QU-16 connection to New Mac Mini? Thunderbolt ports?

[Al]

Hello,

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I’ve been connecting my old Mac mini to my QU-16 for awhile now via the Usb-B to Usb-a cable. It’s time I bought a new mac mini . The new mac mini (I’ve been told) will not have Usb-A ports. Only Thunderbolt ports. What would be the best way to connect to this computer which has Thunderbolt ports? Do I need a Usb-B to Usb-C adapter? Has anyone tried using Usb-B to Thunderbolt adapters?

Thanks,
AL

[KeithJ A&H]

@Al

Using a USB-C to USB-A adaptor or dongle is the way to go, as the ports are backward compatible.
I do this all the time with a newer Mac and Qu/SQ/CQ 🙂

Thanks,
Keith.

[Al]

Thanks Keith,

A USB-A adaptor wouldn’t be useful as there will no longer be USB-A ports. Basically the QU-16 has a USB-B port( I’m sure you know) and the new mac mini’s will only have Thunderbolt ports. Have you had success using a “USB-B to Thunderbolt” cable?

Also, do you have any experience with there being a difference in audio between a Thunderbolt 3 vs a Thunderbolt 4 cable? I know there are higher speeds with Thunderbolt 4 but don’t know if there is a difference when there is a USB-B connection on the other end.

Thanks,
Alistair

[KeithJ A&H]

@Al

Apologies I wasn’t clear – I mean one of the small adaptors which has a USB-C plug and a USB-A socket, so you can then connect a standard USB-A to USB-B cable.
There will be no difference to audio with TB3 vs TB4, as long as the port supports USB 2.0 (which it should), that’s the speed it will run.

As a slight aside, when streaming ‘live’ data (audio), it can’t be transferred any faster than it’s being created.
Most ‘this connection is much faster’ statements are based on transfer of existing data e.g. storing a large file to an external drive.

Thanks,
Keith.

[SteffenR]

Thunderbolt carries USB signals since version 3. You can connect with USB-C adapters if they are made for USB 2.0 data transfer.
Many cheap cables use USB-C connectors just to provide the 5V power and do not carry USB traffic.
Mostly they bundled with cheap mobile chargers. So keep an eye on it! 😉

[Al]

Thanks Keith! Thanks Steffen!

All is clear now. I feel a lot better making the move now.

[SteffenR]

OH, I forgot, a USB-C to USB-B cable should do the trick, and it should not cost more than 10 $/€.

[Author]

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