1 (edited by Intini 2025-12-14 18:12:10)

Topic: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

Hello,

I am getting repeated Thunderbolt disconnects with my Fireface UFX+ on a new Mac Studio M4 Max 128GB RAM running macOS Tahoe 26.1.

Setup:

UFX+ Firmware v112, Driver v1.25, in Thunderbolt mode
Official Apple TB2 → TB3 adapter
Official Apple TB2 cable
Direct connection (no hubs or docks)

I have 2 × USB-C monitors + 1 × HDMI monitor. I placed both USB-C monitors on one TB bus and the UFX+ alone on the other bus.

Problem:
The UFX+ connects and works normally for a short time, but after 3–10 minutes it suddenly disconnects:

TotalMix shows "Disconnected", macOS switches to Built-In Output. I have to power cycle UFX+ to get it to connect again. This happens with or without a DAW open.

Already tried:

Testing all TB ports
Isolating the UFX+ on its own TB bus
Removing all login items / background agents
Disconnecting all other TB devices
Using different system loads (idle or Cubase)

My goal:
I want to use the UFX+ in Thunderbolt mode for the lowest latency possible. I am using 32 samples and (when) it works (it is) fine.

Has anyone seen similar TB disconnects with UFX+ on macOS Tahoe 26.1 / Apple Silicon?
Any known compatibility issues with TB2→TB3 adapters on newer Macs?
I used the UFX+ on my Windows 11 workstation for 5 years without any problem ever. I got the Mac Studio M4 Max for low latency recordings.

Edit: I corrected the fact that I used an Apple TB2 cable - not TB3.

RME Fireface UFX+

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

Sounds like after warm-up the device starts failing, may be the power unit is dying ?
Was it ever replaced ?

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

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

waedi wrote:

Sounds like after warm-up the device starts failing, may be the power unit is dying ?
Was it ever replaced ?

Thanks for replying.
It has been working fine on my Windows 11 Workstation - rock solidly. All I did was disconnect from my Windows 11 Workstation and connect to the Mac Studio. My unit wasn't used that much at all over the short years since I bought it. Very light home studio use. I don't think the issue is after warming up. It disconnects at approximately regular intervals (3-10 minutes) irrespective of the time it has been powered on.
Based on what I read, it is related to macOS Tahoe, the new driver kernel mode security restrictions and changes in the way macOS handles Thunderbolt 2/3 devices.

RME Fireface UFX+

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

The driver 106 is a driverkit driver not kernel extension.
Do you use another driver ? Then better install the new DK driver : https://rme-audio.de/downloads/driver_mac_tbdk_106.zip

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

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

waedi wrote:

The driver 106 is a driverkit driver not kernel extension.
Do you use another driver ? Then better install the new DK driver : https://rme-audio.de/downloads/driver_mac_tbdk_106.zip

Thanks for replying.
I am using the kernel extension driver. But I followed all instructions carefully. Maybe it doesn't work in Tahoe? I would prefer the lowest latency for vocal recording - that is why Iwent with the kernel driver. But if this is a known issue with no way to fix it, then I have no choice but to try the driver kit version.
Do you have a similar setup? Is it working for you with the driver kit version of the driver?
Should I abandon the thunderbolt and use only the usb 3 of my ufx+ ?

RME Fireface UFX+

6 (edited by waedi 2025-12-07 18:32:35)

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

I have only small interfaces at the moment and they all work super fine with DK 427

For voice recording I use Totalmix direct monitoring it has almost zero latency regardless of driver or computer.

Do you need monitoring thru DAW ? Then this adds some latency.

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

7 (edited by Intini 2025-12-08 04:24:24)

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

waedi wrote:

I have only small interfaces at the moment and they all work super fine with DK 427

For voice recording I use Totalmix direct monitoring it has almost zero latency regardless of driver or computer.

Do you need monitoring thru DAW ? Then this adds some latency.

You are absolutely right. On my Windows 11 workstation I used Totalmix for direct monitoring with some built-in compression, EQ and confort reverb. But I was also able to monitor with relatively low latency (128 samples) through plugins using UAD Luna on Windows 11. But my main motivation to get the M4 Max was to use monitoring through the DAW using UADx plugins. I thought about getting an Apollo for the PC Workstation but decided to get a M4 Max instead for both upgrade the computer and give me near realtime effects for vocal recordings - and keep my beloved RME UFX+. To be fair, on the Mac Studio M4 Max with the RME UFX+ I am being able to record at 32 samples in Cubase if I carefully plan my session - with only low latency plugins in the vocal path all the way through the stereo output. But it is unusable due to the instability. I just need to solve that. I am hoping to be able to keep using the thunderbolt driver in kernel mode if at all possible - or driverkit if not. I can fall back to USB3 - with kernel drivers or with driverkit drivers, if needed.

