Since that time, thunderbolt audio interfaces have become the goto choice of sound engineers who want rapid speed and crystal clear sound quality during the recording process. Mac connectivity via thunderbolt not all units on this list have thunderbolt audio interface mac protocols, so this is a huge bonus. Arrow is the worlds first thunderbolt 3powered desktop recording audio interface for mac and windows delivering classleading audio conversion, two unison mic preamps, and a suite of onboard uad plugins for albumquality results. Usb ports are sometimes known by the usb specification of the port, such as usb 2 or usb 3. It also features a singleport thunderbolt connectivity to mac. With this feature an audio interface could even function when plugged into a. Universal audio thunderbolt 3 option card for apollo interface.
How to use any thunderbolt device on any thunderbolt mac. If you have a device that doesnt connect to this port, you might be able to use an adapter to connect it these mac models have thunderbolt. In fact, resident audio engineers have developed many wellknown products that you or someone you know are probably already using. It enables you to plug in microphones and instruments, and offers great value for money. Thunderbolt previously called light peak is a new peripheralconnection technology, developed by intel with collaboration from apple, that combines data, video, audio, and power in a single. Thunderbolt connectivity is based on pcie technology, which means youll be able to record and play back more tracks compared to usb interfaces. From the topoftheline quantum family to the audiobox usb 96, we prioritize sound quality, easeofuse, and construction quality. Questions about apple thunderbolt to firewire adapter. Universal audio apollo twin x duo thunderbolt 3 audio. From the makers of cubase comes a premium sound quality audio interface that uses the thunderbolt interface found on apple computers and highend pcs but is for macos only. That port supports all but the thunderbolt solutions in this article. Whether you use mac, windows, or ios, we have an interface that fits your application and budget. Weve been making recording interfaces for a long time. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of thunderbolt audio interfaces at guitar center.
In a case when using pcie expansion devices such as this with a mac, you would still be using thunderbolt, but you can definitely use pcie with the new cylinder looking mac pros, or a mac book by the way, the protools hdx cards are pcie, given that fact i dont wholeheartedly see thunderbolt being the future, although it will still play a big. A guide of the best usb, firewire, and thunderbolt audio interfaces including. On the back of the mac pro are six thunderbolt 2 ports, four usb 3. Audio interface issues with 2018 macbook pro macrumors forums. Windows pc users can read more in our resolving audio interface issues on windows 10. Finally, we come to thunderbolt, which on the face of it holds the most promise for audio.
Out thunderbolt audio io box that is compatible with any mac core audio application. Ten of the best thunderbolt and usbc audio interfaces. All around, this sound recording device is just perfect. Hi, we do not test or support this interface with iphones it is only supported on mac and windows operating systems. If you have a device that doesnt connect to this port, you might be able to use an adapter to connect it. With that in mind, we designed quantumseries audio interfaces to be stacked with one another for up to 192 inputs and outputs. This compact 2x4 interface starts with esteemed ua conversion derived from uas flagship apollo. Macbook air retina, inch, 2018 macbook pro pictured, macbook air, imac pro, imac, and mac mini have multiple thunderbolt 3 usbc ports. Ua audio interface and uad2 product compatibility with the mac pro late 20 is listed in the table below. If your mac notebook or desktop computer has more than one port like this, each. Macbook has just one port, which supports usbc but not thunderbolt. Usbc audio adapter, cablecreation type c external stereo sound card with headphone and microphone jack compatible with windows, mac, ipad pro 2018, plug and play, black 3. Discover the best mac audio interfaces to buy in 2020. If your using an iosenabled device, it will connect to the audio interface using usb.
Since its discontinued, it wasnt updated for the os of mac that comes on the new macbook pros. Good sounding best thunderbolt audio interface for mac. May 05, 2020 resident audio t4 thunderbolt audio interface for mac resident audio t4 is a worlds first buspowered fourchannel thunderbolt audio interface. Can i use arrow with a thunderbolt 1 or 2 computer. Apollo x6 allows music producers and postproduction studios to track, overdub, and mix with new worldbeating ad and da. Many of us have old firewire 400 audio interfaces lying around our studios retired years ago in favour for new devices which connect over thunderbolt. Jan 29, 2019 mac mini 2018 macbook pro models from 2016 or later. The sleek rackmount apollo x6 thunderbolt 3 is an audio interface for your mac or pc. Presonus quantum 26x32 thunderbolt 2 audio interface studio. The thunderbolt audio interfaces we recommend here are primarily for apple computers. Pcie which has long been the standard connection for professional interfaces. Dec, 2017 if you have problems under macos high sierra 10. Proclaimed the fasted thunderbolt interface on the planet by sound on sound magazine, the presonus quantum 4848 offers 48 channels of io ideal for integrating a console or patchbay into your home studio. Firstly, thunderbolt is mainly used within audio interfaces for mac.
