Re: [FFADO-user] [I'm a user and need support] fireface 800

[Jonathan W. <jw...@ph...>]

Hi Ricky

> is there a chance that the RME Fireface will be supported?

There is a chance but the timeframe is totally unknown at present.  The
problem is that RME refuse to assist our project support their fireface
products.  This is a shame because in the past they have been very open to
supporting Linux.

Without vendor support the task of supporting the fireface becomes rather
awkward.  For starters we would have to deduce the control protocol
ourselves, ideally via protocol analysis.  To do this one needs physical
access to a fireface device as well as the hardware to do the analysis. 
Secondly, to test the driver the person writing it needs a sample device.

Now, as it turns out I have had access in the past to a borrowed fireface800
and I have captured many aspects of the device's firewire operation.  I am
in the process of going through the data and distilling it into something
comprehensible.  Some rudimentary fireface code is in ffado, but so far what
it's proven (via tests done by a fireface400 owner) is that there is some
subtlety involved in setting the sample rate which I still haven't deduced.
Development of the driver is difficult because I don't have physical access
to a fireface800 device and as a result I've been concentrating on getting
things like the MOTU mixer into shape.  Once that is done I intend to
revisit the fireface devices, but precisely when that will be and how far
I'll get without a device is unknown.

To get the fireface devices supported we really need RME to come on board. 
Sample devices would be a big help, with some contact with an engineer
ideal.  Protocol documentation would also be useful as it negates the need
to work it out ourselves.  For this to happen RME must be convinced and so
far they have refused all attempts by our project to open a dialog.  I hope
this will change but I don't know how this might be brought about.  In the
meantime it can't hurt for you to contact RME and ask if they could consider
cooperation with the FFADO project.  Don't get too offended if you get a
rather terse reply though.

If RME refuse to come on board, Fireface support will take a lot longer. It
would proceed faster if either I had a sample device (even if just on loan)
OR someone with a Fireface device were in a position to write and test a
driver based on knowledge gained through protocol analysis.

Given all this, if you are considering the purchase of a device for use with
Linux you should instead be looking at one of the many devices from vendors
from whom we do receive support and/or whose devices are standards
compliant.  People like Echo, Focusrite, Edirol and Presonus (some devices)
- check the ffado website for full details.  Avoid companies who thus far
have been totally cold on the idea of supporting FFADO - most noteably MOTU
and RME.  When you make a purchase, let your chosen vendor know that you
made the purchase because of their support for FFADO.  Then also let RME and
MOTU know that their refusal to support FFADO is why you never even
considered their devices.

> Why are all RME Cards supported, but the fireface?

RME was very Linux friendly when it came to their PCI sound cards - devices
like the Hammerfall series for example.  For some reason that openness has
not extended to their firewire products but no one knows why.  It's a bit
odd because RME seemed to be a company which (unlike MOTU) understood
opensource software and the advantages it offers.  I believe the official
line is that they don't want to release "proprietory intellectual property"
but when you look into the details this is at best a diversion without any
technical merit at all.

> Thanks a lot :-)

You're welcome.

Regards
  jonathan