KVR Audio

megadude · Post by **megadude** » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:30 am

Hi all,

My music computer of many years has died, and I am getting a new Mac with Thunderbolt 3. My old interface, a MOTU 8PRE Firewire 800 still works fine, and I still like it a lot. I see that there are adapters for firewire 800 to thunderbolt 3 and so rather than buy a newer device (my MOTU was bought around 2008), I am thinking of just buying an adapter so I can keep using it with new computer. But I am wondering... is this a bad idea? Will I run into nasty latency issues because of the adapter? Will I have problems with drivers for the MOTU on the new mac or issues with Logic 10.5? Should I just buy a new interface? And if so, how much if any of a downgrade in terms of latency will it be if I switch over to a 2.0 USB interface? I was sort of toying with getting the Arturia audiofuse 8pre, which is USB-C with USB 2.0 protocal. if I am understanding the specs there right. Any thoughts?

Thank you!

theviirus · Post by **theviirus** » Thu Jul 02, 2020 3:22 am

It feels like dongle hell, but I am happily using a Motu Ultralite MK1 with my 2018 Mac Mini. No latency, no sleep panic crashes. The OS and the drivers are not affected by the adapter path. I do strongly suggest only using apple certified things for it.
In my case; T3 -> T2 adapter / T2 -> FW800 adapter / FW800 to FW400 cable.

Its pricey, but it works.

megadude · Post by **megadude** » Thu Jul 02, 2020 8:54 pm

Thank you. That does sound like dongle hell, but I might do the same. I guess I will have one fewer connection than you, but it will still be two. And there is no data loss when recording, I assume? I do love my MOTU..... and would like to save a little money....

revvy · Post by **revvy** » Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:51 am

I've also got a multi dongle thing going on for my Mk 1 Ultralite. Couple of years in, no problems up til now.

macmuse · Post by **macmuse** » Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:26 pm

RME Fireface 800 with Mac Mini 2018. Works perfectly, just as it did on my older FW Mac.

bodean55 · Post by **bodean55** » Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:31 pm

Haha I'm using a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 on a 2019 MacBook Pro. it's a whole bunch of dongles but somehow it's working great. the plugins and softwares were a nightmare in my upgrade but the interface was so smooth I was amazed.

macmuse · Post by **macmuse** » Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:38 pm

Oh and BTW, I too didn’t want to have to buy a whole new interface just for this TB3 Mac when mine was working fine. Like theviirus, I too would recommend the Apple dongles just to be safe. I have read not all off-brand dongles work with certain stuff.

MMaarrkk · Post by **MMaarrkk** » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:49 am

Unfortunately, I don't have a good adapter recommendation to throw your way, but I have a precautionary tip - don't forget to invest appropriately. The worst thing I've done is get a cheap adapter and have it break every other day.

Might be an obvious tip, but I know how tempting it can get to shave off some money on an adapter.

andymcbain · Post by **andymcbain** » Mon Jul 13, 2020 11:33 am

Very happily using a Fireface 800 through an official Apple adapter here.

risome · Post by **risome** » Mon Jul 13, 2020 1:11 pm

Yep get the official apple adapter

Ploki · Post by **Ploki** » Sat Jul 18, 2020 8:58 pm

consordini wrote: Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:49 am Unfortunately, I don't have a good adapter recommendation to throw your way, but I have a precautionary tip - don't forget to invest appropriately. The worst thing I've done is get a cheap adapter and have it break every other day.

Might be an obvious tip, but I know how tempting it can get to shave off some money on an adapter.

there is no cheap adapters thunderbolt 3-2 or Thunderbolt-FW available as far as i checked.

so apple official is the only way to go anyway.

I use the aforementioned dongle-chain for my live setup with FireFace 800, and used to use it on my studio rig before going Thunderbolt. No issues whatsoever.
Had a slightly shorter dongle chain before with Thunderbolt 2 mac.

For what its worth, FW800-TB2 has been working flawlessly for 8 years

Firewire 800 adapter to thunderbolt vs. usb