Rme Fireface Latency/firmware Problem, 256/512 latency normal? Options

[earthlinger]

I'm having problems with updating my brand new Fireface 800's firmware.
I'm also getting high latencies with my fireface and Macbook Pro.
I'm discussing my problems at OSX audio with more detail.
( http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29886)
It would be wonderful if anyone can share their fireface experiences with me...

[lepetitmartien]

Hi everyone,

I got my Fireface 800 today. As I'm busy with testing the unit, I wanted to share some questions;

- The Driver CD which came with the unit is issued in 01/2006. I downloaded the latest drivers for macintel and easily installed them (version 2.43). However I couldn't manage to install any firmware update. After I unzip the file from RME's website, there is Fireface Flash application in the folder 'Fireface Flash Update 2.47'. Everytime I double-click this application, I get the error as 'No Fireface driver or device installed'. I also don't know how to check my firmware without this tool. The fireface is working without problem with Live 5.2, Reason 3.05 or other music applications including TotalMix. I can see it in my Audio-Midi settings as well as in my programs. I noticed that Fireface Flash application is PowerPC compatible.

- I have a project in Live 5.2 rewired to Reason 3.0.5. The project is rather light to CPU. There is not much processing going on for processor. I can't go under 256 sample latency in these sessions without pops,crackles and 512 sample is the most comfortable setting for fireface when I'm using it with Rewire (version 1.7). In Reason or in Live standalone, I can get 256, rarely 128 samples without any artifacts. Is this latency performance normal? I was expecting to stay under 128 samples all the time with fireface as its purpose for me is especially for live use. Are there any problems between Fireface and Macbook and between Fireface and Rewire? I'm using Limit Bandwith with just Analog in/outs, clock mode is Master with 48 khz, 24 bit Fireface settings.

- My last question for now is about placement of Fireface. My Macbook Pro is really becoming hot with CPU intensive processings. Is it safe for fireface if I put my laptop on the fireface. My highest CPU temperature peak is 72 C (overall 60 C).

I will appreciate if anyone can share their experiences with fireface? Any advice?

earthlinger
Macbook Pro 2 Ghz, 2 GB RAM, 7200 RPM, OSX 10.4.6

- Have you set dashboard not to run? If not do so (use OnyX for example) while you're using OnyX, make a general maintenance to be sure there's no stupid U*IX trick under the hood not running properly (BSD maintenance scripts, caches, permissions, update prebinding of the system… and restart -mandatory anyway). It's a good rule of thumb to things like that first when something does not behave as it should.

- The temperature is fine, 60°C is ok. I'd be more into investigate if you were in the 70-80°C range. On the temperature of the laptop itself, MacBook Pro can run really hot, look if all the air flow is not covered. If the internal drive is 7200rpm it's a source of heat added to the CPU and the batteries. Make sure the laptop can "breathe", eventually have it on a metal surface or in a position so that air can move all around it if you're concerned. Run Temperature Monitor a little while to make sure you don't cross the 70-80°C limit anywhere (core duo CPUs can run hotter, but it's not usually the case).

- A 60°C laptop over an interface should not be a problem. Most electronics behave rightly when kept under 70°C. In doubt, leave some air in between.

- Are you recording/reading audio to/from the internal hard drive, if so it's a bad idea, you'll have way better result with an external HD.

- On the flashing issues, I don't see at the moment. Got to think about it a little.

[earthlinger]

Thanks for your advices lepetitmartien. I'll check the onyx...

[earthlinger]

I had a jam session with my friend yesterday and my macbook/fireface forced me to go up to 1024 samples for latency without crackling. 3 reverbs, 3 filters and 4 combinators from rewire. I'm really curious about others performances with these kind of heavy sessions. I'm even thinking to exchange it with ultralite. Perhaps the drivers are not same performance wise with intelmacs. I was always reading that fireface users are staying in 64/128 sample settings for latency. Is this setting only for sessions just includes input recording? I also disabled my dashboard and optimized with Onyx.

cheers,

earthlinger

Macbook Pro 2 Ghz, 2 GB RAM, 7200 RPM, OSX 10.4.6

This post has been edited by earthlinger: Tue 30 May 2006, 11:26