Zed R16 doesn't work with MacOs Monterey

[SlupChips]

I just bought a new 2021 Macbook Pro (M1 Max) with MacOS Monterey software installed and now I’m unable to connect my Zed R16.

Any idea if the Zed R16 has been discontinued and if it’s incompatible with newer Mac software?

Thank you.

[teosorbara]

Hi SlupChips,
I also bought last Mac book Pro M1, and same problem… My ZEDR16 is not reconized by my computer. It’s a real problem and i am thinking about to buy an another audio interface to work and keep my ZED R16 which is a really good console as well.

Allen & Heath please HELP US !!

[KeithJ A&H]

Hi Both,

The ZED-R16 has been discontinued for a few years now.
We continued to test and support the drivers for as long as possible, but unfortunately the chipset used for the firewire connection is no longer supported (at a lower level), meaning there will be no more updates beyond the latest (4.3.1 for Mac, 4.2.0 for Windows).

If it’s not possible to keep the working setup and the computer must be updated, then the best option would be something like the RME Digiface which has multiple ADAT ports.

Thanks,
Keith.

[teosorbara]

Hi keith,
This is so bad for an interface at this price… I think a lot of people are in the same situation.
I’ll take the adat way to keep it !

Thank you for answer me.

[DanH]

Hi
Would RME Hammerfall DSP Digiface Soundcard/Interface work please?

[KeithJ A&H]

@DanH

The ZED-R16 8 channel ADAT connectivity is standard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAT_Lightpipe), so anything which supports standard 8 channel 48kHz ADAT can be connected.
This includes the original RME Digiface you mention 🙂

Thanks,
Keith.

[FrankM]

2024 my status with ZED R16
Windows, desktop runs on win 11 and 10 with Firewire card ti chip smooth.

On notebook with apple adapter not stable anymore. 2023 was working fine, one of the win updates destroyed it.

Mac:
I have bought me a mac pro 5,1 from 2010 with 2 cpu’ s and open core legacy patcher. I am happy, total cost 500 euro.

I was trying rme usb adat and its working fine and stable with lenovo p52 notebook.

But I had a problem to get the master back into the mixer, I was not able to put effects on the master like compressor.

I did a concert with rme digiface usb it wioks solid, as expected.

My solution is mac pro 5,1 and I will add

A 2015 i7 mac book pro. I guess the m1 -3 cpus are causing the problems, the rme is the only chance.

I am fully using the midi functions … and would advise to bring it back a midi analog mixer.

[rich]

Thanks for sharing these insights mate as I found it very much useful and informative.

[André]

@FrankM

Hi, I’m still stuck on Win 7, because of the Zed R16 drivers…
So can you confirm that I can switch to Win 11 and be able to use the Zed R16 without problems with the latest driver released?

[FrankM]

With a dedicated firewire pcie card from amazon it works win 10 and 11. Its important that the card has a ti (texas instruments) chip. It also works on intel based mac pro abd mac book , wth m1 2 and three not. I have a mac book pro 2018 and it works fine, alternativ is rme digiface usb or motu lp 32 adat interface.

[André]

@FrankM
Thanks a lot! Can you link me the firewire card you bought on amazon? …otherwise thanks anyway I’ll see what I can find 😉

[FrankM]

KALEA-INFORMATIQUE PCI Express PCIe x1 Controller-Karte Firewire 800 und 400 IEEE1394A und IEEE1394B 2+1 Ausgänge mit Chipsatz TI XIO2213BZAY

[André]

@FrankM thanks a lot!!! 🤓

[techorcusnix]

Just found this thread after having the same connectivity issues after upgrading a Music production machine (Intel based) with macOS Monterey

The desk is not detected on the Firewire interface and reading the post by KeithJ A&H above seems there’s no way for it to work on this latest OS version.
Being in education we’re very limited on budget so was wondering if this low-cost adapter would work as an alternative to the DigiFace?

https://www.chromapure.co.uk/details.asp?id=416&type=products

[Author]

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