No USB output from Behringer UMC1820 interface on Mac mini M4 with Sequoia 15.3.1

Thanks, Martin.

Yes, I can create a Garageband track using a midi controller without issue. But attempting to play that track results in output only to the mini headphone jack but not through the USB jack to the UMC1820. No output from the UMC1820's analog line outs or from the interface's headphone jack.

To insure that it isn't a DAW issue, I've played YouTube videos: no USB audio to the interface from those videos either.

In looking through old conversations on reddit, Behringer, Apple, etc., I notice that there were interface compatibility problems with earlier versions of Apple silicon - the M1 especially, but that these issues were resolved over time, apparently with software fixes by Apple and/or Behringer. If this is the issue I'm experiencing, then perhaps it will disappear with a future update.

One of the difficulties in troubleshooting this problem is the lack of information about current mini M4 users, or perhaps more to the point, Sequoia users, and their experiences with Behringer UMCxxx interfaces. I've asked several sellers and support techs and have not received a response about any user using this combo either successfully or unsuccessfully. I'm guessing that M4 mini sales have boomed and that there are thousands of Berry UMCxxx interfaces out there, but I could be wrong, especially if the issue is related not to all the UMCxxx interfaces, but only to the 1820.

While working on this issue, I'd note that the audio quality of the headphone jack routed to my Mackie mixer and beyond is quite good.

Hi Martin,

Thanks for this suggestion. I saw your 2nd response 1st and responded to it. Only then did I see this suggestion.

I created the multi-output device. The options listed were 1) the 1820, 2) "Mac mini speakers", and 3) my video monitor's speakers.

I wondered if the "Mac mini speakers" referred to the headphone output jack or the internal speakers (which I had previously set up for system sounds only).

Of course, I chose the 1820 and the mini speakers to combine.

Soon I discovered that it definitely was the internal speakers that were offered as a choice, and not the DAC feeding the headphone jack.

I chose first the 1820 and then the internal speakers. In each case, sound came from the mini's internal speakers and not from the 1820. However the 1820 now has a low level buzz that wasn't there before.

First, thanks again, Martin, for your continued help with this issue.

Turns out I also have a Mackie ProFX, the ProFX12v3. As one of my first troubleshooting efforts, I paired the mini with the ProFX. Although there was no output there either, I, probably incorrectly, assumed that if there were an interface that wouldn't have been updated to comply with Apple silicon it would be this seldom used interface. You have shown this assumption to be totally wrong! BTW this is the only other interface I have on hand.

Once again I attached a 3' USB B-to-C cable from the mini to the Mackie. No cigar. I created a second multi-output group bundling the ProFX and the mini speakers. In the drop down Primary Device selector I alternately chose each. 

I appreciate your Audio MIDI screenshot which clearly shows "built-in output" and "built-in microphone" neither of which is present on my screen. Instead I see "Mac mini speakers". The other four items listed are now "ProFX", "Dell U4320Q", and the two groups I created: "UMC and Apple" and "PROFX and Apple".

I'm not sure what can be surmised from these results. Although we are now using the same interface (?), the device choices on my Audio MIDI screen are definitely different from yours. Hardware differences? OS differences? Unless you suggest otherwise, I'd think my next move might be to acquire another interface. But it would have to be one known to work with a Mac mini M4 and on Sequoia 15.3.1. Do you know of one that's also budget friendly? 

The issue between the Mac mini and the Behringer UMC1820 interface

has been identified and at least partially resolved! Using a second

interface as you suggested, Martin, was key to unraveling the

problem. I connected the ProFX mixer using the settings you

described, which is how I have used it with the PC. Again it didn’t

work with the mini.

When I have used the ProFX with the PC I have gone into Windows Control Panel and Control

Audio Devices. And there I’ve had to select outputs 3 and 4 as you

mentioned, when you might expect to use outs 1 and 2.

When I went to the “Audio MIDI” window on the mini, all outputs 1 thru 4 were

selected. I deselected 1 and 2, leaving 3 and 4 selected. No output.

So, of course, I deselected 3 and 4 and selected 1 and 2. Again, no

output. I tried other combinations: 1 and 3, 2 and 4. None of these

yielded an output to the ProFX, but I did notice something: the

“mute” button above the “select” buttons.

I had previously clicked on that mute button (and it does properly depress with a

click) to no effect, but now I realized that it wasn’t a mute

button, but rather a header above the buttons below. I had been

seeing these “buttons” as indicators that that particular input

was selected. They are in fact lit blue with an embedded check mark.

But they are not selectors, rather they are mute buttons which kill

the output of the selected output.

So, Mac rookie mistake? Yes, I’ll take the hit, mostly. In my defense, support

techs from Apple and Sweetwater looked at the “audio MIDI” screen

remotely and gave it a thumbs up. And, as well as I can remember,

these buttons were lit and the outputs muted by default, but I

wouldn’t bet my mini on it.

Martin, thanks again for the time and effort you’ve spent on this. Been floundering and

consistently overlooking for a while now and you truly led to the

remedy. Much appreciated!