Is there a switch rated for data as well as power?

Orfu2003
Orfu2003 Member Posts: 7 Member
edited November 30 in Komplete General

Problem - I use a Komplete Kontrol 61S as my main MIDI controller, it is on an under desk tray that makes access to the rear connections difficult. It is the controller for both digital synths AND hardware synths. The design means that if I want to control the hardware synths I have to physically unplug the NI data/power USB C cable (the device is powered by the aux USB C port) this is pretty impractical. Similarly I don't really want to be plugging and unplugging the PC end of the cable either

Solution - I occurred to me that if i introduced a mechanical switch between the Kontrol and the PC and that switch was accessible on my desk, that would have the same effect, without the wear and tear on USB C cables and ports. However, the only USB switches I've seen (picture below) are rate for power transfer only - not data, so I suspect it would not work for the power/data connection.

Has any one found (or made) a mechanical switch that would support data transfer to and from the Kontrol?

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  • Jeremy_NI
    Jeremy_NI Customer Care Posts: 13,047 mod

    @Orfu2003 No need for an extra cable, there is a workaround for this issue and it's free: Sending USB and 5-Pin MIDI Simultaneously from Komplete Kontrol S-Series Keyboards

  • PoorFellow
    PoorFellow Moderator Posts: 4,836 mod
    edited December 2 Answer ✓
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/39285/is-there-a-switch-rated-for-data-as-well-as-power

    Sounds to ma as if what you are looking for could be a self powered USB-C hub capable of powering attached units also so that it could also Power the keyboard then all you would have to do would be to turn off the USB-C hub ? At least that is my theory since I have never tried it.

    Some hubs have on/off switches for attached units. E.g. get something like this. (Mentioned in this discussion) Though please notice that the mentioned USB-C hub is not able to supply more power than what should be just about enough for the keyboard (1.5 A) though I can not guarantee that so you could also find another one similar capable of delivering more power , e.g. something like this.

  • Orfu2003
    Orfu2003 Member Posts: 7 Member
    edited December 3

    Thanks PoorFellow.

    The keyboard is already powered separately via the auxiliary USB port. My issue is the data cable that, when attached, disables the keyboard for use with other MIDI devices. Only one of the hardware synths can be USB powered - half then predate the invention of the USB standard!

  • Orfu2003
    Orfu2003 Member Posts: 7 Member
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/195010#Comment_195010

    Hi Jeremy, thanks for taking the time to answer, but this seems an even more complex solution that the switch, and requires my computer to be on. I'd like to be able to control the hardware synths without the laptop on, and looking at screens. In my current setup, the MIDI out is already in use sending to a MIDI splitter feeding the half dozen hardware synths I want to control. This set up works fine, except for the need to constantly plug and unplug the data cable.

  • PoorFellow
    PoorFellow Moderator Posts: 4,836 mod
    edited December 4
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/195182#Comment_195182

    The keyboard is already powered separately via the auxiliary USB port.

    I am not sure if having the "keyboard already powered separately via the auxiliary USB port" will prevent you to use the suggested hub as go between for the data cable. E.g. get something like this with a switch to run the data connection cable through and use that to turn on/off the data connection. If you want the keyboard powered by another device then you might want to examine though if the hub mentioned actually are cutting the data connection on the switch or only the power connection , else then maybe you can find another hub that actually also cut the data connection ?

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