Choosing the Correct USB Cable for Your Audio/MIDI Hardware Device

Started by Elantric, April 22, 2014, 09:11:33 AM

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Elantric

Found this bit of info on the Native Instruments site  - which might be valuable info worth knowing regarding your "USB Powered" or AUDIO/MIDI  devices


http://www.native-instruments.com/en/support/knowledge-base/show/2085/choosing-the-correct-usb-cable-for-your-ni-hardware-device/
Choosing the Correct USB Cable for Your NI Hardware Device
Native Instruments is investigating hardware issues caused by poor USB cables. Inadequate cables can cause a variety of issues, including:

Loss of USB connection
Erratic display and LED behavior
Audio distortion
In order to avoid these problems, we recommend to use cables with a maximum length of 2m (preferably 1,5m or shorter). Additionally, we found that certain cable types are not suitable for use with our hardware devices since the diameter of their internal power wires is too small. This draws additional power along the cable, exceeding the capacity of USB bus-powered mode. Below you can find information on how to identify the correct cable type.

Identifying the Correct Cables Type

Most USB cables are labeled with two identification codes following the AWG (American Wire Gauge) standard:

The code ending with /2C (or X2C) shows the specification of the power wires in the USB cable (relevant for this test)
The code ending with /1P (or X1P) shows the specification of the data wires in the USB cable
The number at the beginning of the codes reflects the diameter of the internal wires:

AWG 24: 0,511 mm
AWG 28: 0,321 mm
Our tests have shown that you should always use USB cables carrying a /2C (or X2C) code beginning with 24 (e.g. 24/2C, 24AWGX2C, AWG 24X2C). As described above, this means the power wires have a diameter of 0,511 mm, which will reduce the power lost in the cable.

If your cable is showing a /2C (or X2C) code beginning with 28 (e.g. 28/2C, 28AWGX2C, AWG 28X2C), it is not suitable for use with our hardware devices and needs to be replaced.

Note: If your USB cable is not labeled with the 2C code, it may or may not be suitable for use with our hardware devices. Therefore we recommend to replace it with a cable showing the correct 2C code.



whippinpost91850

Elantric, Thanks for posting, this is most helpful

mateomasfeo

Very informative!

Thanks!

Dances with Sheep on SoundCLoud

https://soundcloud.com/dances-with-sheep

vurnt99

Brilliant! Thanks for discussing the important role of USB cables in V-Guitar / modern audio!

gregjon

Where can I order one of the right cables ?

They do not specify what your getting.

I have ordered everything so I can have a mobile rig like Elantric uses but I missed the USB cable recommendation.

Thanks

Gregjon
Fender 50th Anniversary Strat with GK3 pickup.
Godin Freeway SA
Godin Multiac Nylon SA
Fishman Triple Play
GR-55
GR-20
SUGS Selector
RFX Midi Foot Control Pedal
Ipad Air, Apps: Bias, Jam Up Pro, Flying Haggis, Tone Stack, Audiobus, Garage Band,

Elantric

QuoteI have ordered everything so I can have a mobile rig like Elantric uses but I missed the USB cable recommendation.

Details on my Mobile Rig with Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 is here:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10323.0

Here is the link for the special USB cable required for that type setup
Cables to Go 28108 USB 2.0 B Male to 2 USB A Male Y-Cable (USB 2.0  Power "Y" cable)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013LSFJI/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1




For normal USB Cables for typical audio interfaces  - I use this type with excellent results
Belkin Gold Series 10-Foot Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Cable
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00062UKIY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



The Belkin USB 2.0 Cable uses 24K gold-plated connectors to maximize conductivity and provide up to 480 Mbps of error-free, high performance transmission between peripherals and your computer. Tactilite molded strain relief provides a 360-degree turning radius for true protection against damage to the conductors, and 20-gauge wires ensure optimal USB performance. The cable jacket allows extreme flexibility, foil and braid shielding complies with standards for electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, impedance matched twisted pair construction helps minimize cross talk, and hood shielding eliminates antennae excitation.

bbob

I've got a standard looking USB cable that has only the following printed on the cable:

AWM 20276 E81015 80c 30V VW-1 SHIN DIN LF

When I google the above is mentions HDMI cable but it's not.   ???


