Nord User Forum

Hello

I have a audiointerface wich isn´t working properly anymore.
It´s an Echo audiofire 4, firewire interface.
The issue is when using it with Mainstage or Logic, it causes clicks and pops and other noise.
When I increase the buffersize it helps with the noise, but the latency is so big that it´s useless live.
I´ve tried downloading the latest driver/software update but it didn´t solve the problem.
To rule out any hardware/software issues on my macbook, I borrowed another interface; Audient iD4
With this interface everything is back to normal, and I can reduse the buffersize quite heavily.

Does anyone have experience with this interface (Echo Audiofire 4), and maybe know a workaround with the problem?

That sounds like it could be a clocking issue. Do you have the clocks (master/slave/bitrate, etc) synchronized between the audio interface and the DAW?

-dj

DJKeys wrote:That sounds like it could be a clocking issue. Do you have the clocks (master/slave/bitrate, etc) synchronized between the audio interface and the DAW?

-dj

The clock is set to internal on the interface, no other equipment connected (The Nord is connected vis USB to the Macbook).
Tried to change the sample rate to 48K, wich resulted in a bit less pops - but didn´t solve the problem.
Even when i turn buffersize to 512 it pops.
No problems with the other interface even with buffersize down to 32.

I suspect that it may be a software incompatibility issue.
I´m running on MacOS 10.14.3, and the software for the interface is written for OS 10.11.
The download page claims: OUR PRO AUDIO PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED; MORE RECENT VERSIONS OF MACOS MAY NOT WORK CORRECTLY.

It's possible that the driver doesn't work properly with the latest macOS, have you any chance to test the sound cad with another computer (older Mac or also Windows)?

Other possibility, a faulty firewire cable, can you try a different one?

maxpiano wrote:It's possible that the driver doesn't work properly with the latest macOS, have you any chance to test the sound cad with another computer (older Mac or also Windows)?

Other possibility, a faulty firewire cable, can you try a different one?

No, only have my macbook.
Also the cable is one of a kind...due to to the ports on the macbook.
First I had to buy a cable with the proprietary appl firewire-plug.
Then later when I renewed my Macbook, I had to buy a firewire to thunderbolt adapter.

catosim wrote:later when I renewed my Macbook, I had to buy a firewire to thunderbolt adapter.

That adapter could be part of the problem too, as it may not guarantee the same performance (continuity of data flow) as the "direct" FW; I am afraid you need to look for a more current sound card

PS: there is no proprietary apple FW connector, it is a standard FW 800 so what you have is probably a cable with FW400 on the card side and FW800 on computer side.

maxpiano wrote: PS: there is no proprietary apple FW connector, it is a standard FW 800 so what you have is probably as cable with FW400 on the card side and FW800 on computer side.

Yes, you´re absolutely right! It´s FW 800 on computer-side and FW400 om interface.
Anyway, I find it annoying to have to use an adapter for almost any gear I want to connect to my Macbook though.
When you have to spend thousand of §§ on an machine, and then again have to buy adapters for almost everything....

Yep, it appears that the soundcard is looking for retirement.
Probably be looking for an USB card this time.
Firewire used to be the superior connection alternative, but it´s hard to find computers with FW connection now.

maxpiano

catosim wrote:

maxpiano wrote: PS: there is no proprietary apple FW connector, it is a standard FW 800 so what you have is probably as cable with FW400 on the card side and FW800 on computer side.

Yes, you´re absolutely right! It´s FW 800 on computer-side and FW400 om interface.
Anyway, I find it annoying to have to use an adapter for almost any gear I want to connect to my Macbook though.
When you have to spend thousand of §§ on an machine, and then again have to buy adapters for almost everything....

Yep, it appears that the soundcard is looking for retirement.
Probably be looking for an USB card this time.
Firewire used to be the superior connection alternative, but it´s hard to find computers with FW connection now.

maxpiano

You're welcome

Unfortunately Firewire is a "dead" interface, you better go for a USB or Thunderbolt audio interface

Thunderbolt is superior to USB as it does not rely on USB bus timing for transfers. USB audio *can* work (and work well) but as the recent debacle with MOTU/RME and other brands having massive issues with the chipsets in the 2016-2018 macs shows, USB is far from bulletproof. Thunderbolt interfaces work across platforms and are well worth the extra money. It's basically encapsulated PCI, so it's quite future-forward too. Unless you're looking in the VERY budget range, you should be able to find a solid thunderbolt interface from MOTU or a similar vendor that's within your price range.

23skidoo wrote:Thunderbolt interfaces work across platforms and are well worth the extra money. It's basically encapsulated PCI, so it's quite future-forward too.

I thought I WAS future-minded when I bought my firewire interface in the first place.

Anyway, as far as I can see, Echo is probably not the most innovation-minded brand on the market.
I´ll have a look around and see what shows up among thunderbolt interfaces.
Mr. Skidoo