Hello, I have a PreSonus Firebox 24 BIT/ 96K FIREWIRE Recording Interface that I bought in 2009. I will soon be getting a Mac Mini (M1) using two thundebolt/USB 4 ports. My question: Can I connect my FireBox interface to my Mac Mini and if so, what adapter do I need?
Thx
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Mac mini 2018 or later
Bonjour,JacquesRabbit, Mais Oui, you’d need a Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter( see link) Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter - Apple (CA)
then a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter, like this ( see link) Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple (CA)
john b
Bonjour,JacquesRabbit, Mais Oui, you’d need a Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter( see link) Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter - Apple (CA)
then a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter, like this ( see link) Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple (CA)
john b
Sure.. the firewire adapter has a standard Thunderbolt plug on it( not thunderbolt 3, just thunderbolt) then you need a thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt2/Thunderbolt adapter as your Mac mini supports usb-c/usb 4/Thunderbolt 3… there is no usb-c ( thunderbolt 3) to FireWire adapter, as
in it doesn’t exist.. the earlier way I mentioned is it.. and if your FireBox has a FireWire 400 output, you’ll need a FireWire 800 to 400 cable…
john b
First, thank you Mr John for your kind response. May I ask you why a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter when the new Mac Mini uses a Thunderbolt (USB 4) port? Shouldn't I use a Thunderbolt/USB 4 adapter?
Thanks again
Hi again Mr John, I have two questions: Are the adapters the same for Mac Mini M1 and M2? And, do I need a 10 Gb Ethernet connectivity for a home music studio?
For your information, I'm pretty much into my first steps in creating computer-assisted music.
Thank you!
I think, yes to both… and you’ll probably need 10gb Ethernet connectivity…. Though both the m1 and m2 do have WiFi built in, it’s nice to have that option… you could also go with a powered Thunderbolt 3 dock which would give you a bunch more ports…
some of them even have Ethernet built in… so if you went that way, you might not need to get the 10gb option ( though it’d be nice to have just in case)
john b
Hello Mr John, just want to be sure if I can connect my USB C Hub Adapter
AND my external Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.0 USB 2.0 TO the thunderbolt 4 port of the Mac Mini M2?
Thank you again for your help
Before you go to the trouble of buying a Firewire adapter for the FireBox, you might want to check with PreSonus to see if it will work with the newest macOS versions. The FireBox is a "discontinued device and has limited driver support".
Well, now I'm very confused. I've checked with PreSonus last week and they said:
"Hi Jacques
Thank you for contacting PreSonus Support.
Unfortunately the FireBox is end of service and we no longer support it. We can not verify if it will work with the adaptor.
We are very sorry but your product has reached the End of Service and we can longer advise on its use with modern computers.
This means that your product is no longer supported for current computers and current operating systems.
This also means that there are no longer any manufactured parts to repair these products.
List of current EOS products is found here:
http://www.presonus.com/support/repairs
There will be no active support provided for any End of Service product and this ticket will submit as Solved."
And I asked your colleague at Apple and he said january 16, 2023:
"Bonjour,JacquesRabbit, Mais Oui, you’d need a Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter( see link) Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter - Apple (CA)
then a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter, like this ( see link) Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple (CA)
john b"
What do I do ?
Thx
Jacques
While the device is listed as EOS, it may (or may not) continue to work in the newest macOS software.
The adapter(s) that John B mentioned in their reply will physically connect the FireBox to the Mac, but there is no guarantee that the discontinued device will be able to talk to the computer.
Of course you may try, and the worst case scenario is that is does not work and you will have some adapters to return to the point of purchase. Best case would be that the device actually does work in Monterey, despite it's discontinued status.
With the appropriate cable and/or adapter, yes, you should be able to connect both devices to the mini.
It is often best to connect external drives directly to the computer rather than to a connected hub or dock. It's sometimes difficult to know beforehand exactly what's best for a particular combination of devices.
Yes.
Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C use the same port connector.
Merci beaucoup Mr John!
Ok. Thank you. And what about my question regarding if I can connect my USB C Hub Adapter
AND my external Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.0 USB 2.0 TO the thunderbolt 4 port of the Mac Mini M2?
Do I understand that if my interface uses a USB C connection, I will be able to plug it directly into the thuderbolt 4 port?
Thank you very much for your help
Thank you very much for your helo.
I think I will buy a brand new audio interface.
Can I connect my FireBox interface to my Mac Mini?