I was looking for a used USB audio interface with multiple inputs and/or ADAT, but where I live there are almost none of them. While I am moving in a couple of months to the place with greater supply of audio gear and definitely can wait I’ve also spotted a few old FireWire cards:
Focusrite Suffire Pro 26 in nearly mint condition (opened, tested, never used) with original thunderbolt adapter included — $155;
Presonus Firestudio Project (functionally ok, but with signs of external wear) — $175;
MOTU 828mk1 with OPCODE Studio 4 — $330.
I’ve checked driver support and apparently they are all compatible with my Macbook Pro 2015 (Mojave). It’s not my main for production since I also have much more capable PC but considering how compatibility of FireWire with Windows is practically a gamble at this point it makes me wonder — should I even bother to build my setup around two aging (even outdated) pieces of hardware because it’s that cheap? Are those cards worth it or I just need to relax and tame my GAS until better times?
I used a Liquid56 over FW for a few years, basically until I got a new (to me) Mac. I ended up getting a USB desk/control surface so it’s a shame to have the Focusrite sat doing nothing. I guess it’s one of the downsides of using computers? All my Macs are ancient and have been second/third/sixteenth hand so I’m always using ‘obsolete’ gear
I use a Motu 828mk2 with both a mid 2011 imac (high sierra) and a mid 2012 macbookpro (mojave), same drivers download, all working fine. Motu seems very reliable about compatibility.
Perhaps the 828mk1 is really old, and I can suggest you to search for a mk2.
I’m searching too another one in order to daisy chain them for more inputs, I can find used here in EU for 150€.
It’s an interesting question. I see quite a few RME Firewire interfaces on the used market at good prices here in Denmark these days.
If adapters actually work, this might be a good opportunity to get a high quality audio interface for a fraction of the price of it’s modern counterpart.
Does anybody know if adapters from PCI-e and Thunderbolt to firewire 400/800 actually works on both Windows 10 and OSX or is dodgy?
I have a Mackie Onyx 1620i mixer and a TC Electronic Konnekt 48 audio interface, both are FireWire. I used them on PC (Windows 10) with a PCIe Texas Instruments FireWire card. No issues with either for me.
