Approved Firewire chipsets for Firestudio family interfaces & StudioLive mixers
Release date: Oct 2, 2012
PreSonus FireStudio Family interfaces and StudioLive mixers work with a wide range of
FireWire cards and configurations. Due to the plethora of FireWire chipsets currently on
the market, it is not possible to thoroughly test each one for compatibility. Most users
will not need to alter their current PC configuration to use their FireStudio family
interface.
Please note: This document supersedes previous compatibility documents released by
PreSonus both on our website and in our user manuals. Many manufacturers have
changed their chipset designs. This document reflects those changes.
The following FireWire chipsets are available on a wide range of motherboards and
FireWire adapter cards:
Manufacturer Chipset Configuration Type
LSI (Agere) FW321 PCI, Laptop Mainboard
LSI (Agere) FW322 PCI, Laptop Mainboard
LSI (Agere) FW323 PCI, Laptop Mainboard
LSI (Agere) FW643 PCI Express, ExpressCard|34, Motherboard, Laptop
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB43AB21A PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB43AA22 PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB43AB22 PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB43AB22A PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB43AB23 PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TI TSB82AA2 +
TI TSB81BA3 PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB82AA2B PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB83AA22A PCI, Cardbus, Mainboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
TSB83AA23 PCI, Cardbus, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
XIO2200 PCI Express, ExpressCard|34, ExpressCard|54, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
XIO2200A PCI Express, ExpressCard|34, ExpressCard|54, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
XIO2213 PCI Express, ExpressCard|34, ExpressCard|54, Motherboard
Texas Instruments (TI)
XIO2213B PCI Express, ExpressCard|34, ExpressCard|54, Motherboard
VIA VT6315/VT6330
PCI Express, ExpressCard|34, ExpressCard|54, Motherboard
Here is a list of manufacturers and models of PCI, PCI Express (PCI-e), ExpressCard|34,
ExpressCard|54 and PCMCIA FireWire cards using approved FireWire chipsets that were
tested by the PreSonus QA Team:
Vendor Format Part # 1394b 1394a
1394 Chipset Notes
Aaxeon PCIe x1 Card FWB-68300 4 - TI XIO2213B
StarTech PCIe x1 Card PCI1394MP - 3 TSB43AB23
Belkin PCI Card F5U623-APL 3 -
TI TSB81BA3
+ TSB82AA2
StarTech PCI Card PCI1394B_3 2 1 TI 3AA651W
SIIG PCI Card NN-44012-S8 - 3 TI TSB43AB23
SIIG PCI Card NN-831012-S2 3 -
TI TSB81BA3
+ TSB82AA2
Belkin PCI Card F5U503V - 3 TI TSB43AB23
Syba /
IO Crest ExpressCard|34
SD-EXPC34-2F - 2 TI XIO2200
Sonnet ExpressCard|34
FW800-E34 2 - TI XIO2213
StarTech ExpressCard|34
EC13942 - 2 TI XIO2200A
StarTech ExpressCard|34
EC1394B2 2 - TI - XIO2213A
SIIG ExpressCard|34
NN-EC2012-S2 - 2 TI XIO2200
SIIG ExpressCard|34
NN-EC2012-S1 - 2 VIA VT6315
StarTech PCie PEX1394B3 2 1
LSI/Agere
FW643
• This document will be updated as recommendations for different cards become available.
Here is a list of PCI, PCI Express (PCI-e), ExpressCard|34, ExpressCard|54 and PCMCIA
FireWire card models that use approved FireWire chipsets. While these cards have not been
tested by the PreSonus QA Team, they use the same or similar configurations to ones that have
been tested. Because of this, PreSonus has high confidence in their compatibility with our
FireWire products.
