Reviewed July 19, 2023
Table of Contents:
A. Owner's Manual
B. End of Service Notice and End of Firewire Support.
C. Supported Operating Systems
D. Required Adapters for Firewire to Thunderbolt
E. Disabled Firewire Drivers on Mac
F. Computer System-Audio playback
G. Setting up the FireStudio Project with Studio One
H. Learning References
This article covers any PreSonus product with a s400 firewire port.
A. Owner's Manual for the FireStudio Project:
The PDF download of the Manual for the FireStudio Project can be found here:
B. End of Service Notice and End of Firewire Support.
First released in 2008, this interface was a market leader—and we’re sad to see it go. Unfortunately, the DSP chips this interface rely on for processing are no longer manufactured, and once the existing stock is used up, we will be unable to acquire more.
This means that there are no longer any manufactured parts to repair these products.
Please also note that support for Firewire PreSonus products has ended with the release of Universal Control 4.0.
This is further detailed here:
C. Supported Operating Systems
Legacy support is available for Intel Based Macs up to macOSX 10.14.6 (Mojave) and Windows 10 using the Universal Control 1.7.6 release.
Universal Control 1.7.6 can be found here. This version is for the classic StudioLive 16.4.2 and 24.4.2
The StudioLive 16.0.2 FireWire can use up to v3.6
Link: https://legacy.presonus.com/products/StudioLive-16.0.2/downloads
-Apple M1 CPU Compatibility
Apple has retired their old method of custom device driver support called Kernel Extensions (also referred to as KEXT files) in favor of a different way of supporting connected devices called DriverKit. Firewire KEXT files meant for Intel-CPU machines will not load on Apple M1-CPU machines.
-Windows 11 Compatibility
PreSonus is discontinuing support for device drivers for the FireWire products in Windows OS. Changes in the Windows 11 operating system prevent the device drivers for FireWire products from functioning as designed.
These devices will continue to be supported on Windows 10 builds 1703 to 21H1.
D. Required Adapters for Firewire to Thunderbolt
Firewire will not convert to traditional USB for audio processing.
Firewire will convert to Thunderbolt 2 or 3 using the recommended adapters.
-For Mac computers:
- Bilingual S800 to S400 FireWire cable.
- Apple's Approved Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire Adapter. While this is no longer online in the Apple store you may find some in a physical Apple store or online. Please ensure its the official Apple one if you are securing one online.
-For Windows computers with Thunderbolt support:
- Bilingual S800 to S400 FireWire cable.
- Apple's Approved Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire Adapter. While this is no longer online in the Apple store you may find some in a physical Apple store or online. Please ensure its the official Apple one if you are securing one online.
- StarTech's Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C adaptor.
If you wish to install a firewire card then please see this link.
E. Intel-CPU Mac Computers: Disabled Drivers after Installation
If your FireStudio Project is not showing on your Mac computer with OSX 10.13 or higher, please ensure that the Firewire drivers have not been disabled by your security preferences.
Here are instructions for re-enabling the drivers and also how to check if they have been disabled:
F. Computer System-Audio Playback
First, be sure to have Universal Control 1.7.6 installed to install the audio drivers.
Universal Control 1.7.6 can be found here.
Your FireStudio Project will present as the "FireStudio" audio device in your Mac or PC audio settings.
G. Setting up the FireStudio Project with Studio One:
First, be sure to have Universal Control 1.7.6 installed to install the audio drivers.
Universal Control 1.7.6 can be found here.
Your FireStudio Project will present as the "FireStudio" audio device in your recording software.
-Instructions for configuring Audio I/O for Studio One can be found here in section 2.2.4:
H. Learning References:
-Manuals and Documentation
These can be found on each product's PreSonus.com Product page:
-Knowledge Base
The StudioLive Classic Knowledge Base index has numerous articles and instructions for various use-cases and can be found here:
-PreSonus Forum and Answers page
The community forum and Answers page are another way to find instructions for specific use-cases from other PreSonus Users and Staff.
- PreSonus Answers: http://answers.presonus.com/
- PreSonus Community Support Forums: https://forums.presonus.com/
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Please contact PreSonus Technical Support by creating a Support Ticket at My.PreSonus.com/support for further assistance.
>How to create a support ticket<