 800 end goes into the Mac, and the 400 end goes to your 003), and then for the audio drive (assuming you have a firewire drive), get an Apple Thunderbolt to firewire 800 adapter, then get another 800 to 400 cable. You would use this for your audio drive.

This way both items are on 2 separate busses from the computer, and should improve performance.

[toddamo]

This is very helpful info for me! Thank you so much.

Regarding connecting the Mac to the Digi 003 --

As mentioned in my post, I purchased an 800 to 400 Firewire cable --
thinking there was only one.

The 800 end fits into the Mac. However, the shape of the 400 end is not what fits into the Digi 003. I'm sorry I'm not more articulate about the exact kind of connector.

Is there a particular cable that goes from the Mac to the Digi 003? What do you call call the connection that goes into the Digi 003?

Thanks again for help with my admittedly very basic questions!

I'm ready to start recording again!

[nst7]

The connector that goes into the 003 is a standard firewire 400.

So I'm not sure why you're having any issue.

Unless the connector on the cable is female (as is the 003 port).


Can you link to a picture online of the exact cable you're trying to use? Perhaps link to the page of an online dealer who has a picture of it.

[toddamo]

Here's the cable I purchased --

http://www.siig.com/av-products/cabl...-cable-2m.html

Described as -- Designed for connecting FireWire 400 (1394a) device to FireWire 800 (1394b) port

It fits into the Mac but not the Digi 003.

Thanks very much!

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by toddamo

Here's the cable I purchased --

http://www.siig.com/av-products/cabl...-cable-2m.html

Described as -- Designed for connecting FireWire 400 (1394a) device to FireWire 800 (1394b) port

It fits into the Mac but not the Digi 003.

Thanks very much!

Yeah, wrong cable(but the right idea). You need FW800-9 pin to FW400-6 pin.

[toddamo]

Dang...yep, that's the one I need.

Will try again with all the very helpful info in this post.

Thanks all for the kind help!

[toddamo]

Ok...more and more details -- so there's 1394b cables and 1394a cables.

Are these two listed below the same cable?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Syba-CL-CAB3...item51a0c4373b

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812200286

Will either of them work?

Thank you!

[toddamo]

Thanks so much for all the kind assistance I've received here!

After purchasing one incorrect cable, I'm trying not to make that mistake twice.

I'm learning that there are 1394a and 1394b FW cables. (Two linked above)

What is the correct one for my needs? As indicated by nst7 --

Your best bet would be to plug the 003 into the firewire port (the 800 end goes into the Mac, and the 400 end goes to your 003), and then for the audio drive (assuming you have a firewire drive), get an Apple Thunderbolt to firewire 800 adapter, then get another 800 to 400 cable. You would use this for your audio drive.

Thanks very much for any insight you can share!

[toddamo]

Thanks for the help I received here.

In case anyone else runs into this issue --

I spoke with Avid customer support and was told that
either a 1394b or 1394a cable would work fine.

There's no difference in this case.

Thanks again!