LOOK! I installed Lion but the firewire is NOT recognized on my Mac Pro!

Don't know if anyone will end up reading this, but I have the same problem as you Wills House... The Tascam FW-1884 is recognized on my MacBook Pro but NOT on my iMac Intel desktop. On my MacBook Pro I can just plug in the firewire cable, turn it on, and firewire light pops on. On the iMac, the only way I've found to get the firewire light on is by powering off my iMac, turning on the FW-1884, then booting in 32 bit. Even when I boot in 32 bit, but try to turn the FW-1884 on after computer is running the firewire light won't come on.

The really weird thing is that on my MacBook Pro the ADAT channels work when linked with a digi 002 in Pro Tools, yet on my iMac the ADAT never has worked, even when I get the FW-1884 running with the above-mentioned procedure.

If anyone happens to read this and has suggestions, I'd be ever grateful.

PapaPugs, Can you please, please, PLEASE--probably too much, i know 🙂--tell me how you got your Tascam FW-1884 ADAT working in Pro Tools? I also have a 2009 Intel Imac, Snow Leopard, and can't for the life of me get the ADAT channels working when linked to a digi 002. Is it something in a software update? What OSX are you on? Do you think upgrading to 10.6.8 from 10.6.2 makes a difference?

On my MacBook Pro the firewire works great and ADAT works perfectly. MBP is running 10.6.8 Snow Leopard. However, on the Imac I have to power on the FW-1884 when the computer is shut down, then power on the Imac, for the computer to recognize the FW1884. Even then, ADAT channels are italicized in Pro Tools and say n/a... I am booting in 32 bit. Any idea what I need to do to get it working on my Imac as it works on yours?? I would be so glad to fix this.

What version of PT are you running?

Pro Tools 10, on both the MacBook Pro and the Imac. The thing that makes me think its a firewire or software/hardware issue on the Imac is that everything workes fine in Pro Tools 10 on my MacBook Pro. Its Pro Tools 10.0.1, the exact same version on both computers with all the same drivers installed.

Two things come to mind that could be different between the two machines.

1. Check and make sure the iMac is running the same driver as the laptop.

2. Run FW-1884 Manager from your application folder on each and make sure they are set up the same.

I assume you are using the FW as the primary interface and connecting the Digi to the adat in on the FW.

You are a star! Thanks, I would have wasted days on this. Got Lion today and just noticed my FW isn't connecting. Looked it up, 5 mins later I read your advice. FW is all singing and adancing again. Phew...

Thanks again, Miles 🙂

I don't get the short sightedness of Tascam and other similar manufacturers of hardware. No one makes anything like an FW-1884. I happen to like the real feel of sliders and knobs. The FW-1884 did everything I needed it to do. I just spent $3000+ on a new iMac because my old Mac Pro was too old, too slow and I needed to run new programs. The FW-1884 does not work. Tried 32 bit boot up and NOTHING. Of and I had to also but a Firewire 800-400 cable because the new Macs don't have Firewire (well that's an apple issue)... I digress...

The point I want to make is that even IF the Tascam Fw-1884 is discontinued why alienate and tick off all those users? I have been a die hard Tascam owner since 1982... 30 years of loyalty just went down the toilet because Tascam refused to support new drivers for new OS systems. And if the "cost" of developing new drivers is high then at least charge the user for the driver. I would rather pay $20 or $50 for a driver than $450+ on a whole new "rack mount" Presonus audio interface that actually supports Mac OS 10.8.

Shame on Tascam...

Anyone want a Tascam FW-1884?

Well... I bought the Presonus FireStudio Project, loaded the drivers, and BOOM... I am back in business. the iMac recognized it with original drivers, update them for the **** of it, and was back to working.

So long Tascam... it's been real nice knowing you past 30 years...

Yeah, I got mine working after restoring my system drive and reinstalling Pro Tools and all drivers, but am pretty ticked off that Tascam won't update the drivers as I'll need a new computer sometime in the near future. If the FW-1884 craps out on me that may be the last time I go with Tascam as well. How is your FireStudio Project working out for you?

I researched several alternatives out there and Presonus was the ONLY one I found that outright stated support of 10.8. As I said in earlier post, plugged it in, ran the software, ran the driver update (it didn't need it as it worked right out of the box but figured might as well have the latest) and had sound right away. Everything works. I plugged in a guitar - it works. I plugged in 8 channels from an old ADAT to do transfers and it works!!!

Tascam really needs to step up to the game. As I said I would have paid $50 maybe even $100 for an updated driver from Tascam and kept the mixer I have been used to using... I am sure there is a HUGE community of FW-1884 owners and I am sure they would have paid driver updates... MUCH cheaper than the $450 I had to fork out. Then again, I have a new piece of gear and know that Presonus will be around for a while.

So long Tascam... hello Presonus.

I emailed Frontier Design a few weeks ago to inquire about the cost of developing drivers. They never responded to my email. I was thinking if enough people were interested we could get a Kickstarter campaign going for it.

I seriously doubt that Tascam is about to release the driver information to be updated. It's proprietary and if any indication of their lack of further support of an otherwise solid piece of equipment I really doubt they want to release driver updates...

It's good to see people share their discontent here. But I've said it before on this forum: unless the unhappy people are willing to combine forces nothing will happen. One idea is mentioned above: chip in for an update of the drivers. It's a good idea, but I doubt the chances of succes. They'll probably ignore cause getting an amount that's interesting is hard.

The other idea is to seriously give them a hard time. If their brand is damaged online for just reasons. There's a serious incentive to do the right thing, which is to give paying customers what they deserve: decent support. I think this is relatively easy and I've made an attempt by posting some negative but true messages about this affair, on other sites. I'm afraid I was the only one though (see my postings several months ago). Complaining only this site won't make any difference. Combining forces and complaining elsewhere might make a difference, IMHO. I'm also willing to chip in, by the way.

Move on sir. This is not the 1970s. People don't give a rats *** about joining forces anymore they only care about themselfs. There are other units out there that support these new systems. What are you going to do when your Tascam breaks down and needs repair (Fix It)? I don't think so. Your are going to replace it. Why wait it won't last forever. So dry your tears and shell out dem chips.

Hi Reel,

At this point it doesn't affect my work yet. The Tascam is still recording, although in 32 bit mode and most functionality isn't working. So I'm not drowing in tears yet. It's really a small effort to speak up, far easier than back in the 70's. It's the internet age. Thanks for handing me the paper towels though, always good to know there are more people out there who are trying to make a difference ;-).