MOTU 2408mkIII PCIe and Intel Mac Pro Connectivity Issues

[Botl Audio]

Tested 2408 MkIII on 2 other systems Mac G5 worked fine.

On Intel Mac Pro swapped and exchanged cables and Pci e slots also tried all Audio Wire ports still no response from 2408 MkIII .

Best guess Bad Pci e 424 UpGrade Card

Running the latested drivers from MOTU

[John Mason]

In spite of the disappointing news, I'm glad I read this thread. I'll be upgrading soon to a Mac Pro. I assumed I would also be buying a 2408 mkIII, but not until this issue is resolved. Good luck to those who are wrestling with it!

If the issue isn't resolved soon, what would any of you recommend for an alternative interface? I plan to run VSL on a single machine, working on a large orchestral score. The only recording I'll be doing is with a single mic via a Grace pre-amp.

[Sergievsky]

I use the Apogee Symphony PCIe, but on a QuadG5, so I don't know if that makes a difference...probably not so much, pci-e is pci-e. It works fantastic. Down side is it's expensive paired with the apogee interfaces, especially compared to the motu system. But, no headaches anymore (after waiting a month for the updated drivers).

Yeah, thanks for this thread. I actually thought about trying to save money and go back to a motu system...but I think the money saved wouldn't be worth it. Hope these incidents are rare and gets settled.

[kenwinokur]

I'm having the same problem reported in this thread. I have a new Quad Intel Mac Pro, a new 2408 MKIII and a new 424 PCIe card.

The card and the 2408 are not communicating. I have tried all the slots, and reinstalled the card more than 6 or 8 times. I have tried screwing in the retainer tightly or loosly. I have even tried it with it not connected.

I have been dealing with MOTU tech support for weeks. They have tested my card and my 2408 and they say they are fine. I'm losing patience.

Don't know what to do.

Ken Winokur

[musicb3]

I posted to the first page of this thread 23rd March 2007.

After reading all 6 pages again it is clear that there are others like myself who have a faulty 424 card that does not seat correctly in the slot. However, not everyone has the same problem.

I would advise that you go through the process of elimination.

If you believe that the card does not fit correctly take it to the Apple Store and get them to test it in one of their Macs.

Open the Apple menu / About This Mac. Click more info... (to open the system profiler). Under PCI cards the 424e should be listed simply as a PCI to PCI bridge. If no information is displayed for the card it is not being recognized probably due to a faulty electrical connection . If it is listed there it could still be a hardware related problem but more likely to be an issue with the drivers.

I agree that this very frustrating especially as MOTU has never acknowledged that there is problem. It is well worth reading all the posts on this issue. Let us know what happens!!!

Best regards
David

btw, Hi David (Bourke) I seem to have 'lost' my expansion slot utility
also. Where is it hiding?

[Dave Bourke]

David, Frodo found it skulking in here:

<Boot HD>/System/Library/CoreServices

Kind regards.

[kenwinokur]

I have tried all of your suggestions ("About Mac - System Profiler shows that the card is being recognized as you describe).

I will probably go to the local Apple Store and have them check my card , and perhaps my Mac.

If that fails, I'm thinking of bailing out and getting a different system. Probably RME

I've been a MOTU user for about 10 years (since DP2 and the original 2408). I'll keep using the software, but I'm afraid that they don't make the hardware to work with a PCIe situation.

Ken

byw I do have a new Ultralite that's been OK, if not great.

[kenwinokur]

I switched the orientation of the firewire cable into the 424 pcie card, and voila, it works!

Thanks for this tip! Got to wonder why the MOTU boys had no idea about this.

Best,
Ken Winokur

[kenwinokur]

And now it doesn't work again!!!!!

I've replaced every cable, readjusted the pcie card a million times, and rebooted repeatedly. I've flipped the "audio cable" firewire cable a bunch of times.

Sometimes the computer doesn't recognize the 424 card, and sometimes it does. Mostly the 424 doesn't communicate with the 2408, but occasionally it does.

I think i've had it with MOTU hardware.

Ken

[kenwinokur]

Here's the last update on my problem with my 424 pcie card and a 2408 MK III. IT JUST DOESN'T WORK. Motu has tested both my card and my 2408 and said they are both working. I have tried everything (reseating card, new cables, latest OS update, correct orientation of firewire cable).

MOTU has been very good about trying to help me, and want to continue the quest. I just can't waste any more time on this.

I'm giving up. My dealer (the wonderful Parsons Audio in Boston) is going to get my money back from MOTU.

I'm buying 2 RME Firefaces.