Arrow mac compatibility universal audio support home. Thunderbolt audio interfaces american musical supply. You can also connect a usbc power adapter and cable to charge your notebook computer. A firewire audio interface connects with a firewire 400 or 800 connection and is comparable to usb 2. For the sake of correctness, audio data fromto conversion chips doesnt go through i2c or spi, but most commonly via i2s i squared s interface. Resolving audio interface issues on mac sweetwater. I compared with my previous audio interface and i can tell the big difference vote for universal arrow. However, we often get questions about using arrow with computers that only support thunderbolt. What you need to know about thunderbolt 2 macworld. The apollo twin solo made by universal audio is the best thunderbolt audio interface. Use thunderbolt 3 with displays and other devices that connect using either a thunderbolt 3 cable or usbc cable. Jan 05, 2019 subscribe to 9to5mac on youtube for more videos. Macbook pro late 20 to multiple thunderbolt 3 audio.
Under hardware, select the type of port that your audio interface is plugged into. The arrow is a thunderbolt 3 audio interface from universal audio, a company with a long history in the audio industry. Setting up ua thunderbolt interfaces with pro tools on mac. The generation game before i dive into the details, its worth noting some good news. In this article, ill try to tell you what you need to know when investing in an audio computer andor audio interface. If youre choosing a new audio interface or a new computer, what are the pros. Apogee duet digital recorder 2 in x 4 out usb audio interface for mac.
And it sounds great, with ultraclear adda conversion and up to 120db of usable dynamic range. In the years ahead, well be introducing a whole line of innovative audio. This means that we are encountering more and more saffire range customers required to use a firewire 800 to thunderbolt adaptor to connect their audio interface to their computer. With that being said, as it is a classcompliant device it may work with an iphone, using ioss builtin audio. The apollo twin solo made by universal audio is the best thunderbolt audio interface for most people. Universal audio apollo 8 thunderbolt audio interface with uad quadcore pro. If you want a great audio interface but a limited budget, you cant go wrong with the audient id4, a 2in2out usb device that looks, sounds and feels great. Arrow is a thunderbolt 3 audio interface and is only officially tested and qualified for use with thunderbolt 3 equipped mac and pc computers click here for system requirements. Locate and view the status of your audio interface. Firewire audio interface to thunderbolt 3 apple community. Multi headphone audio splitter plugs into the headphone jack and adds five jacks. Universal audio apollo x6 thunderbolt 3 audio interface, new.
What are the benefits of using an audio interface with thunderbolt connectivity. Thunderbolt which has recently become popular with newer semipro interfaces, and is way faster than either usb or firewire. Arrow is not compatible with the apple macbook, which features a usbc port but does not support thunderbolt 3. Can i use apple thunderbolt to firewire adapter to connect for a download from imac 2007 to mid 2010 imac 11. Resident audio t4 thunderbolt audio interface for mac. Read this article to learn how to resolve audio interface issues like no. How to connect an iphone, display, hard drive, and more to a macbook pro or macbook air make room in your laptop bag. When you need to record high channel counts at high resolution with ultralow latency to your computer, a thunderbolt audio interface is the way to go. We also boast an active community focused on purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iphone, ipod, ipad, and mac platforms. Thunderbolt 3 supports usb, firewire and thunderbolt devices via adapters. Audio interfaces are the heart of every digital studio.
Thunderbolt is the brand name of a hardware interface developed by intel in collaboration with apple that allows the connection of external peripherals to a computer. Some of these legacy audio interfaces are today still. Adapters for the thunderbolt 3 usbc or usbc port on your. For example, the 2016 apple macbook pro models each feature thunderbolt 3 ports as the only method of. Since that time, thunderbolt audio interfaces have become the goto choice of sound engineers who want rapid speed. Uad2 satellite owners, and apollo apollo 16 owners not using thunderbolt, are able to connect to the new mac pro via the apple thunderbolt to firewire adapter. Thunderbolt was first unleashed in 2011 by intel labels in collaboration with apple. I am looking for a good solution to split a thunderbolt.
Learn how to configure your mac system for use with pro tools and any ua thunderbolt interface. Im using a steinberg ur22 mkii usb audio interface with my 2018 macbook pro and i get random audio dropouts. Use usba with devices that connect using a usb cable. Dec 16, 2016 i reached out to m audio, and they actually discontinued the profire 2626.
This site contains user submitted content, comments and opinions and is for informational purposes only. If your mac has only one port like this, its a macbook with usbc. Arrow desktop thunderbolt 3 audio interface universal audio. While the apogee duet and quartet are mac only interfaces, the newer pro tools duet and quartet are compatible with both mac and pc. Arrow is the worlds first thunderbolt 3powered desktop recording audio interface for mac and windows delivering classleading audio conversion, two unison mic preamps, and a suite of onboard uad.
