Do Most Firewire Devices Not Play Well With Firewire Combo Cards?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #1 05-10-2009, 03:37 PM

My latest PC has a 400/800 combo card, and now that I'm looking to start recording again, several brands don't seem to work with combo cards. My Presonus Firepod didn't work with a combo card, and I just looked up an Echo Audiofire 4 and found that it apparently doesn't work well with combo cards either. Is it a standard to only work with cards with Firewire 400 only?

i_got_a_mohawk · #2 05-10-2009, 03:56 PM

I've heard that they don't tend to work, though I don't know why.

The best bet (from what I've read) is to use a firewire card that uses a Texas Instruments (TI) chip. I know it hasnt caused me issues.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #3 05-10-2009, 04:01 PM

My combo card has a TI chip

spigmu · #4 05-10-2009, 09:17 PM

FW 800 is an odd egg, sort of a stopgap measure between formats. Even Digidesign had issues early on with FW 800 and OSX. From what I've seen, many vendors say to avoid combo cards (http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase/...le.php?id=1006 and http://osdir.com/ml/radio.linrad/2006-05/msg00038.html)

So it does look like combo cards are giving headaches.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #5 05-10-2009, 09:22 PM

Hmmm....the Echo Audiofire and the Focusrite Saffire were the two I was looking at-looks like I'll have to get another Firewire card

otis_thick · #6 05-10-2009, 09:56 PM

The TI firewire is 400

I had both the firewire Plus in my Pcs and a Firewire 400/800
PCMIA card for laptop. In both cases I had to go to Microsoft
for a Firewire rollback http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885222 in order for the firewire mixer to work properly. SP2 may change firewire speed from 400-100. Also there are issues with MS xp Service pack 3. Mine actually says not to use SP3 at all. I don't run vista on any of the machines due to the graphics hogging which is biggest problem when tracking with realtime waveform/VU graphic writing. I'm running 2 gig duo core with 2 gig Ram on all. It also helps to have a profile that has as little as you can in the background.

lofreek · #7 05-11-2009, 12:16 PM

Are you by any chance using XP Media Center Edition? If so, that's your problem. It's allergic to audio via firewire.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #8 05-11-2009, 12:21 PM

Nope- I'm on Vista and never even use Media Center.

lofreek · #9 05-11-2009, 02:49 PM

You've checked your drivers, right?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #10 05-11-2009, 02:54 PM

Yes, they were all up-to-date. I followed all the steps before checking the Presonus site to find that combo cards may not work. Since I'm going to be getting a new recording device sometime soon, I posted this thread just to check if it was an issue with just one or two companies or if it was a common problem.

lofreek · #11 05-11-2009, 03:07 PM

My experience with Firepods is 50-50. One project I recorded using a Firepod ended up sounding excellent, even using ribbon microphones, and zero issues with the device. On the other hand, a buddy of mine had issues similar to yours until Presonus replaced it.

When I purchased an M-Audio FW410 when they first came out, it was seriously problematic. The company shipped me a replacement which has been flawless.

The trick is to get a tech support person at Presonus who isn't stuck on you being a neophyte. Typical support personnel at all of these little music tech companies are prone to deflecting responsibility. You must make a compelling enough case supporting your contention that the device is at issue.

I am currently rocking the MOTU 896 mkIII with a combo 400/800 PCMCIA card in a cheap Acer laptop with no problems.

HogieWan · #12 05-11-2009, 03:29 PM

A PCI Firewire card costs $20 - stop being an idiot and buy a card that works

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #13 05-11-2009, 03:39 PM

How is it being idiotic to ask a question about whether combo card incompatibility was a standard or not?

I never asked about how to make other gear work with the card I have- I already said I'd have to get another firewire card.

lofreek · #14 05-11-2009, 03:46 PM

Wow. Tough room!

dgelting · #15 05-11-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

My combo card has a TI chip

I heard again and again from the dufus' at M-Audio that I should have a TI chipset. Turns out that it was the M-Audio unit that was bad after all...

How do you know if it has a TI chip anyway? Whenever I've searched for Firewire ExpressCards it never says who made the chip. Do any of you know which manufacturers use the famous "TI chipset"???

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #16 05-11-2009, 08:18 PM

Check your Device Manager or system spec settings. They'll usually list it if they have one when you buy them as well.