Elantric

Odd cable there

Quote

I've got a standard looking USB cable that has only the following printed on the cable:

AWM 20276 E81015 80c 30V VW-1 SHIN DIN LF

When I google the above is mentions HDMI cable but it's not

All my search reveals this is an HDMI cable

Typical of many low cost Asian data cable suppliers - they often have incorrect data stamped on the Cable jacket

https://www.avforums.com/threads/how-can-i-tell-if-my-hdmi-cable-is-high-speed.1338301/

For my USB Audio Interfaces, I uses these

Belkin Gold Series 10-Foot Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Cable
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00062UKIY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

GuitarBuilder

I like the AudioQuest cables - very high quality, very durable.  More expensive, though.....
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

admin

UPDATE

Latest M.I. Audio gear ( Boss GT-1000) may use 32 bit USB Audio , and a proper USB cable is the critical path for quality results

Japan users are recommending this type USB cable for 32 bit M.I. devices



NEO by OYAIDE Elec d+ USB class S
Oyaide Neo d+ Series Class S USB Cable 1M
http://www.neo-w.com/english/d_usb-2.html
https://www.amazon.com/Oyaide-Neo-Class-USB-Cable/dp/B003TN96Q4/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B003TN96Q4


https://www.head-fi.org/threads/usb-cable-supposedly-improving-dac-sound-quality-how-can-i-take-other-posts-seriously-after-that.546191/page-5

QuoteHaving tested upto 3 different USB Cables today, I can confirm they do make a difference in Sound Quality in the following aspects:

- Sound stage
- Instrument separation
- Aggressiveness
- Tone
- Honesty - will tell you if the source audio file is screwed up or not (I don't know how to say this in audiophile terms)

I have tested Oyaide d+ USB A-Class, Klotz USB AB1, & a standard USB cable, and my ears along with a couple of others have confirmed that indeed USB cables make a difference in sound (we also did a blind test). I of course can't explain why because I also wasn't a believer at first.

But the Klotz cables are very cheap, at around 9 euros, and sound very good for the money you're paying. For those who still don't believe, you could just try out the Klotz cables and judge. :D

DETAILS
http://www.neo-w.com/english/d_usb-2.html



d+ USB class SOyaide Neo d+ Series Class S USB Cable 1M
http://www.neo-w.com/english/d_usb-2.html

The masterpiece of USB cable for sound systems

USB_all570_w900   Nowadays, the soundsystem based on the PC have become a standard not only for music production but also for the DJ performance. In addition, due to the new genre called "PC Audio", the USB technology is getting much attention of audiophiles.
"d+USB series" is the high quality USB cable for the next-gen sound tools such as digital DJ gears which is boosting its share in the scene, USB audio I/O and USB DAC. Under the digital audio environment, it provides all users beyond the wall between artists and listeners the direct sound reproduction.
for Sound production and DJ
Now a number of club DJs are performing with their laptop computers using such as Serato Scratch Live or Native Instruments Traktor. For live performance, needless to say, the stability and sound quality is very important. And a poor-quality cable causes some fatal trouble such as the sound interruption or even the complete sound stop.
Even though there might be perception that there is no sound difference by cable change under data transmission, we present there is definite difference by hi-quality cable and connector with "d+ USB".
Especially, when an interface is driven by bus-powered, the significance of USB cable affects the stability of power supply and the accuracy of the audio clock.
We designed "d+ USB" aiming at providing the best environment to the DJs and artists who pursue the higher sound quality of their performance. With its excellent sound quality and stylish industrial design, "d+ USB" will be the masterpiece for all professional creators such as DJs, musicians and sound engineers.

for Hi-fi Audio
The world of PC audio is rapidly expanding as the next-gen listening style. "d+ USB" which is originally designed for sound professionals also functions as the core of the digital data transmission of the PC audio. Due to the fact that there are no change of the frequency balance by cable in the data transmission, "d+ USB" delivers the clean and stable data for an USB-DAC.
The most important factor for digital is lossless, speedy and accurate data transmission. And a cable has many factors which affect sound quality and cause the errors of data transmission such as noise by electro-magnetic wave, impedance matching, and attenuation of electric signal.
Based on the basic concept of the data transmission, we put noise protection and excellent electric characteristic to the cable into practice applying our long-time experience of the cable production. "d+ USB " was produced as a result of considering the best combination of structure, conductor, diameter, insulator, shielding, sheath and even the contact pin of the connector.
Furthermore, we especially considered the industrial design to provide the stylish appearance on your desktop.