Vendor Format Part # 1394b
1394a
1394 Chipset Notes
ADS
PCI API-315 - 3 TI TSB41AB3
No Longer
Made
APIOtek
ExpressCard|34
EC-0002C 2 TI XIO 2200A
APIOtek
ExpressCard|34
EC-002A - 2 TI XIO 2200A
Belkin
PCIe F5U504 - 3 TI XIO2200
Best
Connectivity
ExpressCard|34
SD-EXP30012 - 2 VIA VT6315
CoolGear
CardBus B004FJRPSM - 2 TI TSB43AB2
Dawicontrol
PCI DC-1394 PCI - 3 TI TSB43AB23 Europe Only
Dawicontrol
PCIe DC-FW800 PCIe 2 1 TI XIO2213A Europe Only
Dawicontrol
PCIe DC-1394 PCIe - 3 TI XIO 2200A Europe Only
Dawicontrol
PCI DC-FW800 PCI 2 1
TI TSB82AA2 +
TI TSB81BA3 Europe Only
Dawicontrol
ExpressCard|34
DC-FW800 eCard 2 -
TI TSB82AA2 +
TI TSB81BA3 Europe Only
Dawicontrol
ExpressCard|34
DC-1394 eCard - 2 TI XIO2200A Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCI 89 167 2 -
TI TSB82AA2 +
TI TSB81BA3 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCI 89 234 2 1 TI TSB43AB23 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCI 89196 - 3 TI TSB43AB23 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 61586 2 1
LSI/Agere
FW643 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 61643 3 -
LSI/Agere
FW643 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 89208 4 -
LSI/Agere
FW643 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 89210 3 - TI XIO2213B Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 61586 2 1
LSI/Agere
FW643 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 89121 - 2 TI TSB43AB23 Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 89172 - 2 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
DeLock/Tragant
PCIe 89202 - 2 TI XIO2200A Europe Only
DIGITUS
PCIe DS-30203 2 1 TI XIO2213 Europe Only
DIGITUS
ExpressCard|34
DS-31202 - 2 TI XIO2200 Europe Only
ExSys
PCIe EX-16415 3 1 TI XIO2213 Europe Only
ExSys
PCIe EX-16415-L 3 1 TI XIO2213 Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6410 - 3
TI TSB43AB22A
+
TI TSB81BA3 Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6411 2 1
TI
TSB43AB22A
+
TI TSB81BA3 Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6503E 3 -
TI TSB43AB22A
+
TI TSB81BA3 Europe Only
ExSys
Cardbus EX-6601E 2 1
TI TSB43AB22A
+
TI TSB81BA3 Europe Only
ExSys
PC Express EX-6701 2 - TI XIO2213 Europe Only
ExSys
PCIe EX-16440 - 2 TI XIO2200A Europe Only
ExSys
PCIe EX-16450 - 2 TI XIO2200A Europe Only
ExSys
PCIe EX-16500E - 4 TI TSB43AB23 Europe Only
ExSys
PCIe EX-16501E - 4 TI TSB43AB23 Europe Only
ExSys
PCIe EX-16502E - 2 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6440 - 3 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6450 - 3 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6500E - 4 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6502E - 2 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6506E - 3 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6507E - 2 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6508E - 2 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6509E - 2 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
PCI EX-6514E - 4 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
CardBus EX-6605E - 2 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
ExSys
CardBus EX-6606E - 1 TI TSB43AB22A Europe Only
FireWire Direct
ExpressCard|34
NAVCBFW8EC 2 - TI XIO2213
FireWire Direct
CardBus 10.803 2 1
TI TSB81BA3
+ TSB82AA2
FireWire Direct
PCIe NAVPCIEFW8002X
3 3 TI XIO2213
FireWire Direct
PCIe NAVPCIEFW800 2 2 TI XIO2213
FireWire Direct
PCIe NAVPCIESATFW 3 - TI XIO2213
Koutech
ExpressCard|34
1002E - 2 TI XIO2200
Other
World
Computing
ExpressCard|34
EXPC342F - 2 TI XIO2200
Other
World
Computing
ExpressCard|34
EXPC342F1U - 2 TI XIO2200
Rain Computers
ExpressCard|34
Express Card - 2 TI XIO2200
SIIG
ExpressCard|34
NN-000042-S2 2 - TI XIO2213B
SIIG
PCI NN-40012-S8 - 3 TI TSB43AB23
SIIG
CardBus NN-8CB212-S1 1 1
TI TSB81BA3
+ TSB82AA2
SIIG
