Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Pro Tools Hardware > Third Party Interfaces

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-26-2013, 03:44 PM
John_Toolbox's Avatar
John_Toolbox John_Toolbox is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,461
Default Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

Is anyone successfully running a core audio interface via:

1. Thunderbolt to FW800 cable

connected to a

2. FW800 to FW400 cable

???

I am running a TC electronic SK48, and wondering if it's going to work like this or not. It's my understanding that a thunderbolt to FW800 cable has a FW controller built right into the cable, but as we all know not all firewire controller chipsets are created equally when it comes to using audio interfaces.
__________________
- John

If a MIDI event triggers a sample of a tree falling and there's no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-26-2013, 05:13 PM
dr_daw's Avatar
dr_daw dr_daw is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cariboo, BC
Posts: 1,216
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

John,

I didn't have any troubles with my Saffire Pro 40 running the Tbolt to FW800, and FW800 to FW400 cable. Focusrite has since certified the tbolt to FW800 adapter. They're only $40, just give it a shot what do you have to lose?
__________________
FBR recording - https://www.facebook.com/fromthebase...cordsrecording
@FBRrecording - Instagram
Rig
MBP 15" High Sierra 10.13.3, i7 2.6Ghz, 8Gb DDR, 750Gb 7200rpm, PT 2019.5, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Octopre MkII, Glyph GPT50, Avalon 737sp, AMS Neve 1073's, API 512c, CAPI 312's, DW drums, Fender Guitars/Amps, AKG, Rode, Sennheiser, Neumann U87 & KM184's, Coles 4038, Equator D5 monitors
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-26-2013, 05:32 PM
John_Toolbox's Avatar
John_Toolbox John_Toolbox is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,461
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

Quote:
Originally Posted by dr_daw View Post
John,

I didn't have any troubles with my Saffire Pro 40 running the Tbolt to FW800, and FW800 to FW400 cable. Focusrite has since certified the tbolt to FW800 adapter. They're only $40, just give it a shot what do you have to lose?
I currently have a non-thunderbolt imac, and I'm considering upgrading to the new haswell one.

I'll look on TC's forums too and see if anyone else has done this yet with a TC interface, but this sounds promising.
__________________
- John

If a MIDI event triggers a sample of a tree falling and there's no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-26-2013, 05:35 PM
CME CME is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ardmore OK
Posts: 3,207
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

Metric halo has also qualified the apple cable for use with their interfaces. I don't use one. I just remember them posting it in their mailing list.
__________________
Dell T5810. Harrison Mixbus 32C. Haven't used PT since 2015 and never been happier.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-26-2013, 08:43 PM
nst7 nst7 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cincinnati OH
Posts: 9,864
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

John, generally the adapters are working great for most people. The only people who have issues are those who are trying to use interfaces or drives that are actually buss powered by firewire. Apparently the adapter is not designed to handle power.

Keep in mind that since Thunderbolt uses the PCIe protocol, using this adapter is no different than someone adding a PCIe card with firewire ports to a Mac Pro.

Also, keep in mind that the Imacs all come with 2 Thunderbolt ports, and these are each on their own buss. So between those two, and USB 3, you can have 3 different busses to handle your various items.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-27-2013, 06:56 AM
John_Toolbox's Avatar
John_Toolbox John_Toolbox is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,461
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

Good to know about bus powered drives.

It sounds like I'm probably going to be okay. TC's site says that it should work, but is untested and not officially supported. It's just annoying that there are not more inexpensive thunderbolt solutions yet. There is a belkin box that is around $300 that adds firewire, esata, usb3 and ethernet but it seems ridiculously expensive for what it does, especially if these $40 adaptor cables do the trick. However, if the belkin box solves the bus powered drive problem, then maybe it's worth it.

