Presonus 16.0.2 (Firewire) Connecting to MacBook Pro

$90 in adapters later....
I really wish presonus would make a new driver!
My main channel: / @danmess
Website: onechannelproductions.com
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[@aubreyholman1951]

The frustration 😡. I’ve struggled with mine for years. I managed to record some pretty good tunes and as a live mixer it is irreplaceable. Yet! I literally left a review stating that Presonus should be ashamed the way they totally dropped the ball on the software and driver updates. Thanks for the video. You’re not alone 👍👍

[@chas5778]

You are the best, thanks so much for this video. I never would have figured it out myself. I just got the mixer and really like it, now I have to find an old macbook for multi channel recording.

[@Camdodian.life.America]

Thank you so much!🙏❤️

[@guitarless0ns]

Amen too the frustration with that mixer…was told that model was wad obsolete 2 months after I BOUGHT IT …OTHER MIXERS ARE PLUG AND PLAY

[@R3DMAC]

The adapters are the easy part of the process, to record you'll need to install the old universal control on the newer Mac OS. For those who are having this difficulty, here is the link to a tutorial that helps in this process. You will need to disable SIP. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ_RmoR6bsx-jNUsi=XXOlTnJ5Qbts1f65

[@gyubinim]

친절한 설명 고마워. 화질도 좋다.

[@kronbakeren]

thank you heaps for this video! i´m glad I still have my mac G5 hidden somewhere with PT 8 LE I think, then I wont have to go through all this stuff and buy extra adaptors.. I´m about to record drums for a rockband with this mixer .. :)

[@devingademan]

Hey Dan, I'm going to word the following message in my best English. First of all, thank you for sharing this video. A very useful video that would have helped me a lot years ago (even though the M1 chip wasn't out yet). In the summer of 2018 I bought a used, but as good as new Presonus 16.0.2 (with the old firewire connection). I wanted to integrate the unit with my DAW (Studio One 3 at the time) on my late 2017 iMac. This came with some difficulties. We have exactly the same adapter cables: Firewire 400 - 800 > Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire > Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2. "ouch!" is what my wallet said. After I was finally able to make the right connections. A new problem arose: the audio had horrible lag/spikes in CPU. This again stood in the way to make this function work with my StudioLive. I accepted at the time that I couldn't use the StudioLive with the firewire option. I wrote about it on a blog and read on multiple forums that people had the same issue. I have to look into it again, it has been a while. Now years later; I have the following setup in my studio in terms of interfaces: the Behringer XR18, an Audient iD14, an ASP880. These all have either a USB connection or ADAT which makes A/D conversion easy. On the ASP880 I had two channels reserved for the StudioLive's main outputs so I could at least use those extra channels. Still - and I think you understand this - those individual channels, which are instantly recognized by your DAW and Computer, are just very nice in terms of a good workflow. So today I gave it another try. After connecting everything properly, the problem I encountered last time started again. A massive audio-lag, CPU spikes and multiple rainbow wheel interruptions. Now I see that you do not have this problem on your 2018 Macbook. What could be the reason why this error occurs with mine? I just don't want to give up the StudioLive. It is a simple but intuitive device. I have put money, time and effort into it and I would love it if it worked properly for once. Again, thank you very much for sharing your post. I hope others benefit from this too. Subscribed. -Devin

[@danmessersmith]

Hey Devin! Thanks for your thorough comment. Really sorry to see you are also having issues with this board. I have a couple of questions: - Are you still trying to use Studio One as your DAW, or are you using something else now? - Have you tried to use the Presonus capture software at all to see how your board works with this software?

[@devingademan]

@@danmessersmith Hey Dan, -Are you still trying to use Studio One as your DAW, or are you using something else now? Yes, I do. But I have upgraded to Studio One 5 in the summer of 2020. -- Have you tried to use the Presonus capture software at all to see how your board works with this software Good suggestion. I haven't. I will come back to you. I will also go back reading those old forums to read what people had to say regarding these issues. Many thanks, Devin

[@danmessersmith]

Would be interested to hear if it works smoothly on that app or if it causes the same issues! Please update me on how that goes! Follow me on Instagram @Dan.mess too as I don’t check this KZbin page as often 😅

[@devingademan]

@@danmessersmith I sent you a message on IG. Ciao!

[@johnjeremih]

thank you so much.

