M-Audio FireWire Solo won't detect on my Mac(s)

> > > M-Audio FireWire Solo won't detect on my Mac(s)

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Member Since: Jul 11, 2006

I am a first timer on HRC, and what a great resource this site is! I learned a lot just by searching and browsing, but... here's my still-unsolved problem. I hope someone out there is knowledgeable and willing to share!

I recently purchased a second-hand M-Audio Firewire Solo. I want to operate it with my Mac Powerbook G4 running MAC OS-X 10.4.7. I also have an IMac G5 also running OS-X 10.4.7 and I started on this computer. I downloaded the most recent MAC driver from the M-Audio website and installed (and uninstalled and installed...) it. One time, after several attempts, the computer actually recognized the Solo and I was able to record through it. After a reboot it went away and has not returned since. My Powerbook never recognized the Solo at all. Per M-Audio tech support I repaired all permissions on both computers. No joy. I verified that both computers' FireWire ports work by connecting a DV camera and successfully downloading video clips. M-Audio says the presently available drivers do not officially support OS-X 10.4.7.

There's more but who wants to hear it all, eh? I'll just ask if anyone has any ideas for me? Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope I can be posting music of my own sometime soon!

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 12, 2006 07:29 pm

Hey, welcome to HRC. And the wonderfull world of incompatability. That aside, yes indeed the drivers for the Mac are not currently OK officially for use with version 10.4.7, but that isnt the end of the ball game. There were also rumors that certain firewire chipsets were not compatable either. As far as I know this hasnt been published by M-Audio as of yet but has been published by both MOTU and PreSonus regarding their firewire gear. It holds true for both PC and Mac hardware. Certain firewire chipsets dont respond to the drivers for the units. And wont allow communication.

Now the good thing in your case is the fact you did get it to communicate at aleast once. So that may narrow it down to just a driver issue. Have you asked M-audio how ling it might be untill and update?
You can also try a few of these driver places for Mac, www.google.com/search?q=M...:en-US:official

Not sure if you will find anything, but sometimes there are third party drivers writen that work well. Kind of like the ASIO4all project.

Noize

Member
Since: Jul 11, 2006

Jul 13, 2006 01:16 pm

Hey Noize-

Thanks for your comments. I did press M-Audio for a timetable on updated drivers. The response was that "We are working as quickly as possible to update our drivers for the just released 10.4.7 version, please check back for an update. We apologize for the inconvenience." Also, "We are always in the process of developing new drivers for this M-Audio device.
However we cannot say exactly when a new driver will be released because of confidentiality issues." Whatever THAT means?

Anyway, I'll look for other drivers and report my success or lack thereof.

-Reinhold



Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 13, 2006 09:47 pm

Definately report back on your findings. If I get a little lag time I'll give a look as well.

Member
Since: Jul 11, 2006

Jul 16, 2006 09:26 pm

My face is red. I visited the local Apple Genius Bar and lucked into a guy who was heavily into audio - he really knew his stuff. After quizzing me for a while, he suggested trying a new cable before doing anything else. (M-Audio had made the same suggestion as part of their support.) Since everything else he suggested sounded pretty desperate, I shelled out $19 for a new FireWire cable.

Zap! Everything works, and every time. The cable that came with my interface is a new-looking, heavy-duty thing of beauty - and apparently a piece of junk.

Thanks for your ideas. Now I get to learn how to record and mix!

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jul 16, 2006 09:47 pm

Well that is a good bit of luck indeed then. I guess I never would have suspected a cable for that. But firewire is finicky stuff so if the cable had the jitters I suppose it could easily be to blame as well.

Glad ya got it all sorted then.

Noize

> > > M-Audio FireWire Solo won't detect on my Mac(s)

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