I have to assume that the imac's 4 built in USB3 ports are all on the same bus, which means they are collectively limited to 205Mb/s according to macgrurus. I wish there were a more inexpensive method of getting an additional USB3 bus. I think my current needs will be able to work around the imac's connections, but I'm just wondering what I'll be doing 2-3 years from now.
__________________
- John

If a MIDI event triggers a sample of a tree falling and there's no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-27-2013, 07:30 AM
nst7 nst7 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cincinnati OH
Posts: 9,864
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

People are mentioning $40 cables. The Apple Thunderbolt to firewire adapter is $29. Are we talking about the same thing or something else? Or are you guys talking about the combined purchase price of the adapter and the 800 to 400 cable?

As for other choices, John, you might consider getting this when it comes out:

http://sonnettech.com/product/echo15...rboltdock.html

It seems expensive, but consider that with the new Imac, you would need an external optical drive anyway, plus a hub of some kind, plus at least one enclosure for an external hard drive (and this one is thunderbolt speeds). Adding that stuff up separately, this is a good value. Plus it includes Esata ports, which is handy if you already have drives with those.


Also, if you're thinking about getting a Thunderbolt to PCIe chassis for any reason, they've just come out with this $99 item that would also help:

http://sonnettech.com/news/pr2013/pr...ango3pcie.html
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-27-2013, 07:54 AM
John_Toolbox's Avatar
John_Toolbox John_Toolbox is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,461
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

honestly never looked at the price, I just pulled $40 from the previous post. but even if you already have a FW800 to 400 cable, I believe unless you have a FW800 device between the audio interface and computer, you'll need a FW800 F-F gender changer, since the apple thunderbolt cable is as male FW800.

I don't mind spending $400 on one box that meets my needs, but it seems like there are several $300-400 boxes that all do something different.

If I buy the new imac, I will need the apple cable at a minimum. This still doesn't solve the problem of bus powered drives though.

What's on my want list?

1. macgurus 4 drive usb3.0 rackmount enclosure $462
2. belkin thunderbolt to FW800, esata, etc. adaptor - $300

including the price of the apple cable, that's almost $800 in underwhelming, though necessary accessories right there. I also know that these items will be worthless in a few years too.

What I really want is a 4 drive trayless, rackmount box like the macgurus rackmount, but with a thunderbolt connection. I'd happily pay $500 for that, and then I would not need to buy anything else. There is a blackmagic designs rackmount, but it only accepts 2.5" drives and only has one thunderbolt port. There is also a thunderbolt drive enclosure called the datatale, but it's a top load design, which is not ideal for my studio, I'd much rather have a rackmount version.
__________________
- John

If a MIDI event triggers a sample of a tree falling and there's no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-27-2013, 11:00 AM
nst7 nst7 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cincinnati OH
Posts: 9,864
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

I know you're looking at the Imac, but perhaps the release of the new Mac Pro will also be timed with some Thunderbolt solutions like you mentioned.

Meaning, the same types of products will be needed for the Mac Pro that are also needed for the Imac, Mini, and laptops, so there's even more of a market for them. I assume that various companies have been developing products in anticipation of the Mac Pro release.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-27-2013, 11:29 AM
John_Toolbox's Avatar
John_Toolbox John_Toolbox is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,461
Default Re: Firewire interfaces with thunderbolt only macs

Yes, I think you're right that I should hold out a little longer. Thunderbolt still seems too expensive, and like there are a lot of niches that need to be filled regarding thunderbolt peripherals.

Just want to make sure I upgrade while my old imac is still worth over a grand.
__________________
- John

If a MIDI event triggers a sample of a tree falling and there's no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Thunderbolt-Firewire? mspin 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Mac) 4 06-23-2016 08:58 AM
Firewire over Thunderbolt? Cowboy Bob FireWire & USB Audio Interfaces (Win) 2 09-19-2013 02:09 PM
Anyone tried Thunderbolt to FW for PT non-HD interfaces? drguitar macOS 9 02-03-2013 09:43 AM
Thunderbolt drive with MBox Pro (firewire 400) KingTor macOS 2 11-13-2012 05:18 AM
Thunderbolt to FireWire 400 KyleWetherington 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Mac) 1 10-29-2012 08:14 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:42 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com