EDIT: Based on my latest findings, thunderbolt driver only works in kernel mode and USB3 driver only works in driverkit mode.
EDIT 2: I was wrong!!! There are TB and USB drivers for both driverkit and kernel extension.

RME Fireface UFX+

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

Switching from one driver system to the other is not a big deal.
The driver installer does all the work.
The test takes not much time and cost no money.

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

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

Thank you, waedi.

I tested the USB3 driver kit option. It works perfectly! I made a test session in Cubase Pro 15, running with 32 samples of buffer, with 5 virtual instruments playing and recording plus the vocal recording with UADx effects, and run it for more than 30 minutes, and didn't get any error or disconnection. Problem solved! It works in USB3!

Having said that, I would appreciate it if someone from RME could let me (us?) know if at some point the thunderbolt connection will work again or if I should just forget it and use only the USB3 instead. I ask this because I understood that with thunderbolt the latency is slightly better - not game changing better, but better nevertheless - and if possible, I would prefer to use it.

RME Fireface UFX+

10

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

Intini wrote:

EDIT: Based on my latest findings, thunderbolt driver only works in kernel mode and USB3 driver only works in driverkit mode.

KE TB: v 1.25
Driver Kit TB: v 1.06

KE USB: v 3.35
Driver Kit USB: v 4.27

All available on our Download page.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

11 (edited by Intini 2025-12-08 05:00:55)

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

MC wrote:
Intini wrote:

EDIT: Based on my latest findings, thunderbolt driver only works in kernel mode and USB3 driver only works in driverkit mode.

KE TB: v 1.25
Driver Kit TB: v 1.06

KE USB: v 3.35
Driver Kit USB: v 4.27

All available on our Download page.

Thank you so much. I will try the Driver Kit TB. I revised my previous post.
Do you know if more people had problems with the KE TB driver?

RME Fireface UFX+

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

If you are up to minimal monitoring latency, why not to use direct monitoring? Most RME interfaces do have basic effects and latency would be just A/D+D/A+few samples for internal processing, very roughly about 15 samples for current RME models.

If you use DAW monitoring, the monitoring latency is several times more.... 2xbuffer size+plugin latency+A/D+D/A+2xfew samples for internal processing+2xfew samples for USB transport...

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

Kubrak wrote:

If you are up to minimal monitoring latency, why not to use direct monitoring? Most RME interfaces do have basic effects and latency would be just A/D+D/A+few samples for internal processing, very roughly about 15 samples for current RME models.

If you use DAW monitoring, the monitoring latency is several times more.... 2xbuffer size+plugin latency+A/D+D/A+2xfew samples for internal processing+2xfew samples for USB transport...

Hi Kubrak,
Thanks for replying.
I did that and it is great. I also use my Focusrite ISA 430MKII as a preamp, EQ, Compressor, etc. It is a very good tool.

But I would like to also be able to use UADx plugins for monitoring. I found that a DAW buffer of 32 samples results in a low enough latency for singing. I was considering an Apollo only for recording vocals but decide to get the fastest computer available and keep using just my RME UFX+ instead. It is actually working fine now. I will try all 4 drivers. Up to now, I tested two drivers: i) TB KE - kept disconnecting; 2) USB3 Driver Kit (works perfectly).

RME Fireface UFX+

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

Intini wrote:

I will try all 4 drivers. Up to now, I tested two drivers: i) TB KE - kept disconnecting; 2) USB3 Driver Kit (works perfectly).

Great, keep us posted.
Kernel Extension Thunderbolt driver with UFX+ is running absolutely fine here under Sequoia (much more stable than the USB driver which lead to various problems in the past).
I was considering to upgrade to Tahoe at some point, so I would be curious to hear if Thunderbolt DK works for you.

15 (edited by Intini 2025-12-13 06:51:07)

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

hselters wrote:
Intini wrote:

I will try all 4 drivers. Up to now, I tested two drivers: i) TB KE - kept disconnecting; 2) USB3 Driver Kit (works perfectly).

Great, keep us posted.
Kernel Extension Thunderbolt driver with UFX+ is running absolutely fine here under Sequoia (much more stable than the USB driver which lead to various problems in the past).
I was considering to upgrade to Tahoe at some point, so I would be curious to hear if Thunderbolt DK works for you.

Hi, hselters.
Thanks for replying. I hope to test the TB DK version this weekend. I will post here the outcome.

