I do not have a spare USB port on my computer, how do I connect a Komplete Audio 6 Audio Interface

sammy_karigiri
sammy_karigiri Member Posts: 3 Newcomer
edited October 22 in Komplete General

Are there any minimum or recommended specifications (Voltage, Amperage, other) for the Komplete Audio 6 to be powered up from a Computer Bus? Can I not use an external USB source with the required specifications?

Best Answer

  • Mark Oxley
    Mark Oxley Member Posts: 330 Pro
    Answer ✓

    I would recommend a powered usb hub but keep the audio interface connected directly to usb on the computer. Use the hub for your other devices. As long as you have 2 usb ports on your computer this should work well.

Answers

  • chk071
    chk071 Member Posts: 550 Pro
    edited March 16

    Powered USB hubs should work in any case.

  • Mark Oxley
    Mark Oxley Member Posts: 330 Pro
    Answer ✓

    I would recommend a powered usb hub but keep the audio interface connected directly to usb on the computer. Use the hub for your other devices. As long as you have 2 usb ports on your computer this should work well.

  • sammy_karigiri
    sammy_karigiri Member Posts: 3 Newcomer

    Thanks for the almost immediate response.

    One further query, why the special affinity for the USB Hub ON THE COMPUTER itself. Is it more than just Electrical Power or the quality of the same which likely to be the "cleanest"? In any case what would the power specs be, for a powered USB source?

  • Mark Oxley
    Mark Oxley Member Posts: 330 Pro
    edited March 16

    It's more a case of the audio interface having a "clean" route to the computer's usb port. The issue for me when using a hub is that several usb devices get routed to 1 usb port on the computer. By giving the audio interface it's own dedicated power and data path reduces any possibility of interference IMO.

    Pretty much any decent powered hub on the market would supply the correct amount of power needed for normal usb powered devices and are pretty much plug and play. Some might also have higher output ports for charging purposes. I don't know what power is required by the Komplete Audio 6 but it should say on either the device or in the manual. Just match this with the range of the hubs power output.

  • chk071
    chk071 Member Posts: 550 Pro

    "It's more a case of the audio interface having a "clean" route to the computer's usb port. The issue for me when using a hub is that several usb devices get routed to 1 usb port on the computer. By giving the audio interface it's own dedicated power and data path reduces any possibility of interference IMO."

    Could be. I found that I could prevent interference from the electronics of the computer by using symmetrical cables from the audio interface to my speakers. Maybe other devices on a USB hub also could cause interference with the audio interface. Audio is definitely pretty finicky with that kind of stuff.

  • Kubrak
    Kubrak Member Posts: 3,067 Expert

    Dedicated USB port is recomended to be on safer side concerning dropouts. One possibly even could use lower buffer size than if using shared USB port. And so have lower latency.

  • sammy_karigiri
    sammy_karigiri Member Posts: 3 Newcomer

    Thank you all for your various comments and replies. I think there are many pearls I can glean from all three responses. In the process of connecting up for recording using the AI, I realized that truly there is much more to audio noise than meets the eye (or reaches the ear!) Have decided to stick to time tested advice of using one of the computer's onboard USB ports and reshuffling the other USB devices differently.

    Once again, thanks a million.

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