Mac Pro compatible with RME FireFace 400?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gvdv
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gvdv

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Hi,
Does anybody know if the RME Fireface 400 is compatible with the Mac Pro?

I ask this because RME PCI cards are not compatible with the G5's PCIe slots (see below for a quote that I took from RME's website.

Thanks,

GV

From RME's website:
"RME updates information on G5 compatibility

All currently available RME PCI interface cards are not compatible to Apple's new G5 computers with PCIe (PCI Express) slots.

All currently available RME interface cards are fully compatible to Apple's G5 computers with PCI and PCI-X slots. They operate at the reduced voltage of 3.3V, and therefore provide the second notch at the PCI contacts to fit in any PCI-X slot. This is especially true for all PCI cards of the HDSP series, HDSP PCI, HDSP 9652 and HDSP 9632"
 
No, it is not. The Mac Pro is also exclusively PCI Express (PCIe).
 
The FireFace 400 does not use any cards because it's a firewire interface. There are other RME interfaces, like the MultiFace, that require a PCI or PCMCIA card.

You should be fine with the Mac and FireFace.
 
If their not compatible with a G5's pci express they won't be compatible with a MacPro's pci express. This is assuming the website info is current. If it is, RME is hopelessly behind and I would look to a company that offers support of current protocols. Firewire should be fine however.
 
macmoondoggie said:
If their not compatible with a G5's pci express they won't be compatible with a MacPro's pci express. This is assuming the website info is current. If it is, RME is hopelessly behind and I would look to a company that offers support of current protocols. Firewire should be fine however.
Click to expand...

Your post is wrong. RME makes some of the best, most advanced, equipment anywhere. The question was about the FireFace, and the poster was confused, believing he needed a PCI card to interface the FireFace to his Mac. He doesn't, since it's a FireWire interface.
 
apl said:
Your post is wrong. RME makes some of the best, most advanced, equipment anywhere. The question was about the FireFace, and the poster was confused, believing he needed a PCI card to interface the FireFace to his Mac. He doesn't, since it's a FireWire interface.
Click to expand...

If you read my entire post, I qualified the pci comments with stating that firewire would be fine.
 
macmoondoggie said:
If you read my entire post, I qualified the pci comments with stating that firewire would be fine.
Click to expand...

You did, my bad.
 
However, your "RME needs to get with the program" comment is wrong. Their stuff works as solid as anybodys. Your characterization of RME as "hopeless behind" is absurd.
 
apl said:
The FireFace 400 does not use any cards because it's a firewire interface. There are other RME interfaces, like the MultiFace, that require a PCI or PCMCIA card.
Click to expand...

Oops. My bad. I misread the original post as "RME FireFace doesn't work with the G5s because it requires PCI. Will it work with the Mac Pro?" :rolleyes:
 
apl said:
However, your "RME needs to get with the program" comment is wrong. Their stuff works as solid as anybodys. Your characterization of RME as "hopeless behind" is absurd.
Click to expand...

I was only going by the quoted website specs. I said "if their up to date" concerning non- support of pci express. I did not do my homework beyond the original post and perhaps overstated my opinion. Words in print often come across stronger than intended.
 
Hi folks,
Thanks for clearing up my confusion.

Being in the process of researching my first DAW and not having got my hands on anything yet, I'm still learning about PCI slots, etc., so thanks for clarifying that the Mac Pro will, in fact, work with the RME FireFace 400 because it is a firewire interface, as opposed to using a PCI or PCIe card.

GV
 
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