• joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Topic: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

I’m having a problem trying to infinitely play a project using Logic Pro on a Mac.  I’m using a Mac mini 2023, 16 GB RAM, M2, Tahoe 26.2 and a Digiface Dante.  Digiface Dante Firmware v68, Driver v4.27.  Digiface Dante is connected to the Thunderbolt port directly USB B-USB C.  I have a keyboard and mouse attached to a USB A port.  I do not have any other external USB devices attached.

My goal is to have infinite play of a Logic Pro project with 64 tracks routed to 64 Dante outputs.  I put Logic into Cycle mode and press Play.  After a certain amount of time, on the order of hours, the project fails and the play stops.  I’ve tried a couple of experiments to try to isolate the problem.

1.  Using the kernel extension driver, perform the play experiment, 64 tracks to 64 outputs.  Output can be heard on all tracks on a Dante device on the network.  After awhile, overnight, the outputs fail, there no sound on the Dante monitoring device on any channel and all of the levels are quiet in the tracks and channel strips in Logic but the play head keeps advancing and cycling.  Stopping and Restarting the play does not fix the problem, there is still no output.  Using the Settings-Audio-Devices-Output Device dialog in Logic Pro, I can switch the output device to Mac Mini speakers and then back to Digiface Dante.  Pressing Play again gets everything restarted properly.   

2.  I got a different Mac, Mac Studio M1, with more memory and ran the same experiment with the Digiface Dante attached.  Result was exactly the same as in Test 1.

3.  Going back to the Mac Mini, I uninstalled the kernel extension driver and installed the DriverKit driver.  I ran the same experiment.  Outputs behaved as expected.  This time, again overnight, the project stops playing.  The play head is not advancing and the Stop button is highlighted.  Pressing Play restarts everything and the outputs behaved as expected.

4.  I disconnected the Digiface Dante and connected a Dante AVIO 2CH USB-C adapter.  I ran this overnight and in the morning the project was still cycling correctly, everything was still running.  Of course, only 2 channels are active since the Audinate device is restricted to 2 channels.

5.  I reconnected the Digiface Dante and reduced the project to 2 tracks and 2 outputs.  The play test is still in progress.

I’ve been monitoring CPU and memory usage with the Activity Monitor and everything looks normal, as far as I can tell, there is no memory leak or CPU overload.

With that data in mind, could you please help to troubleshoot and or fix the problem?

Thanks!

  • From: Haimhausen
  • Registered: 2012-04-02
  • Posts: 400

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

Did you also try to use a different DAW, to see if this is software related. For example Reaper. (reaper.fm)

Regards,
Audio AG Support

Audio AG Support's Website

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

I have not tried another DAW.  I started to replicate the project in Reaper but I'm not familiar with Reaper and it looked like it would take some to time learn how to get all of the outputs mapped correctly.  That was non trivial in Logic and I didn't want to take the time to learn Reaper too.

My experiment #5 also failed to play infinitely (overnight).  It stopped playing same as Test #3.  So even 2 channels fails when using the Digiface but not with the Audinate USB device.

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

Since Logic failed with only 2 tracks, I set up Reaper with a 4 track project.  I've started the infinite play cycle and I'll let you know what happens.  I found it was more intuitive to set up the output mapping in Reaper than in Logic.  It shouldn't be a problem to expand to 64 tracks for a full test, if the 4 channel test works.  Tedious, yes; Difficult, no.

Thanks!

5 Reply by joes (edited by joes 2026-02-12 17:28:38)

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

The latest experiment with Reaper also failed.

6.  MacMini, DriverKit, Reaper.  I created a 4 track project and left it in Cycle Play overnight.  In the morning, the Play Cycle had stopped.  The play head was stuck in the middle of the track and there was no output.  The UI was still functional only Play was stuck.  I was not able to restart or reenable the output device.  Restarting Reaper and then pressing play resumed Play and output.

I have a feeling that there is a USB driver problem with a small window race condition that takes a while to manifest.

I’m happy to continue running experiments.  Let me know if there’s a way to turn some debugging on to provide you with logs.  I can also supply my projects for Logic and/or Reaper, if you’d like to experiment on your own to replicate the issue.

Thanks!

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

@RME Support Could you please review my posts and let me know if you have any thoughts on how to further troubleshoot or solve this issue?  Thanks in advance!

  • From: Haimhausen
  • Registered: 2012-04-02
  • Posts: 400

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

If it happens on Reaper as wel, it might not be an Software issue. Can you try it again but with a USB 2 A to USB B cable to the Macmini?

Regards,
Audio AG Support

Audio AG Support's Website

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

7.  As suggested, I tried a USB 2 A to USB B cable connected between the Digiface Dante and Mac Mini and ran the same test with the Logic, 64 track project.  The result is the same, the Cycle Play stops playing sometime over the night.  Pressing Play again restarts the Cycle.