technical details
●The architecture under digital environment
Although the fact that the sound quality under the digital environment is influenced by the quality of AD/DA converter and jitter accuracy of audio clock is well-known, there are other factors that actually change the sound such as noise contamination or matching with the appreciation, driver, and PC hardware.
And for the high-performance serial bus, it is influenced by the system architecture of software, connectors and circuit patterns, ICs and cables. In addition, isochronous transfer that is applied in many USB audio I/Os have no error correction despite of carrying a huge amount of information at the same time.
"d+ USB series" was designed for smooth and lossless data transmission in both of the software and hardware system structure. The important thing in the digital signal transmission is passing the signals from sending side to receiving side as natural as possible. Because the signal flows in a cable is, even if it is digital, the electric signal, and the analog-like approach considering the electric property would be very important and effective.
We took an approach to protect the signal from external and internal noise by electro-magnetic wave and control its electric conductivity and permittivity.

●Impedance matching
We carefully made an adjustment impedance matching by advanced technology by considering pitch, diameter, and strand of conductors. Consequently, we achieved accurate data transmission and excellent stability with attenuation of terminal reflection wave.

●Selected materials
For class B, in order to transmit serial bus at hi-speed, we applied the silver coated OFC which resistance is 5% lower than copper conductor. For class S, considering the powered-line of USB cable, we selected the hi-quality PCOCC pure copper conductor. Also, class A are changed the Oyaide original special copper 102SSC by discontinued PCOCC.
Because the signal flows on the surface by skin effect, these coppers which has an excellent electric character by pure materials and flat surface is very effective for even data transmission. Therefore, it actualizes the stable data transmission and power supply. In addition, the conductor diameter of the class S is set to AWG22/AWG18 which is twice as thick as the regular cable for powerful data transmission.

●Flat design architecture
The flat designed cable prevents the signal loss caused by cable bend, change of impedance and electrostatic capacitance. And it protect signal from external/internal noise and electro-magnetic wave by combination of TPE outer sheath and double-shielding.

●Connector
The contacts of the USB connectors are made of bronze alloy with selected combination plating for each class. For class S, it is a combination of platinum and rhodium. For class A and for class B, it is gold plating. Each plating enhances durability and stability of the connectors.

●USB2.0 (HI-SPEED) compliant

●Eye Pattern
In telecommunication, an eye pattern, also known as an eye diagram, is an oscilloscope display in which a digital data signal from a receiver is repetitively sampled and applied to the vertical input, while the data rate is used to trigger the horizontal sweep. It is so called because, for several types of coding, the pattern looks like a series of eyes between a pair of rails.


chrisizonvg

Hello
While using my GP-10, I regularly have after a while (1 or 2 hours), audio distorsion like "lagging" regarding acoustic guitar simulation.
I would like to try a compliant USB (code beginning with 24)
What would be the one or 2 reference you would advise, expected between 15 and 40 €

DAW  Logic, Reaper, GarageBand -  Lova Nova 4 all https://soundcloud.com/lova_nova

admin

Quote from: chrisizonvg on April 18, 2019, 01:43:59 PM
Hello
While using my GP-10, I regularly have after a while (1 or 2 hours), audio distorsion like "lagging" regarding acoustic guitar simulation.
I would like to try a compliant USB (code beginning with 24)
What would be the one or 2 reference you would advise, expected between 15 and 40 €

What you report ( lag after 2 hours of GP-10 use)  is not due to USB cable

Typically this is an issue with Windows Services , background Windows OS  Processes , Services

Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth during GP-10 recording


More info here

https://reverb.com/news/optimizing-latency-with-computer-recording-how-to-fix-your-audio-interfaces-delay


Optimization for lowest Audio Latency
« Reply #25 on: November 20, 2017, 03:26:52 PM
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12835.msg160360#msg160360

chrisizonvg

Thank-you,
I use IOS, and it happens not during recording with DAW, but in mainstage
Anyway I think the buffer problematic remains
DAW  Logic, Reaper, GarageBand -  Lova Nova 4 all https://soundcloud.com/lova_nova

admin

How are you running MainStage on an iPad?

Regardless - disable Blutooth & Wifi yields more reliable Audio on any platform

chrisizonvg

I use Mainstage with a Mac Book Pro, I will check with both,
latency/buffer paraemeter, and wifi/bluetooth desactivation
DAW  Logic, Reaper, GarageBand -  Lova Nova 4 all https://soundcloud.com/lova_nova