Question about interface precautions...

[Xpred]

I was just wondering simply the "correct" way of turning things on or off without inviting dangerous hazards. I was told for FireWire interfaces, not to hotplug. So what I do is have the computer off and the interface off, then plug the firewire into the computer. Then depending on if the interface has an on/off switch, I turn on the interface (if it has the switch), then turn on the computer. If not, I just turn on the computer, and it then powers on the interface as it also turns on. However, I still am confused on something... like for instance the way to turn it off? I use an interface where it has no on/off button, so I always just turn off the computer, and then the interface turns off by itself (no bus adapter). I suppose this is the only way to do it?

If you have an interface that has a power switch, I guess you should still turn the computer off, then press the power off on the interface?

Also, what about the mics.... is it best not to plug/unplug mics if you have the phantom power on?

Last question, what happens if your computer crashes or restarts abruptly while powering the interface? Would there be a chance that it would shortcircuit or damage the interface hardware?

Thanks.

 

[sixways]

WIth my m-audio firewire 410, they preach about not hot swapping, so I don't. I just plug the firewire card, turn the unit on, and then boot up the computer. To shut it down, I just shutdown the computer..sometimes I'll turn the m-audio off, sometimes I don't. Just don't plug your interface in witht the computer on, and you'll be fine. On a different note, a friend of mine has the same unit, and he hotswaps it like crazy..no problems his way neither. M-audio says don't, so I don't.


You shouldn't have any problems with the pc crashing and causing any problems, again, you're not hot swapping...the interface doesn't know anything other than "I lost power".

You need to turn off phantom power before unplugging a mic though.

6

 

[Xpred]

WIth my m-audio firewire 410, they preach about not hot swapping, so I don't. I just plug the firewire card, turn the unit on, and then boot up the computer. To shut it down, I just shutdown the computer..sometimes I'll turn the m-audio off, sometimes I don't. Just don't plug your interface in witht the computer on, and you'll be fine. On a different note, a friend of mine has the same unit, and he hotswaps it like crazy..no problems his way neither. M-audio says don't, so I don't.


You shouldn't have any problems with the pc crashing and causing any problems, again, you're not hot swapping...the interface doesn't know anything other than "I lost power".

You need to turn off phantom power before unplugging a mic though.

6

Ah, I see. So if say... your phantom power switch was ON, but you shut down computer or your computer crashes, thus powering off the whole interface itself. Even though that phantom switch is inverted, but there's no power, you don't have to worry right? Or must you always switch off before you the interface itself turns off (although this would contradict what would happen in a computer crash) regardless? Get what I'm saying? I hope I make sense...if not, I'll explain it in more detail.

Or what would happen if you unplug your mic/plug it in when Phantom Power is on? Will it ONLY damage the mic or damage the preamp interface, too?