Issue with MOTU M4 and M4 Mac Mini

[nights_blood]

Hey everyone, I’m hoping someone here might have some insight into a problem I’m having. I just got a new M4 Mac Mini. It does not detect my MOTU M4 as an audio interface. In fact the only sign of recognition is in the MIDI devices list in Reaper, but even then it shows as “not present”. It doesn’t show up in the Audio/MIDI setup either.

I’ve consulted ChatGPT about it as well, but nothing it’s suggested has worked. The MOTU always worked fine on my 2014 MacBook Pro. In fact after trying to use it with the Mini and then plugging it back in to the MBP, I had to power cycle it to get it to work again on the MacBook. So I don’t know if there’s some electrical/circuitry issue with the Mini?? I’m at my wit’s end here. Anyways, thanks in advance for your help everyone.

[LoveEnigma18]

I am using MOTU M4 with M2 Pro Mac mini. I have it connected to the USB type-A port though, which I understand such port is not present on M4 Mac mini.

Does your MOTU M4 display turn on properly? There's no problem with it getting power, right?

While it is a plug and play device for macOS and you have been using it before, I hope you are still up to date with the firmware and drivers: https://motu.com/en-us/download/product ... mware#2949

Don't have the full understanding of your issue, but perhaps you can try the steps below:

- Restart your Mac mini.
- Install the latest MOTU M4 drivers and confirm the firmware is up to date.
- Turn off MOTU M4 using its power switch.
- Now, connect it to your Mac mini - I am also assuming the USB (type-C to type-C) cable you are using is a good one, because MOTU M4 typically comes with USB type-C to type-A cable. Try different front/back USB type-C ports if needed.
- Turn on MOTU M4 using its power switch.
- Open your DAW and check if it is detected properly now.

[Funky40]

I run a Motu M4 on a M4mini. There is no problem with that.
Yes, what LoveEnigma18 has said.
Check your cable to the Mac ! Maybe check different ports


Could it be that it was also for the M4 required to do the "security settings" hack ....in macs recovery mode setting ? I don´t remember. Maybe have a search at Motus FAQ vs. Mac ?

[nights_blood]

I am using MOTU M4 with M2 Pro Mac mini. I have it connected to the USB type-A port though, which I understand such port is not present on M4 Mac mini.

Does your MOTU M4 display turn on properly? There's no problem with it getting power, right?

While it is a plug and play device for macOS and you have been using it before, I hope you are still up to date with the firmware and drivers: https://motu.com/en-us/download/product ... mware#2949

Don't have the full understanding of your issue, but perhaps you can try the steps below:

- Restart your Mac mini.
- Install the latest MOTU M4 drivers and confirm the firmware is up to date.
- Turn off MOTU M4 using its power switch.
- Now, connect it to your Mac mini - I am also assuming the USB (type-C to type-C) cable you are using is a good one, because MOTU M4 typically comes with USB type-C to type-A cable. Try different front/back USB type-C ports if needed.
- Turn on MOTU M4 using its power switch.
- Open your DAW and check if it is detected properly now.

So upon reading your post, I was going to reply that I'd done all of that. But I went through and realized, I think I had only updated the firmware. I just installed the driver and it's working now! Still a but strange considering it's supposed to be class compliant/plug-and-play. I thought it might have been the cable, as I had been trying with some cheapo USB-C cables I got from Amazon, as well as the original cable with a USB-C adapter. But now either works.

Thanks for replying! I honestly probably wouldn't have thought to go back for the driver specifically.

[nights_blood]

I run a Motu M4 on a M4mini. There is no problem with that.
Yes, what LoveEnigma18 has said.
Check your cable to the Mac ! Maybe check different ports


Could it be that it was also for the M4 required to do the "security settings" hack ....in macs recovery mode setting ? I don´t remember. Maybe have a search at Motus FAQ vs. Mac ?

I'm actually using an Amazon cable just fine now, as I just replied to LE. I tried that hack as suggested by ChatGPT and it hadn't worked. I just needed to update the driver. Thanks for your reply as well. Such a silly mistake!

[LoveEnigma18]

Glad it helped and you are up and running.

By the way, does any of you MOTU M4 users feel there's a slight latency (to hear the audio through the main speakers, 1/2 here) the moment you try to play the audio (from any app) for the first time through it (for example, after restarting your Mac) or after it's been idle for some time?

[nights_blood]

I experience things like that on my 2014 MBP, but I just chalk it up to being old. I’ll have to try that on the M4 mini and get back to you.

[sempondr]

(Off-topic)
How does M4 Mac Mini holds up against current Windows PC's? Thinking about jumping PC ship after many years.

[LoveEnigma18]

I experience things like that on my 2014 MBP, but I just chalk it up to being old. I’ll have to try that on the M4 mini and get back to you.

No problem, thanks.

[LoveEnigma18]

(Off-topic)
How's does M4 Mac Mini holds up against current Windows PC's? Thinking about jumping PC ship after many years.

Here's my opinion:

I changed from Windows to Mac mini (M2 Pro) a couple of years back with the main intention of changing DAW from FL Studio to Logic Pro and I am loving it. It took some time to get used to macOS, and I find some Windows OS functionality better, but Mac mini being absolutely silent was the single most positive change and I would not go back to a Windows desktop for this reason alone. I still do have my Windows desktop, but I have hardly turned it on since getting Mac mini.

Note that it would be better to have dedicated (external) SSD/s for your Mac, like Samsung T7, formatted with APFS.

[sempondr]

That's encouraging, thanks.
Microcenter has a base Mac Mini M4 for $400, which is too good to pass, especially in times of insane RAM prices.