[@MrMusic32150]

"Heartbreak Hotel" best describes us "pre-AI" Presonus users. (I don't know if the AI models have the same connection problems or not). Anyway, I felt like I had really made a great purchase when I obtained my 16.4.2, and as a mixing board, it truly is a great piece of equipment. I believe the connector is Firewire 800 at the board end and Firewire 400 at the computer end. Anyway, my antiquated laptop came with the Firewire port and after a lot of jumping around I got it to work. This was about the time that Microsoft stopped supporting XP, after which nothing worked. I now have a new iMac (Ventura, I think), and the connection problems continue. I'm very tech unsavvvy and am ready to just give it all up. Still, it is very refreshing that someone (you) has the consideration of others to take his personal time to make a video such as this. Thank you for your efforts and yes, Presonus: "Shame on you!"

[@jimle22]

The firewire drivers will not work past MacOS Mojave 10.14.6. You need to install an older OS on an external drive to make it see the firewire interface via the older driver software. Thet never updated their drivers because they were bought out by a big Music Congomerate. They only want to sell their new AI mixers and just throw away your older mixers, they are boat anchors.

[@luizgumarques]

​@@jimle22No, it's not necessary kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ_RmoR6bsx-jNUsi=At4-dI95gQpCiPWA

[@soothingrelaxations5830]

Hey men. Thanks for the video i appreciate your effort. I have same issue I could hardly connect to my mixer with my apple. Is it possible for you to post a video of all the cable, adapters and connector that you sed on this video? Thanks

[@ynotw57]

I had the same issue with my Mackie 1640 with FireWire card. I reached out to Mackie and they offered me to buy a new board. The response acted like they didn’t know what the 1640 board was. I was very disappointed.

[@chillstudiolima]

Hi! what did you need for software? im running Catalina for now, i got the adapters but, do you need any software like the UC or something like that? are there any drivers?

[@rt9648]

Ventura breaks all Firewire audio products. My ART Tubefire 8, multiple Presonus Firepods, a Tapco Firewire interface...all of them show up in system profiler as connected Firewire devices, but they are not recognized as audio devices by the OS or any audio program. The IT department at one of the places where I work updated an iMac Pro to Ventura while I wasn't looking, and suddenly none of my devices would work, despite me having used it for QLab just a month earlier. Luckily, we have a MOTU Mk3 Traveller lying around, which has both USB and Firewire, and connecting it via USB works just fine. Firewire hard drives still work without issue. All the Firewire only devices I listed in the beginning are mine, and I have several old Macs that I routinely use them on, so fortunately this is not going to have an immediate impact on my workflow. But it is disappointing that Apple decided to break this functionality that many people still use. I'm hardly a software engineer, but it seems that leaving the code in that keeps these devices working would have been easier than working to remove said code. 🤷

[@mgbmusic1998]

The Firewire interface is not applicable to the PreSonu StudioLive 16.0.2 USB so when buying it's important to ensure that your mixer is the USB version (available since 2017) and not the old version

[@devingademan]

Dan, thank you for the video. I come back to you later. -Devin

[@elhblogs.9164]

Where can l Buy the conections

[@devinmarshall97]

This isn’t because of presonus’ drivers. MacOS 10.15 and beyond eliminated the Kernel Extensions and FireWire devices NEED that to function. No driver will fix that.

[@WaxerUK]

Hi there, I am considering buying one of these mixers as a friend has just bought one (the exact same firewire model). I have various old Macs laying around, I currently have a first generation MacBook Pro running 10.7.5 with an M Audio firewire 8 channel desk which all works fine but it's not enough inputs. I am looking at this desk and would like to know what the most recent version of MacOS works with the desk? I have newer laptops around that could support it but want to be sure before I buy. So, what version of MacOS do you have on that older MBP? Thank you for this great video!

[@alborzmousapour3446]

Actually I have this adaptive but I couldn’t find the audio driver for Mac osx montry can u help me

[@TechPlumber]

1. I have similar mixer board connected to windows pc using firewire. i have tried doing recording severally but nothing seems to record either with the Capture or the studiolive software but the PC detetcts the mixer and i can control from the PC. 2. I'm also not able to hear anything when i plug in a head set with the phone knob inreased. Do i have to do routing for sound to pass through the head set?

[@duncansteward8148]

Thanks Dan, I have the same problem with my Firestudio Mobile connecting to my new M1 Macbook Pro but yes it seems to be a driver issue as i worked out the whole cable connecting thing and cant see the unit on the m1 system / audio channels, is there any software work around to get it to work with locic pro besides pulling out my Focusrite 2i2 usb?

[@walth608]

Thanks the information. I'm trying to get my Saffire Pro 40 firewire 400 to 800 to thunderbolt 2, and have it come up in Studio One Artist. I'm using iOS Big Sur. Maybe you have some suggestions?

