Question

My place of work (school) currently runs a classic 16.02 Firewire Mixer for our studio and it performs excellently. We recently bought a new Mac to replace the old one which died. We are running the 16.02 using Universal Control 1.7.6 but the new Mac is nagging us to upgrade to Catalina. As it's a shared computer, it's only a matter of time before someone updates it to Catalina (probably by mistake) rendering our 16.02 useless. There is no money available for a new mixer. I get distracted... my question is, can I run my classic 16.02 Firewire on the new universal control v3.2.0.56558 if we update to Catalina? If this is possible, do I uninstall U/C V1.7.6? I'm finding the information from Presonus confusing as it seems to both imply that its possible to do so and also seems to state that we should remain on Mojave?

See the link:- https://www.presonus.com/products/StudioLive-16.0.2/downloads

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

With Universal Control v3.2.0.56558 there is a separate firewire driver installer included in UC download to accommodate OS X Catalina. There is no VSL, just allows I/O

Link: https://pae-web.presonusmusic.com/downloads/products/release_notes/UC_3_2_0_Milestone_Release_Notes.pdf

For full use of the mixer its advised to roll your OSX back to Mojave or dual boot your Mac.

Answer 2

I have installed the separate firewire driver included in the UC download, which is meant to accommodate OS X Catalina. But no cigar. I can live with UC not working, but not if the mixer does not work as an audio interface.

Please help!

Answer 3

UPDATE: I got my 16.0.2 working as a 16in/16out audio interface over firewire on Catalina. Turns out, during the installation of the firewire drivers, apple's new security features disable the drivers on installation, with no warning!? 

You'll know if this is the case if you follow these instructions:

https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/210047233-How-Do-I-know-my-StudioLive-is-connected-to-my-computer-and-functioning-over-firewire-

Also, if you check on your StudioLive 16.0.2 firewire mixer System Menu >> "Page 3: Digital" the status will say "no driver" if the driver has been disabled.

To check for disabled software, follow this answer (it says OS X 10.13, but works for 10.15):

https://answers.presonus.com/27478/installed-universal-control-system-firewire-devices-showing?show=27480#a27480

To rectify, follow these instructions (again, it says OS X 10.13, but works for 10.15):

https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005456483-Installation-Issues-with-Universal-Control-on-High-Sierra-Mac-OSX-10-13

Won't get UC working, but will get your mixer taking to your computer. Hope this helps!