Please let me know how to proceed.

Best,
--Joe

  • From: Haimhausen
  • Registered: 2012-04-02
  • Posts: 400

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

You have tested one two computers, with multiple cables. Maybe the Digafce Dante has a problem. In that case you need to send in for service so we can check it. Please contact you retailer for service options.

Regards,
Audio AG Support

Audio AG Support's Website

  • Registered: 2021-03-10
  • Posts: 13

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

I have the same issue.  After a while, outputs from multiple applications stop.  I haven't been able to determine anything specific to why it stops.  Sometimes it can fail in as little as a half hour, other times it can go for a couple days before output fails.

Sometimes having the app try to re-establish output works (like changing buffer size and then back).  Other times, the only way to get audio outputting again is to reboot.  I am on an (now old) iMac Pro with the most recent Sequoia release.  I am using the RME kernel extension driver v3.35, and the Digiface Dante is connected directly to the Mac -- no USB hub in use.

Audio in from the Digiface continues just fine.  It's audio out that stops.  I've had this with Ground Control Caster, Davinci Resolve, and even the Mac system settings set to go direct to the Digiface.

This is not a new issue.  It's been going on for at least a year now.  I don't believe it is the Digiface hardware going bad, either.  I have two Digifaces, and it happens with both of them.

No idea how to debug it, but it really feels to me like a driver issue.  When output fails, TotalMix shows metering on the input channel from the computer, but the output channels that use that input in their mix do NOT show any metering while audio is playing.  However, they continue to output audio and show meters from Dante input channels.  Just the computer inputs are dead.

11 Reply by joes (edited by joes 2026-03-09 16:37:08)

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

cwichura wrote:

I have the same issue.  After a while, outputs from multiple applications stop.  I haven't been able to determine anything specific to why it stops.  Sometimes it can fail in as little as a half hour, other times it can go for a couple days before output fails.

Sometimes having the app try to re-establish output works (like changing buffer size and then back).  Other times, the only way to get audio outputting again is to reboot.  I am on an (now old) iMac Pro with the most recent Sequoia release.  I am using the RME kernel extension driver v3.35, and the Digiface Dante is connected directly to the Mac -- no USB hub in use.

Audio in from the Digiface continues just fine.  It's audio out that stops.  I've had this with Ground Control Caster, Davinci Resolve, and even the Mac system settings set to go direct to the Digiface.

This is not a new issue.  It's been going on for at least a year now.  I don't believe it is the Digiface hardware going bad, either.  I have two Digifaces, and it happens with both of them.

No idea how to debug it, but it really feels to me like a driver issue.  When output fails, TotalMix shows metering on the input channel from the computer, but the output channels that use that input in their mix do NOT show any metering while audio is playing.  However, they continue to output audio and show meters from Dante input channels.  Just the computer inputs are dead.

@cwichura
I had similar issues with the kernel extension driver.  The outputs would get very stuck and I needed to switch the Output Device away from the Digiface and then back again.  i.e Switch the Output Device to Mac Mini speakers and then back to Digiface Dante.  I figure that changing the output device clears and then re-initializes the driver, and once it's reset, it works normally again.  Like you, I feel that there is some race condition in the driver that causes it to get stuck and the system is unable to recover.

I have found that the DriverKit performs better than the kernel driver extension.  The DAW only stops playing and I'm able to restart my output by simply pressing play again.  That said, I'm not that worried about having the absolute best latency performance and the DriverKit is fine for my application.  YMMV.

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

Audio AG Support wrote:

You have tested one two computers, with multiple cables. Maybe the Digafce Dante has a problem. In that case you need to send in for service so we can check it. Please contact you retailer for service options.

I feel that there is a driver problem and my hardware is fine, since @cwichura reports a similar issue.  I'm happy to provide my project(s), if you would like to run some experiments to see if you can replicate the issue.

I'm reluctant to send the device back as our current development tasks require the Dante sources.  Is it possible to get a demo unit or B stock loaner?  I'm happy to run my tests on that device to see if it happens again.

Thanks!

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 10,961

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

When that happens, where exactly do you see a signal in Totalmix, if any? Does the DAW mixer still shows a signal at the master output? And in that state, will other software or audio from a browser or the like still work?

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

14 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 26,987

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

Use the DriverKit driver 4.27 and the Digiface Dante flashed into Class Compliant mode. I have no clue why this was ignored from everyone in this thread so far.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

15 Reply by joes (edited by joes 2026-03-13 22:03:05)

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

MC wrote:

Use the DriverKit driver 4.27 and the Digiface Dante flashed into Class Compliant mode. I have no clue why this was ignored from everyone in this thread so far.

