Helpful ReplyLiquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar

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tonyzub999
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2017/07/31 21:52:28 (permalink)

Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar

Hope I have the right forum for this.  Here goes.  I am in process of upgrading to a new laptop for Producer.  I want to keep the Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 as one of my interfaces. The 56 has ADAT lightpipe and firewire connections.  Firewire has worked well on my desktop, but I can't really find a newer PC laptop with Firewire.  There is an Apple firewire to Thunderbolt adaptor that I understand works well.   Alienware Gaming Laptop has a USB-C connector.  Will that work?  If the USB-C connection doesn't work I won't have to spend an additional $400 to $500 on the Alienware PC.  Has anyone on here successfully connected a Firewire or Thunderbolt interface to a PC laptop? Thoughts? Thanks.
#1
Zargg
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/07/31 22:01:50 (permalink)
Hi. Some things to be aware of, if I understand correctly.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3608913
All the best.
 

Ken Nilsen
Zargg
BBZ
Win 10 Pro X64, Cakewalk by Bandlab, SPlat X64, AMD AM3+ fx-8320, 16Gb RAM, RME Ucx (+ ARC), Tascam FW 1884, M-Audio Keystation 61es, *AKAI MPK Pro 25, *Softube Console1, Alesis DM6 USB, Maschine MkII
Laptop setup: Win 10 X64, i5 2.4ghz, 8gb RAM, 320gb 7200 RPM HD, Focusrite Solo, + *
 
#2
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/07/31 22:16:07 (permalink)
Dont know much about the 56 -
but if it has a firewire port you can check out if a firewire express card
fits into your lap top.
If that is possible, I recommend an express card with TI chipset.
#3
interpolated
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/07/31 22:17:01 (permalink)
That's a good question. FireWire still exists as far as I am aware.

I have computer stuff.
 
https://soundcloud.com/sigmadelta
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dahjah
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/07/31 22:38:58 (permalink)
I have the 56 and love it as well. Not sure if you got the laptop yet bit I got my laptop from adk pro audio, it's custom built and you can have them put firewire in it if you want. I have it in mine, but my 56 stays with the studio pc.

Windows 8.1 Pro X64 Sonar Platinum x64
Processor - AMD FX 8350 Eight Core Processor 4GB
32 GB Memory
VS 700 System 
Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56
(Focusrite is only on when recording)
#5
Blogospherianman
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/01 17:08:12 (permalink)
My laptop setup included the Liquid Saffire 56 via a TI chipset Firewire express card. Works like a charm!
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tonyzub999
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/01 17:13:17 (permalink)
What model of laptop are you using?
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Blogospherianman
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/02 00:03:08 (permalink)
It's a Rain computer specifically for audio recording. (i7 processor) Unfortunately Rain Computers is out of business now. They were good though. They even pre-installed a Virtual PC for surfing and downloading safely. Now I've custom built my own Dual Xeon processor server rack computer. Still using my Liquid Saffire 56 though.
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abacab
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/02 01:49:32 (permalink)
FireWire is about dead on mainstream laptops.  You are looking at the custom stuff if you want that.
 
I have a FireWire interface that has been going strong for 10+ years, and I had to add a PCIe 1394 card to my latest desktop build to keep it working.
 
If I needed to add audio to my laptop now, I would probably spend the money on a good USB interface.  FireWire seems to have reached end of life as a technology.

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#9
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/06 22:26:35 (permalink)
abacab
FireWire is about dead on mainstream laptops.  You are looking at the custom stuff if you want that.
 
I have a FireWire interface that has been going strong for 10+ years, and I had to add a PCIe 1394 card to my latest desktop build to keep it working.
 
If I needed to add audio to my laptop now, I would probably spend the money on a good USB interface.  FireWire seems to have reached end of life as a technology.


