I have a Focusrite Clarett recording interface unit with Thunderbolt input. My older Macbook does not have a Thunderbolt out. It does have a Firewire and a mini-display port out. Is there an adaptor to connect one of those ports to the Thunderbolt in

I have a Focusrite Clarett 8 Pro recording interface unit with Thunderbolt input. My older Macbook does not have a Thunderbolt out. It does have a Firewire and a mini-display port out. Is there an adaptor to connect one of those ports to the Thunderbolt input or will I need to buy a new Macbook with Thunderbolt?

MacBook Pro, iOS 10.3.3, upgraded ram and digital HD

Posted on Jul 24, 2017 11:47 AM

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7 replies

Jul 26, 2017 2:53 PM in response to Blue Raven

Based on http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-2-duo-2 .4-15-early-2008-penryn-specs.html , it has a FW400 and FW800 port. If you have a FW port with one side rounded, it is FW400, while a rectangular FW port is FW800.


You can look at Belkin FireWire 800/400 9-Pin/6-Pin Cable (2 m/6.6 ft.) - Apple or 9-pin/ 9-pin BETA FireWire® 800 - FireWire 800 Cable, 10FT, Black - Monoprice.com as appropriate for the connection.


I suggest testing the end-to-end connection within the return window of the Apple adapter so it can be returned, if necessary.


Please also be aware of Apple's Thunderbolt FireWire adapter is a one-way connector - CNET .

Jul 26, 2017 9:59 AM in response to Loner T

Loner T,

Thanks for checking. I appreciate the help. So, in theory the reverse connection should work ok? I have a late 2008 Macbook Pro15. In January of this year I upgraded the hard drive to a 250 GB SATA drive (Samsung V-NAND SSD 850 EVO) and I upgraded the ram with two 4GB cards. Really made the computer a lot nicer. I store all of my recording files on a 3TB external drive.


As my Firewire connector on the Mac is a 2008, I would guess that the FW 800 to FW400 cable is probably the appropriate cable. Am I correct in this assumption?


Thanks again,

Jeff Thomas

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I have a Focusrite Clarett recording interface unit with Thunderbolt input. My older Macbook does not have a Thunderbolt out. It does have a Firewire and a mini-display port out. Is there an adaptor to connect one of those ports to the Thunderbolt in

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