Need some help setting up my FirePod with my Macbook Pro

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BBlack

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I just got a used FirePod today, and it didn't come with a manual or firewire or any software. I've been looking all over the internet for help, but I cant find any. The Presonus website says that no drivers are needed for OSX, and that you basically just plug the thing in and choose it from the input pull-down menu. But my Macbook Pro isn't picking anything up. I've tried the update thing but it did nothing.

I'm feeling like my Firewire situation isn't right - the Macbook has a Firewire 800 port, and I've read that Presonus only works with 400, BUT I just tried connecting the FP to my iMac G5 with has a Firewire 400 port, and the same basic thing happened as with the laptop. OR it's my cable. I'm using the short white Firewire cable that came with the iMac a few years back - maybe it isn't up to the same standards as a 'regular' Firewire cable?

I downloaded the manual, and there are no instructions relating to Mac. Maybe I'm just missing something?

If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks
 
The FIREPOD should "just work" without drivers as Presonus says. The only software you should need is the little switcher app that switches between internal sync and S/PDIF sync.

If it isn't showing up as a device in "Audio Midi Setup", then something is wrong with the FIREPOD or your cable. It should not matter whether you are using a FW800 or FW400 port.

If it doesn't work on two machines with two different cables, it's probably safe to blame the device. Unfortunately, port death is not at all uncommon with the FIREPOD. It's a frequent failure mode. You might try the other FireWire port on the back of the FIREPOD, but if that doesn't work, your only options are to either send it back to Presonus for repairs or convince the seller to give you your money back.
 
I haven't tried two different Firewire cables, I'll go out and get a new one and see if that works. I have tried both ports on the back, and neither work, so that could mean that the cable is messed up.

If the ports on the FP are in fact fried, is there any chance of a self-repair? Could it just be a disconnected wire or something?

Thanks for the help

Oh, and what exactly is the "switcher app" you speak of?
 
BBlack said:
I haven't tried two different Firewire cables, I'll go out and get a new one and see if that works. I have tried both ports on the back, and neither work, so that could mean that the cable is messed up.

If the ports on the FP are in fact fried, is there any chance of a self-repair? Could it just be a disconnected wire or something?

Thanks for the help

Oh, and what exactly is the "switcher app" you speak of?
Click to expand...

It's a little app that you get from Presonus. It might not even be required now---there might be a way to switch sync sources built into AMS now. Not sure. I haven't used a FIREPOD since Tiger or so.

I haven't been inside a FIREPOD, but based on what I've seen inside other devices, if the ports are fried, it's probably a blown bus fuse or a blown PHY, either one of which involves surface mount soldering. Highly not recommended unless you're really, really, really good.... I do seem to recall that occasionally someone reported a cable inside those getting disconnected, though, so you might get lucky and it might be a connector that came loose in shipping.
 
BBlack said:
it didn't come with a manual or firewire or any software. I've been looking all over the internet for help, but I cant find any. The Presonus website says that no drivers are needed for OSX, and that you basically just plug the thing in and choose it from the input pull-down menu.
If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks
Click to expand...

From Presonus:
Mac OSX (10.3.7 - 10.5+) FireBox Mixer application and Control Panel (Universal)
download
(Please note: no driver installation is necessary for Mac users)

Did you install the firebox mixer and the control panel?

Are you supplying power to the firebox via the external power pack? there was an issue with laptops not supplying power over firewire.

Firewire 800 is faster than 400 and uses a different plug, but should work fine with the correct plug / adaptor on the cable.

There maybe a flash update for the firebox too, you install it while connected to the presonus web site, but I can remember how.

Alan.
 
Last edited:
witzendoz said:
From Presonus:

Are you supplying power to the firebox via the external power pack? there was an issue with laptops not supplying power over firewire.
Click to expand...

This is about a FIREPOD, not a FireBox. The FIREPOD is not a bus-powered interface.
 
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