Need More Power!

[Greg_Midi]

Recently getting back into using Logic for some homegrown recording and prefer to use my UA Apollo Solo TB3 for these endeavors along with an external Sandisk G Drive Pro SSD TB3. I plug these in to ports on my MBP (last Intel version bought new in 2021 currently running 14.7.4). Because both of these devices are powered via the TB ports it can sometimes be a little weird with the computer complaining about a lack of power, for example, if I plug the Apollo in first the external drive may not mount and a message pops up about low power. To be certain I never do any of this without the computer being plugged into the power adapter.

It does work though if I do things in the proper order; plug in the drive, plug in the Apollo and then plug in a USB adapter for my two keyboards and HDMI for a second monitor. I do this and then I'm good to go for hours but it annoys me to have these kinds of issues so....

I wondered about a powered USB3/TB interface that would work. I got a little itchy and bought one from amazon without doing any proper research and when it arrived today I quickly discovered that it just wouldn't work powering the devices while interfacing with the computer so I'm wondering if others have had similar issues and perhaps found suitable devices??

 

[Markdvc]

The TB/USB Hub I am using is from Sonnett: Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock - SONNETTECH

I'm running it with a Mac Studio, it's been quite reliable. AFAIK there is a model from OWC which is pretty much the same

HTH, kind regards

Mark

 

[Greg_Midi]

Yes, looking at this right now. You're response has lead me down the right path, thanks so much!

 

[Greg_Midi]

I finally quit procrastinating and bought one of these, from Walmart actually. It arrived yesterday and I hooked things up, all looked to be working but I haven't fired up any of my programs yet.

 

[Greg_Midi]

Now I'm finally getting back to some recording and this setup is working great. There's one weird thing and I don't remember if it occurred before. I'll use todays example where I'm recording bass. I hookup the MBP to this and devices are connected and seem to be ok (LG 43" monitor, Glyph exSSD and UAD Apollo Solo) but when I get Logic up I don't get sound from the bass plugged into the hi Z input.

I tried a couple things attempting to narrowing the issue down. Unplugging and replugging the Solo unit didn't work. A reboot didn't help but when I fired up Luna then it was ok and continued to work fine after that where I went back to Logic and did my recording.

It could be the UAD driver not loading at startup or something else. I'll keep at it and see if I can narrow it down but if this is the worst problem I'm going to have it won't be that hard to live with.

 

[Markdvc]

first thing to check is that the Apollo is available in Audio Midi Setup. After that, check that it is your selected audio device in Logic Pro - settings - audio. After that, make sure you have selected the correct input in logic which corresponds with the apollo input you are using. If, as you write, it worked after first using it in luna, there could be several reasons: drivers, or even a slightly unstable cable connection to name just two. Sorry I can't be more specific, I don't have an apollo interface.

kind regards

Mark

 

[Greg_Midi]

first thing to check is that the Apollo is available in Audio Midi Setup. After that, check that it is your selected audio device in Logic Pro - settings - audio. After that, make sure you have selected the correct input in logic which corresponds with the apollo input you are using. If, as you write, it worked after first using it in luna, there could be several reasons: drivers, or even a slightly unstable cable connection to name just two. Sorry I can't be more specific, I don't have an apollo interface.

kind regards

Mark

I may get back to it a bit today. It did occur to me later I should have checked audio/midi setup and I'll do that next time. Otherwise I don't change any of the devices or setup within Logic. Compared to most interfaces I have/had the Apollo Solo is a simple device with limited input/output.

There's a thing with these however where the Meter & Control Panel is set to load on bootup via a file in Launch Agents folder after installing/updating. There's a line within that file where I switch it from True to False to keep that from happening because I don't need that in the background during the course of a normal day. This may have something to do with it and I believe I can narrow it down and get it sorted out with a little more experimenting.