Perhaps a stupid question, but, are you using the Windows Legacy FW driver? My non-AI 16.4.2 works fine with the legacy FireWire driver, and not at all with the new driver Win 10 keeps trying to install.

I also ditched my Presonus for the X32 Rack. I was so impressed with the X32 I got for my PA, I bought a second one with a S16 for my studio setup. :-)

Not stupid question at all. Great question. Took us several days of research to find that Legacy driver. With Win 10 driver that installs for the FW card by Windows I had no connection at all. With Legacy driver, it was revelation. It connected and went on to update Firmware on Presonus. I was so happy, I posted on 2 forums that the problem solved- everybody was ready to celebrate... until I started Sonar, and... again- all dead. No audio. If your driver was installed before Julu 2016 Windows update (0716), the driver will work, if after... See- I was ready to install April 2016 version of Windows but then I didnt and now I only have to wonder if it would help. At this point I installed too many synths to go back and reinstall just to see what happens. Presonus needs to step up to the plate and update the driver and sign it, and if it does not work, then address what ever else can cause it. Been trying to shake Asus as well, but their chain of command is complecated- hard to get to manager, and even harder to programmers.  

I invested many many hours and days into assisting Vlada with her issues with her Presonus Fire Wire interface, and after an absolutely insane number of attempts to get it working in Sonar, ended up at an impasse because the technical support folks at Presonus adopted the position that the issues were with Windows 10 and they essentially refused to budge on that point - providing ZERO additional support for the issue, DESPITE the Presonus web site clearly indicating that they provided support for that interface and set of drivers for Windows 10.
 
If Presonus had cared to participate further in the investigative process it might have ended up being some simple kind of thing to fix - Vlada may well never know now, one way or the other, but for CERTAIN seems to now have a useless 'anchor' that cost at least a couple of thousand dollars - maybe closer to 3k (can't recall how much the interface cost).
 
I truly wish I knew of a way to help Vlada further with her Presonus issues, but unless Presonus were to decide to actually invest some effort into analysis and resolution, I think her likely only viable option is to have to dump a ton more cash into somebody ELSE's mixer/interface.
 
I myself still have a Presonus AudioBox 1818VSL (well, my son is using it these days), and have had good support experiences with their technical support, but after seeing how they punted on her SUPPORTED device, I don't know that I would end up choosing their hardware for future purchases.
 
Bob Bone
 

vladasyn
 
I heard several RME recommendations. It must be good. It just looks boring. And expansive. How is it compared to Universal Audio and MOTU? (wondering). Thank you.

Hi. I give another vote for RME. It might look boring (to you), but it just works.
That's the "magic" It is just that good 
I've had mine for close to 2 years without a single glitch. 
I tried both MOTU (828 mkIII) and UAD (Twin Solo) before getting RME. The RME just felt right from the get go, and I have not looked back.
Best of luck.

I would recommend a Digico SD7 with MADI and an Antelope Goliath on the computer side. This because it
1. Is very expensive
2. Is very professional
3. Is not boring looking
4. Has Thunderbolt
5. Doesn't say Behringer OR RME on it anywhere
6. Is a lot more gear than is actually necessary for the stated purpose
7. Will impress the studio partner

Thank you for your replies. Hey, Bob.
 
Zargg, I just searched for MOTU 828 and came across Sweetwater forum thread dealing with drivers issues all the way back on Vista and XP- it was like a flashback to the XP days. Ugh. What a nightmare. So folks were commenting that MOTU is better for Mac users while RME- for PC. Probably generalization. I have MOTU MIDI interface, looks like it working ok. I hope MOTU improved from times of 828.
 What did you not like about UAD (Twin Solo)? Thank you.
 
Sanderxpander, it is funny. I cant even understand the lengo for Digigo. Looks like they don't want immatures to get ahold of it. I see too many inputs that I know nothing about. Does it even have computer connection? Just curious.
 
I watched few videos on RME. When I say it is boring...
1. The RME Fireface UFX+ is pricey and not meeting my needs, because...
2. It has 4 ports TRS/XLR on front and 8 on the back, but does it sum to 12 or does it sum to 8?I don't understand why manufacturers like to play games and not say things straight. Can all 12 inputs work together or not? Or is it only front OR back at a time? It classifies as "Boring" for me because anyone can make 8 inputs interface in one rack space. But if I want to pay $2700, it must be at least 12 inputs. Not sure if it is or not.
3. I don't see any ability to connect multiple units. Looks like what you got is what you will have to keep for long time. It does not say that I can chain connect 2 or more units via Thunderbolt. MOTU and AUD offer that option and they have 16 In/outs TRS unit to add on to main interface.  
4. No Plugins
5. Looks like Presonus- are they connected?

vladasyn
 
I watched few videos on RME. When I say it is boring...
1. The RME Fireface UFX+ is pricey and not meeting my needs, because...
2. It has 4 ports TRS/XLR on front and 8 on the back, but does it sum to 12 or does it sum to 8?I don't understand why manufacturers like to play games and not say things straight. Can all 12 inputs work together or not? Or is it only front OR back at a time? It classifies as "Boring" for me because anyone can make 8 inputs interface in one rack space. But if I want to pay $2700, it must be at least 12 inputs. Not sure if it is or not.

The rear inputs are numbered 1 thru 8 and are balanced TRS. The front inputs are numbered 9 thru 12 and are mic pre/TRS combos. All 12 can used at the same time.
 

3. I don't see any ability to connect multiple units. Looks like what you got is what you will have to keep for long time. It does not say that I can chain connect 2 or more units via Thunderbolt. MOTU and AUD offer that option and they have 16 In/outs TRS unit to add on to main interface.  

There are two sets of adat ins/outs via toslink. This allows expansion via the use of two separate 8 channel mic pre to adat converters. That's 16 additional channels right there. Plus the 12 on-board analog inputs gives you 24 input channels which can all be used at once. The AES/EBU gives you two more digital inputs if you've got a device that speaks that language. It also has MADI in and out which would give you access to 32 more inputs and 32 more outputs via a MADI device. That gives you the ability to have just shy of 60 inputs available at once. 
 

4. No Plugins

It has on-board effects that can be used on all inputs channels.

5. Looks like Presonus- are they connected?

No idea.

Thank you for your reply and explanation. The 8 Pre is 2600$. Just saying. I hate to say it but Presonus mixer offer better deal. But there was something about AVB interface being only available for Macs? Could be interesting to connect it to Universal Audio AVB...

vladasyn
 
Zargg, I just searched for MOTU 828 and came across Sweetwater forum thread dealing with drivers issues all the way back on Vista and XP- it was like a flashback to the XP days. Ugh. What a nightmare. So folks were commenting that MOTU is better for Mac users while RME- for PC. Probably generalization. I have MOTU MIDI interface, looks like it working ok. I hope MOTU improved from times of 828.
 What did you not like about UAD (Twin Solo)? Thank you.
 
3. I don't see any ability to connect multiple units. Looks like what you got is what you will have to keep for long time. It does not say that I can chain connect 2 or more units via Thunderbolt. MOTU and AUD offer that option and they have 16 In/outs TRS unit to add on to main interface.  
 

It was not that I didn't like the UAD Twin, I just liked the RME better.
I use external preamps, by the way.
 
You can connect multiple RME's, however you like (USB, FW, TB, Pcie (and even mix and match, I believe)).
They (separate AI's) will (if I am not totally misunderstanding) get their own TotalMix Window.
I have not heard of any "horror stories" with RME and Mac (or pc) for as long as I have been reading audio forums, so I guess they are more or less equally stable on both platforms.