usb 3 vs 2

dgallagher · 04-21-2021, 04:44 PM

I have never been able to connect my first gen Focusrite 18i20 to my pc via the usb3.0 port it connects but no sound is transferred to the Focusrite mixer which is the older more complicated version of their software. I am looking to buy a new pc and am limited if I need it to have a USB 2.0 port. Has this been the case for any of you guys and would you recommend sticking with a pc that still has one of the old usb2.0 ports?

foxAsteria · 04-21-2021, 04:56 PM

They can be finicky, but usually not a problem. I bet if you updated your USB drivers and your Focusrite drivers, you'd be fine. USB 3 is designed to be backwards compatible.

DriverBooster or DriverEasy can help with that, but no reason to use old software just because your device is old. Reinstall the latest versions from their website.

dgallagher · 04-21-2021, 05:49 PM

so you think I'll be ok if I were to purchase a new pc with only usb3 or 3.1 ports and uploaded all new drivers.? and thank you for the reply

foxAsteria · 04-21-2021, 05:58 PM

For sure. Even if the PC doesn't have USB 2.0 and it turns out you do need it for some reason, a USB 2 hub will still work plugged into a USB 3 slot.

valy · 04-21-2021, 09:01 PM

Focusrite is notorious for not behaving with USB 3.0.

XoechZ · 04-22-2021, 07:44 AM

I use a laptop which has only USB 3 ports and a Focusrite Solo Gen 3.

Installed the drivers, plugged it in, no problems at all.

Stella645 · 04-22-2021, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxAsteria

For sure. Even if the PC doesn't have USB 2.0 and it turns out you do need it for some reason, a USB 2 hub will still work plugged into a USB 3 slot.

This...it will probably work but in the unlikely case it doesn't you can definitely make it work with a usb2 hub or a cheap usb2 pcie card if you buy a desktop.