Firewire seems to die  since nearly 10 years,
same was said the time I bought a saffire pro 40..
You are probably right.
Focusrite  proclaimed last year
that firewire interfaces will run via thunderbolt port in the future.
Any news about that ?
#10
abacab
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/07 00:35:24 (permalink)
Pragi
abacab
FireWire is about dead on mainstream laptops.  You are looking at the custom stuff if you want that.
 
I have a FireWire interface that has been going strong for 10+ years, and I had to add a PCIe 1394 card to my latest desktop build to keep it working.
 
If I needed to add audio to my laptop now, I would probably spend the money on a good USB interface.  FireWire seems to have reached end of life as a technology.


Firewire seems to die  since nearly 10 years,
same was said the time I bought a saffire pro 40..
You are probably right.
Focusrite  proclaimed last year
that firewire interfaces will run via thunderbolt port in the future.
Any news about that ?




Jim Roseberry has already posted a few threads about the current status of Thunderbolt for the PC on this forum.
 
FireWire has nothing to do with Thunderbolt.  On the PC, Thunderbolt is just a way to use the PCIe bus on an external device. 
 
There are some hardware prerequisites involved before even considering going down that path.  USB3 sounds fine for me.  Look up Jim's post for the details!

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#11
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/07 07:05:30 (permalink)
Even if you are probably right  about the dying port firewire ,
thunderbolt has something to do with firewire ,
for example some thunderbolt to firewere adapter :
https://www.amazon.de/Apple-MD464ZM-Thunderbolt-FireWire-Adapter/dp/B008RXYOKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502089353&sr=8-1&keywords=thunderbolt+to+firewire+800+adapter
and the announcement of focusrite some years ago :
https://focusrite.com/new...works-with-thunderbolt
 
Any news from focusrite about that ?
post edited by Pragi - 2017/08/07 07:33:12
#12
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/07 09:10:46 (permalink)
Just received the compatibility list of focusrite ,
interesting :
Thunderbolt 3.1 ports
Scarlett Range (1st and 2nd Generation)
Adapter: Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter
Compatible: YES
Saffire 6 USB (USB 1.1 and 2.0 variants)
Adapter: Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter
Compatible: YES
Forte
Adapter: Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter
Compatible: YES
Clarett range
Adapter: Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter
Compatible: YES - please note that Thunderbolt 3 on Windows machines is not yet fully supported, see this article
Saffire Range
Adapters: Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter (Firewire 800-400 cable)
Compatible: YES
Red 4Pre/8Pre
Still no windows compatibility.
 
So the question is if a  (windows compatible) mainboard incl. real thunderbolt port is in development or meanwhile available ?
regards
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abacab
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/08/07 13:39:26 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Pragi 2017/08/07 18:22:31

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#14
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/12 13:02:53 (permalink)
abacab
Jim has already answered those questions. 
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3631959
http://forum.cakewalk.com...-m3571119.aspx#3571167
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3574825
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3575130

Now there are news about thunderbolt for windows :
Stevenpanther wrote :
I'm using a Focusrite Clarett 8-pre on Windows 10 with an Asus motherboard and thunderbolt card and this works fine at a latency of 1.8ms. So it can be done but I think I'm right in saying that you need Windows 10.
 
Now if Focusrite would just get around to updating their Windows drivers so that they are no longer in beta...
Written here :
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Has-anybody-installed-a-Thunderbolt-card-into-a-desktop-PC-m3654138.aspx#3655126
 
So you are wrong , it is possible to use thunderbolt interfaces via Win 10,
equal if Jim answered this question some time ago.
I recommend better research before answering question in a harsh way .
 
regards
 
 
 
 
#15
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/12 13:36:40 (permalink)
Here the link to the focusrite beta driver for thunderbolt on Win 10 based systems
including more info´s about :
 
https://global.focusrite....srite-control-214-beta
 
#16
abacab
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/12 15:24:23 (permalink)
Pragi
abacab
Jim has already answered those questions. 
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3631959
http://forum.cakewalk.com...-m3571119.aspx#3571167
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3574825
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3575130

Now there are news about thunderbolt for windows :
Stevenpanther wrote :
I'm using a Focusrite Clarett 8-pre on Windows 10 with an Asus motherboard and thunderbolt card and this works fine at a latency of 1.8ms. So it can be done but I think I'm right in saying that you need Windows 10.
 
