Apogee Firewire : X-Firewire News April 2005

[Max]

In conjunction with Apple’s release of OS X update 10.3.9, Apogee has released several elements which now provide for the complete functionality of X-Firewire equipped host interfaces. You may download these elements from our website here:www.apogeedigital.com/downloads/

Firemix - Apogee’s zero latency mixer, used in conjunction with the X-Firewire card, is now available for both Windows XP and Apple OS X 10.3.9.

X-Firewire Firmware - with the latest versions of X-Firewire ?rmware, all Apogee host interfaces are now fully supported at sample rates up to 96kHz on both Windows XP and Apple OS X 10.3.9 platforms. The Rosetta 200 supports sample rates up to 192kHz.

Apogee FirewireUpdater - The FirewireUpdater is now available for both Windows XP and Apple OS X 10.3.9. This Apogee utility is used to determine the current version of X-Firewire ?rmware or install new ?rmware onto the X-Firewire card.
X-Firewire revised User’s Guide - The X-Firewire User’s Guide has been updated to include the latest compatibility and performance information, as well as helpful troubleshooting hints.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

[natpub]

So does this mean they are now fully employing the Firewire 800 protocol and throughput rates?

[Max]

No, this is for the X-Firewire 400.

[moeses]

oh thats great, after months of owning the firewire card, and the rosetta 200 not being able to be used ecause of the firewire cars
i can finally test out my 2,000 investment, thank you

[qoqo]

The X-Firewire firmware has been pulled from Apogee's site. Anyone know why? I already downloaded the firmware, and I just received the card and installed in an AD-16X, but now think the prudent thing to do is NOT to install the firmware.

Also the AD16X and DD16X firmware has been pulled. But, I have a question regarding the DD16X (advanced routing) firmware for the AD16X. Do I need to install BOTH these firmware updates into the AD16X? I'm guessing it's either/or and NOT both, but want to make sure. This this moot for the time being since Apogee has pulled these as well, but I'd like to get this sorted. The PDF's for both are identical and simply explain the upgrade process without providing any details about the firmware's functionality.

Thanks!

qo

[cuby]

Originally Posted by qoqo

but now think the prudent thing to do is NOT to install the firmware.qo

smart move, Apogee seems to have BIG problem and are lying about it. When I was at NAB and asked an Apogee rep about the firewire issue, he said it's been fixed for a while. Now seeing this public notice, I think Apogee has been lying all along. Fine, just tell everyone steer clear of Apogee.

[ToddS]

I was at NAB and saw the Rosetta 800 running via Firewire on Mac OSX Tiger flawlessly at the Apple booth. As a matter of fact, the Rosetta was the only firewire box NOT having problems, according to the Apple person doing the demo.

While it's curious that the firmware has been pulled, I do not think the people at Apogee are at all prone to lying about anything. I personally think that Apogee, specifically Max Gutnik, has been very open and honest about the problems with Firewire and where they are coming from and would expect that they'd have an explanation for us soon.

[Slogun]

I don't have a problem with my set-up; Rosetta200, FW400 to my WinXP SP1 and Nuendo.

[Mastering101]

i have a rosetta 800 running with the xfirewire now.. those drivers were up there for a week before Max put up this post. im using those drivers now..there are some issues. for one i told tech support i heard some weird audio artifacts on occasion. the firemix i dont like. its just digital sliders NO ROUTING at all."why"
you can not loop with any digital ins and outs just analog "WHY" i love the ad/da but im not sure i m keeping them. i just bought a lynx aes16 to try with
the rosetta..anyone want to buy a xfirewire card

[chap]

I think that you'll find that Apogee is trying to resolve all the firewire issues and is making sure things work before they release them. Unfortunately, when you get under the hood of firewire, what is supposed to be a 'plug and play' protocol. is a language that is rife with problems. Try running an 002 with more than 1 external hard drive. I was told that the
'002 puts a tremendous strain on the firewire internal buss'. That's fine with me (it's just an editing station here) but it does illustrate the demands that firewire puts on complicated devices that require large amounts of information.
Apogee is currently moving their office and I would guess that all of this will be resolved shortly. Sorry if I sound like a press secretary. Maybe it's what I'm wearing.
peace,
chap

[Max]

Hi All,

Apogee is in the process of moving this weekend and unfortunately the server with the X-Firewire firmware is down temporarily. We will have it back online as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

qoqo,

If you downloaded the firmware already, you should be able to install it and get up and running.

effectsnut,

From what I understand of your conversations with our tech support staff, the routing limitations you are experiencing are not related to Firewire or Firemix. It just so happens that how you would like things routed is fundamentally different than the I/O architecture of the Rosetta 800.

[Max]

X-Firewire Firmware is back up on the website.

Thanks for your patience.

[Mastering101]

Originally Posted by Max

effectsnut,

From what I understand of your conversations with our tech support staff, the routing limitations you are experiencing are not related to Firewire or Firemix. It just so happens that how you would like things routed is fundamentally different than the I/O architecture of the Rosetta 800.

i understand Max... i just never expected that...i do love the converters. im sure i'll get around it..

[headz]

Originally Posted by effectsnut

i understand Max... i just never expected that...i do love the converters. im sure i'll get around it..

hey effectsnut,
try out the RME hammerfall HDSP line (brand new AEScard or 5296 or digiface) to get all digital routing you'll think about, I heard the Lynx AES card is up to RME funktionality as well...
I have changed my ADI8 + multiface combo to an apogee DA-16x / digiface combo and it's running cool on my G5

[qoqo]

Thanks Max! I installed the DD16X X-Firewire firmware and 2.01 AD16-X firmware and things are working great. Copy/pasting from my post over at OSX Audio:

With advanced routing enabled. Signal path looks like:

1. iTunes->Firewire->AD16X->ADAT->BigBen->SPDIF->CentralStation->analog realm

With regular routing:

2. Mic->Pre->AD16X->Firewire->DP

3. DP->Firewire->MOTU896HD->analog realm

Paths 2 and 3 being simultaneous. Path 1 is nice for recreational listening. This is the first time I've used the CentralStation's DA converter and it's not too shabby.

Now for the disappointment. The highest sample rate available for the AD16X when using Firewire is 48kHz.

While the 48kHz limitation is a drag, I'm confident you'll come through with higher rates. I'll be ordering a DA16X next week if a session goes smoothly with the new setup.

regards,

qo

[Mastering101]

Originally Posted by headz

hey effectsnut,
try out the RME hammerfall HDSP line (brand new AEScard or 5296 or digiface) to get all digital routing you'll think about, I heard the Lynx AES card is up to RME funktionality as well...
I have changed my ADI8 + multiface combo to an apogee DA-16x / digiface combo and it's running cool on my G5

thanks for the tip.. i have my lynx card and hope to set it up next week..

[Mind-Over-Midi]

Originally Posted by effectsnut

i just bought a lynx aes16 to try with
the rosetta..anyone want to buy a xfirewire card

Yeah, how much?

Bill.

[Mastering101]

Originally Posted by headz

hey effectsnut,
try out the RME hammerfall HDSP line (brand new AEScard or 5296 or digiface) to get all digital routing you'll think about, I heard the Lynx AES card is up to RME funktionality as well...
I have changed my ADI8 + multiface combo to an apogee DA-16x / digiface combo and it's running cool on my G5

my lynx aes16 is doing everything i want it to. im happy about that..what a versatile card

[Gregg Sartiano]

Should I even ask if there is a PT Firewire solution which maybe works in conjunction with the 002 (or MBox, for that matter)?