• Registered: 2024-06-25
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Topic: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Hi all!

Strange one here. I use my RME Babyface Pro both with a Mac laptop and without.

Context is, I have the macbook, a separate external audio source (TV), the Babyface, and a set of speakers.

- When I have both the power adapter and USB plugged in, audio piped from the TV into the Instrument 3/4 inputs passes through XLR Out 1 and 2 just fine

- if I remove the usb (but leave the power adapter plugged in on the RME, of course), no audio passes now. TV doesn't auto-mute or anything.

- if I then restart the RME, audio passes from Instr 3/4 again

I'm sure it's a goofy setting, but can't figure it out. Any suggestions to try? Thanks!

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-07-13 22:10:02)

  • waedi
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Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Unplugging the USB sets the interface into standalone mode.
The routing has to be made on the unit with the buttons and the wheel.
That routing keeps saved in the unit.
From what you say there seems to be no routing is yet made for the standalone-mode.
Page 90 in the user manual will tell how to proceed.

Use OUT to select the desired output
Use IN to select the input with the desired signal source
Push MIX. The input LEDs start to flash.
Use SELECT to choose between left, right or both input channels  Turn the big knob to set the actual monitoring/routing level
Continue with all inputs and outputs as you wish

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Kubrak
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Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Also, it seems to me, but I am not sure, that BF Pro keeps settings from computer while it is powered.

So, you may try, if it works like that. But you would have to keep BF on all the time.... I cannot verify as I do not have external power supply.

4 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Kubrak wrote:

Also, it seems to me, but I am not sure, that BF Pro keeps settings from computer while it is powered..

Correct. Even the PEQ stays until power-off.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2024-06-25
  • Posts: 6

Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Thanks all! Ok, I'll dig into the Standalone mode from the manual, that's super helpful to know.


Kubrak wrote:

Also, it seems to me, but I am not sure, that BF Pro keeps settings from computer while it is powered.

So, you may try, if it works like that. But you would have to keep BF on all the time.... I cannot verify as I do not have external power supply.

Hm, don't think so. Literally, the same speakers plugged into the same outputs, all the same inputs, suddenly no audio passes.

6 Reply by redrelics (edited by redrelics 2024-07-18 21:33:15)

  • Registered: 2024-06-25
  • Posts: 6

Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Raugh, I simply didn't know Standalone Mode was a thing. This looks so obvious:

The input signals can be routed/mixed to the outputs by activating the unit’s Mix mode:
 Use OUT to select the desired output
 Use IN to select the input with the desired signal source
 Push MIX. The input LEDs start to flash.
 Use SELECT to choose between left, right or both input channels
 Turn the big knob to set the actual monitoring/routing level
 Continue with all inputs and outputs as you wish

Will try this tonight!

manual here, page ~90: https://rme-audio.de/downloads/bface_pro_e.pdf

7 Reply by redrelics (edited by redrelics 2024-07-19 15:32:45)

  • Registered: 2024-06-25
  • Posts: 6

Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Ok, this works! Issue was, the input gain was very low. Raising that, used MIX to route it to the headphone out; worked like a charm.

However, it seems like it's only possible to route in Mono. The signal stays panned hard left in headphones.

Is there no way to route signal to both the left and right channels on an single headphone output? Even a mono signal to both sides of the headphones (i.e. to Tip and Ring) would be fine. Or, routing the same signal individually to headphone out (left) and headphone out (right).

Thoughts? This seems like a bizarre limitation.

Update:
- this example sent Inst 3 to headphone out (3.5 mm). That results in signal only in the left side of the headphones.
- Routing Inst 4 to that same headphone out gives a separate mono Right signal. So strange.

Is the only answer hardware panning downstream of the unit, before the headphones themselves?

8 Reply by MC

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Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

There is no pan for mixing in stand-alone. You could split the source externaly (via cables) and send it to two inputs at the same time.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2024-06-25
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Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

All, can't thank you enough for your help, and how quickly everyone responded. THANK YOU!

MC wrote:

There is no pan for mixing in stand-alone. You could split the source externaly (via cables) and send it to two inputs at the same time.

To check my understanding, are Inst 3 and Inst 4 mono or stereo inputs? Are they stereo signals summed to single mono channels for routing? I might fundamentally misunderstand something, fire away if the question doesn't make sense.

10 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-07-19 16:29:19)

  • waedi
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Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Both are mono inputs (panned fully left and right), as all analog inputs in audio interfaces.
The only stereo inputs I know are digital SPDIF or AES.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2024-06-25
  • Posts: 6

Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

Thanks all! This is very clear now. Done and done, sounds like I've been trying to use my interface as a mixer, time to...add a mixer

  • waedi
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Re: BF Pro: Audio when plugged into Mac, no audio when usb removed

redrelics wrote:

Thanks all! This is very clear now. Done and done, sounds like I've been trying to use my interface as a mixer, time to...add a mixer

Good conclusion.

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