How do I power an A61 keyboard from a MacBook usb c port?

Pete from Bristol · 2022-11-23T20:55:03+00:00

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I’m thinking of buying an A61 keyboard and it looks like it has to be bus powered. My new MacBook Pro has usb c ports only and I can’t seem to see a lead that would connect the Mac and keyboard (other than some dodgy looking ones on Amazon).

Could anybody advise me on how to do this? Thanks in advance!

Pete

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Accepted answers

Kubrak

@Pete from Bristol

You may buy USB-c to USB-B cable to connect keyboard to USB-c (I expect it has USB-B). But for sure there are dongles, or extension cables that allow using old cable with USB-c. I use short extension cable for this purpose as it applies much lower force on USB-c outlet. So, it may survive longer than if using adapter.

I do not use Mac, but Win tablet with USB-c, but I expect it should work the same for Mac.

I use something like this.

https://www.czc.cz/ugreen-adapter-usb-c-usb-a-3-0-m-f-cerna/336309/produkt?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7ftbmYUH-wh5GQUr1lUUxmQ1S329wPfdZoVEPPHYI8YM1fGp6ttWl0BoCfjAQAvD_BwE

I have also bought something like this, but IMHO it might damage USB-c outlet if used often or not with care (it may apply hi force, if not handled with care...).

https://www.czc.cz/yenkee-ytc-021-usb-c-na-micro-usb-usb-a/253310/produkt?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7fjfw-AnNVfo_7aMjUlg6YFc_Y3Iglz73iGylYE2vW9Oa8f5ESM1MihoCExQQAvD_BwE

The best might be to buy USB-c - USB-B cable.

https://www.czc.cz/ugreen-kabel-usb-c-usb-b-pro-tiskarny-2m-cerna/336308/produkt?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7fgtyI77xZXxPjllIx0ujcb9Ytqiv0eHTfzJgdCtNDq2tzbkRBIP37BoClf4QAvD_BwE

Also, USB hub, as Jester has suggested, would do the trick. Mainly, if you need to connect more devices to single port. I do not know, how many USB ports Mac has....

All comments

JesterMgee

get a usb hub

Kubrak

@Pete from Bristol

I do not use Mac, but Win tablet with USB-c, but I expect it should work the same for Mac.

I use something like this.

https://www.czc.cz/ugreen-adapter-usb-c-usb-a-3-0-m-f-cerna/336309/produkt?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7ftbmYUH-wh5GQUr1lUUxmQ1S329wPfdZoVEPPHYI8YM1fGp6ttWl0BoCfjAQAvD_BwE

I have also bought something like this, but IMHO it might damage USB-c outlet if used often or not with care (it may apply hi force, if not handled with care...).

https://www.czc.cz/yenkee-ytc-021-usb-c-na-micro-usb-usb-a/253310/produkt?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7fjfw-AnNVfo_7aMjUlg6YFc_Y3Iglz73iGylYE2vW9Oa8f5ESM1MihoCExQQAvD_BwE

The best might be to buy USB-c - USB-B cable.

https://www.czc.cz/ugreen-kabel-usb-c-usb-b-pro-tiskarny-2m-cerna/336308/produkt?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7fgtyI77xZXxPjllIx0ujcb9Ytqiv0eHTfzJgdCtNDq2tzbkRBIP37BoClf4QAvD_BwE

Also, USB hub, as Jester has suggested, would do the trick. Mainly, if you need to connect more devices to single port. I do not know, how many USB ports Mac has....

Pete from Bristol

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/41483#Comment_41483

Hi Kubrak,

Thank-you very much for your detailed reply. I think a USB C to USB A would be the best answer. The MacBook is one of the new 14 inch ones but only has three USB C sockets. But that should be enough for my basic recording needs.

I have an Anker hub (I really like that company), but it's not designed to power devices and they don't do a powered hub for USB C yet. I'll check out U-Green. Very happy to pay for quality if it doesn't fry my ridiculously expensive MacBook 😂

Thanks again for your advice.

PETE

Pete from Bristol

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/41422#Comment_41422

Hi Jester,

I have a basic Anker hub, but it's not rated to power external devices. I'll look into hubs as an option, although it might just be cheaper to buy an S61 with exernal power supply, if the Apple Store's hub prices are anything to go by!

Thanks for the help,

PETE

JesterMgee

Joys of owning a mac.

I have a small USB-C hub on my macbook that offers 3 x USB3 plugs, HDMI, card reader and hard wired network port (all things I kind of need in any laptop) and it was only $50 and works just fine, powers an A series, HDD or most other things just fine.

Not everything has to be "top of the line" for a mac, mine will run with any peripheral I stick into it so may be worth a try. Mine is aluminum one from a place called Kogan in Australia, there are heaps of them so not sure which one I got.

Pete from Bristol

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/41499#Comment_41499

Joys indeed. I have a very similar hub from Anker (great company) for about the same money, but it specifically says not to power devices with it, although it does seem to work! I'll maybe drop Anker a line.

Incidentally, I also have one of the 16GB M1 Mac minis. That has a great selection of ports, but I guess USB A was just too much for Apple to swallow on the new MacBooks.

Anyway, all the best. Nice talking to you.

PETE

Kubrak

@Pete from Bristol

I think that any USB hub should be OK for powering NI keys/Maschine.

That note about that it is not designed for powering probably means that it does not meet the powering limits of USB (which are pretty high). But keys do not draw that much...

If it works when connected to your hub, then no problem.

I guess, powering of several mobile phones might hit the powering limits of your USB Hub. But not keys.

Pete from Bristol

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/41505#Comment_41505

Good point. Thanks!

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