Thunderbolt 1 and 2 use the same connector as mini displayport mdp, whereas thunderbolt 3 reuses the usbc connector from usb. Universal audio apollo twin mkii duo thunderbolt audio. A usb audio interface is an excellent choice for mobile recording as the interface draws its power from the computer via the usb cable. Apple mac pro late 20 compatibility info universal. Many recording engineers at sweetwater combine a thunderbolt audio interface with a thunderboltequipped laptop to create a proquality. Universal audio thunderbolt connection apollo twin solo amazon guitarc musiciansf thomann. Arrow is compatible with all apple mac computers that have thunderbolt 3 via a usbc port. In this article, well show you how to resolve audio interface issues on your mac. Builtin talkback microphone for easy communication between the engineer and the musician. Find the best pcmac usb and thunderbolt audio interfaces for producers, guitarists, singersongwriters and more in our expert guide. The new retina mac book firewire 800 port has been upgraded to a thunderbolt port. With that being said, as it is a classcompliant device it may work with an iphone, using ioss builtin audio driver. I dont have any crackling or glitches mentioned by other users here on the forum, just this 1 second break in the audio stream randomly. Some audio interfaces, like the newest universal audio apollos, use the bandwidth and performance offered by thunderbolt, as they host dsp plugin processors as well as delivering audio to and from the computer.
Whether you have no sound, the usb ports are not working, or your output device isnt showing up, following this. Find one from a reputable manufacturer focusrite, presonus, mackie, apogee, rme, motu, etc. Finding the best thunderbolt audio interface for mac users guitar. Arrow desktop thunderbolt 3 audio interface universal. The t4 thunderbolt interface is just the tip of the iceberg. Will the apple thunderbolt to firewire adapter work with my. Its features like the new speed of sound, two kinds of operating modes, numbers of innovative functions so that its perfect for both studio use and on the road. Resident audio t4 is a worlds first buspowered fourchannel thunderbolt audio interface. Thunderbolt 3 provides twice the display bandwidth of thunderbolt 2, enabling your mac to support up to four 4k displays or up to two 6k displays. Mar 02, 2020 macrumors attracts a broad audience of both consumers and professionals interested in the latest technologies and products.
Presonus audiobox, focusrite clarett, saffire 2i2, 2i4, 6i6, 18i8 and more. The apogee element 46 thunderbolt audio interface has it all. Since they were first released in 2012, universal audio s apollo audio interfaces have quickly become a studio standard combining topnotch ad and da conversion and thunderbolt. Universal audio apollo twin x quad thunderbolt 3 audio. With 14 free plugins come with the device, they are amazing and you wont regret. Universal audio apollo x6 thunderbolt 3 the universal audio apollo x6 thunderbolt 3 audio interface allows music producers and postproduction studios to track, overdub, and mix with worldbeating ad and da conversion, hexa core uad plugin processing, and 5. The lack of ac power doesnt mean you cant use devices like universal audio s arrow audio interface on your thunderbolt 2 mac. Macbook pro pictured, macbook air, imac pro, imac, and mac mini have multiple thunderbolt 3 usbc ports. Impressive speed combined with stunning sound quality means that the quantum thunderbolt audio interface is an ideal recording solution for any size of studio. Find the best thunderbolt audio interfaces for mac based on what customers said.
A thunderbolt interface could only function as a thunderbolt interface when connected via its thunderbolt port. Its important to check which protocol your computers ports support before purchasing peripherals such as an audio interface to ensure correct compatibility. So if you are a windows person, check out our small and growing list of windowscompatible thunderbolt audio interfaces at the bottom of this guide. It allows you to mix different instruments together, mix instruments with vocals, and so much more, so you can achieve the clarity of sound youve always dreamed of.
The apogee duet is the apple macbook pro of the audio interface. Mar 19, 2020 use thunderbolt 3 with displays and other devices that connect using either a thunderbolt 3 cable or usbc cable. Universal audio apollo x audio interfaces nextgeneration thunderbolt 3 studio centerpieces. At this point any modestly price 2channel thunderbolt, firewire with an adapter through the thunderbolt port or even usb interface will be fine for your needs. An audio interface for a mac will use the thunderbolt port, so if you are going to edit music on your macbook, you will need a usbc cable, as this cable will fit into the macbook s thunderbolt port. Best thunderbolt 3 accessories for your mac video 9to5mac. Thunderbolt audio interfaces created in 2011 by intel and apple, thunderbolt is a serial connector that has replaced firewire in many mac computers, and in many studio applications. Click the apple icon, hold the option key and then click system information.