1 Topic by mr.r (edited by mr.r 2024-11-14 21:40:54)

  • mr.r
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Topic: RME USB interfaces and Mac sleep mode (never power down the unit)

The m4 mini has some strange design decisions with the power button underneath the device.

I'm wondering if there are any recommendations for RME USB interfaces like the UCX II or even the Babyface in terms of Mac sleep mode.

Apparently Apple expects that you will not shut the computer down very often and just put it to sleep. 

So far I also turn my computer off at the evening also to shutdown connected USB devices.

What are the long time experience doing it on a Mac with studio gear attached to it?

I don't want the RME to stay powered all the time for example (power consumption and lifetime reduction?).

  • waedi
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Re: RME USB interfaces and Mac sleep mode (never power down the unit)

For the Mac you can leave it on forever, no need to shutdown, sleep-mode is fine.
For devices that get hot, better switch off.
You have to pay the electric energy that creates the heat and you may not want to heat up the room all the time.
And the device lives longer when not under power heated up.
It is recommended to switch off the interface every day.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • From: uk
  • Registered: 2023-07-23
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Re: RME USB interfaces and Mac sleep mode (never power down the unit)

mr.r wrote:

Apparently Apple expects that you will not shut the computer down very often and just put it to sleep. 

- - 8< - snip - -

What are the long time experience doing it on a Mac with studio gear attached to it?

My RME UCX has rarely been switched off since 2013. Even if my computer is off, the interface stays powered. It stays warm all the time. There are schools of thought about switching gear on/off - all I'd say is I know RME to be solidly built and I haven't had to think about any of this. To add, modern Macs turn on and off at times you least expect, and so it's best to sleep the computer, or to just walk away and let it go to sleep automatically, and this includes letting the audio interface go in and out of host/computer mode as it detects connection. It doesn't need micromanaging, in my experience.

Fireface UCX, Focusrite OctoPre, Sound Devices MixPre-D, Mac Studio M2 max, macOS Sonoma