USB-C

Do Apogee products work with the iPad Pro with USB-C port?

Apple’s iPad Pro with the USB-C port marks a significant change that affects Apogee’s iOS-compatible devices.

First some background:

Apogee’s iOS compatible products have been officially certified for all past iPad/iPhone/iPod models (the ones with Lightning or 30-pin connectors) by Apple through their MFi Licensee program. However Apple does not offer MFi certification for the new USB-C iPad Pro models. With this change, some Apogee accessory features will be slightly different on the new iPad Pro USB-C models.

NOTE: This information is only regarding connection to iOS devices (iPads & iPhones), and does not affect anything regarding connection to a Mac or Windows computer.

All versions of MiC & JAM and Groove – COMPATIBLE
These units will send/receive audio and all functions can be controlled via the knobs/buttons on the hardware or the buttons and sliders on your iPad/iPhone/iPod.

Connect to the new iPad Pro USB-C with the Apple USB-C to USB Adapter together with the standard USB A cable that came in the box with the product
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter

We also make a direct USB Micro to USB-C cable, which can be used with the MiC Plus, Jam Plus, and Groove:
https://www.apogeedigital.com/shop/1-meter-micro-b-to-usb-type-c-for-mic-plus

One/Duet/Quartet – *PARTIALLY COMPATIBLE

Basic functions of our larger USB units work. This would be audio playback, some audio input, & output level control. (Note that ONE & Duet do not need the external power supply connected because the USB-C port provides bus power just like on a Mac!)

However these units are unable to connect to the Apogee Maestro iOS app, and thus are unable to access the Input Settings like Gain and Phantom Power or Output Routing, low-latency mixers, and Volume.

iPad does not get charged when a ONE, Duet, or Quartet are plugged in to AC power.

In some cases you may have to power down iPad, connect Duet or Quartet and power back up for them to be usable (ONE behaves differently, see below)

Quartet:   offers the best partial compatibility
Duet:   decent partial compatibility
  • Able to adjust inputs gain with front panel knob.
  • Other input & various settings must be changed with it connected to a Mac computer or Lightning iPad/iPhone first. Then you can connect to the USB-C iPad Pro and settings should carry over.
ONE:   is the least compatible
  • Inputs do not register in any app.
  • Output control, playback, streaming from iTunes or other music apps works.

Please be aware this may not work in all cases or on all applications. There is lots of variability and things can change with each Apple iOS release or audio app update.

Note: The Anker USB-C to Lightning Audio Adapter is not a workaround

We would very much like to update these devices to support the new iPad Pro USB-C and are working with Apple to do so.
As soon as Apple can provide us a path of compatibility with this device we are happy to update our unit to support it.
Please look out for an update when we are able to make this available.

Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset – Mostly Compatible

The Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset can be converted from Lightning to USB-C using the Anker Lightning-to-USB-C adapter. Not only does this work in the USB-C iPad’s, but it also works on Macs (with limitations):

https://apogeedigital.com/blog/the-ambeo-smart-headset-from-apogee-and-sennheiser-now-connects-to-mac-and-ipad-pro-using-the-new-anker-usb-c-to-lightning-audio-adapter

Note: The Maestro and AMBEO iOS apps will not be able to communicate with the Sennheiser microphones even withe the Anker adapter due to the lack of MFi through USB-C instead of Lightning. However generic recording does work according to our tests.

 

Other Sennheiser Lightning devices – Not Compatible – ClipMic Digital, MKE-2 Digital, MKE-4 Digital:

These Sennheiser mobile recording products do not work on the USB-C iPads even when connected through the Anker Lightning-to-USB-C adapter. (It also does not work on Macs with USB-C.  Only the AMBEO works on Macs through the Anker adapter).

These can only work through iPads and iPhones equipped with a Lightning port.

Connecting Apogee Thunderbolt to Macs with USB-C ports

All Apogee Thunderbolt interfaces can be connected to Mac computers with USB-C Thunderbolt 3 using Apple’s adapter:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

Thunderbolt 3 is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 1 devices so any Apogee Thunderbolt device will work through this adapter with no reduction in performance, latency, or sound quality.

Note: Some 3rd-party venders sell a Display Port adapter. Though the plug is the same size and shape as Thunderbolt 2 & 1, these adapters do not support Thunderbolt.

It should be noted that Thunderbolt 3 ports look exactly like USB-C ports and their cables also look similar. This can get a little confusing, so here are a few basic rules to help clear up any questions about connectivity:

  • USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 have the same-size port and the same-size connector for their cables. Since USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports look exactly the same, you will need to make sure your Mac has Thunderbolt 3 capabilities before using it with an Apogee Thunderbolt device and an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.
  • A Mac with Thunderbolt 3 ports, such as the 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, can use it’s Thunderbolt 3 ports to connect to any Thunderbolt 3 device, USB-C device, and Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt 1 device if you use the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.
  • A Mac with only USB-C ports, such as the 2015 and 2016 12″ MacBook, can NOT connect to any Thunderbolt device, even when using adapters. It can connect to USB-C devices and other types of USB devices, using the proper adapters.

My Element won’t power on when connected to my display monitor or MacBook

Question:

My Apogee Element (24, 46, or 88) doesn’t power up when I connect it to my display monitor or my MacBook. What’s wrong?

