Mac Mini M4 Pro - problem hotswapping Thunderbolt interface

Nickel Iron Core 🎙️ · 2 weeks ago

I have my (Thunderbolt 1) Focusrite 8PreX going into a genuine Apple TB2 > TB3 adapter dongle and then into the TB5 port on the rear of my new Mac Mini M4 Pro.

This works in general, but (after powering on the interface) it requires my to physically unplug and replug the TB adapter into the Mac Mini for the computer to recognise the interface.
I'm concerned that if I do that every day, it will quickly wear out the TB5 port.

Has anyone encountered anything like this?

Any suggestions?

Nickel Iron Core 🎙️ · 2 weeks ago

PS:

* Latest firmware is on the 8PreX.

* Driver is installed on the Mac.

I've found that if I restart the Mac (with the 8PreX already powered on) it then sees the 8Prex... But ideally I'd like to just have my Mac sleep and be able to switch on/off my interface at whim and have it work. That used to be possible on my older MacBook Pro.

dikrek · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickel Iron Core ➡️

PS:

* Latest firmware is on the 8PreX.

* Driver is installed on the Mac.

I've found that if I restart the Mac (with the 8PreX already powered on) it then sees the 8Prex... But ideally I'd like to just have my Mac sleep and be able to switch on/off my interface at whim and have it work. That used to be possible on my older MacBook Pro.

Do you need to disconnect the adapter itself or the cable to the adapter from the interface?

The latter option only places the strain on the cables.

Nickel Iron Core 🎙️ · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by dikrek ➡️

Do you need to disconnect the adapter itself or the cable to the adapter from the interface?

The latter option only places the strain on the cables.

It's a good question! Seems an obvious thing to try, but I hadn't until now...

I just tested this. It's enough to unplug and replug the cable into the adapter. The computer then recognises the interface.

That alone is a huge improvement. Replacing a 50 Euro adapter due to wear still isn't ideal, but much better than breaking the computer.

Thanks for the suggestion!

dikrek · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickel Iron Core ➡️

It's a good question! Seems an obvious thing to try, but I hadn't until now...

I just tested this. It's enough to unplug and replug the cable into the adapter. The computer then recognises the interface.

That alone is a huge improvement. Replacing a 50 Euro adapter due to wear still isn't ideal, but much better than breaking the computer.

Thanks for the suggestion!

It’s called Swaptronics. An arcane art.

seohdgeesah · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickel Iron Core ➡️

I have my (Thunderbolt 1) Focusrite 8PreX going into a genuine Apple TB2 > TB3 adapter dongle and then into the TB5 port on the rear of my new Mac Mini M4 Pro.

This works in general, but (after powering on the interface) it requires my to physically unplug and replug the TB adapter into the Mac Mini for the computer to recognise the interface.
I'm concerned that if I do that every day, it will quickly wear out the TB5 port.

Has anyone encountered anything like this?

Any suggestions?

Don’t hotswap thunderbolt devices.
Easy.

Nickel Iron Core 🎙️ · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by seohdgeesah ➡️

Don’t hotswap thunderbolt devices.
Easy.

Not 'easy'; Apple has placed the power on/off button hidden at the back-underside of the modern Mini. They obviously anticipate that users will leave it powered on.

However, I cannot leave my interface powered on, as it lights up the room.
So therefore I need to switch the interface on and off (NB this is what I'm referring to when talking about 'hot-swapping'; merely turning the interface on and off.

Part of the original raison d'être of the Thunderbolt protocol was to allow hot-swapping:

https://www.uaudio.com/blog/thunderbolt-basics/
Thunderbolt Tech Basics
In general terms, Thunderbolt is all about getting data in and out of your computer and peripherals bi-directionally over two channels (PCI Express for data transfer, and DisplayPort for video) using switched-fabric multiplexing architecture. Both channels can zip along simultaneously at speeds up to 10 Gigabits per second, while also featuring plug-and-play, hot-swappable operation using cables.

John Loftus · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickel Iron Core ➡️

Not 'easy'; Apple has placed the power on/off button hidden at the back-underside of the modern Mini. They obviously anticipate that users will leave it powered on.

However, I cannot leave my interface powered on, as it lights up the room.
So therefore I need to switch the interface on and off (NB this is what I'm referring to when talking about 'hot-swapping'; merely turning the interface on and off.

Part of the original raison d'être of the Thunderbolt protocol was to allow hot-swapping:

https://www.uaudio.com/blog/thunderbolt-basics/
Thunderbolt Tech Basics
In general terms, Thunderbolt is all about getting data in and out of your computer and peripherals bi-directionally over two channels (PCI Express for data transfer, and DisplayPort for video) using switched-fabric multiplexing architecture. Both channels can zip along simultaneously at speeds up to 10 Gigabits per second, while also featuring plug-and-play, hot-swappable operation using cables.

This sounds like it could be an issue our development team is already aware of and currently investigating.
When using certain audio interfaces on macOS, you may find that the device needs to be power-cycled or reconnected after a reboot or shutdown in order to appear as a sound device. After the Mac boots, the interface may show up in the USB device tree but not as an audio device or within Focusrite Control. To resolve this, you can turn the interface off and then back on — it should then appear and function correctly.

Nickel Iron Core 🎙️ · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Loftus ➡️

This sounds like it could be an issue our development team is already aware of and currently investigating.
When using certain audio interfaces on macOS, you may find that the device needs to be power-cycled or reconnected after a reboot or shutdown in order to appear as a sound device. After the Mac boots, the interface may show up in the USB device tree but not as an audio device or within Focusrite Control. To resolve this, you can turn the interface off and then back on — it should then appear and function correctly.

Thank you. I received support from your colleague and yesterday I found a solution which works... Plugging the interface into a powered hub that I already owned. I'd been massively overestimating the bandwidth it would need when actually it works fine via the hub.
Also this means I can return the Apple TB3>2 adapter and get 50 Euros back. So it's a double-win.
Cheers.

John Loftus · 2 weeks ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickel Iron Core ➡️

Thank you. I received support from your colleague and yesterday I found a solution which works... Plugging the interface into a powered hub that I already owned. I'd been massively overestimating the bandwidth it would need when actually it works fine via the hub.
Also this means I can return the Apple TB3>2 adapter and get 50 Euros back. So it's a double-win.
Cheers.

Oh great! Glad to hear you've found a solution to this

mattrowe · 1 week ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickel Iron Core ➡️

Plugging the interface into a powered hub that I already owned.

Thanks for sharing this. I've been rebooting my new Mac every morning in order to connect to my TB 8preX, I'll give this a try.

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