usb powered interface powerup

[elementsrtyte]

Hey, quick question for anyone thats got an usb powered interface. I just copped an mbox2 and was wondering whether I have to powerdown my computer to plugin/unplug the interface. I used to have a firewire interface and I did have to shutdown my computer everytime I wanted to plugin. I think it to prevent the thing from shorting out, but not sure. let me know if you guys have any knowledge on the matter thankss.

 

[LDB]

Hey, quick question for anyone thats got an usb powered interface. I just copped an mbox2 and was wondering whether I have to powerdown my computer to plugin/unplug the interface. I used to have a firewire interface and I did have to shutdown my computer everytime I wanted to plugin. I think it to prevent the thing from shorting out, but not sure. let me know if you guys have any knowledge on the matter thankss.

Unless you have it disabled you should have a "safe remove hardware" icon on the bottom tool bar of your window. Anything connected by firewire or usb can be safely removed if you right click on that and scroll to the device you want to remove. Just be sure to close down the program that is using your interface before you do or the safe remove hardware tool want allow you to. Why? Because a program is using it. If you remove it anyway you can lose your work. You may also have to completely shut down your computer and plug the interface in before you turn the computer back on in order for that interface to be recognized.

P.S. Always plug that interface into the exact same usb or firewire port each time. If u don't you'll be sitting there wondering why your computer is not recognizing the interface. Don't know about on a Mac but I know that's how it is with windows.

 

[Sucio]

And make sure your monitors are off when you disconnect that...the popping may actually blow out your speakers.

 

[Shonsteez]

@Sucio - words of wisdom son.

 

[elementsrtyte]

yeaah macs definitely don't have that safely remove hardware option. didn't you have a mac ldb? but yeahh.. I guess I'll just stick with shutting down to be safe. and thanks sucio, that popping shit always scared me at first, but after it didn't blow for a while.. I just accepted it. but i'll defi be more careful. frickin just a single krk5 g1 sells for a shitload now that they don't make them anymore.

 

[LDB]

yeaah macs definitely don't have that safely remove hardware option. didn't you have a mac ldb? but yeahh.. I guess I'll just stick with shutting down to be safe. and thanks sucio, that popping shit always scared me at first, but after it didn't blow for a while.. I just accepted it. but i'll defi be more careful. frickin just a single krk5 g1 sells for a shitload now that they don't make them anymore.

yes...I'm on my MacBook right now. As far as I know and from experience, you CAN plug and unplug a usb device (i.e interface) at will but IT'S NOT SO SAFE TO DO A FIREWIRE CONNECTED DEVICE LIKE THAT. I have a M-Audio Conectiv audio interface for Djing and I usually connect or disconnected it when the computer is off but I have connected it plenty of times when the computer was fully powered up with no problems. I wouldn'd disconnect it like others have said when connected to speakers, in a studio (that's not yours) or in a club. That loud POP can damage systems and scare the hell out of people. If it's firewire you need to power a Mac down before plugging or unplugging it. Once again with a usb device it doesn't matter. Firewire is different because of the type of power it provides. Those mA's of up to a couple hundred can do damage to your computer and the connected device!!!

Now if that firewire connected device shows up as an "ejectable" device when plugged into your firewire slot like my external firewire hard drive does, you can disconnect it if you right click on it and scroll down to "EJECT". I don't know if a firewire connected interface would show up like that though. USB interfaces work well. I personally can't see the advantage of having a firewire interface on a Mac. A firewire hard drive YES....anything else it's probably over kill since most things work just fine on thru USB.

 

[elementsrtyte]

yeaah i defniitely would not mess with firewire like that. I used to have a firewire 410 and woudl ALWAYS shut down no matter what. but now that I got this mbox2 (usb) thats good to know i can unplug it if I'm in a rush to go somewheere and I need the laptop. thanks homes