Topic: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

Hi,

after years of enjoying the device I decided to use IN3 (electric bass).
I can hear the bass via the headphones jack in the device, but I'm unable to send the audio from IN3 to linux via USB.
Is there any way of routing the signal?

I can use the BFP as audio device of the laptop correctly, but no sound comes to the laptop.

I spent hours reading manuals and trying everything, but no luck.


Thanks!

2 (edited by waedi 2023-02-09 08:42:15)

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

Do you use a DAW that lets you select different input channels for recording ?
By default channels 1/2 is selected for recording in most (all) software.
You have to select input channels 3/4 instead.

M1-Sonoma, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

I can see the channels in PC mode in Windows, works ok, but not in linux.

In CC mode - Linux I see:
* IN - Analog (Mono or Stereo channels)
* IN - Digital (Mono or Stereo channels)
Same pair for OUT.

Nothing comes from the IN channels, despite I hear IN3 from the headphones in the device.
I have all levels in alsamixer to 100%. Curiously, none of them are in the Capture section.

My idea was to use BBP keys to route IN3 to the default channels that linux see. Not really sure about this.

Just in case someone is really experienced in linux, this is the alsa-info output.
http://alsa-project.org/db/?f=2d061eb08 … 155ab85be0

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

From page 92 of the user manual :
Monitoring – MIX
The Babyface Pro uses TotalMix technology for routing/mixing in all modes. Setup:
 Use OUT to select the output for the monitoring, i.e. where the signal will be routed to  Use IN to select the input with the signal that should be monitored
 Push MIX. The input level LEDs start to flash
 Use SELECT to choose between left, right or both channels
 Turn the encoder to set the actual monitoring level

You can route your input signal to output channels for monitoring but not to other input channels, this would be a Loopback routing and is not available with CC-mode.
You have to find a way in the Daw to discover the signal.

M1-Sonoma, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

Signal from IN Ch1/2 (mic in XLR1) to the laptop via USB - OK
Signal from IN Ch3/4 (bass in IN3) to the laptop via USB - Fail

I set MIX routing from INPUT Ch3/4 on the 3 OUT (Ch1/2, Phones, Opt) and still no signal to the laptop via USB.

Thanks for replying! Really appreciated. I don't know what else to try.

6 (edited by waedi 2023-02-09 21:26:07)

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

JoseAV wrote:

Signal from IN Ch1/2 (mic in XLR1) to the laptop via USB - OK
Signal from IN Ch3/4 (bass in IN3) to the laptop via USB - Fail

I set MIX routing from INPUT Ch3/4 on the 3 OUT (Ch1/2, Phones, Opt) and still no signal to the laptop via USB.

Thanks for replying! Really appreciated. I don't know what else to try.

But on Windows it works fine, right ?
Then the Babyface deliver the signal to the computer, your Linux software faild reading the signals.
Try different software.
Reaper... ?

Also checking ALSA mixer for muted channels :
The MM label below a channel indicates that the channel is muted, and OO indicates that it is open.
Scroll to the Master and PCM channels with the Left and Right keys and unmute them by pressing the m key.
Use the Up key to increase the volume and obtain a value of 0 dB gain. The gain can be found in the upper left next to the Item: field.

M1-Sonoma, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

7 (edited by JoseAV 2023-02-09 21:30:06)

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

It works on Windows using PC Mode and Totalmix.
Class Compliant Mode is not even showing the device properly in Windows. Not possible to compare CC mode in Windows.

My case use is really basic: Recording an instrument in a DAW in CC Mode. I'm sure that it is me who is not getting it.

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

The computer system has to support Class Compliant audio.
Does your Linux this ?
Is it Ubuntu Studio ?

M1-Sonoma, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

Yes, Class Compliant audio works.
BFP is working. I can play sounds and capture mic audio from rear XLR1 in Audacity. It is just IN3 and 4 which fails.
My distro is Fedora 37, 100% up to date.

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

The Class Compliant driver in Fedora seems to be limited to input channels 1/2.
You can use a special cable to connect the bass to mic input 1
https://www.thomann.de/de/cordial_em_5_mp_elements.htm

M1-Sonoma, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

Linux kernel is shared among all distros (fedora, ubuntu, etc), but the many configuration options (kernel, alsa, jack, pulseaudio, pipewire..) could be the issue here.
Nowadays audio just works out of the box in linux, but this is an advanced device with non-standard options, it may need custom config.

I would invest time to learn but I would first need to know if someone managed to get Babyface Pro IN3/4 signal to a linux computer via USB in CC Mode. Maybe the USB CC implementation of the device just doesn't allow it.
Anyone?

From the manual I don't see IN3/4 mentioned:

The Babyface Pro provides the iPad with the professional analog I/O connections it lacks. Superb microphone preamps, in addition to professional balanced line outputs, and a hi-power
headphone output that excels with both high and low impedance headphones. Plus gain and
level adjustments, SPDIF and ADAT input and output, at up to 192 kHz and 24 bit. And of
course a Sysex capable MIDI I/O.

As a workaround, I tested TR (bass) to XLR (Ch1 IN) cable. Signal gets to usb channel, but really low. It misses the proper gain
(no -10dBv option).

thanks for the replies!

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

You should have access to Mic Pre/Gain for the XLR input - no?

MADIface-XT+ARC / 3x HDSP MADI / ADI648
2x SSL Alphalink MADI AX
2x Multiface / 2x Digiface /2x ADI8

Re: Babyface pro IN3 to USB in CC mode

Solved!

Using BFP card Pro Audio profile in linux allows to see the 12 IN and 12 OUT channels via USB.
IN3 Babyface Pro is sent to Capture_AUX2 channel in the OS.

From there it is just DAW setup and maybe some tricks, depending on the chosen soft. (like choosing default channel and not directly channel 3 in Audacity)

Thanks @waedi and @Randyman... for replying