Studio Live 24.4.2 Firewire Sync Problems

BUY A NEW FIREWIRE CABLE!

I've been having firewire sync and random audio dropout problems between my Presonus 16.4.2 and MacBook Pro often related to when another device on the same electrical circuit is turned on (confirmed many times).

I was using a Lacie flat cable http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?id=10346 so figured should be good quality. However, I today went an bought a Belkin 9pin to 6pin 800/400 cable from the Mac store and problem solved!!! I can power on my Rode Mic power supply, turn on lights & other devices and my audio keeps running. WOOOHOOO!!!

FYI - my particular issue is not Presonus specific - I just happen to discover it using the 16.4.2 - if i use the same test case and swap out the 16.4.2 for a Motu 896 I get exactly the same results.

So the moral of the story is BUY A NEW FIREWIRE CABLE - even if you own one that is supposedly good quality

Peace

similar issues here
http://forums.presonus.com/posts/list/0/15211.page#104979

[youtube] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IaoxBzMmWM&context=C355f9c9ADOEgsToPDskJvGga5AhqayzF_jbvJ8dA3

Found today (vs. iMac. Studiolive 16.0.2)

The problem is the length and quality firewire cable!
Studiolive Firewire chip is sensitive to interference

Long inexpensive cable 5 - the most dropouts
quality cable 3m - fewer dropouts
High Quality Cable 1.8 m + ferrite on both ends - for hours completely without dropout.

So it wants to buy high-quality shielded cable + ferrite on both ends.
A better place the cable outside electricity power cables

So far it works ... (5 hours)

Hi,

I've been having the same dropout problems when my MacBook is connected to my 16.4.2, but in a live context, which is pretty disasterous! I play in a pub duo and use Ableton to play our backing tracks via FW into the Studio-Live (the desk is effectively acting as the Mac's soundcard). The dropouts are sporadic, although some have coincided with other devices being plugged in or turned on. I'm gonna try out a Mac Store FW cable and see how I fare out . Another thing about the dropouts is that they come in pairs with an interval of about 1 second between each drop-out ..it's damn annoying and embarrassing when it happens on a gig!

Dermo

From the sounds of it, I'd say something is trying to hijack your bitrate. It'll lose connection for a moment while its trying to change it and again when it changes back. only takes about a second.

Do you ahve any sounds or anything turned on on your mac, like beeps or anything like that?

Hmmm ....not sure ....I'm new to Mac World ...I've been a MS/ PC user for years. How do I disable system sounds (beeps etc) on a Mac?

Dermo

ok ....system sounds disabled. Why would they be causing drop-outs 'though?

Dermo

So, unfortunately, no high-quality cable did not help

Still drop outs!

is interesting
that on my IBM x60s laptop, it works perfectly without any problem studiolive
and integrated well with wirefire PCMCI firewire card

in a similar thread, I read:

There is a known problem with audio dropouts and the macs with 16.0.2. There with a fix. Contact tech support.

So why not publish the fix!

dermo65 wrote:Hi,
Another thing about the dropouts is that they come in pairs with an interval of about 1 second between each drop-out
Dermo

Yes that's exactly the pattern I am experiencing. DId you solve it?

I have posted a longer message with links to a sample file on this thread:<https://dl.dropbox.com/u/48607355/Exampleof1602dropout.m4a>