Focusrite Saffire 6 USB (1.1) with Macbook Pro late 2008

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Level 1

5 points

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB (1.1) with Macbook Pro late 2008

Equipment-

Macbook Pro Late 2008 w/ Yosemite 10.10.2

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB (1.1)

The Saffire 6 is a audio interface using USB 1.1 to connect microphones to my Macbook. It has 2 inputs and 4 outputs. I've had this unit for years and has worked fine. I realized today that I haven't used it since upgrading to 10.10 (Yosemite) and wasn't able to get it working. When I try to set it within Sound Preferences, all devices, In and Out, go blank, then come back constantly. It will even change Built-In Mic to "Unknown".

The Saffire website (http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/saffire-6-usb/downloads) lists two different driver choices to use, but one is labeled specifically for 10.8.5. The other just says "Mac". I'm certain my device is USB 1.1. If it were 2.0, I wouldn't need a driver. According to the website, I should use the 2.9 version.

How can I check to see if all previous driver installations are clear?

Is there anything I can check to make this thing work? The Focusrite website (http://us.focusrite.com/answerbase/are-focusrite-products-compatible-with-osx-yo semite) says that the Saffire 6 USB is compatible with Yosemite.

I've emailed Focusrite and I'm hoping between them and this forum, I can get this working again.

Thanks!!

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Feb 26, 2015 3:26 PM

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Answer 1

Wags391 Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 9, 2015 6:23 AM in response to Wags391

I've spoken to Focusrite. They had me try a number of things. I tried some of my own things.

Different USB cable

Deleted VodBurner device

Repaired Permissions

Installed/Uninstalled 3ivx codec

Reset PRAM

Performed Safeboot

Removed Startup items

Growl, Sizeup, Crossover CD Helper, Dropbox

Disable MagicPrefs from Autostart

Still not able to get it to work. The device will work on an XP computer but I don't have another Mac to try it out on. Any suggestions?

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Answer 2

Mar 31, 2015 1:39 PM in response to Wags391

OK - so I had the exact same problem.

I was unsure whether I had 2.0 or 1.1, but I figured as it wasn't working when I updated to Yosemite, there must be a driver that I need (I therefore now know have the 1.1!). For reference, the back of the Saffire just says "USB" - so I'm *assuming* the 2.0 models, say "2.0" I'm not sure.

This is what I did:

I downloaded the 2.6 mac driver, and rebooted: no sound / weird clicking sound.

I downloaded the 2.9 mac driver, and rebooted: no sound.

I then saw on a random FAQ that some windows machines weren't working after multiple reboots, the fix it suggested: unplug and plug back in Saffire.

This worked for me!

To summarise, I guess you'll need the 2.9mac driver, a reboot of the machine, AND a re-plug of the Saphire.

Hope this helps buddy.

A

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Answer 3

Wags391 Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 5, 2015 8:12 AM in response to Wags391

What finally fixed it for me was restarting my MacBook in recovery mode and running disk utility. I ran the repair disk function and repair permissions function. Restarted and the interface worked. I had repaired permissions while logged in, but that did not work. I think it was the bad spot on the disk that needed to be repaired. All works now.

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