Digital Performer: connecting a Mio MIDI interface to a Kensington TB4 docking station. SOLVED.

[gjensse]

I have a MIDI issue partly related to Digital Performer. In my studio I have three "junction boxes" connected to my Mac Mini M1: the MOTU 16A audio interface, the MIO XM MIDI interface, and recently the Kensington SD-5700T Thunderbolt 4 docking station. The 16A is connected to the latter docking station via Thunderbolt, and it works just fine. But if I connect the Mio MIDI interface to the docking station with a USB-A cable, then Digital Performer does not find the MIDI instruments. They are all "missing". They are immediately found again if I connect the MioXM directly to the Mac with the same cable. Has anyone experienced the same problem? Why can't a TB4 docking station transmit something as simple as MIDI?

[CharlzS]

Try a different USB2 cable - USB A is a connector spec. Some old USB 1.1 and 2 cables aren't compatible with USB3 ports. Something like that . . .

[mikehalloran]

Since the MIO works if connected directly to the M1, the cable is fine. It appears to be the Kensington. Only those front ports support USB 2. They should support 1.1 but that is not in their specs.

USB-A Ports
4 x (1) USB 2.0 (front) with 5V/1.5A fast-charging & (3) USB 3.2 Gen2 (back) supporting 5V/0.9A

Apple Silicon Macs have no problem connecting to 1.1 which gives me an idea. Something to try: Connect that Kensington box with an Apple branded TB4 cable or a USB4 cable such as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BQ1 ... UTF8&psc=1

I have tested both cables for USB 1.1 compatibility with my MTP-AVB USB and a wired mouse through an OWC TB4 hub and the 3-port USB 3.2 Gen2/USB 2/1.1 hub built into my Apple Studio Display.

If that doesn't work, you will need a TB4 hub that does.

[gjensse]

Thanks for the advice. The problem is definitely caused by the Kensington SD5700T docking station.
I tried to connect a USB synth directly to the Kensington´s USB ports but it does not show up in the Audio MIDI Setup on my Mac . When I connect it to two other docks , an old Belkin TB2 dock and the Satechi MacMini dock everything is fine.

I will try to connect the Kensington with an Apple TB4 cable if they have it in the Apple shop. I have only one TB4 cable right now, the one that came with the dock. It´s written “passive” on it.

[gjensse]

I´ve been in contact with Kensington support. They advised me to disconnect everything and restart the unit. Now it works again.

[mikehalloran]

I´ve been in contact with Kensington support. They advised me to disconnect everything and restart the unit. Now it works again.

Great! Who knew?

I recommend going back to your original post and add SOLVED to the title. This will help others in a Google search.