[@holty2463]

Yeah focusrite seem to have done the same thing. I have Saffire Pro 14 and a newer Mac. Do you think the thing will work. Nope just get hardware not detected. Purchased a FireWire to USB and it just won’t read it.

[@latrotoxin8143]

Are you able to record many tracks simultaneously with each track seperated with this set up?

[@hernancito2000]

Hi Dan! Do you know if Presonus Firepod works with M1, M2? I have the FireWire original Apple adapters. Thanks!!

[@zacnation]

Is there anyway to get it to work on a modern Mac

[@doelaevans4421]

What’s the operating software for that year in Mac

[@hakangurdol]

I'm not a grate expert, but same as for Rme Fireface 800, this problem issue is for the firewire is a 32 Bit bus protocol, but new systems are on 64 Bit. Can't you see the device as an audio device on M1?

[@Sk8ndrummer963]

Thanks for this video! It looks like I need to sell my old Firestudio interface and buy a new one that transfers data through usb.

[@TonyNguyen-ej4vf]

Can I use this mixer to another DAW

[@prym8one455]

SO will i buy it now 2023

[@lunajohansen7661]

Hi I have a presonus studio live 24-4-2,if im not wronge I have the same issue ,so what cable was it you used agen,thanks for showing,

[@Jazman342]

My RM16ai, sold as "The Future of Mixing", now makes a pretty good door stop. First and definitely the last piece of hardware from Presonus (LOL even auto correct hates them) EVER!

[@StoneOnTheBeat]

Hey man instead of thunderbolt 2 can i use usb?

[@edgarcin95]

I have a Laptop with USB C port, which adapters should I buy to record with a studiolive 32.4.2 ai?

[@alexchalcoff7198]

Is there any way of running the Presonus software under Roseta2 instead of Native Apple Silicon? although, the driver may be the issue here, right? Same situation for me, I own a 16.4.2in perfect working order and I'm pretty gutted I can use it with my current setup.

[@jasperhase9601]

Do I also have the driverproblems when I use a HP Elitebook, with windows and an Core i7 ?

[@Rauloliv]

Will it work with macOS Ventura 13.6?

[@enrygriego4953]

Can it be captured with logic pro x?

[@angel-rq2kx]

So I cant connect my MacBook straight to my mixer with only the FireWire cable? The Mac shows the FireWire is connected to the mixer but the software just says built in microphone not presonus mixer

[@bengino6515]

what macOS are you using?? mine is Monterey and universal control not supported for this os..any solution??

[@holmessph7]

“Old school firewire”. 😂. Man, I better get my AARP card

[@robmichael1824]

Great video but I am still not there. Did you have to downgrade the OS to Mojave or something like that? UC 1.7.6 will not load on newer OS.

[@phohlweger]

Hey Dan, Tanks for sharing this video. And finally it worked: Studiolive 16.0.2 together with an MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel). But a few days ago it suddenly stopped connecting - Mixer's system page says: Status: No Driver - Did the same happen to you? Any idea how to fix it? I tried restarts a lot and new cable .. Regards from Germany Peter

[@DanMess]

Peter, Very sorry to hear you are having that issue! I never encountered that. The only thing I would think to check is the firewire bus status in your mac's system report. Dan

[@dez5]

Moral of the story, keep your old mac computer because your going to need it to run your old stuff.🤣🤣🤣

[@HerreraBeatschannel]

Hey will this work for windows ?

[@Frankirulz]

Hi there! I just purchased a used 16.4.2 mixer and I wish I would have watched your video before because it's kind of frustrating. I own a MacBook Pro 2020 and I hesitate to buy all the adapters. Do you think there is any chance I can make this work to run Universal Control on my Mac and record our rehearsal sessions? Thank you for your advice!

[@danmessersmith]

Yes it is possible that it will work. Check to see what type of processor the Mac uses. If it has an Intel (it probably does if it is from 2020) then you should be good to go!

[@coloradobassncatstv3648]

Thanks for all the info!! Can you please link all adapters and anything else used? I’d appreciate it…

[@hayfordfrempong9059]

thanks for video. been having the same issue but I gave up on it. you video has given me some hope. do you know if it would work on 2020 i5? and do you mind sharing a direct link to the capture software you downloaded?

[@danmessersmith]

Yes, this setup should work on a 2020 i5, as my old MacBook is also an i5 but just a couple years older. here you go! www.presonus.com/products/Capture/downloads

[@hayfordfrempong9059]

@@danmessersmith thanks man will give it another shot. really appreciate.

[@alexanderv.753]

@@hayfordfrempong9059 You need only supported os X and that is all needed.

