M4, Windows 11, channels 3 and 4

[dhbailey52]

Hi, I'm new here and new to working with an audio interface but not new to computers or music software.

In order to reduce latency on my notebook computer with RealTech built-in soundcard while working with Cubase I purchased an M4. The latency is down to very acceptable levels.

My question has to deal with Windows 11 and the M4 -- I know that there's not way (at least that I've been able to read about) to get channel 3&4 output to the headphone jack. Usually Windows11 sends audio output to the M4 channels 1&2, which are set as the default audio output in the Sound applet in Control Panel. I say usually because Windows11 will occasionally send the audio output to channels 3&4, which of course I can't hear while using my headphones. My solution is to have disabled channels 3&4 in the Playback Settings in the Sound applet.

Is there another way to discourage Windows11 from sending audio output to channels 3&4?

Thanks for any hints/tips you can offer!

[mikehalloran]

Hi, I'm new here and new to working with an audio interface but not new to computers or music software.

In order to reduce latency on my notebook computer with RealTech built-in soundcard while working with Cubase I purchased an M4. The latency is down to very acceptable levels.

My question has to deal with Windows 11 and the M4 -- I know that there's not way (at least that I've been able to read about) to get channel 3&4 output to the headphone jack. Usually Windows11 sends audio output to the M4 channels 1&2, which are set as the default audio output in the Sound applet in Control Panel. I say usually because Windows11 will occasionally send the audio output to channels 3&4, which of course I can't hear while using my headphones. My solution is to have disabled channels 3&4 in the Playback Settings in the Sound applet.

Is there another way to discourage Windows11 from sending audio output to channels 3&4?

Thanks for any hints/tips you can offer!

Of course there is. It depends on a couple of things...

The first being how you set the outputs of your DAW. We don't know what you are running nor how it is set up.

The other is how you Monitor the Input over USB. Start with the manual. It's much easier to answer specific questions based on what you have read. You have a number of Monitor options. Also take a look at Loopback.

https://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/usb-c ... _Guide.pdf

What you cannot do in the M4 is blend multiple digital inputs in the headphones such as 1-2, 3-4, Loopback 1-2. This must be done in your DAW Output. You can Monitor your Live (analog) output channels and combine them with Loopback 1-2 per the manual. Again, you cannot mix them since the M4 does not have a mixer. Only analog channels 1 & 2 have level controls; your Line In must be set at the device and your Digital In must be set in your DAW Output. Keeping this in mind as you look at the manual should allow it to make more sense.

[dhbailey52]

Thank you for these great suggestions. I will keep all of that in mind.

I work in Cubase, but actually I was asking about Windows. I am using itunes for playback of my mp3 files (I used WinAmp for the longest time but it stopped working for me recently, even with the latest download from the WinAmp site) and yesterday I went to play an mp3 file in iTunes and noticed that all the output was going to channels 3&4 on my M4 and thus no sound from my headphones. Previously output from itunes had gone to channels 1&2 so I got the sound through headphones.

I will investigate what you have mentioned -- being new to a lot of this stuff I'm grateful for any pointers to get more information.

Thank you!

[CharlzS]

If you were running an audio app in the background that took exclusive control of the audio (i.e. ASIO4ALL) that may affect playback, but I've never seen the outputs changed automatically. They only go silent. If you're running Cubase you should be using the ASIO drivers for the M4 directly rather that any of the Steinberg options.

Hard to tell what's going on, but as last resort you can disable 3-4 outputs in the sound control panel. Windows won't see them then and it doesn't effect the ASIO drivers.

[dhbailey52]

It wasn't Cubase that was causing the problems -- I am using the MOTU ASIO driver for Cubase and Dorico.
It was only Windows -- I did disable channels 3&4 in Windows Sound app. It was a very curious thing, but now that I've disabled them Windows doesn't see them, as you mention, so everything comes through channels 1 and 2 and thus through the headphone jack.

Thanks!