Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
SjaakMotifXF8
Total Posts: 20
Joined 01-06-2013 status: Regular |
Dear reader, I own a Motif XF8, Motif-Rack XS and n12 Digital Mixing Studio. My current DELL laptop is over 6 years old now, and I have decided to buy a new Windows laptop before I can’t find any Windows laptop with Firewire interface anymore. I plan to use it with 2 Windows installations, so I can use one installation exclusively for my music hobby, and the other installation for my work and other private applications/data.
Laptop configuration:
After reading several posts on audio issues related to FW16E and PC/laptop chipsets, I was interested if anyone has experience with the built-in chipset JMicron JMB380C.
I know the lists “Correct Operation Confirmed”:
and “correct operation cannot be guaranteed”:
but I have no choice in laptops with FW. I’m happy I still could find this one. And I don’t want to buy a desktop and since all my applications are Windows based I am not open to buy and a Mac for Cubase, and a Windows laptop for everything else.
My question:
Thanks in advance for reading and hopefully submitting some information to ease my mind on this chipset. Sjaak |
SjaakMotifXF8
Total Posts: 20
Joined 01-06-2013 status: Regular |
I checked available Firewire 400 cards for a desktop, as alternative if I can’t find a laptop solution, but those cards are mainly PCI (very old).
Dawicontrol DC-1394 PCIe FireWire Controller
LogiLink PCI Express Card 3+1 IEEE1394a
Anyone experience with those 2 Firewire chipsets? Thanks in advance for responses! |
nbadesign
Total Posts: 994
Joined 08-20-2007 status: Guru |
I checked available Firewire 400 cards for a desktop, as alternative if I can’t find a laptop solution, but those cards are mainly PCI (very old).
I have ExpressCard with two FW porta and TI chipset.
Alex |
SjaakMotifXF8
Total Posts: 20
Joined 01-06-2013 status: Regular |
Hi Alex, Thanks for your response! I just feel it’s not right from Yamaha to still sell today new Motif XFs with optional FW, where they say you can connect to PC or Mac, and where they advise a chipset which isn’t available on the market. There are still a few TI FW chipsets available, but Yamaha let the users swim, and trial and error for themselves. But that’s not an option as you can’t buy a laptop, install applications to it, test it and then return it on Firewire performance failure on a specific driver and application, and expect your paid purchasing price 100% returned. You can’t buy a Firewire laptop off the shelve, so it’s custom built.
If you feel my frustration while reading my text, sorry, yes I’m frustrated by the lack of support by Yamaha in this.
I’ll cancel my already ordered and paid built-to-order Windows laptop with built-in Firewire interface, as I only learned after ordering, it’s with a JMicron JMB380C chipset. I have no choice but to manage that cancellation issue and take the cost if any. Yes, I can dual boot on the Mac, but I have a Windows 7 license, that should be sufficient for me, and Apple has blocked the use of Windows 7 and earlier for the MacBook Pro. So if I want to continue using all my already purchased applications I have to buy an additional Window license too. I’ve asked Yamaha Germany if Yamaha is planning for a successor interface card, which fits today’s and the near future’s available interfaces, but that question remains unanswered. I’m very happy with my Motif XF8, but not with Yamaha’s approach to this issue, including not communicating about it.
Alex, I fully agree that Mac should be the choice when you are using FW and don’t want a headache on the use aspect.
Bad Mister, if you happen to read my information, what is your opinion on that? Thanks, Sjaak |
nbadesign
Total Posts: 994
Joined 08-20-2007 status: Guru |
Sjaak,
You should not fill frustrated when you talk about FW issues. For instance, I have no problem with my laptop 10 years ago (Win XP and TI chipset) and mLAN16 installed in Motif ES. Than, when I changed laptop and move to Win 7, I have realized that I could use (due to the different FW chipset) only one stereo channel recording with lot of clicks and pops. Furthermore, MIDI communication was also with lot of interruptions. Since laptop has ExpressCard slot, I have bought FW interface card with TI chipset that was recommended by several forum members. The result was the same and I found that both integrated and ExpressCard FW interface uses the same PCI resources. Than I bought external audio interface…
Alex |
SjaakMotifXF8
Total Posts: 20
Joined 01-06-2013 status: Regular |
Alex,
Thanks for your comments and update.
Sjaak |