USB-C to B cable for a Maschine Mikro Mk3

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quasifuzz
quasifuzz Member Posts: 1 Newcomer
edited January 19 in Maschine

I just bought a Mac Mini M4, which has only thunderbolt and USB-C ports.

I would like to connect it to my Maschine Mikro Mk3 with an USB-C to USB-B cable in order to avoid using a dongle but I’m struggling to find the correct cable.


There is an article which explains the characteristics of the USB cable on NI website and I have a cable which satisfies all these characteristics (length, gauge etc), it is the cable I use for my RME Babyface FS. However when I tried using it to connect the Maschine to my laptop (didn’t have the Mac Mini yet) it was powering the Maschine but the Maschine wasn’t recognised by the NI programs. Using an USB dongle and NI cable, everything was working fine.

I thought this may due to the fact that RME cable had angled plug instead of straight, however as you can see from the photos the connection should be identical.


IMG_0439.jpeg IMG_0441.jpeg IMG_0442.jpeg IMG_0444.jpeg

I would like to know your experience and opinions about it. Thanks in advance!

Best Answer

  • Kubrak
    Kubrak Member Posts: 3,154 Expert
    Answer ✓

    Out of curiosity I have tried USB B to USB c cable that comes with RME Babyface Pro FS, connecting NI Maschine Jam to PC…. And it works as expected. So should Mikro, I guess….

    So, either is your cable defective, or there is some kind of problem on computer port used…. Or you just did not push the plugs deep enought….

Answers

  • ALDREAD
    ALDREAD Member Posts: 534 Pro
    edited January 19

    I have used a 3rd party usb b to usb c cable with the mikro and a Mac

    It wasn’t a special cable , I got it from kenable uk

    What laptop were you using

  • PoorFellow
    PoorFellow Moderator Posts: 7,349 mod
    edited January 19
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/41512/usb-c-to-b-cable-for-a-maschine-mikro-mk3

    The problem partly builds on a misunderstanding. USB-C is the name of the physical plug and port. What USB standard that the port and / or cable supports is an entirely different question.

    If you want then you can read my long and most likely very confusing post here (the topic is rather confusing).

    E.g. then the N.I. MK3 keyboards , as far as I know , actually is only using USB 2 protocol despite using an USB-C plug and the reason for using that plug type is probably because that is supposed to be a future plug standard and also the USB standards on computers that uses the USB-C ports , theoretically at least, should be certified for a higher current delivery capable of delivering the 7.5 watts that the MK3 keyboards needs.

    I have no idea of knowing what USB standards that your USB port and cables supports (again USB-C is the name of the physical plug that you measure on your picture) and if you have a specific problem then it is completely impossible for me to tell if that is because that the port and the cable are supporting different standards or if it is because that either port or cable do not keep the specification that it is supposed to be certified for or ?.

    Generally speaking though then it is my best personal guess that as long as we are dealing with quality cables only then the higher the standard that is supported then the better cable (plus also notice that for some things to work then cables needs to be certified for both Data and PD)(PD = Power Delivery).

  • ALDREAD
    ALDREAD Member Posts: 534 Pro

    this is the cable I used , 1m in length

    image.jpg
  • Jean Voyage
    Jean Voyage Member Posts: 83 Advisor

    Have you tried different ports on your Mac?

    I have been using the same USB-C to B cable since 2017 and it’s never failed me (well except for updating a Korg Microkey Air, operation is totally fine).

    In addition I have bought these adapters last year so I could use an all purpose usb c cable connected to my screen, works just as well with any Apple USB-C cable:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJ28CW6N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  • 2A2E
    2A2E Member Posts: 52 Member

    I have purchased many of these in different lengths and they all work well with Maschine and other devices:


    https://amzn.eu/d/gkk0f9P
  • Kubrak
    Kubrak Member Posts: 3,154 Expert
    Answer ✓

    Out of curiosity I have tried USB B to USB c cable that comes with RME Babyface Pro FS, connecting NI Maschine Jam to PC…. And it works as expected. So should Mikro, I guess….

    So, either is your cable defective, or there is some kind of problem on computer port used…. Or you just did not push the plugs deep enought….

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