How do I configure the output channels used on macOS apps such as iTunes?

It is possible to use any available output of a FireWire Core Audio interface from within macOS. For example, if you wanted to play iTunes out from the Orpheus S/PDIF outputs, you would do this:

  • Connect Orpheus and go into Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) in macOS
  • Select ‘Properties For: Orpheus’
  • Go into ‘Configure Speakers’. You should have a list of all the available outputs of Orpheus listed.
    • Check the box next to SPDIF (outputs 9-10)
    • Below this list is the speaker configuration, make sure you have stereo selected
    • beneath each speaker you will be able to select the output depending on which outputs you checked in the above list. Select S9 for the left speaker and S10 for the right speaker.

After making changes of this kind, you may find that you need to re-start your audio applications in order for the changes to take effect.

How do I connect my DAW to daisy-chained units?

Windows

WDM drivers still connect to channels pairs individually. The ASIO driver will automatically combine all audio channels into a single interface. You may need to re-start your DAW in order to detect the additional channels.

macOS

You need to ensure that all units are running at the desired sample rate using CSP sync before daisy-chaining them:

  1. Connect a single interface to your Mac and ensure that power is connected. Wait until it appears on the control panel.
  2. Ensure that it has the latest firmware installed
  3. Set the sync source to CSP (using control panel) and set the sample rate. Save all settings by putting Orpheus into standby, then back to normal.
  4. Disconnect the FireWire cable but keep your interface powered. Wait for control panel to go blank.
  5. Repeat above steps for every additional interface.
  6. Daisy-chain all of the units together. The first interface should be connected to your Mac, the second connected to the first one, and so on.
  7. If devices fall off the FireWire bus during the final step, disconnect power from all units, reboot your Mac and begin again from the top.

In order to see channels from all interfaces in your DAW, you will need to create an aggregate device.

Note that you need to set all units to the same sample rate otherwise some channels will not be available. Use the Orpheus control panel to change sample rate for all units, or use the aggregate device sample rate (which can be set from your DAW).

Please also note that your interfaces must be used as the clock master because CSP sync is required. If you have external digital devices, you must synchronise them from wordclock or digital outputs.

Can I use FireWire interfaces with multiple Core Audio applications on macOS?

It is not recommended to use FireWire interfaces with multiple Core Audio applications unless you are running Snow Leopard (macOS 10.6).

Prior to Snow Leopard, macOS has a bug that results in audio degradation when a class-compliant FireWire audio device is connected to two or more Core Audio clients at the same time. For example, you could experience drop-outs in Logic Pro if iTunes is also being used in the background.

We recommend that you only connect to a single Core Audio application at a time. Please also ensure that Orpheus/ADA-8 is not your default recording or playback device in order to prevent accidental connection.

Apple have confirmed that this bug is fixed in Snow Leopard.

Can I use Logic Pro?

Yes. However, early versions of Logic Pro 8 had issues with FireWire audio interfaces. These issues were resolved in Logic Pro 8.0.2.

We recommend using Software Update to ensure that you always have the latest Logic patches. For more information, please refer to the troubleshooting guides: Logic Pro 7 and Logic Pro 8 & 9.

Which DAW can I use?

Orpheus and ADA-8 can be used with any DAW or application that supports ASIO or WDM drivers (Windows), or Core Audio (Mac OS X).

Why can’t my computer see the FireWire module?

Ensure that the FireWire card is being detected by the ADA-8/ADA-8XR hardware by using the “Interrogate Modules” option in the ADA-8/ADA-8XR’s menu.

Next, ensure that the Source and Destination of both paths is set to the relevant slot which houses the FireWire card. If in doubt, re-load the factory FireWire store.

Finally, check that your operating system is suitable and that your FireWire ports are functioning correctly. Windows users may have to re-install the FireWire drivers when adding a new FireWire card.

If you still have problems, please contact tech.support@prismsound.com.

Which operating systems are supported for the FireWire module?

The FireWire I/O Module type PREV039/10/1 can be used with both Apple Mac and PC.

Mac:

  • macOS 10.4.11 to macOS 12.6.
  • In macOS 13 Ventura, Apple removed support for Core Audio over firewire so the Orpheus and a multitude of other firewire devices will no longer work.
  • You will need to download & install the FireWire module control panel for Mac in order to select sync sources correctly.

PC:

As with any software, it is advisable to create a system back-up prior to installation and to back-up your data regularly.