Now if Focusrite would just get around to updating their Windows drivers so that they are no longer in beta...
Written here :
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Has-anybody-installed-a-Thunderbolt-card-into-a-desktop-PC-m3654138.aspx#3655126
 
So you are wrong , it is possible to use thunderbolt interfaces via Win 10,
equal if Jim answered this question some time ago.
I recommend better research before answering question in a harsh way .
 
regards
 

 
I never mentioned that Thunderbolt would not work on a PC.  I even pointed out a few posts by our resident PC build expert, Jim Roseberry, on how to do it properly:
 
"You have to meet all the following conditions:
  • Running one of the latest Z170, Z270, or X99 motherboards that provide Thunderbolt-3 via USB-C port
  • Running an up-to-date install of Win10
  • Need a USB-C to Thunderbolt adapter
  • Your audio interface needs full "PCIe via Thunderbolt" driver"
 
The OP's post was a question about connecting a FireWire interface, Saffire 56.
 
You brought up the Focusrite claim that FireWire will run via Thunderbolt, to which I  merely commented that FireWire on a PC was not related to Thunderbolt.  For clarification, that is still true, as they are two different protocols.  Thunderbolt 3 on a PC is actually USB-C over Thunderbolt, essentially an external PCIe bus.
 
It also seems to be possible, as Focusrite claimed, to use converters to attach a FireWire audio interface to a PC that only has Thunderbolt 3, but it appears to be a delicate process that requires external converters.  It would probably be easier to either add a FireWire interface to your PC, or get a new audio interface.
 
So no argument here.  Just a friendly discussion of pros & cons...

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#17
Jim Roseberry
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/13 14:44:39 (permalink)
Pragi
So you are wrong , it is possible to use thunderbolt interfaces via Win 10,
equal if Jim answered this question some time ago.
I recommend better research before answering question in a harsh way .
 



 
Directly from the Focusrite Website:
 
Known issues:
- Glitchy audio/enumeration issues when using Thunderbolt 3 connections via an adapter. Please note that Thunderbolt 3 connectivity is NOT yet supported.
Cubase 8.5 crashes after the save when closing down a project with MIDI tracks.
- Driver installer optimisations
 
If you're PC only... and you're wanting a proven rock-solid performer, I'd avoid Focusrite until they officially support connection via Thunderbolt-3 (via Thunderbolt-3 to Thunderbolt-2 adapter).

Best Regards,

Jim Roseberry
jim@studiocat.com
www.studiocat.com
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/13 14:54:12 (permalink)
To clarify:
 
USB-C is a port (connection)
It gets confusing because USB-C ports can be used for Thunderbolt-3 or USB-3.1
 
NOTE:  Just because a machine has USB-C port/s does not mean that it has Thunderbolt.
If the motherboard doesn't specifically have a Thunderbolt-3 controller (or add-in-card providing TB3 controller), the machine doesn't have Thunderbolt.  Many motherboards have USB-C ports... which are used for USB-3.1
 
Lots of folks mistakenly assume that because their machine has USB-C ports (carrying USB-3.1) that it'll work with Thunderbolt audio interfaces (when using a USB-C to Thunderbolt adapter).  If the motherboard doesn't specifically have a Thunderbolt-3 controller (or optional TB3 add-in-card), this will not work.
 

Best Regards,

Jim Roseberry
jim@studiocat.com
www.studiocat.com
#19
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/13 17:43:05 (permalink)
 
abacab
 
So no argument here.  Just a friendly discussion of pros & cons...