 

Answer:

Thunderbolt devices such as the Apogee Element will only work when connected to true Thunderbolt ports. Be careful not to mistake a Mini-Display Port for a Thunderbolt 2 port or a USB-C port for a Thunderbolt 3 port:

  • If you’re trying to connect to a monitor display, confirm that the display has more than 1 Thunderbolt port. You can’t connect more than one 1-port Thunderbolt device in a Thunderbolt chain. The display will need an upstream Thunderbolt port to connect to the Mac or another 2-port Thunderbolt device in a chain and then it will need another Thunderbolt port for you to connect the Element to. A couple common mistakes people make are mistaking Mini-Display Ports with Thunderbolt 2 ports since they look exactly the same and confusing USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 ports since they look exactly the same. For example, the LG Ultrafine 5k monitors have 1 Thunderbolt 3 port and 3 USB-C ports. All 4 ports look alike, but only 1 of them is a Thunderbolt 3 port. You should always look for the Thunderbolt icon next to any Thunderbolt port. With the exception of the new MacBook Pros, any Thunderbolt port will usually have the Thunderbolt icon next to it. More information can be found here.
  • If you are connecting to the latest 12″ MacBook with a USB-C port, Thunderbolt devices will not work on this Mac because the USB-C port only supports USB devices, despite looking exactly the same as a Thunderbolt 3 port. More information can be found here.

Do Apogee USB products (Groove, ONE, Duet, GiO, MiC, JAM, Quartet) work with the latest MacBook?

Question:

Do Apogee’s current USB products (Groove, ONE for Mac, ONE for iPad & Mac, Duet 2, Duet for iPad & Mac, GiO, MiC, MiC 96k, JAM, JAM 96k, Quartet) work with the 2015/2016 12″ MacBook?

 

Answer:

Yes. The 2015/2016 12″ MacBook includes a USB-C port. Since USB-C uses a different size port and connector than traditional USB ‘Type A’, you will need to use an Apple USB-C to USB adapter to connect any USB device with a traditional ‘Type A’ connection, such as Apogee’s line of USB audio interfaces, to this port.

Apogee’s line of USB audio interfaces are also fully compatible with the 2016 MacBook Pro, as outlined in this post.

 

*It should be noted that Apogee’s Thunderbolt products will NOT work with the 2015/2016 12″ MacBook.

 

Click for information about compatibility with Apogee’s Thunderbolt products and the 2015/2016 12″ MacBook.

Click for information about compatibility with Apogee’s Thunderbolt products and the 2016 MacBook Pro.

Click for more information on the differences between USB-C ports and Thunderbolt 3 ports.

 

 

 

 

Do Apogee USB products (Groove, ONE, Duet, GiO, MiC, JAM, Quartet) work with the 2016 MacBook Pro?

Question:

Do Apogee’s current USB products (Groove, ONE for Mac, ONE for iPad & Mac, Duet 2, Duet for iPad & Mac, GiO, MiC, MiC 96k, JAM, JAM 96k, Quartet) work with the 2016 MacBook Pro?

 

Answer:

Yes. The 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar includes Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can also be used to connect USB devices. Since Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C use the same size ports and cables, you will need to use an Apple USB-C to USB adapter to connect any USB device with a traditional ‘Type A’ connection, such as Apogee’s line of USB audio interfaces, to these ports.

Apogee’s line of USB audio interfaces are also fully compatible with the 2015/2016 12″ MacBook, as outlined in this post.

 

*It should be noted that Apogee’s Thunderbolt products will NOT work with the 2015/2016 12″ MacBook.

 

Click for information about compatibility with Apogee’s Thunderbolt products and the 2016 MacBook Pro.

Click for information about compatibility with Apogee’s Thunderbolt products and the 2015/2016 12″ MacBook.

Click for more information on the differences between USB-C ports and Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Do Apogee Thunderbolt products (Element, Ensemble Thunderbolt, Symphony I/O MkII, Thunderbridge) work with the latest 12″ MacBook?

Question:

Do Apogee’s Thunderbolt products (Element 24, Element 46, Element 88, Ensemble Thunderbolt, Symphony I/O MkII Thunderbolt, and Symphony 64 Thunderbridge) work with the 2015 and 2016 12″ MacBook?

 

Answer:

No. The 2015 and 2016 12″ MacBook, shown here, do not include a Thunderbolt port. They only have a USB-C port. The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapters will not work with these MacBooks, despite using the same-size connectors. Apogee Thunderbolt devices will work with the 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, as discussed in this post. It should be noted that Thunderbolt 3 ports look exactly like USB-C ports and their cables also look similar. This can get a little confusing, so here are a few basic rules to help clear up any questions about connectivity:

  • USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 have the same-size port and the same-size connector for their cables. Since USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports look exactly the same, you will need to make sure your Mac has Thunderbolt 3 capabilities before using it with an Apogee Thunderbolt device and an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.
  • A Mac with Thunderbolt 3 ports, such as the 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, can use it’s Thunderbolt 3 ports to connect to any Thunderbolt 3 device, USB-C device, and Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt 1 device if you use the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.
  • A Mac with only USB-C ports, such as the 2015 and 2016 12″ MacBook, can NOT connect to any Thunderbolt device, even when using adapters. It can connect to USB-C devices and other types of USB devices, using the proper adapters.

 

Click here for more information on the differences between USB-C ports and Thunderbolt 3 ports.