Ken

[Studiogrl]

OK, I finally got MOTU to send me an new PCIe card for my Mac Pro. I placed it in slot 2 and now the computer and programs recognize it. It is too early too tell if it is going to reamain stable but I will keep you all posted. I definetly think it was the first card that was defective. This one has not disappeared when I shut down or switch between my MAudio 410 Firewire interface.


In my last post, I wrote that each time I shut down my computer, my MIDI interfaces are scrambling the MIDI device connections. I have 3 MAudio 8X8 MIDI sports. It seems to happen when I launch DP 5.12. I don't have any sound or I have the incorrect instrument playing when I select it in the MIDI tracks window.
Here is a better description;
In Audio/MIDI setup, I have three Midisports labled Midisport1 Mididsport2 and Midisport3.
Sometimes, Midisport 1 and Midisport 2 get flipped.
The device icons remain intact on all the instruments.
If I have a JV80 on Midisport1 on port 3 and use the audio tester on it, it will play the sound of a Kurtzweill K2000 which is connected to port 3 on Midisport2.
It is not a cable mix up because it happens to all the connections.
If I shut down, pull out the USB cables connected to the Midisports, then plug them back in. Turn each Midisport on, one by one, then I can usually get the configuration to work. But this is a pain so if anyone knows a better way please post a note.
I had the same problem with the units on my G4 and put a PCI card in and it corrected it.
I have just purchased an Axxeon USB PCIe card and will try pluggining the units into the new ports. I am still awaiting delivery.When I install the new USB card, I will see if it corrects it on the Mac Pro as well.

[DGrand]

Hey Studiogrl, I had a similar problem with a MOTU MIDI interface wich was getting its power from an usb cable directly from the MacPro. Seems it wasn't getting its power fast enough or something so I plugged it in a powered usb hub. No problems whatsoever since.
And BTW I have problems also with my pcie card with the wonderful addition of periodic system crashes ( the dreaded grey window...). When it does crash, it's inevitable that the pcie 424 does not see my 2 2408s. Anybody getting system crashes with their 424 problems?

[Studiogrl]

Hi D Grand,

So far so good with the new MOTU PCIe card! I have shut down several times and the card is getting recognized. When I think of all those hours of downtime troubleshooting this thing I want to scream. At least MOTU didn't hassel me and sent me a new card within a day.

I put the Aaxeon USB PCIe card in yesterday and the Midisports were still scrambling when DP5.12 was launched. I tried going to the default setting in Audio/MIDI setup and reconstructed my MIDI setup while I had DP open. So far it is holding steady and DP sees the correct instruments but I will have to see what happens when I power down. I have sessions booked the next two days so I will leave things alone for now.

As for crashing the only time I am experiencing a crash is when I click on the info button on the upper right hand side of the the interfaces in the Audio/MIDI setup. Then Audio/MIDI crashes. What the heck is that all about?

With all the new hardware installed now I am thinking there must be some sort of extentions conflict or bug with DP and Core Audio. I am hoping it is not a motherboard problem. Is there such a thing as the wrong type of USB cable? Are there newer cables designed to work with the higher speeds of transmission? These USB cables came with the Midisports.

I will keep searching the forums to see if anyone has found a solution. Sorry I can't be much more help to you.

I am not a computer expert, just a musician, I shouldn't have to wrestle with this stuff. Why do we have to spend hours troubleshooting something that should work right in the first place! Come on MAudio, MOTU, APPLE give us a break and make the hardware work right the first time!

Oh yeah one last thing. Now I have lost the patch list for my 01w in DP. It is giving me patch numbers not the names. Anyone know how to restore this? Thanks.

[Dave Bourke]

Check in this folder:

<Boot HD>/Library/Audio/MIDI Devices/MOTU/Korg

Is there a file named "01^W(fd).midnam" present? If so, launch Audio MIDI Setup. Click the icon for the 01/W and delete it. Then make a new device, set it to be a Korg 01/W, and quit. Your patchlist should now have returned to DP.

On the other hand, if your patchlist is not present in the Korg folder, you can PM me with your email address if you wish and I'll send you a .midnam file which contains the factory Programs and Combinations (the one MOTU supplies only lists the Programs).

Kind regards.

[Studiogrl]

Hi David,

Yes the Korg 01Wfd file is there. I did all of the above in the audio/MIDI setup and relaunched Performer. Still no 01WD named patches. It is probably corrupted. Maybe I can throw out any MIDI prefs from DP as well.

If I need a new copy I guess I could get it from my DP5.11 disks. If not I will contact you for a copy. Thanks for your help.