Cannot sync 2x 828 mkiis (SOLVED)

Okay.

They won't hold sync at any sample rate.

Comp specs here

I've tried 3 different firewire adapters (including the same 2port TI chipset PCI one that worked for the guy I bought one of the 828's from, the onboard firewire of the A8V-Deluxe, and the firewire port on my laptop.) and all possible daisy-chaining combinations.

I have tried switching firewire cables. The cables are relatively long. The one I had been using without issue for my M-Audio FW 1814 is 15 ft. The audiowire cable that came with one of the 828's looks to be about 12 ft, the other one about the same but not original. The 6-to4 pin cable for the laptop is about 6 feet. No combination appears viable. Could I need shorter cables?

The two 828mkii's also appear to have different firmware. One says 1.0 and the other 1.01 (same value for firmware/hardware) Can see no available downloads to change firmware.

I've reprofiled, tried ASIO and WDM, deleted AUD.ini. Problem exists in both x32 and x64.

Any thoughts?

You may have to clock them using the Word Clock I/O if it can't do it through firewire using the driver. Set the second one to get it's clock from the word clock of the other first one. You will need a word clock cable.

None of the older drivers worked.

I was unable to find a short firewire cable at CompUSA, my local OEM shop, or Radio Snack, so I bought a 3' one online from Tigerdirect (shortest they had).

I've emailed MOTU tech support but had no answer yet. Being friday I won't expect one before monday. Will keep updating until I find a solution.

ORIGINAL: ohhey

You may have to clock them using the Word Clock I/O if it can't do it through firewire using the driver. Set the second one to get it's clock from the word clock of the other first one. You will need a word clock cable.

Went to GC and bought a WC cable and tried this, using all the available settings in the driver, and it didn't work. :-( Still no response from MOTU tech support.

ORIGINAL: agincourtdb

This, finally, from MOTU. at least it's definitive....

Hello,

Thank you for writing.

In order to daisy chain multiple Firewire interfaces, you need to be running Windows XP SP1, using a TI chip set card and driver version 3.5.3.2.


Regards,
Garrick Sanderson
MOTU Tech Support

So are you on Windows XP SP2 ?

Well, Garrick from MOTU rules. He even left a message earlier, I'll probably call him back just to say thanks....

I've managed to fulfill all these conditions by dual-booting the desktop, Winpro x64 and WinXP SP1, using the TI chipset firewire card, and installing the 3.5.3.2. drivers, and I achieve sync between the two 828mkiis. A few simple test-records at single and double speed sample rates show it's performing well (not stuttering or losing sync)

One moment of panic when installing the second OS ruined the first one (probably because you're supposed to install them in order of release, but I already had Winpro x64 tweaked and all...) but windows setup managed to fix the problem and the only thing I had to reinstall (so far) was IE7beta, all my other data and apps seem fine (again, so far).

The laptop appears to be out of luck because it's SP2 and I don't have another Windows license without SP2, plus it's firewire chipset is VIA. I don't really feel like buying a firewire PCMIA card and another Windows license just to save from doing a little heavy lifting. Heck, I need the excercise.

Thanks again everyone.

To repeat the solution: one must have the Texas Instruments firewire chipset, must not have Windows XP service pack 2, and must install drivers 3.5.3.2. in order to daisy-chain multiple MOTU firewire devices on one firewire bus.