PCIe NN-E20112-S2 - 2 TI XIO2200A
SIIG
PCIe NN-E38012-S3 2 1 TI XIO2213
SIIG
ExpressCard|54
NN-EC2812-S2 1 1 TI XIO2213B
SIIG
CardBus NN-PC8312-S2 2 1
TI TSB81BA3
+ TSB82AA2
SIIG
CardBus NN-PCM222-S4 - 2 TI TSB43AB23
SIIG
CardBus NN-PCM312-S2 - 3 TI TSB43AB23
SIIG
Expresscard|34 NN-EC2012-S1 - 2 VIA VT6315
Sonnet
PCIe FW400A-E - 3 TI XIO2000
Sonnet
PCI FW800A 2 1
TI TSB81BA3 +
TSB82AA2
Sonnet
PCIe FW800-E 3 - TI XIO2213
Sonnet
PCIe FW8USB2A-E 3 - TI XIO2213
Sonnet
PCI FWUSB2A - 2 TI XIO2000
Sonnet
PCIe FWUSB2A-E - 3 TI XIO2000
Sonnet
ExpressCard|34
FWUSB2-E34 - 2 TI XIO2000
StarTech
ExpressCard|34
EC13941A1B 1 1
LSI/Agere
FW643
StarTech
ExpressCard|34
EC13942A2 - 2 VIA VT6315
StarTech
mini-PCIe MPEX1394B3 2 1
LSI/Agere
FW643
StarTech
PCIe PCI1394MP - 3
TI TSB43AB23 +
TI-TSB12LV26
StarTech
PCIe PEX1394B3LP 2 1
LSI/Agere
FW643
ST Lab
PCI F-330 - 4 TI TSB43AB23
ST Lab
PCI F-161/F-171 2 1 TI TSB882AA2
ST Lab
PCI F-330 - 3 TI TSB43AB23
ST Lab
PCIe F-360 - 3 VIA VT6315
ST Lab
PCIe F-261 - 3 TI XIO22313A
ST Lab
CardBus C-180 2 1 TI TS82AA2
No Longer
Made
ST Lab
ExpressCard|34
C-201 - 2 TI XIO2200AZHH
ST Lab
ExpressCard|34
C-410 - 2 VIA VT6315
Syba
ExpressCard|34
SD-EXP30012 - 2 VIA VT6315
Syba / IO Crest
PCIe SD-PEX-FWB 2 2 TI TSB82AA2
Ultra
PCI ULT31883 3 - TI TSB82AA2
UniBrain
PCIe FB800e Dual 4 - LSI FW643-e
UniBrain
PCIe
FireBoard800e
V.2 2 - LSI FW643-e
UniBrain
PCI FireBoard-800 V.2 3 - TSB83AA23
UniBrain
PCI 1205 - 3 TSB83AA23
UniBrain
PCIe 1214 - 2 TI XIO2200A
UniBrain
ExpressCard|34
FireCard 800e 2 - TI XIO2213A
UniBrain
ExpressCard|34
FireCard 8400e - 2 TI XIO2200AZHH
Vantec
PCI UGT-FW100 2 1
TI TSB82AA2 +
TI TSB81BA3D
No Longer
Made
Vantec
PCIe UGT-FW200 - 2 VIA VT6315N
Vantec
PCIe UGT-FW210 2 1 TI XIO2213
Many of these companies, as well as many more that are not listed, have other FireWire cards
that use various TI or VIA chipsets. However, because the specific chipset used by these cards
has not been provided by their manufacturers, they have not been included in this list. Stating
that a FireWire card uses a "TI" or "VIA" chipset is not enough information for that card to be
recommended for use with our products.
Please note: manufacturers may change chipsets at any time, without warning, so it is
recommended that you verify these models
Thunderbolt Compatibility
PreSonus has confirmed that its FireWire interfaces, including the StudioLive-series
mixers, are fully compatible with Apple’s Thunderbolt to FireWire 800 adapter (Apple
part number MD464). Interface users can expect performance to at least equal, if not
exceed, the performance with a regular FireWire 800 port.
Using a Thunderbolt to ExpressCard Adapter and an ExpressCard|34 FireWire Card
Adapter from the supported lists shown on this document will allow a PreSonus
FireStudio or StudioLive interface to work with your Thunderbolt enabled system.
Manufacturer
Model Type Notes
SonnetTech
Echo
ExpressCard
Thunderbolt Works with recommended FireWire ExpressCard|34 Cards
Here is an excerpt of ExpressCard|34 cards from the preceding interface lists that will
work with the Echo Thunderbolt Adapter.
Vendor Format Part # 1394b 1394a 1394 Chipset Notes
Syba / IO
Crest ExpressCard|34
SD-EXPC34-2F - 2 TI XIO2200
StarTech ExpressCard|34
EC13942 - 2 TI XIO2200A
StarTech ExpressCard|34
EC1394B2 2 - TI XIO2213A
SIIG ExpressCard|34
NN-EC2012-S2 - 2 TI XIO2200
SIIG ExpressCard|34
NN-EC2012-S1 - 2 VIA VT6315
Sonnet ExpressCard|34
FW800-E34 2 - TI XIO2213
Incompatible Hardware
• Cables
The length of the 1394 cable in use has to be 6.6feet or 2M or shorter in length. Longer 1394
cables have proved to be problematic, especially in areas where there are high amounts of EMF
such as microwaves, power lines in walls or overhead power lines outside a studio, etc. To
reduce the risk of dropouts is to use a heavily shielded 1394 cable.
