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nick_harambee

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 20, 2005
118
0
I have been using an Apple thunderbolt to VGA adapter to connect my digital projector to a Macbook Air. Now I need to also connect a pro audio firewire mixer, which has a firewire 400 cable. If I didn't have to connect the projector as well, I presume that the way to go would be to use an Apple thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter with an 800 to 400 adapter on the end, but as I have two devices I am rather stumped.

I know that thunderbolt/mini display is for daisy chaining, so there isn't such a thing as a thunderbolt hub, except that I could maybe use the Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock (expensive as it is, it may be a cheaper option than others). I have read mixed reviews of this device, but it looks like it could essentially work - one thunderbolt cable to connect the Macbook to the dock, then use the Firewire 800 port on the dock with an 800-400 adapter for the mixer and the second thunderbolt port on the dock for the projector with the VGA adapter. I am wondering if there are any other possible solutions though, other than buying a Macbook Pro!

Thanks,

Nick
 
Doing a quick search just seems that getting multiple Thunderbolt devices off one port is very difficult as the accessories just don't seem to exist. So perhaps another solution would be to shunt your video out via a USB3.0 to VGA adaptor such as the following:

http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Multiple-Monitors-1920x1080-DisplayLink/dp/B008GXQ1OW

(I have no idea if it's any good, but the reviews seem favourable)

Then use a FireWire to Thunderbolt adaptor on your now freed up ThunderBolt port.
 
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I have a 2011 Macbook Pro with one Thunderbolt input which my monitor is using to connect (via an adaptor as it's an old monitor) I now have the Apollo Twin I want to connect via Thunderbolt but can't. The Thunderbolt docks out there only over 2 thunderbolt inputs too but one of them would be used to connect the dock to the computer so that still leaves me with only one free Thunderbolt dock aka where I am right now.
 
I have a 2011 Macbook Pro with one Thunderbolt input which my monitor is using to connect (via an adaptor as it's an old monitor) I now have the Apollo Twin I want to connect via Thunderbolt but can't. The Thunderbolt docks out there only over 2 thunderbolt inputs too but one of them would be used to connect the dock to the computer so that still leaves me with only one free Thunderbolt dock aka where I am right now.

Most docks offer HDMI out as well. You could use this port to drive your display and keep your Thunderbolt port for your Apollo (sweet looking piece of kit!).
 
You know what I realized - my MacBook pro 11 won't even work with the Apollo because it's a mini display connector not thunderbolt even tho they are the same looking cable. So I'm considering buying a MacBook mini. Seems like the price is right for the machine.
 
You know what I realized - my MacBook pro 11 won't even work with the Apollo because it's a mini display connector not thunderbolt even tho they are the same looking cable. So I'm considering buying a MacBook mini. Seems like the price is right for the machine.

This is a tough post to understand because there's no such thing as a MacBook Pro 11 or a MacBook Mini. Although they sound like they would be interesting products.

MacBook Airs have had Thunderbolt ports since (I believe) 2011.
 
Right you are! :) Sorry about that. To be clear - My mid 2010 Macbook Pro is currently connected to a Mac Monitor via mini display port. Up until recently I thought my Macbook had Thunderbolt but it's just Mini Display port so Apollo won't work with it anyway. I'm considering getting a Mac Mini which has two thunderbolts - one I can attach my monitor to and the other for Apollo. The issue then is that I need to buy an external drive to load all the Native Instrument DVDs....*sigh....goes on and on :)
 
Right you are! :) Sorry about that. To be clear - My mid 2010 Macbook Pro is currently connected to a Mac Monitor via mini display port. Up until recently I thought my Macbook had Thunderbolt but it's just Mini Display port so Apollo won't work with it anyway. I'm considering getting a Mac Mini which has two thunderbolts - one I can attach my monitor to and the other for Apollo. The issue then is that I need to buy an external drive to load all the Native Instrument DVDs....*sigh....goes on and on :)

NP, external drives are like $35 from Amazon...
 
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