Length of USB cable

[Per Andersson]

Hello everyone,
A simple question - my audio interface (Scarlett 18i8 3rd gen.) is situated approximately 4 meters from my computer (standard MacBook Pro). Is it safe to use a 5 meter USB-C to USB-A cable? (Or do I need to reorganize my studio...?) Or maybe an active USB repeater is OK?

By the way, Focusrite's recommendation is "maximum 2 meters".

Thank you in advance for your comments!

Best regards from Sweden,
Per Andersson

[Martin Walker]

USB 1.1 and USB2.0 will work happily with cable up to 5 metres, which should be cope with the majority of multi-channel audio interface, but if this is a USB 3.0 and 3.1 device only recommend cables up to 3 metres in length.

Focusrite's Scarlett 18i8 3rd gen claims to be a USB 2.0 device, so despite their recommendation of 3-metres I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with 5-metres.

[Per Andersson]

Many thanks!
/ Per

[ef37a]

My experience with a Native Instruments KA6, two different brands of 5m cable and two tower computers was, shall we say, odd?

One PC would not work with one USB cable but the other PC was fine with both.
NI stated the maximum length as 3m and they supplied a good quality 3m cable.
Do note that the KA6 is powered wholly via the cable whereas the Focusrite has a 12V supply. I doubt there is much resistive loss over a 5m cable but there might just be enough to matter in some cases. Buy the best quality cable you can find. "Lindy" are I think a good brand?

https://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapters ... ine-p11296

Hardly going to kill your flexible friend to try!

Dave.

[Per Andersson]

Thank you for you comments!
Best regards,
Per

[ajay_m]

There are active usb cables which allow longer lengths. They have a transmitter and receiver built into the cable

[Stratman57]

I've used the active USB cables daisy chained up to 15m to connect a laptop to my XR18 without any problems.

Regards, Simon.

[Martin Walker]

My experience with a Native Instruments KA6, two different brands of 5m cable and two tower computers was, shall we say, odd?

One PC would not work with one USB cable but the other PC was fine with both.
NI stated the maximum length as 3m and they supplied a good quality 3m cable.

Buy the best quality cable you can find. "Lindy" are I think a good brand?

https://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapters ... ine-p11296

Yes, I should have stated a high quality 5 metre USB cable, as there are certainly some dodgy ones about that misbehave when asked to work close to their claimed limits.

Lindy cables are indeed regularly recommended on the SOS Forums, yet are still very reasonably priced.

[ef37a]

I've used the active USB cables daisy chained up to 15m to connect a laptop to my XR18 without any problems.

Regards, Simon.

Good to know Simon. I have not tried any active USB extension but would add a note of caution? Audio Interfaces can be fussy b'stds. What works for one may not work for another. If you buy such a cable make sure you can return it in case of problems.

Maybe the top blokes here could suggest ways to max out the AI/cable/PC system to prove things out?
I have demos in Adobe Audition 1.5 and Samplitude Pro X 6. I reckon they give a good workout?

Dave.