@Abacab
That´s were all my intentions, that you are discussing friendly,
not teacher like . Seems you you are able to do so , or ?
 
cheers
#20
abacab
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/13 18:09:37 (permalink)
Pragi
 
abacab
 
So no argument here.  Just a friendly discussion of pros & cons...


@Abacab
That´s were all my intentions, that you are discussing friendly,
not teacher like . Seems you you are able to do so , or ?
 
cheers




Let's focus on the topic, and not each other OK?  It is nothing personal to disagree with somebody's comments on a public forum.  That's just how facts get sorted and we all learn from each other.
 
We are here to discuss, debate, and share ideas, and we have to agree to disagree at times, and not take it personally.  If you have a problem with what I have to say, please feel free to ignore me!

DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ... 
#21
tonyzub999
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/13 19:13:54 (permalink)
To give an update to my original post, it was regarding using my Focusrite Saffire Liquid 56 on a new Dell Precision Mobile workstation that came with a stock Thunderbolt 3 port. I still don't have it working on that laptop. I decided to just buy a Firewire card to install on my desktop and limit my Saffire Liquid 56 to use on my desktop for now. Its working fine. I have other interfaces to use with my mobile workstation. Like Jim suggested, I'm going to wait until Focusrite releases the proper drivers before I try it with the laptop again. I don't need any frustration, so I'm content with the work around.

I do want to thank everyone for the help. This forum has always been extremely helpful.
post edited by tonyzub999 - 2017/09/13 21:19:42
#22
Pragi
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/13 21:04:59 (permalink)
abacab
Pragi
 
abacab
 
So no argument here.  Just a friendly discussion of pros & cons...


@Abacab
That´s were all my intentions, that you are discussing friendly,
not teacher like . Seems you you are able to do so , or ?
 
cheers




Let's focus on the topic, and not each other OK?  It is nothing personal to disagree with somebody's comments on a public forum.  That's just how facts get sorted and we all learn from each other.
 
We are here to discuss, debate, and share ideas, and we have to agree to disagree at times, and not take it personally.  If you have a problem with what I have to say, please feel free to ignore me!


the person  who was 3 times offending me with comments  
was you . Don´t  prevaricate, it is you who has to ignore me .
You think you are the forum police to remember me to stay On T or you have to 
tell me that I have to be  investigate better before   asking  a question ,
but you are not even a mod , and I tell you - a mod wouldn´t do either.
 
post edited by Pragi - 2017/09/13 21:49:31
#23
abacab
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Re: Liquid Saffire 56, Laptop and Sonar 2017/09/13 22:35:48 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Pragi 2017/09/17 13:06:40
Pragi
abacab
Pragi
 
abacab
 
So no argument here.  Just a friendly discussion of pros & cons...


@Abacab
That´s were all my intentions, that you are discussing friendly,
not teacher like . Seems you you are able to do so , or ?
 
cheers




Let's focus on the topic, and not each other OK?  It is nothing personal to disagree with somebody's comments on a public forum.  That's just how facts get sorted and we all learn from each other.
 
We are here to discuss, debate, and share ideas, and we have to agree to disagree at times, and not take it personally.  If you have a problem with what I have to say, please feel free to ignore me!


the person  who was 3 times offending me with comments  
was you . Don´t  prevaricate, it is you who has to ignore me .
You think you are the forum police to remember me to stay On T or you have to 
tell me that I have to be  investigate better before   asking  a question ,
but you are not even a mod , and I tell you - a mod wouldn´t do either.
 




Look, previously you posted a topic with a title that implied a security risk, which it turned out to not be at all. 
 
Asking you to check your facts is not an personal offense, and never intended any offense, but your challenging me to a boxing match was.  I just let that one go.  That probably should have been reported to a mod. 
 
But you persist in tracking and claiming these imagined offenses, why?
 
I suggest you put on your big boy pants and get over it.  But I am done here.

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#24
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