I'm willing to try that.  I'm not sure how to get the device into Class Compliant mode.  I don't see that option in the Fireface USB settings app nor is there any reference in the user manual.  I'm currently running driver v4.27 so we should be good with that.  I'm also running firmware v68.

Thanks!

16 Reply by joes (edited by joes 2026-03-12 20:37:22)

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

RME Support wrote:

When that happens, where exactly do you see a signal in Totalmix, if any? Does the DAW mixer still shows a signal at the master output? And in that state, will other software or audio from a browser or the like still work?

Both apps show no levels on any outputs.  The play just stops, including turning off the green backlight on the play button in Logic.

I have had the app run for several days before stopping but usually it fails when running overnight.

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 7,322

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

I don't own the Digiface Dante, having a Digiface USB and CC-mode goes thru firmware flash tool FUT, there is the option to switch the unit into CC-mode.
You may try the FUT for your Dante

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

18 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 26,987

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

> I don't see that option in the Fireface USB settings app nor is there any reference in the user manual.

Chapter 13.2 and 13.3 have full information on DK based CC mode. Current manuals can be downloaded from our website.

Plus this feature has been explained and discussed here in the forum. So it's not hard to find.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

MC wrote:

> I don't see that option in the Fireface USB settings app nor is there any reference in the user manual.

Chapter 13.2 and 13.3 have full information on DK based CC mode. Current manuals can be downloaded from our website.

Plus this feature has been explained and discussed here in the forum. So it's not hard to find.

Thanks for the suggestion.  I found the documentation and I used the RME USB Series Flash Tool to change the device mode to CC. 

Unfortunately, the performance was less stable in CC mode than any earlier tests.  The play function stops rather quickly, sometimes within minutes.  Play can be resumed in Logic by clicking on the Play button.  Occasionally, Logic loses touch with the driver, and when this happens, only the Mac Mini Speakers can be selected in both the Logic Audio settings and System Settings - Sound.   A power cycle on the Digiface Dante was required to re-establish a connection.

I'm still hoping for a solution but, for now, the best case is running with DriverKit and the native USB.  I can generally run this for many hours and sometimes days before Logic stops and requires a Play restart.

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 7,322

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

What was the maximun time Locic Pro was playing nonstop thru mac-speakers (without interface connected) ?

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

21 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 26,987

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

Using the CC mode you are running on Apple's system driver. If that one fails then we can not fix it. It leaves you with two conclusions: Either your system is screwed, or the DF Dante itself is broken. For the latter (as you tried a different computer already) you might need to get your hands on a second DF Dante to verify.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

waedi wrote:

What was the maximum time Logic Pro was playing nonstop thru mac-speakers (without interface connected) ?

I have not tried that experiment.  Since I'm mapping 64 tracks of audio into 64 Dante channels and not mixing everything down to 2 channels, it didn't occur to me to test that.  It would be an interesting experiment anyway.  If it breaks, then that would certainly place the blame on my Mac(s).  I'll try that if my latest experiment fails.


@MC
I'm now testing CC mode with USB C.  After a doing little research, it looks like CC mode is targeted at USB C.  Previously, I switched back to USB B at the suggestion of one of the forum members and hadn't switched back to C.  Maybe this is the magic combination?

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

MC wrote:

Using the CC mode you are running on Apple's system driver. If that one fails then we can not fix it. It leaves you with two conclusions: Either your system is screwed, or the DF Dante itself is broken. For the latter (as you tried a different computer already) you might need to get your hands on a second DF Dante to verify.

I got a loaner device from our distributor.  With the new to me device I observe the same behavior.  At this point, I believe that there is a USB problem.  Somehow the audio system locks.  Since roughly the same thing happens with Reaper it's probably not Logic.  We've tried experiments on two different Mac platforms.  Things point to the Mac, either drivers or the USB hardware itself.  I filed a ticket with the Apple support awhile ago.  I have not heard back and don't really expect to.

At this point, I feel that we can't have an infinite play loop.  We'll need to attend to the device(s) daily and that's the way it is.

  • Registered: 2021-03-10
  • Posts: 13

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

I will add that the USB Ethernet of the Digiface Dante (which is now always Class Compliant) also stops after a while.  It can receive packets, but all outbound packets stop.  Usually takes about 3-4 days for this to happen.  (And as stated above, I have two DF Dantes and they both exhibit the problems in this thread.)

It really seems like there is a bug in the DF Dante firmware's USB handling that eventually causes it to go deaf to packets from the computer.  It still can send TO the computer (so in my case, I see all my inputs from Dante working in TotalMix, but no outputs send anything).

