Any benefit powering interface directly rather than via USB/computer?

[kritikon]

Was thinking I might get a separate power supply for my Steinberg UR22C, after all it's just a cheap phone PSU/charger apparently. It would give me benefit of being able to play around without laptop hooked up, which would be rare admittedly, but occasionally I just patch/play etc. I remember reading something about power via USB could potentially give noise & interfere with signal but it sounded a bit dubious to me at the time? Does powering via a USB port interfere with audio/data etc? I don't use a hub or anything - just direct to laptop.

[Constructed Identity]

Was thinking I might get a separate power supply for my Steinberg UR22C, after all it's just a cheap phone PSU/charger apparently. It would give me benefit of being able to play around without laptop hooked up, which would be rare admittedly, but occasionally I just patch/play etc. I remember reading something about power via USB could potentially give noise & interfere with signal but it sounded a bit dubious to me at the time? Does powering via a USB port interfere with audio/data etc? I don't use a hub or anything - just direct to laptop.

I have heard too many people talk about USB power noise issues to think it's made up.
I think it needs fairly specific circumstances to occur like ungrounded computer PSU because I have yet to have an issue personally with the STVC. My computer sends power through the USB whether it's on or off so I used to play stuff through the USB-c powered MOTU M4 all the time.
Be wary of power feedback loops though. Like too many things interconnected via USB hubs.

[Benedict]

I have never hear what I could clearly say was USB power noise.
I do however hear issues that I think might be issues with mains hum (and other nasties) leaking into a USB microphone of a podcast client. I know it is mains hum bouncing about as it manifests at exactly 120Hz (60x2). I think his mic is (silly in the first place) either picking that up via his power supply being close or wires lying beside each other, or the USB plug is cracked. We had nasty digital noise bursts before when he ran it on a Hub (with god know what else).

Should you -dual-power as a result. NO, I don't think so. If anything you possibly increase the risk of interference. So simply make sure that your Computer has a good power supply and that you aren't overloading its USB bus with 13 LED lights, 43 MIDI controllers, a fridge, washing machine, and personal vibration-inducing pleasure insert dongle.

[lfm]

I think risk for noise of various sorts is is higher for a lot of midi gear if those have their own midi over usb
- it will soon be a nest of different ways for ground to travel
- so sticking to din midi has been a save solution

But there are potential risks with audio over usb that certain usb ports on different parts of mb have more noise.
- just try another port if so

Some interfaces I saw used usb c connector just to be able to take 0.9A current instead of 0.5A on usb 2. For those I would maybe consider getting separate supply.

[T-CM11]

Was thinking I might get a separate power supply for my Steinberg UR22C, after all it's just a cheap phone PSU/charger apparently. It would give me benefit of being able to play around without laptop hooked up, which would be rare admittedly, but occasionally I just patch/play etc.

Having a separate power supply doesn't necessarily mean that the audio interface works standalone. I don't think the UR22C does.

[chk071]

Was thinking I might get a separate power supply for my Steinberg UR22C, after all it's just a cheap phone PSU/charger apparently. It would give me benefit of being able to play around without laptop hooked up, which would be rare admittedly, but occasionally I just patch/play etc. I remember reading something about power via USB could potentially give noise & interfere with signal but it sounded a bit dubious to me at the time? Does powering via a USB port interfere with audio/data etc? I don't use a hub or anything - just direct to laptop.

I have heard too many people talk about USB power noise issues to think it's made up.

Might be an issue with unbalanced cables, but, apart from that, I don't think it's much of a problem.

I never had an issue with it, with my 2 audio interfaces. While I had issues with interfering signals from the PC with unbalanced cables.

[e@rs]

nvm