Do Audio Interfaces Dislike Long USB Cables?

[Mustachio]

So, I love the way my SSL2 sounds (USB-C on back), BUT... it ONLY works well with ONE USB C cable I've found. One cable from one brand. It's just some generic Chinese cable from Amazon, but the longest it comes in is 10'. With this ONE CABLE, the SSL works well. Sadly, I need 20' minimum length cable for my studio.

I've purchased COUNTLESS 20-30' cables from all sorts of companies, cheap to expensive, and the SSL either DOESN'T WORK AT ALL or... it works with frequent driver drop outs and disconnects. It's driving me crazy. I've tried USB-C TO USB-C, I've tried USB-C to USB-A, I've tried USB-C with a USB-C extension cable (USB-C on both ends) and NOTHING WORKS. I can't figure out how to get a longer cable for this thing.

And yes... I have the latest SSL drivers and NO... it doesn't make any difference. So frustrated!!!

Sadly, I'll have to go with a different interface if I can't solve this.

[chk071]

This may sound stupid, but, have you ever tried to use the interface with your wireless card deactivated? If you have one, of course.

[jdnz]

despite using a c connector it's usb2.0 - and max length for passive usb2.0 cables is 5m ( 16' ) - and my experience is even at 5m a lot of things can be marginal.

you could try switching to active usb2 cables - they should have the range you need.

[BertKoor]

Take two cables of 10' and put an active USB hub midway (edit: as a repeater)
Probably not the answer you wanted to hear...

Are there "active" cables? Sounds like it's basically sort-of the same but bolted into the cable.
A passive cable just doesn't cut it, you need a bit of extra electronics somewhere.

[DNnX]

In my experience, we need to buy solid cable when USB2 cable is 5m or longer.
Cheap cables didn't even allowed to communicate with PC even if cable checkers say OK.
You can also purchase powered USB repeater to make longer. It has solved some of my problem.

[BertKoor]

Maybe a tiny bit of explanation needs to be given.

Simple cable checkers just test whether there is a connection or not on each of the 4 wires.

With long cables and high frequencies there is a physical phenomena kicking in: capacitance. If the wire has sufficient mass, then a change in current at one end doesn't arrive instantly at the other end. It takes a tiny while, because of the capacitance, to arrive at the target voltage. Essentially the cable becomes a low-pass filter and the frequency of the signal transmitted over it is too high.

Either lower the frequency (that means using a lowered-spec USB protocol: no go) or don't use such long cables. And thinner wires help as well, but that makes the cable more prone to wear from bending and thus less robust.

And there can be RFI (radio frequency interference) as well. Ferrite beads and shielding help against that.

[Jim Roseberry]

despite using a c connector it's usb2.0 - and max length for passive usb2.0 cables is 5m ( 16' ) - and my experience is even at 5m a lot of things can be marginal.

you could try switching to active usb2 cables - they should have the range you need.

This is absolutely correct.
Some devices get very flaky with standard USB cables at ~15' length.
As mentioned, active USB extension cables are the solution. You can get them for ~$30.
I've used these both live and studio:
https://www.microcenter.com/product/385 ... 6-ft-black

[anotherscott]

Sadly, I need 20' minimum length cable for my studio.
...
Sadly, I'll have to go with a different interface if I can't solve this.

As others have basically said, the problem isn't the interface, the problem is that USB is designed for shorter distances.

I'm curious, though, what the application is that requires the interface to be at least 20' away from the computer.

[Hink]

Sadly, I need 20' minimum length cable for my studio.
...
Sadly, I'll have to go with a different interface if I can't solve this.

As others have basically said, the problem isn't the interface, the problem is that USB is designed for shorter distances.

I'm curious, though, what the application is that requires the interface to be at least 20' away from the computer.

it might not be an app, one might want an interface say in their iso booth or perhaps at the other end of a large live room, or a drum room. With my older presonus firestudios I could daisy chain three, put one in a live room, one in a drum and one in the control room, I never did that but I do have two firestudios.

[ErikHeirman]

Never heard any difference. If it shows up it will work on issues.

[anotherscott]

I'm curious, though, what the application is that requires the interface to be at least 20' away from the computer.

it might not be an app, one might want an interface say in their iso booth or perhaps at the other end of a large live room, or a drum room.

I meant application, not app. As in, for what purpose would it be desirable to have the interface so far from the computer. And I see, if you are both the performer and the engineer, and your recording room is separate from where your computer is, it could be beneficial. Presumably then your remote performance room also has remote DAW control, so you can start/stop recording, operate transport, adjust monitor mix, etc.? What are you using for that, and how is it connected?

With my older presonus firestudios I could daisy chain three, put one in a live room, one in a drum and one in the control room, I never did that but I do have two firestudios.

Right... Firewire can run longer distances than USB, and can be daisychained which is something else USB does not do. In the old days, Firewire was the pro level solution, USB was the cheap "often good enough" solution. Since then, USB has gotten faster, but it still does not have other advantages Firewire had.

[sl23]

In my experience, we need to buy solid cable when USB2 cable is 5m or longer.

Electrons mostly travel on the surface of a wire. This is why you find many fine strands in more expensive cables. Solid cores = less electron flow. Less electron flow = poor data transfer.