[@octaviocruz6397]

Can I connect this to my laptop just for sound and what do I need? Sorry just a noob

[@Tookastudios]

Hey, this might be a stupid question, but if this device has midi in and out, why not connect it that way through the audio interface and use it as a controller? Otherwise it feels like a lot of hassle, money, and loss of a thunderbolt port.

[@danmessersmith]

I was trying to use it to do multitrack recording, not to use it as a daw controller.

[@doelaevans4421]

Wow

[@valdemarpultz9278]

Do you have any idea of where I can download firestudio? When I look at the website it says that the product is discontinued!!!!!! :( I haven't been able to find it

[@alborzmousapour3446]

I have same problem

[@DanMess]

@@alborzmousapour3446 I'm pretty sure the FireStudio driver comes along with the download of the "Universal Control" software. I could be wrong, but I remember it coming with the download of something else.

[@valdemarpultz9278]

@@alborzmousapour3446 I did succeed eventually. I can't really remember what i did. But I think if you try to find the mixer at persons' website, and click on it, then you could find a place, where you could download the programs. and then it worked

[@alborzmousapour3446]

@@valdemarpultz9278 I download capture and universal control but still not work, maybe because of my Mac osx monetary, but in my another computer on Catalina osx its working

[@valdemarpultz8644]

@@alborzmousapour3446 i have monterey as well. So it cant be that. I found something called presonus forestudio. Hope it will be solved for you

[@adrianbort2564]

Hi! Thanks for posting. I have a 2010 MacBook Pro El Capitan 10.11.6. Do you guys think it will work with Presonus 16.2.0 USB ..?

[@danmessersmith]

It should, with the correct (old enough) version of the universal control app.

[@KonradSkowronski]

You right, we still have FireStudio Project interfaces and this is shame that Presonus didn't allow us to keep using their hardware with new ARM MacBooks. I managed to connect my interface to mid 2009 (!) MacBook with Logic Pro, it works, but it's a struggle for old machine and I can't trust this configuration fully. Again, shame on you Presonus.

[@zimzam6192]

i have the same situation. have now 2 macbooks one just for Recording. My solution is to sell The mixer and MacBook and buy a new Mixer from a Other brand tahn Presonus.

[@mvilla36]

OK it’s 2024 now this is gonna be the newest post I got a Mac air M1 and I just got the 24 channel version so what do I need?

[@devinmarshall97]

It will never work. MacOS 10.15 eliminated the Kernel extensions that FireWire protocol needs to function. Unfortunately you need an older machine that is running 10.14 or older.

[@boutrosboutrosboutrosboutros]

Thanks Dan. I just bought the presonus AR 12C and it does not work out of the box with an M1 Macbook. it simply does not show up at all. it probably will show up on an intel mac as my AR8 USB mixer does.. This thing has USB-C! That's what the C is in the name for. it is so frustrating that Presonus does not support their drivers and keep them updated. What is more frustrating as they claim this thing is M1 compatible on the website. Great hardware and shitty support. If I had to re-purchase I would probably go with focus-rite, because they absolutely work with the Mac and always have. At this point my home studio would be better served by the 8 channel focus rite interface. All the cool features of the AR 12C are lost because it doesn't work with a computer

[@josecorneliobrindiscobriimusic]

I have the same adapters and it does not work. ¿Any idea? :( I upgraded my Mac mid 2012 to Ventura.

[@DanMess]

pretty sure firewire support dropped off after Mojave.

[@josecorneliobrindiscobriimusic]

@@DanMess I solved... Install a versión of UC Surface that support firewire port.

[@Alessamusic]

I had the exactly the same problem. Presonus just pissed me off with this lack of support. The mixer is very good and still useable. But because it doesn’t work with M1 chip I’ll have to sell the mixer.

[@danmessersmith]

Thank you for your comment, Alessa! I completely agree. Sorry to hear that you have to sell this mixer.

[@TonyNguyen-ej4vf]

So that mean it doesn't work on mac m1 you meant

[@Alessamusic]

@@TonyNguyen-ej4vf yes, exactly. I won`t work on Mac M1 chips, or any mac chip.

[@TonyNguyen-ej4vf]

So when you 🔌 plug USB port to mac it doesn't receive right

[@Alessamusic]

@@TonyNguyen-ej4vf I won't even appear as a sound source. It's ridiculous

[@sdyogi]

That sucks. Just got this same setup lol

[@WestridgeBluesband]

Hello Dan. Thanks for great vid and info. I have a question, and I hope you can help me sort some things out. I have an old Presonus studiolive 16.4.2 firewire mixer. My problem is that I have never use a Mac whatsoever. I am up to buy a used and refurbished Mac book Pro that will work along with the mixer. Can you recommend a MacBook Pro (year and model) that will suit my needs and will be running with the Presonus? I have read that Presonus only supports also up to Mojave version of OS? Thanks for a great Chanel keep up the good work. 🙂🙏 Regards Kjell from Sweden

[@lunajohansen7661]

Oh I have a Mac book proo 2012,,

[@martijniseger296]

Ended up selling my presonus 16.4.2 because I never managed to get it connected to my Mac.

