Soundcard for Macbook Pro

buzzcock · Post by **buzzcock** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:18 pm

mlehmann wrote:Beware with the new MacbookPro Core2Duo, many FW interfaces can't be bus-powered. Presonus Firebox and TC Electronic Konnekt in particular are not working. MOTU Traveler is fine and UltraLite should be ok too.

I'm having what I believe to be the same problem with my Metric Halo 2882. Shame really, since it's such a great interface. There seems to be a voltage regulator circut built into the firewire bus of the C2D MBP which prohibits the FW device from getting enough juice to start up.

Seems like Apple's fault here.

Anyone know where/how we should complain to Apple about this? Seems to be affecting all sorts of bus powered firewire devices.

BassTooth · Post by **BassTooth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:38 pm

presonus firepod

slipmip · Post by **slipmip** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:07 pm

I'm running a firepod on my non-pro macbook and haven't had any issues with bus power. I'm supprised that 2nd rev macbook pro's haven't solved that problem.

kabuki · Post by **kabuki** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:22 pm

mlehmann wrote:Here it is:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jsp ... 9&tstart=0

'
Much Thanks

Winterpark · Post by **Winterpark** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:53 am

traveler is awesome.... works a treat.

lis102trants · Post by **lis102trants** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:09 am

I'm running the Mackie Onyx 1220 Mixer with my macbook pro, (not core2duo) and I'm having quite a few issues with the two working together

. I suppose it would be the same problem with the Onyx satellite. The Onyx line isn't very compatible with Macs, from what I've read on other forums, so I'm trading up for a Traveler

mechcon · Post by **mechcon** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:51 am

well isn't that a bloody shame? as I'm looking at getting a macbook pro 17" next year.. I may have to sell the firebox

as it'll be out of warranty anyway...

tricil · Post by **tricil** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:13 am

from Presonus.com:

Note: Due to a circuit design change, Mac Book Pro laptop computers will not supply sufficient power over the FireWire bus to initially boot up the FireBox. Once the FireBox has beeen initially powered on with the included external power supply, you may disconnect the external power supply, the FireBox can then be bus-powered.

sans soleil · Post by **sans soleil** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:55 pm

motu ultralite sounds/works great.

Kaizen · Post by **Kaizen** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:13 pm

sans soleil wrote:motu ultralite sounds/works great.

Definitely getting myself one of these once the MBP comes next week, if not sooner

DJ VAKIS · Post by **DJ VAKIS** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:46 am

mlehmann wrote:Beware with the new MacbookPro Core2Duo, many FW interfaces can't be bus-powered. Presonus Firebox and TC Electronic Konnekt in particular are not working. MOTU Traveler is fine and UltraLite should be ok too.

Presonus firebox works great on my macbook pro core duo.
Sould work on the core2Duo too,but i don't know

mlehmann · Post by **mlehmann** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:48 pm

Firebox CAN'T be bus-powered with the Core2Duo MacbookPro, I can confirm that. There's a huge thread about this problem at Apple Disscussions forum.

filarion · Post by **filarion** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:10 pm

RME Fireface 400 - love it, works a treat with both my Macbook Pro and G5

digitalex · Post by **digitalex** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:12 pm

I'm looking at RME for the mbp, either the fireface 400 or multiface. the multiface uses pcmcia, which seems to be better in terms of latency, however it needs an adapter to work with the mbp, which uses express card. There doesn't seem to be one available right now, but there is one coming supposedly, soon from
http://www.duel-systems.com/products/adapters.aspx
As for the ff400, it's bus powered as well as firewire 400. Don't know if there are problems powering it with the mbp and if the latency is negligible. Everything I've read indicates RME is a top of the line interface, no matter which one you buy. Hope this helps.