FireWire Audio Interface for OS9?

[eddjedi]

I just fired up OS9 for the first time in ages (trying to get Dark Forces running, see other thread) and noticed that I have no sound. Obviously the G4 Cube has no built in audio out, so I use a Phonic Firefly FireWire audio interface, which is plug and play in OS X 10.4. But OS9 doesn't seem to recognise it (sound preferences just says no input/output source.)

Did OS9 need drivers for FW audio interfaces? If so the chances of finding the installation CD for a 15 year old product are pretty slim, are there any generic drivers that might work?

 

[weckart]

I just fired up OS9 for the first time in ages (trying to get Dark Forces running, see other thread) and noticed that I have no sound. Obviously the G4 Cube has no built in audio out, so I use a Phonic Firefly FireWire audio interface, which is plug and play in OS X 10.4. But OS9 doesn't seem to recognise it (sound preferences just says no input/output source.)

Did OS9 need drivers for FW audio interfaces? If so the chances of finding the installation CD for a 15 year old product are pretty slim, are there any generic drivers that might work?

Dunno. I have a Behringer FCA202 and that relies on CoreAudio, so would exclude OS9. You could try searching for the user guide for your specific interface and that will tell you which OSes are supported. For what it's worth, I bought a pair of FW speakers for my Cube and those required OS X, too.

I would assume for any FW audio support under OS9 that the manufacturer would have supplied specific kexts. From what I can remember, interface cards used to be the order of the day with the likes of ProTools in pre-OS X days but others here can give more precise info.

Audio USB support for OS9 does exist - it is what the Cube relies on. I would suggest you try that route, preferably with a USB to soundport dongle so that you can attach powered speakers. The Cube relies on a chip in the USB Apple Pro speakers it shipped with to beef up the power supplied to give it any sort of volume.

 

[eddjedi]

Thanks, good thinking, I just found the manual online and yes it says it's only compatible with OS 10.3 and above. The CD came with Windows XP drivers, but nothing for OS 9 apparently.
I don't really want to change the audio interface as it does everything I want it to in OS X, I do have a cheap USB 'sound card' somewhere so will try that. Not the end of the world if I have to switch between the two for very occasional OS9 use.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Well, if you can get ahold of an M-audio device like a 1014 or 1814 for example, Os9 lives has a full set of compatible os9 drivers hosted on their website.

http://www.macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=1933.0

Might be a cheapish way to go if no drivers can be found for your device.

 

[reddrag0n]

i have a Pyro AV device and it allows for audio input. i was using it to demo recording a vhs into imovie in os9. so i'm sure the sound settings should allow for standard audio input from firewire