  • Registered: 2018-01-17
  • Posts: 13

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

I don’t own a Digiface Dante myself, but I suspect the output failures might be related to the high track count and long playback durations over USB 3.0. It's possible the device is overheating or experiencing a voltage drop in USB power during these extended sessions.

To troubleshoot this, I suggest testing the unit with its external POWER SUPPLY connected to rule out power instability.

Additionally, it might be worth trying a USB 2.0 cable; even though the device is USB 3.0, using a 2.0 cable can bypass complex negotiation issues with modern Mac USB controllers. Please keep in mind that this will limit the total channel count, but it's a helpful test to see if stability improves.

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

Gibson17 wrote:

I don’t own a Digiface Dante myself, but I suspect the output failures might be related to the high track count and long playback durations over USB 3.0. It's possible the device is overheating or experiencing a voltage drop in USB power during these extended sessions.

To troubleshoot this, I suggest testing the unit with its external POWER SUPPLY connected to rule out power instability.

Additionally, it might be worth trying a USB 2.0 cable; even though the device is USB 3.0, using a 2.0 cable can bypass complex negotiation issues with modern Mac USB controllers. Please keep in mind that this will limit the total channel count, but it's a helpful test to see if stability improves.

Thanks for the suggestions. 

All good ideas.  We had the same thought about the power and have been testing with the external supply for quite some time.

I originally started testing with the supplied USB 2 cable, and our liaison at the distributor suggested trying the Thunderbolt/USB 3 port instead.  He thought that the Mac USB C hardware was more stable than the internal USB 2 switch on a Mac Mini.  That said, I started testing with USB 2 and Kernel Extention Driver and, since then, I've been testing the USB 3 connection for the three different modes, Kernel Extension Driver, Driver Kit, and CC.  I haven't tried Driver Kit or CC mode with the USB 2 path.  I can try it and see what happens.

27 Reply by joes (edited by joes 2026-05-05 18:46:26)

  • joes
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2026-02-10
  • Posts: 15

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

With the USB 2 cable plugged in I got an error pretty quickly.  Right after the stop I retrieved the system log.

dmesg shows this:

[1731511.162789]: AppleUSBIORequest: AppleUSBIORequest::complete: device 1 (Digiface Dante (24236837)@02200000) endpoint 0x81: status 0xe00002ed (transaction error)
[1731511.166763]: AppleUSBXHCIPipe: IOUSBHostPipe::abortGated: device 1 (Digiface Dante (24236837)@02200000) endpoint 0x02: aborting 7 requests
[1731511.173563]: AppleUSBXHCIPipe: IOUSBHostPipe::abortGated: device 1 (Digiface Dante (24236837)@02200000) endpoint 0x81: aborting 30 requests
[1731512.572125]: SID: 0x0 task: <ptr> buffer: 0  buffer->fClientTask = 0 not found
[1731512.572131]: SID: 0x0 task: <ptr> buffer: 0  buffer->fClientTask = 0 not found
[1731512.718961]: tx_flush:1344: disk3 xid 867426 tx stats: # 129740 owait 724 3081us finish 129597 bar2 129545 f 37477 enter 45 fq 107 120 2517us close 0us prep 575us flush 2370us
[1731514.904687]: SID: 0x0 task: <ptr> buffer: 0  buffer->fClientTask = 0 not found
[1731514.904693]: SID: 0x0 task: <ptr> buffer: 0  buffer->fClientTask = 0 not found
[1731515.268808]: AppleUSBIORequest: AppleUSBIORequest::complete: device 1 (Digiface Dante (24236837)@02200000) endpoint 0x81: status 0xe00002ed (transaction error)
[1731515.272990]: AppleUSBXHCIPipe: IOUSBHostPipe::abortGated: device 1 (Digiface Dante (24236837)@02200000) endpoint 0x02: aborting 7 requests
[1731515.279604]: AppleUSBXHCIPipe: IOUSBHostPipe::abortGated: device 1 (Digiface Dante (24236837)@02200000) endpoint 0x81: aborting 30 requests
[1731515.661203]: IOConsoleUsers: time(0) 0->0, lin 1, llk 0,
[1731515.661222]: IOConsoleUsers: gIOScreenLockState 1, hs 0, bs 0, now 0, sm 0x0
[1731515.662493]: Couldn't alloc class "AFKResource"
[1731515.662494]: IOHIDLibUserClient:0x1000139e1 resourceNotificationGated client not privileged

It might provide a clue to the problem for someone well versed in Mac driver code.

  • Registered: 2021-03-10
  • Posts: 13

Re: Digiface Dante outputs fail when playing on a Mac

Gibson17 wrote:

I suggest testing the unit with its external POWER SUPPLY connected to rule out power instability.

Data point: I have always run my Digiface Dante devices with external power connected.  I've never relied on bus power for them.