Usb connection machine MK3

Michaelpur

Hello can anybody help please? I was wondering if using USB 2 or USB 3.2 gen 2 will make a difference with the controller and on board sound running better from cubase on the pc? Also will I need a 3.2 cable if it does make a difference and I'm not sure what the lead is you get with it. Thank you Michael

LostInFoundation

No difference on the controller aspect (almost all those midi controllers works with USB2)

On the audio interface aspect, I never encountered any noticeable difference ore “upgrade” using a 3.2 cable or port instead of 2.0.

As I never noticed any improvement with the new devices with USB C (if not that the cable is maybe a little more “comfortable” to use?). All of those cables seem to deliver same performance to me

Michaelpur

Hello thank you for your response much appreciated, just when I looked on the native instruments website, it was talking about using keyboards etc and said that USB 2 didn't power things properly as 3 has a higher voltage to power the products and they even advised using a separate powered hub, also the data transfer is obviously higher and faster with 3 but obviously 2 might be enough, I haven't updated my system for so long my sound card still works on FireWire haha so I presume will be an upgrade.

Thanks again Michael

maniacintosh81

Maschine Mk3 is a USB 2 device. It just needs a USB 2.0 port according to system requirements. It has a dedicated port for an optional power supply.

Power supply with USB 3 is a thing with newer controllers by NI like Kontrol S49/61/88 Mk3. But even here there is still a dedicated USB-C port for power. I expect the host connection still works with USB 2 if you use the right cable or adaptor.

Michaelpur

Ok thank you, maniacintosh81 I was just also worried about using the onboard sound card and thought that the data transfer would be much better with USB 3.2 so I don't get any glitches with plugins etc

maniacintosh81

As Maschine only supports USB 2 there will be no improvement by using USB 3.2 ports and cables. Machine Mk3 only has 4 in & 4 out channels. There are interfaces with much more channels that only have USB 2 ports. 24 bit x 96000 x 8 = 18432000 bit/s or 18,432 MBit/s. USB 2 can transfer up to 480 MBit/s. There is much room left for control data, display content and protocol overhead.

Michaelpur

Ah great thanks, it has been yes since I have bought any new equipment I'm not really clued up on anything anymore haha just trying to get the hang of things again