Upgrade advice

[jstair66]

The latest Hauptwerk version 9 announcement prompted me to take a deep breath and assess the stone-age technology components in my hardware platform:

iMac 2011 vintage 32GB macOS 10.13.6
RME Fireface 800
Hauptwerk version 5

First, kudos for the version 9 backward compatibility on ancient macOS versions. My dilemma is this: the system runs fine, even with some large instruments and otherwise suits my needs. I could just coast along until something major breaks or purchase the upgrade for $299 and enjoy the improvements (until something breaks). If I upgrade the hardware, I'm in for a new computer and 8 x 8 audio interface on top of the software upgrade cost.

Looking for suggestions regarding cost-effective computer and audio interface combinations that have worked well without breaking the bank.

- James

[mdyde]

Hello James,

Thanks very much for the interest in v9.

v9 should work well on your existing system, so there's no particular need to upgrade the hardware unless you want to. Later computers may give higher performance (especially if enabling the higher audio quality option in v9) and have more RAM.

I think your Fireface 800 would still work properly on recent/current computers if you were to get a suitable Firewire adapter. E.g. Apple still make Firewire-to-Thunderbolt adapters, I think. (I can't check at the moment -- Apple's website shop is down.) If considering that option, it may be best to contact RME to verify whether their latest Firewire driver would be fully compatible:

https://www.archiv.rme-audio.de/en/down ... reface.php

Personally, I would keep using that Fireface if possible, until it eventually dies. RME's equipment is very well made and supported, and may well last for a good while yet, and its audio quality is still top-notch.

[jstair66]

Many thanks for the quick reply.

Well, I solved my upgrade problem by turning the Fireface 800 into a brick in the course of a firmware upgrade that didn't work. Others have experienced the same problem with no workable solution due to the age of the product. Any suggestions for a new audio interface?

- James

[larason2]

Well, as far as I know if you're a mac fan, the only real answer is Motu. The new M processor macs and the mac's built in driver for audio interfaces inexplicably create audio glitches in Hauptwerk (and other audio programs, apparently). No word though on if Apple is ever going to fix it. Motu, meanwhile, has an updatable firmware on all their products that I'm pretty sure has been updated by now on all their products to work. At least, I had no problems with the most recent firmwares on a 24Ao which I sold, and my new Motu M2. Maybe the Ultralite Mk5 could be a recommendable one for you. I have a 64 GB M1 mac studio which runs Hauptwerk very well. If you go PC after this though, Motu will still work, but so will interfaces from a lot of other manufacturers.

[jstair66]

Thanks for the great advice larason2. This morning I fired up the system to begin a last ditch attempt at installing a Fireface driver and firmware version that play together and it just worked. Must have been the right combination of reboot and hardware reset that did the trick.

I'm clearly operating on shaky ground although as Martin pointed out, the Fireface 800 is excellent in terms of audio I/O so I'll limp along a bit further. I've had great luck with Motu gear over the years. My current rig has a Motu MIDI interface. If I do need a new audio interface the Motu 828 seems like a good option - reasonably priced without a full array of expensive mic preamps that go unused.

Now, do I dare proceed with that version 9 upgrade? "If it ain't broke........"

[magnaton]

The MOTU 828 does have audio inputs, MIDI interface, 2 headphone jacks and such. Not sure if you need the latter connections or not, but check out the MOTU 24Ao which offers 24 output channels. I had some users tell me that they will never need that many channels but the beauty is you can start to experiment and connect other speakers that can be dedicated to certain ranks or sounds. For example, I had some old, cheap PC speakers that I blew the dust off and connected them to my 24Ao , placed them on my console rig, and routed just the stops and keyboard mechanical noises to them. Thus console noises emit from the organ console.

Danny B.

[mdyde]

Thanks, James.

Glad to hear the Fireface pulled through! My Fireface UFX is only slightly less old (although it does also have USB), and it's still my main audio interface and works perfectly.

Now, do I dare proceed with that version 9 upgrade? "If it ain't broke........"

v5->v9 is an easy upgrade. Use "File | Backup ..." in v5 first for good measure, but you shouldn't have any problems.

[jstair66]

Hi Danny B.

Agree that one can't have too many audio channels with this platform. I have been running 3 stereo monitor pairs of varying quality assigned to different ranks. Great idea assigning the stop and key noises to a small pair of speakers close to the console. Time to rummage through the electronic junk box.

- James