• Registered: 2018-12-14
  • Posts: 28

Topic: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

Ok, ok, I know it´s dirty wireing and not recommend but nevertheless. I have a mac where the Audio stuff is going on and an CachyOS Linux PC where mostly gaming is going on. There is one Babyface Pro hooked up to Neumanns. A few years ago I used the Babyface Pro on an Caldigit Thunderbolt Dock. So it was not plugged in directly into the Mac. It still worked like a charm even if not recommended.
Now I need to go one step further. I want to switch the Interface with a KVM switch Dock in the Monitor between my two systems. Has Anyone experience in such a setup? Anything to consider or something? I am happy to try it but I need to buy a new monitor for this and if there is some experience it would be nice to gain it beforehand. I know its not optimal, but I see no other way in using two computers with one Set of monitors. Till now a little usb Audio card on the linux machines is going into two inputs of the Babyface. Not so cool either.

Thanx

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-09-13 10:47:59)

  • waedi
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  • Registered: 2020-12-08
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Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

A switch to flip the USB interface from one computer to the other ?
This means disconnect the USB interface from one computer and connect it to the other computer.
The USB communication will stop and has to re-establish.
- Not so cool.
and I think it will not work as the Linux computer has no Babyface driver and no Totalmix, you would have to set the Babyface into CC-mode and lose all Totalmix.
And the KVM switch has to power OFF and ON the Babyface for switching, I doubt it can.

And it seems this KVM switch is for monitor displays not monitor loudspeakers, did you messed that up ?

Each computer shall have its own audio interface working.

Sharing the loudspeakers is not a big deal.

Cheap and reliable solution :

https://www.thomann.de/de/yamaha_mg06.htm


https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_33/333782/11971217_800.jpg

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

3 Reply by creepels (edited by creepels 2026-09-13 11:17:45)

  • Registered: 2018-12-14
  • Posts: 28

Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

Hey, thanx for your reply. Yeah, KVM is primarily for Keyboard and mouse but essentially its a switch hub locked to the monitors unput and you can switch verything that works.
I should add thst it would not be about switching between two running computers. I switch on one at a time, and switching would take place pre bootup.
On linux I dont need total mix, i just need class compliant stereo.
Also the Interface is Powered, so no need to bus power.
But you got me thinking. I had a mixer some time ago, I always thought that it would downgrade the signal if I put the Speakers on the mixer and go in from the interface. If I am mistaken, this would also be an option. Any further thoughts on this?


I still already have a small Mixer, a Mackie vlz4 12Input Mixer.

  • mkok
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Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

That’s ok as you can use cc mode but as already mentioned when connected back to the Mac you would still have to use cc mode and therefore lose TotalMix. If you don’t use TotalMix then it’s not a problem. TotalMix is very powerful and quite a loss though. Not sure how using an external mixer has anything to do with this?

Babyface Pro Fs, Behringer ADA8200, win 11 PCs, Cubase/Wavelab, Adam A7X monitors.

5 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2026-09-13 11:45:59)

  • ramses
  • ramses
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Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

This is a special request, and I think you need to experiment.

I would try to make it as simple as possible.
An additional mixer would need too much additional space.
A real KVM switch is too expensive.

Many monitors have different inputs for multiple computers.
I would switch at the monitor, which input (PC or Apple) to use.
Some monitors allow the use of key combinations for switching.
I am using
- Ctrl-1 for using the monitor for the laptop on the left side and
- Ctrl-2 for the PC on the right side of the desk
With Eizo Software this worked fabulously; with MSI it doesn't work that well, so I am switching the monitor inputs currently manually at the monitor.

For switching the mouse, keyboard, USB stick, and maybe even the Babyface Pro, you could try whether it is possible with a USB2 or USB3 switcher from Green. This is the USB 3 version.
https://www.amazon.de/UGREEN-Umschalter … 01N6GD9JO/

You might need to power-cycle the BBF Pro and to switch it between CC and normal mode.
But well ... That's life when working with two devices that are so different in that regard.

As this is all too complicated and needs more cables / devices on the desk ... therefore, the pragmatic approach:
For gaming with the Linux PC, I would simply use onboard sound or a sound card.

Then simply use the Babyface Pro FS with all the "bells and whistles" (driver, TotalMix FX, DIGICheck NG) on the Mac.

An alternative solution, if the Mac is always on:

Linux PC---analog or digital out
                        |
                        |
                        | analog or ADAT IN / SPDIF(o)
                        |
Apple---Babyface Pro FS---Analog Out---Active Monitors
                                 \----Analog Out---Headphone

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent
  • waedi
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Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

He speaks of "one set of monitors"  plural
To me me this means loudspeakers not display

M1-GoldenGate, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • waedi
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Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

mkok wrote:

Not sure how using an external mixer has anything to do with this?

Having two audio interface outputs connected to the mixer for using one set of monitor loudspeakers shared with two computers.

M1-GoldenGate, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2018-12-14
  • Posts: 28

Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

I would search a Monitor with auto kvm. So the switching is bound to the inputs. Power cycling should not be possible as I switch before bootup. Totalmix on mac therefor should work.

Mixer would take real estate that is right. But if this would be the best solution it would be ok. At the moment the Babyface is on the mac and the interface from the pc is connected to two analog ins as the interface can work standalone.

  • waedi
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Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

creepels wrote:

pc is connected to two analog ins as the interface can work standalone.

A valid solution and may be the best, least space and electric power.

M1-GoldenGate, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • ramses
  • ramses
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Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

waedi wrote:

He speaks of "one set of monitors"  plural
To me me this means loudspeakers not display

Read closely

"a KVM switch Dock in the Monitor "

This is the usual KVM switch functionality in displays ....

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent
  • Registered: 2018-12-14
  • Posts: 28

Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

Sorry, likley to missinderstand. The KVM switch is in one Display and there a two Loudspeakers.

  • From: Haimhausen
  • Registered: 2012-04-02
  • Posts: 427

Re: KVM Switching Babyface Pro

I have this KVM switch at home for already a year now. I switch with a UCXII between a Macbook Pro and a Windows PC without any problems so far.
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0DXF66SWR?ref … asin_title
I have tried other ones with different results, but this one works perfectly

Regards,
Audio AG Support

Audio AG Support's Website