USB Audio output stops

cjmacchia

I’m running ST3 on an iPad Pro w USB C out to an Allen Heath QU SB 16 mixer thru an Anker USB C hub to power the iPad and run USB cable to the mixer. The audio output has stopped mid show several times, and the only fix was to reboot the mixer and iPad. How can this be fixed or avoided?

Damir

cjmacchia How can this be fixed or avoided?

To fix this you need to figure out where the problem is .
Is all your software up to date on the playback device? Is all your firmware up to date on your mixer?
Are you using the most reliable original apple cables and interfaces?
How to avoid this, keep it simple as possible, to minimise the risk of failure.
I use direct headphone out jack for that exact reason and never had an audio crash yet, that’s why I don’t use iPads that have no headphone jack.
If you are using multitracks in to a digital mixer you are complicating things that have not been proven to be 100% reliable , this ability has only been around a few years in small mixers and the communication between devices is very poorly designed .
I rather rely on a shitty unprofessional headphone jack then a usb connector of any kind , when you look at the digital connectors under a microscope there ain’t much connection there and all it takes is a bit of dirt or a slightly worn connecting point to hugely embarrass you on stage, not to mention a not well written bit of interface software.
Good luck in your hunt, I would fiddle with it all at home till you find the cause , no way would I use it on stage.

jaytrax

cjmacchia I use a range of iPads and both Midas MR18 and new Behringer Wing Rack,

First thing I would do is take the hub out of the equation,
Use a camera connection kit if old usb (make sure it’s official apple one)

Also make sure your usb cable supports audio transfer, all cables are not created equal

I’ve been running Audio over USB and are also in multitrack outputs using all 8 stereo outputs on ST3

cjmacchia

Damir Thank you!

AnthonyB

I absolutely agree with Damir's point that you need to (1) first, ensure all software/firmware is up to date, and then (2) find which component is at fault (I know, a real 'Captain Obvious' statement)!

Ensure iPad iOS is current, ensure ST is current, ensure the A&H mxer is current firmware.

What first jumped out at me was the Anker USB C hub. It's not clear which one you are using - a simple passive adapter or a 16-in-1 powered hub. I would go with something as simple as possible - a simple passive adapter/hub with the 2 USB ports you need to provide power for the iPad and connection to the mixer. I've always had really mixed results with fancy powered USB hubs over the years, even from name brands.

It is really weird that you say that the only resolution is to reboot the mixer and iPad. If accurate, that seems to imply that the interface on both devices is being left in a very 'confused' state. Again, that is why my initial suspicion would be the USB hub. I guess a very outside chance is it is the cable, but there is less that can go wrong in a cable, than the hub. Anyway, both are cheap to purchase spares to swap out and test the theory.

EDIT: Oh, I just had another thought. Are you running any other apps in the background on your iPad that might be 'doing stuff'? E.g. A&H/3rd party Mixer app, another audio app, some app driving video output, etc.? If so, try to eliminate those.

I have been using Multitrack audio on an iPad (initiall Gen4, now Gen9) feeding into a Behringer X32 rack mixer via USB interface for over 6 months without any issue. It has worked first time every time I've plugged it in (touch wood) and I've never had audio drop-outs or scenarios requiring the mixer or iPad to need to be rebooted.

cjmacchia

AnthonyB Many thanks.

peter

Rebooting the iPad should never be necessary. In the worst case just quit ST3 in the task switcher and restart it. That takes only seconds.

Apart from that, @Damir and @AnthonyB made very good suggestions for troubleshooting. I would just add to start simple. Try to reduce your setup only to the critical parts. Don't use a hub if you don't need to. Then when the simple setup runs stable, add complexity if you need to.

cjmacchia

Many thanks for the reply. It’s USB-C and I will look for the Apple camera connection kit to try to remove the hub.

peter

Try a so called usb-c printer cable. These are data cables with usb-c on one end usb-b on the other hand. That would be the most direct connection.

cjmacchia

peter That makes sense, but I think I need to power the iPad or I risk battery drain. Maybe w a full charge, there’s no real risk?

Vex

I have had the same issue multiple times with a lightning output iPad to both mackie and behringer desks. Both have usually involved having to restart ipad and desks to get it working again. I dont think it has happened mid song whilst playing from stage traxx but has happened for no apparent reason whilst mid playback of a song on Spotify. When I then try to play from ST, the audio routing screen says all the right things in terms of the desk channels I'm connected to having the right things being sent to them but nothing is recieved by the desk. Genuine apple USB/camera adapter in use. Possibly an apple problem.

Damir

Vex These are the reasons I use one device with ST3 and any other needs I use a different device like my iPhone for Spotify etc. APPLE spends all their money developing new things which are never properly developed and then use us to perfect them , as they get perfected they come up with a new device with new imperfections, I feel like a trapped mouse in a wheel , Their new operating system is like a dogs breakfast full of non working things and bad logic. I spend more time with Apple support than actually using my computer.
My suggestion is stick with the old as long as you possibly can if it’s doing the job.
The grass is not greener on the other side or I should say the apples aren’t any redder on the other side😂

cjmacchia

Damir Many thanks for all the replies. Couple things to add is on the Allen Heath mixer, we are recording the show to a USB stick. Not sure it’s related or if the mixer uses processing power from the iPad. Last show ran ST3 on a Mac and no failure.

Damir

cjmacchia I was thinking of going to a full digital mixer like Alan Heath t18 because of its multitrack and recording on board capabilities but am having second thoughts being a solo performer mainly now days , do I really need the extra complexity? Yes I would go multitrack if I could easily manipulate SOLO/ MUTE functions while performing giving me easy way of massaging my song backing to create the mood I need at exact moment like just drums and permanent loop to just involve the crowd then easily getting back to all backing and release loop, or thinning the song right down to a simple piano backing then slowly introducing other instruments to a full backup , this would make multitrack well worth it, at the moment it’s just not designed for that it only accommodates full bands with changing backing requirements.
I would design it so it’s usable for all performers where a bass player could walk of the stage and I could easily engage bass track and no problem similar to any musician like the drummer does not turn up after a break simply engage the drums and go for it and as he sits in the seat disengage the drums and he’s off again.
At the moment the software is not flexible enough.
I don’t think your mixer would be using any processor power from your iPad and it’s powerful enough to do all its tasks .
Rock on 🎸🕺🏻🎤