• Registered: 2024-11-22
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Advice Needed: Connecting Fireface UFX+ to MacBook Pro M4 Pro & Driver

Hi everyone,

I just upgraded to the new MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip, and I need some advice regarding my RME Fireface UFX+ setup.

On my current MacBook Pro M1 Pro, I’ve been using a Thunderbolt-to-USB-C cable for connectivity. Now I’m wondering if I should stick with this method on the M4 Pro or switch to connecting via USB directly?

For those who’ve tried both options, what’s your experience? Is there any performance difference between using USB vs. Thunderbolt-to-USB-C for the UFX+?

Secondly, I’m a bit unsure about which driver to install on the M4 Pro. I noticed that RME offers two options:

DriverKit Driver
Kernel Extension Driver

Which one would you recommend for macOS 15.1.1 on the new M4 Pro chip? Are there any advantages or issues with either option on the latest macOS?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

  • Registered: 2024-11-05
  • Posts: 17

Re: Advice Needed: Connecting Fireface UFX+ to MacBook Pro M4 Pro & Driver

FWIW - be happy you have Thunderbolt. I just returned a UFX III and bought a used UFX+ because I had audio dropouts via USB3. Feel free to search the forums, I am not the only one. Regarding the drivers, use the driverkit one. Kerner extensions are EOL.

3 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,679

Re: Advice Needed: Connecting Fireface UFX+ to MacBook Pro M4 Pro & Driver

Instead of returning the UFX III it might have been a better idea to update your M1 to an M4...

To the OP: just use what works and is most convenient for your setup!

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • From: Seevetal
  • Registered: 2007-05-03
  • Posts: 409

Re: Advice Needed: Connecting Fireface UFX+ to MacBook Pro M4 Pro & Driver

I have connected my new M4 Pro Mini to my UFX+ via USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2 (Apple Dongle).
There is almost no difference CPU wise. A little more strain with USB. >de.rme-audio.dkusb
9,9 % CPU<
<7,2 % with dkpci>
So I think, if you don' already have a Thunderbolt cable and the Apple adaptor, a USB 3 to USB C cable is doing just fine.
Normally I'm running a FF 802 FS on my Mac mini with USB 2 and did not have any dropouts.
Sometimes when I stream Atmos 7.1.4 things in Apple Music, there might be dropouts at the beginning of songs, but that's because of my not so good internet (DSL) connection, I guess.

UFX+, FireFace 802 FS, Digiface USB
12 Mic, M1610 pro, Micstasy
MacBookPro M1
Logic Pro X

5 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,679

Re: Advice Needed: Connecting Fireface UFX+ to MacBook Pro M4 Pro & Driver

Is that the one with the power button underneath?

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

6 Reply by cigame (edited by cigame 2024-11-24 13:28:50)

  • From: Seevetal
  • Registered: 2007-05-03
  • Posts: 409

Re: Advice Needed: Connecting Fireface UFX+ to MacBook Pro M4 Pro & Driver

Mac mini M4 Pro.
Power button underneath.
Sequoia 15.1.1
Absolutely dream machine

BTW
Apple wants people to talk about it ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUkvU_nMmWQ&t=87s

UFX+, FireFace 802 FS, Digiface USB
12 Mic, M1610 pro, Micstasy
MacBookPro M1
Logic Pro X

7 Reply by maggie33 (edited by maggie33 2024-11-25 01:09:57)

  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
  • Registered: 2021-07-27
  • Posts: 551

Re: Advice Needed: Connecting Fireface UFX+ to MacBook Pro M4 Pro & Driver

Instead of returning the UFX III it might have been a better idea to update your M1 to an M4...

I cannot reproduce any dropouts described here, or as fables posted in this thread (see screenshots in my latest post):
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=40554

Works flawlessly.

Tested with:

UFX III (latest Firmware) connected directly via USB3 to:
MacStudio M1 Max
Sequoia 15.1.1
DK v.4.17

“Do It For Her”
My Gear: Bontempi Magic light Keyboard