Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. for Mac OSX
CONTROSOL
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Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by CONTROSOL »

Hi guys

I'm trying to take the right step to set up the card with the thunderbolt port in a Mac Pro 2013 Tube

I would like to ask which of these is an optimal configuration

1
- Apple adapter thunderbolt - fire 800
- thunderbolt 400 cable to MkII

2
- Apple adapter thunderbolt - fire 800
- FireWire cable 800 to 400 to mkII

3
- Apple adapter thunderbolt - fire 800
- thunderbolt 800 cable
- FireWire adapter 800 to 400 to mkII

Thanks in advance
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mikehalloran
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by mikehalloran »

#2 — only two pieces required. The Apple adapter and the FW800–400 cable.

All MOTU FW devices are FW400. Later ones use the type 2 (800) connector but are still 400. All MOTU FW devices are compatible with TB except for the 8pre—not your issue.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
DJSALEM
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by DJSALEM »

I had this previous config (Fw400-fw800-TB) working great and then I got the Sierra (10.12.2) update and now, it no longer works. I've tried updating the driver (installer 1.6 (71459), but now the entire unit hangs when I reboot. The OS freezes and the MKII LEDs go crazy until I turn it off or unplug the cable, then all operations resume. When I use the previous driver the unit doesn't detect (using Logic Pro or even GarageBand). Has anyone else had success maintaining this config with this OS level? Note that I did do a factory reset of the MKII, if that is relevant. But this was a last ditch attempt after initial config and new driver/sw failed. Any help would be appreciated.
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mikehalloran
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by mikehalloran »

If you open MOTU Audio Setup.app manually, does it show your 828? If it doesn't, your Mac won't see it at all.

Does MOTU Audio Setup.app launch when it detects your hardware? There's a preference box that you can check when you open the app manually.

Although hot-swap is supposed to work with FireWire, don't. A spark can cause damage. Plug/unplug the FW cable only with the 828 and Mac off. With the FW cable connected, you can power up and turn off either with no problem.

I would reset the NV RAM in any case but I don't know if TB ports get corrupted or crash like FW ports can. It's an Apple maintenance feature and will not harm your Mac.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
DJSALEM
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by DJSALEM »

Yes, its set to launch at detect. But I can't get it to detect anymore. I've gone all the way back to the original driver ( V 1.6.68717). Apple seems to think its an incompatible Kernal extension due to the behavior (freezing up both the unit and the OS on boot) and that maybe I need to fully uninstall this and reinstall again. How is this done? Also, could a firmware update fix this? The MOTU is at 1.01
CONTROSOL
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by CONTROSOL »

Thanks Very much to mikehalloran and DJSALEM

I assume OS X el capitán Is the Last System compatible

If news can change, please post

Thanks!!!
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mikehalloran
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by mikehalloran »

CONTROSOL wrote: I assume OS X el capitán Is the Last System compatible
That is an incorrect assumption. Works fine with my iMac running Sierra (as listed in my signature). A few others here are using it in the current OS, too.

My 2010 iMac does not have Thunderbolt, however. The 828mkII is known to work with the Apple FW-TB adapter, however.

You have two FW ports on an 828mkII. Have you tried both?
CONTROSOL wrote:Also, could a firmware update fix this? The MOTU is at 1.01.
v1.01 is the current firmware.

Did you reset the NV RAM like I suggested?
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
DJSALEM
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by DJSALEM »

Yes. I tried both FW ports and I emptied the NVRAM. Its still not detecting, although this time, the boot did not freeze up when I moved to the other fw port. The Mac still does not detect the unit when launching MOTU Audio Setup. It reads 'No devices found...blah blah blah' Also, the unit appears to be stuck on "Motu 828 MKII - CueMix DSP" display.

BTW- Your observation that MOTU 828 MKII is working with Sierra 10.12.2 gives me some degree of hope. I'm also reading about SIP and how it is known to stop hardware from loading. If all else fails, disabling this may be my last attempt; before just blowing it all off and going to a damn USB powered mic and 1/4 to USB adapter cord for instruments. :banghead: Appreciate the continued assistance!!
CONTROSOL
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by CONTROSOL »

Okay, I get the apple firewire to thunderbolt adapter and a 3-meter firewire 800/400 quality cable.

This motu firewire module was a gift from a person who after a month of use stopped working.

I tried to boot it without success on a mac mini firewire about 6 years ago, I think with mac os x snow leopard, so reading in the forums I decided to inspect it: once opened I noticed that there is no sign of damage, nor rest of Flashing, I have walked towards the right corner and I have removed the small fuse, it appears to be fine, however I will check it in the store and replace it.

Will resurrect?

Cross fingers!!!

Thanks
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mikehalloran
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by mikehalloran »

The newest of these was made in 2007—I bought mine on closeout that year.

Components can go bad with heat being the normal culprit. If used full time as the audio I/O, this becomes more likely. Bad FW ports and power supplies have been reported as the usual suspects but there is no parts list or schematic from MOTU. FW parts and PS capacitors are not proprietary, of course, but many of the ICs are.

People have posted on occasion that they were able to bring one back to life with parts found at Mouser but almost never with part numbers or step-by-step instructions.

A multi-word search is difficult here. A Google search is usually the best way to find such info, whether posted in an old thread here or on Gearslutz. You will see references to a $100 turn-key refurb program from MOTU—this unit is too old for that anymore.

MOTU support may have a way for you to determine if, in fact, the problem is the 828. You should ask them.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
CONTROSOL
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by CONTROSOL »

Yes i can see yet the famous message

All You need Is 100$ tana nanana
DJSALEM
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by DJSALEM »

I updated to 10.12.3 and got better results. I also disabled SIP. The good news is the device isn't locking up or stopping the machine from booting. But it is still not being detected.

I just need one person who has an iMac with TB only (not FW) tell me that a MOTU 828 MKII works...and if so, is the driver 1.6.71459?

My unit:
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
3.2 GHz Intel Core i5
8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon R9 M380 2048 MB
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mikehalloran
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by mikehalloran »

DJSALEM wrote:I updated to 10.12.3 and got better results. I also disabled SIP. The good news is the device isn't locking up or stopping the machine from booting. But it is still not being detected.

I just need one person who has an iMac with TB only (not FW) tell me that a MOTU 828 MKII works...and if so, is the driver 1.6.71459?

My unit:
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
3.2 GHz Intel Core i5
8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon R9 M380 2048 MB
Mine shows up on my wife's 2011 and her MB Air through the Apple FW—TB adapter.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
CONTROSOL
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by CONTROSOL »

DJSALEM

i can probe néxt week in My mac tube All the cuestións but i'm not sure if My unit can work, i prepare New fuse
DJSALEM
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Re: Motu 828 mkII and config with thunderbolt

Post by DJSALEM »

Is this the correct driver/installer?

MOTU Audio Installer v1.6.71459 (Release Date 2016-11-01)

Added 10.12 support
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