• FireWire Cable Adapters
Using an adapter to change the connector of a 1394 cable is not recommended. These
adapters come in many configurations, 9pin to 6pin, 6pin to 4pin, etc. We have found that the
grounding in these connectors is either inconsistent or insufficient which results in our FireWire
devices not being able to sync properly to or be detected by a computer. Please use a cable
that is properly configured for your connections.
• FireWire Chipsets
The following FireWire chipsets have been tested and found to be incompatible with PreSonus
FireStudio Family interfaces and StudioLive mixers:
Manufacturer
Chipset Type Notes
ALi / Acer M5251 PCI
This chipset drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly
ALi / Acer M5253 PCI
This chipset drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly
ALi / Acer M5271 PCI
This chipset drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly
JMicron JMB381
PCI Express,
ExpressCard|34,
Mainboard
This chipset
drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly. JMicron
chipsets are found on laptops and motherboards as an
embedded interface
JMicron JMB382
PCI Express,
ExpressCard|34,
Mainboard
This chipset drops data pack
ets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly. JMicron
chipsets are found on laptops and motherboards as an
embedded interface
JMicron JMB8383
PCI Express,
ExpressCard|34,
Mainboard
This chipset drops data packets resulting
in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly. JMicron
chipsets are found on laptops and motherboards as an
embedded interface
NEC D72870 PCI
This chipset drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly
NEC D72871 PCI
This chipset drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly
NEC D72872 PCI
This chipset drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly
NEC D72873 PCI
This chipset drops data packets resulting in devices not
able to sync, play and/or record audio properly
NEC D72874 PCI Express
This card has limited functionality. If the listed amount of
playback channels is exceeded, or if there is other
significant traffic on the bus (DV cam, hard drive, etc) the
card will fail and will not work until after a reboot:
48 channels at 44.1 or 48 kHz, 24 channels at 88.2 or 96kHz
Ricoh R5C551 PCI
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5C552 PCI
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5C553 PCI
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5C803 PCI Express
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5C832 PCI Express
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5C833 PCI Express
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5C847 PCI Express
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5C853 PCI Express
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5U230 PCI Express
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5U231 PCI Express
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able to sync, play
and/or record audio properly. Ricoh chipsets are found on
laptops and motherboards as an embedded interface
Ricoh R5U241 PCI Express
Only found on laptops and desktop as embedded
interface. Customers have reported R5U241 as having
limited success up to 16 tracks before drops out start
to occur.
Texas Inst TSB12LV21A
PCI
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able
to sync, play and/or record audio properly
Texas Inst TSB12LV21B PCI
Drops data packets resulting in devices not able
to sync, play and/or record audio properly
• ATI Radeon 9000/9001 IGP Video Chipset. Symptoms are consistent clicks and
pops during audio playback. This video chipset is only found in PC laptops and is
entirely integrated as the computer’s only video controller. PreSonus strongly
recommends that users do not purchase a system with this chipset for use with a
FireStudio interface or StudioLive mixer.
• Motherboards with nForce4 Chipset. Symptoms include reduced to very poor
performance especially if using the onboard FireWire connection. It is highly
recommend that users do not purchase a system with this motherboard.
The following devices are shown by the OHCI Tool from TC that these are compatible,
however we have found that while they do provide better than basic functionality, the
overall performance of the interface suffers when track counts and plug-in usage
exceeds 16 stereo tracks total. Therefore we can only recommend these cards as
partial functionality. We would recommend that these only be used for minimal needs
and use a recommended interface as shown on page 2 of this document.
VIA VT6306
PCI, Cardbus,
Motherboards,
Laptops
This controller has been verified to work with limited
capability. On some older motherboards, it may
only support a limited number of audio channels.
VIA VT6307
PCI, Cardbus,
Motherboards,
Laptops
This controller has been verified to work with limited
capability. On some older motherboards, it may
only support a limited number of audio channels.
VIA VT6308
PCI, Cardbus,
Motherboards,
Laptops
This controller has been verified to work with limited
capability. On some older motherboards, it may
only support a limited number of audio channels.