[@simaojoseph]

We all must thank usb for this

[@simaojoseph]

I mean the problem lies in the fact that you’re programmed to download every other update that comes your way.

[@captinJerk]

Im never gonna buy Presonus again. Yesterday, I had to sell my 32 AI console that was just perfect for my use case. Reason being the lack of support of the apple silicon chip. SUPER PISSED here...

[@ashleythompson4196]

I have the Presonus 24.4.2 I have a Mac Book Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 I have the thunderbolt too. What do I need to do #inneedofhelp

[@Ferazaoedebate]

So many good equipments that uses this shitty FireWire port and are now unused At least it's great for people building a very budget setup, buying those "old" equipment at a good price using with old MacBooks, that are also becoming cheaper

[@willywill9350]

I'm on a plan to buy buy gear, and I was thinking about the presonus studiolive 32.4.2ai but I noticed audio snakes are outdated and now they use digital boxes which is amazing, but that means the old presonus are not compatible with this technology anymore, it can be use still use but the old ways, I want to try the new cat5-6 new thing instead of sending a super long xlr audio snake, but for that more money has to invested, very complex and unfair to certain point

[@guidoseifert5679]

But it's not Presonus failure. Apple discontinued support of fw-hardware and threatens me every day, that my trusty 16.0.2fw and focusrite interface will stop working, although i did not chance my setup. It's still my iMac, that is NOW working with both Presonus and Focusrite, that will stop after i update MacOS.

[@tomehCanada]

Returning cables that worked for you?? Yes Presonus should write the drivers for M1, Apple Silicon chip set but, returning cables that worked for you after you used them sounds like the ladies returning shoes the day after their New Years party?? 🙂

[@davidhurt5439]

I have a 24.4.2 that I love and do not want to upgrade until it is dead. I like to use the Universal Control software along with the Capture software. The UC is only supported up to 10.14 Mojave which makes it very difficult to keep using. I have an old 2012 mac book running high sierra 10.13 just to run UC, and so I don’t need all the adapters. Presonus, I love your equipment but you have dumped us old-schoolers off at the curb and waved bye bye. So sad.

[@DannybFlat01]

I cant use my old Mac due to my updates, any advice for getting the UC to work? Thanks!

[@R3DMAC]

Remember SIP must be turned off, you can do this with open core or manually

[@skippfowler]

thanks for the info, what a waste on presonus and mac, more tech for the dumps of the world.

[@Mikepo587]

Spending that much money that’s already not a multitrack recorder are you can call it an analog but it’s digital I don’t care what a computer does but I love d.a.w. they’re fine but I prefer for simple stuff something that works unfortunately nowadays they don’t make stuff that works and expensive or they’re ridiculous expensive for the ones I do might as well rent the studio but if you just wanna fall around like zoom DL series they could be great I mean those prices those things should be like DVD players are now it should be worth nothing it’s not A big thing to split channels but yet they give problems because they don’t make them properly it’s so easy I had somebody redo mine I’ll never have a problem again and I don’t use the data because I’m not good enough as are doing it and it doesn’t work anyway it’s only good for mixing and cleaning up so I don’t even do that because I play me and saying and if it’s just for myself personally I really don’t care I don’t need a computer I have the LA I have plenty of stuff to export and import the music I know how to do it people say it doesn’t work there’s a trick it works fine.

[@mikeriverajr4447]

USB= same dam port for 30 years, firewire,400 800 dv, thunder bolt, c, on and on .. on top of that apples forced updates FORCING you to obsolete your equipment your perfectly working equipment . . and they do this ALL ON PURPOSE, if they wish to they can make there new OS updates backwards compatible . . most hardware on windows will run from xp to win 11, thats over 20 years of support, your lucky if you get 5 years with apple, I actually have a mbox2, that was released on xp,I have personally used it xp, vista, 7, 10 and 11, there was no driver release after win 7 but yet it still works on 10 and 11. . . would love to have a m1 but apples digusting buisness practices force me not to , [not that windows is a saint]

[@thorodinson5753]

спасибо брат! я хотя и не сильно хорошо знаю английский но все понял ... Желаю Мира