Mechanical stability of USB-C

[Joop]

For quite some time I’m rather unhappy with the small USB connections on devices I use for rehearsal or on stage. Today was a bad USB day, the Dragonfly PageFlip micro USB B failed, so I had to go on batteries (advantage of PageFlip) and I had problems with the USB-C connection of my audiointerface UR22C. On the last I have three questions.

Question 1:
It turned out that in the Options/Midi Port I got an extra line with "Steinberg URC22C-1 (disconnected), see below

and the line with “Steinberg URC22C-1” was unchecked, you can’t see it on the picture as the view is scrolled down and the first line is not visible (sorry). I have no picture of that as now it works normally. After restarting Cantabile I get this as normal:

For years this did not happen ever, now it is usual after transport of the set-up.

Question 2:
Any suggestion to make this usb connection more robust. Glue it to the interface, make some box around it, other,.. It is rather annoying to buy a new interface because of a failing USB port.

Question 3:
Is there an interface with a more robust type of connection to the computer, something that can be e.g. screwed?

[johncarter]

I am also concerned at USB C durability - it is apparently rated for twice the duty cycle as USB B, but that doesn’t take into account how tough the plug and socket is. Anyone tried something like this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/377012478240?var=645520246431&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1m8MtV91JRjyG7RQYrVx-xg31&targetid=pla-297612067635&matchtype=&device=c&campid=5339132192&campaignid=24206520699&creative=823253948830&adgroupid=198177848045&feeditemid=&network=g&devicemodel=&placement=&keyword=$&target=&aceid=&adposition=&trackid=UK_eBayCSS_CSS_G_01&mId=407-132-4411&trackOld=true&customid=test&gclid=CjwKCAjwiL7VBhA-EiwAhZi9EOvTABHm5JpkX25CM4Usse0Irjt-m5GiOJ1dfzzyrnJsvicffjWt9BoCvq4QAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAACWZmZmd4_LJxFUdp20AFWQnUmsL_&wbraid=CkEKCQjw5bjVBhC4ARIwAGIfPRg1bQH08mW4lYG9zm1Wtg5JcUfBaHmqj_733EgsxsFMr5HkzqTipa6xzL-kGgIy9Q&adtype=pla&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9046449&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&toolid=10001&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24206520699&gbraid=0AAAAACWZmZmd4_LJxFUdp20AFWQnUmsL_

[Derek]

This will probably spark much debate but I do not think that USB connectors/cables are robust enough for stage use. I did try on my 2017 rig, but had way too many intermittent connection problems. So when I rebuilt my gig rig in 2024, I went back to DIN MIDI

Prior to trying USB, I of course had used DIN MIDI with no issues, and of course connected to a USB MIDI/Audio interface with short USB cables. I am now back on DIN MIDI (yes, with double the connectors) with no issues again.

USB is fine in pretty static configs, and, yes, DIN MIDI is “state of the ark”, but I am guessing MMA settled on that 5 pin D connector for a reason, and it is more mechanically secure than USB. Then couple it with that optically isolated interface to reduce noise/ground loops, and it remains a winner….