Firewire Audio for macOS Ventura

I been the same, I had several Echo AudioFire audio interfaces, and suddlenly all gone because Ventura does not include the AppleFWAudio.kext what allow Core Audio FW devices to be recognized as Audio available interface for the OS.

I go Back to Monterey and use it that way until a few weeks back (what is really a pain, but Timemachine allow at least to recover my data). So I decide to check if there is a solution and if recent Ventura version works, just find out it is the same. Before I go back to Monterey investigate further and get a very good solution.

I recently found this hack to be able to use it my Firewire audio devices with Ventura 13.3.1, it works so far:

Ventura Hack for FireWire Core Audio Support on Supported MacBook Pro and others... - Ventura Hack for FireWire Core Aud… | Apple Developer Forums

I also write to Apple Feedback to ask to get this back again: Feedback - macOS - Apple

So there is a way to use FW Core Audio compliant devices with Ventura now.

Thank you for reaching out to us.

First, please note that software development for Firewire devices has ended. The last version of OS X we tested with the Ensemble Firewire or Duet Firewire was 10.10 Yosemite.

However our customers tell us this version will install and work for them in most cases on 10.11-10.15. So you can think of it as "compatible" on those versions because it seems to work (it uses an Apple Firewire driver), but not "supported" because we do not test or guarantee it will work flawlessly.

Starting with macOS 13 Ventura, Apple has removed the Firewire CoreAudio driver upon which the Duet & Ensemble Firewire depend. The result is these devices will not work at all with Ventura or newer OS's. For continued use of these devices, please remain on macOS 12 Monterey or earlier.

With macOS 11 Big Sur & 12 Monterey on Intel Macs, the Maestro 2 application may still work.

However on Apple Silicon (M1 & M2) mac's the Maestro 2 application does not work due to the newer processor architecture.

Even without Maestro software, the Duet Firewire it is still recognized by Apple's Firewire Audio driver and works on a basic level in Mac Sound Preferences. You will only be able to control or adjust settings using Apple's Audio MIDI Setup utility, or the physical controls on the interface. You will not be able to access or change other features or settings that require Maestro.

Here's an article we made with more information on using these devices prior to Ventura: Can I use Ensemble Firewire or Duet Firewire with Apple Silicon (M1 & M2) Macs?

Best Regards,

Apogee Support Department

Firewire support in Core Audio is the issue.....those lucky enough to still have FW drivers from device manufacturers are fine but the ‘class compliant’ no drivers required devices are in trouble as Apple themselves withdrew support for Firewire devices in core audio.

What Firewire stuff exactly? You may need to check with the manufacturer to see if updated drivers are needed.

Just today, in another thread a user mentioned working with a MOTU Firewire device in a Mac running Ventura, so it is not like Firewire Audio has been removed.

The package on the link worked for me but only after I did the following:

(I'm on macbook pro m1 ventura with onyx 1620i). Was not working for me continuously until I went to the startup security in recovery mode and enabled kernal extensions. I disabled SIP: csrutil disable , in terminal, then entered: kmutil trigger-panic-medic--volume-root/Volumes/Macintosh_HD Then I went to rerun this program from Matt and then went back to terminal to enter: csrutil enable --without kext .Finally it is working on restarting the machine several times.

Apple representatives are not here. We're all end users like yourself. Tell Apple what missing features you'd like restored or new features added to the system via Feedback - macOS - Apple.  

Apple reps are not here. We're all end users like yourself. If you want to tell Apple about your concerns use Feedback - macOS - Apple.  

Apple is not here. We're all end users like yourself. Tell Apple what missing features you'd like restored or new features added to the system via Feedback - macOS - Apple.  

I have a near 20 year old LaCie 160GB HD used with my old Cube and it mounts under the latest Ventura. Not the same as the item under question, but uses the adapter with my MacStudio in a daisy chain with another HD between.

Thank you for your assistance!!! I currently own a Mackie D4 Firewire mixer and I'm looking to upgrade it to be compatible with the latest Logic update. I'm wondering if the AppleFWAudioVentura.pkg package will work with Sonoma. It's quite frustrating that Apple promotes sustainability goals while seemingly neglecting the issue of making Firewire hardware compatible with a straightforward software fix.

Hey be careful with them words there. I wrote exact thing a week ago, 2 times and both times a moderator removed it for some reason. The fact yours is even still there and mine was removed *twice now* makes me wonder.

Hey can you help me out i tried installing the package from matt it worked but the mac kept restarting and for the fear of it being damaged i reenabled sip and it returned to normal but the firewire device is not visible ss before what is my next step like you did

(mac studio m2 max on sonoma)

Make sure you have connected to the right port on the computer

Is correct, but at least the links I gave work fine to recover this functionality. One to get this working back and the other to tell apple we want this back.

And please Apple, not only for Venture, but also for Sonoma! And for all future version.