RME Fireface UFX+

16

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

> Official Apple TB3 cable

For the record: you don't use a TB3 cable, but TB2 (between adapter and UFX+). Both the adapter and the cable connectors get hot after some time. One possible reason for disconnect is that one of these has a thermal issue. So trying a different adapter and cable would be useful to rule them out.

Did you ever go back to the Windows machine to confirm it stil works there 100% ok? The drivers can not be the cause as no one ever reported such behaviour.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

17 (edited by Intini 2025-12-15 04:52:39)

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

MC wrote:

> Official Apple TB3 cable

For the record: you don't use a TB3 cable, but TB2 (between adapter and UFX+). Both the adapter and the cable connectors get hot after some time. One possible reason for disconnect is that one of these has a thermal issue. So trying a different adapter and cable would be useful to rule them out.

Did you ever go back to the Windows machine to confirm it stil works there 100% ok? The drivers can not be the cause as no one ever reported such behaviour.

Hi, Mathias.
Thanks for the reply and the correction. Of course you are right: it was an Apple TB2 cable from UFX+ to the Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter. I have since corrected my post to avoid confusion. I don't have another TB2 cable and TB2 to TB3 adapter to test, unfortunatelly. I know it doesn't mean much but these were almost never used. On Windows 11 I used USB3 - not thunderbolt. The UFX+ worked perfectly on Windows 11 with USB3. I am moving my music workstation from Windows 11 to macOS Tahoe and would like to use thunderbolt, if possible.

I just tried to connect the UFX+ via TB with the DK driver version but unfortunately it still disconnects after some 10 minutes. IF you say it is not the driver, should I buy a new cable to test? Could it be the TB2 to TB3 adapter?

RME Fireface UFX+

18

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

> I used the UFX+ on my Windows 11 workstation for 5 years without any problem ever.

I am sure that everyone reads this sentence as 'it worked with TB under Windows'. Knowing it was never used there via TB even makes the extension chassis and its power supply a possible culprit.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

MC wrote:

> I used the UFX+ on my Windows 11 workstation for 5 years without any problem ever.

I am sure that everyone reads this sentence as 'it worked with TB under Windows'. Knowing it was never used there via TB even makes the extension chassis and its power supply a possible culprit.

After reading it again, I understand that (every?) one could read it that way. But no. Since my Windows 11 PC had no TB, I used USB3 with it. Please be kind. I am a fan of RME.

Would you please elaborate on how I could check if the problem is with the "extension chassis and its power supply"? If you point me to the instructions on what to look for I could open the unit and check signals with a multimeter and an oscilloscope. Is this a known issue with the UFX+?

RME Fireface UFX+

20

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

IMHO there is no other way than to exchange every single part of that chain with another one, one by one, to check if that error goes away. Alternatively if you have access to a different Mac use that one for comparison. Using a multimeter seems pointless, as the breakdown could be caused by a lot of different things, plus is a short-time event that a multimeter most probably will not register.

And one can not exclude the UFX+. Its Thunderbolt port could be defective as well (not that this is a known error, it is not).

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

21 (edited by Intini 2025-12-15 07:16:29)

Re: Fireface UFX+ via KE TB disconnects - Mac M4 Max (Solved via DK USB3 )

MC wrote:

IMHO there is no other way than to exchange every single part of that chain with another one, one by one, to check if that error goes away. Alternatively if you have access to a different Mac use that one for comparison. Using a multimeter seems pointless, as the breakdown could be caused by a lot of different things, plus is a short-time event that a multimeter most probably will not register.

And one can not exclude the UFX+. Its Thunderbolt port could be defective as well (not that this is a known error, it is not).

Thank you once more.
I mentioned I have an oscilloscope. It is from my home lab: a simple RIGOL DHO924S 4ch 250MHz digital oscilloscope. I don't know if it is fast enough, tough. I mentioned the multimeter because perhaps it could help in checking some fixed voltages from the power supply. I am an electric engineer, if that helps at all. If there is something you believe I could verify, I can try to do it - I can post screen captures from the oscilloscope of some signals if that would help.

If checking the Power Supply and some internal signals is not doable, I would have to buy a TB2 cable and a TB2 to TB3 adapter. But I don't have another Mac to test it. As a side note, I bought the Mac Studio 15 days ago - brand new - but of course there is a possibility that it could be deffective. On the other hand, I tested the TB5 ports on the Mac Studio with an ACASIS TB5 NVMe enclosure with an 8TB SSD and it has been working solidly for many days.

Do you think the first action should be to buy a new cable and adaptor or test some UFX+ signals?

RME Fireface UFX+