Possible connection issue between monitors>interface>laptop

bkts268 · 24th July 2011

Just purchased a pair of HS80M monitors and a Scarlett 8i6. Set them up with my MacBook, played a song through iTunes and the sound is great. 30 seconds through the song the audio cuts out. iTunes is still playing, there's just no sound coming out of anything. If I unplug the USB (leading to the 8i6, leading to the hs80m) audio seemlessly plays from my laptop's internal speakers. Plug the USB back in and a 2 seconds later the audio switches from the internal speakers back to the hs80m. I can't figure out what is causing this issue but I think it may have to do with connections.

Here is some troubleshooting I have tried:

Switched USB ports. Same issue occurred.

Switched USB cables. Same issue occurred.

Played audio through youtube. Same issue occurred.

Plugged in a pair of bx5a. Same issue occurred.

So it doesn't seem to be software or monitor related. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe it's the 8i6? Maybe it's my MacBook?

List of gear:
Yamaha hs80m
Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
MacBook 10.5.8, 2GHz Intel Duo, 2GB 1067 DDR3
M-Audio bx5a

Francis Vaughan · 24th July 2011

Sanity check - you are using the external power supply, and it is turned on?

bkts268 · 24th July 2011

external power supply for what?

Francis Vaughan · 24th July 2011

Page 6 of the manual says this:

Quote:

Powering the Scarlett 8i6
You must use the included power supply to use the Scarlett 8i6, it does not power from USB alone. This is because the analogue and digital circuitry requires more power to run than the USB standard can provide.

A modern computer may shut down a USB port if it draws too much power. The above quote is slightly equivocal about what happens if you don't use the external power supply on the 8i6. It suggests that it might actually still try to operate. If the Macbook is running from batteries it may have different idea about what power it is able to supply as well.

I say all this because the symptoms sound like the Mac is dropping power to the interface.

bkts268 · 24th July 2011

I wasn't aware of this but both the 8i6 and the MacBook are plugged in so it doesn't seem to be the problem.

congamantony · 4th February 2012

I have a 2009 Macbook pro and a Scarlett 2i2 which was randomly cutting out. Often when watching youtube videos, and have bought a Scarlett 8i6 to see if it was any different. The answer is no. Still doing the same thing. I have written to Focusrite and they have been fobbing me off for ages and ages !!

Hope this helps

Tony

24th July 2011	#1
bkts268 Gear interested Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 3 Thread Starter	Possible connection issue between monitors>interface>laptop Just purchased a pair of HS80M monitors and a Scarlett 8i6. Set them up with my MacBook, played a song through iTunes and the sound is great. 30 seconds through the song the audio cuts out. iTunes is still playing, there's just no sound coming out of anything. If I unplug the USB (leading to the 8i6, leading to the hs80m) audio seemlessly plays from my laptop's internal speakers. Plug the USB back in and a 2 seconds later the audio switches from the internal speakers back to the hs80m. I can't figure out what is causing this issue but I think it may have to do with connections. Here is some troubleshooting I have tried: Switched USB ports. Same issue occurred. Switched USB cables. Same issue occurred. Played audio through youtube. Same issue occurred. Plugged in a pair of bx5a. Same issue occurred. So it doesn't seem to be software or monitor related. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe it's the 8i6? Maybe it's my MacBook? List of gear: Yamaha hs80m Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 MacBook 10.5.8, 2GHz Intel Duo, 2GB 1067 DDR3 M-Audio bx5a

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24th July 2011	#2
Francis Vaughan Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 745	Sanity check - you are using the external power supply, and it is turned on?

4th February 2012	#6
congamantony Gear interested Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2	I have a 2009 Macbook pro and a Scarlett 2i2 which was randomly cutting out. Often when watching youtube videos, and have bought a Scarlett 8i6 to see if it was any different. The answer is no. Still doing the same thing. I have written to Focusrite and they have been fobbing me off for ages and ages !! Hope this helps Tony