8Pre Firewire doesn't see MOTU driver

[JacoMOTU]

I just purchased a a Macbook Pro late 2016 running Sierra 10.12.2,
downloaded the latest driver (MOTU Audio Installer 1.6 (71459))
but to no avail it doesn't see the 8Pre.
I'm running a Firewire 400/800 cable to a Thunderbolt adaptor and then to
a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C adaptor. It seems to be the only way to get into the new machine. Somebody please tell me that my 8Pre's are not obsolete.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks - Tom Zano

[mikehalloran]

Is it the first generation 8pre or the current one? Oh, I remember... the current version is USB.

My understanding is that the first gen requires a direct connection to Firewire. There are some very old threads on this.

Can anybody confirm if the 8Pre works with Macbook Pro + Thunderbolt adapter?

The answer I got from MOTU is

"The 8Pre is not compatible with Thunderbolt adapters. The 8Pre requires a native Firewire port in order to connect to the computer."

Thunderbolt does not support the entire FireWire spec. Apparently, the original 8pre uses a part of the spec not supported by TB. In such situations, the adapter cannot work.

[JacoMOTU]

That is very disturbing. Now what? I'm in for another $2,000 I don't have?
I guessed I'm not surprised. Apple does it again.
It's pretty upsetting. I thought we were past the days where ports on computers rendered everything useless.
Thanks for your input.

[mikehalloran]

That is very disturbing. ...
I guessed I'm not surprised. Apple does it again.
...
Thanks for your input.

Uhhh... Apple went to TB in 2011, ok? It was Intel that doesn't support FireWire.

As far as I know, the 8pre is the only MOTU FW device that doesn't work with the TB adapter.

Now what? I'm in for another $2,000 I don't have?

Get real. A new 8pre USB is $549 at Sweetwater. Used FW 8pres sell between $200–$300 on eBay.

It's pretty upsetting. I thought we were past the days where ports on computers rendered everything useless.

That's funny. I feel pretty safe when I predict that we will never be past those days.

You're 5 years too late with your outrage—mine happened years earlier when many thousands of dollars of SCSI became obsolete. It's time to move on and your new MBP is a good step in the right direction.

I'm just the messenger.

[darrell]

Off topic, but I have a nice DAT recorder that I use as a doorstop. Used it on one project, and then....poof.

[JacoMOTU]

Appreciate your input on this Mike, this is not my first time around the block with being left high and dry as well. In the end I cleared everything out and reinstalled current MOTU stuff and it's seeing it just fine. I don't know why it didn't take the first time but I'm happy to say, case closed. Now I can upgrade at a reasonable pace (for me, anyway).

[mikehalloran]

That's great!

[travisvhagan]

Hi All,

Just wanted to jump in here. The 8pre FW will work fine with the FW -> TB adapter. You will also need to buy a FW400 -> 800 cable to get the connection types to match.
Feel free to call us with questions like this any time.

MOTU Tech Support - 617.576.3066

Travis - MOTU Tech Support

[tonomud]

Yup, another first gen 8pre user with a thunderbolt Mac. Works just fine, absolutely no issues to report.