Firewire

[spider]

Small question, at the moment I have a mac mini (2011) connected in firewire with my motu 828MK3
I would like to change my mac mini for a new one.
My question is, the new mac mini does not have firewire output
is it still compatible with the motu?

[Michael Canavan]

Thunderbolt is backwards comparable with firewire.
The only let down really is a few converters. You'll need to buy these two items:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQ ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SQ ... UTF8&psc=1


You can probably find them cheaper used on Craigslist, next door, or Facebook marketplace. This will work fine.

[stubbsonic]

My old RME Fireface 800 is working with my new M1 MBP with adapters. Works well. However, the MIDI portion disappears from time to time, which requires me to power cycle the FF800 off and on. Then I have to open Audio MIDI Setup to reconnect the virtual 'wire' from the MIDI controller to the FF800 in AMS. Otherwise it works. YMMV.

[mikehalloran]

You’ll need to follow the additional instructions in this thread regarding the correct driver, installing over Big Sur and later, and on an M1 if that’s what you get.
https://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72332

[spider]

Thank you for your good advice

[wylie1]

When connecting the 828mk3 to the M1 Mini can I not just use the USB Port on the 828?

[CharlzS]

When connecting the 828mk3 to the M1 Mini can I not just use the USB Port on the 828?

Some MK3 units are firewire only. You have the hybrid version with the addition of USB.

[wylie1]

Great thanks, my 828mk3 has a USB port

[mikehalloran]

Great thanks, my 828mk3 has a USB port

That is the 828mk3 Hybrid — and you should state that when posting or in your signature, of course— 828mk3H works to save character space.

There were two versions: 828mk3 (FireWire only) and 828mk3 Hybrid with both FW and "Fast USB 2" ports. Unlike the 828mkII, there was never a USB only version.

Back to the OP if it applies:

There is no performance advantage to spending the $$ on adapters hooking up the 828mk3 Hybrid to Thunderbolt. Every MOTU FW device runs at FW400 speeds no matter which port it uses, 6 or 9 pin. USB 2 is spec'd faster at 480 Mps but I'm not sure it makes a real world difference.

[spider]

Thunderbolt is backwards comparable with firewire.
The only let down really is a few converters. You'll need to buy these two items:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQ ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SQ ... UTF8&psc=1


You can probably find them cheaper used on Craigslist, next door, or Facebook marketplace. This will work fine.

Hello
I reopen this post because I just got my new Mac mini
Why two adapters. thunderbolt to firewire is not enough thanks
Thanks

[stubbsonic]

Why two adapters. thunderbolt to firewire is not enough thanks
Thanks

Apple doesn't make one adapter that goes from Firewire to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C). So one adapter gets you partway there: Firewire to Thunderbolt 2, then the other adapter gets you the rest of the way there, Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).

I was hoping that staying all Apple would improve my chances of compatibility--- and I suppose it did, but as I mentioned above, I lose the MIDI driver upon sleep, and Apple Support's explanation was "less than satisfying".

[spider]

Why two adapters. thunderbolt to firewire is not enough thanks
Thanks

Apple doesn't make one adapter that goes from Firewire to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C). So one adapter gets you partway there: Firewire to Thunderbolt 2, then the other adapter gets you the rest of the way there, Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).

I was hoping that staying all Apple would improve my chances of compatibility--- and I suppose it did, but as I mentioned above, I lose the MIDI driver upon sleep, and Apple Support's explanation was "less than satisfying".

Ok i understand ,
Thank you

[mikehalloran]

Huh? MIDI works fine on my 828mkII through the three adapters into my iMac Pro.

[stubbsonic]

What has changed since I got my new M1 MBP is that the MIDI driver for my RME Fireface 800 gets dropped/crashes/quits (?) when my MBP sleeps. So I have had to disable sleep and manually shut down. Not a big deal, just a change in workflow.

Apple's support has claimed that it no longer supports firewire so I must take my lumps and be thankful it works at all. Oddly, the support person was suggesting that if I got a hub (for some hundreds) it might work again (i.e., MIDI driver might survive sleep). I didn't feel like rolling those dice.

[spider]

Me again
I just bought the two cables to ask for, and it doesn't work, I went to see to update my Motu MK3 and it doesn't have Ventura 13.0
Suggestion ?
Thanks