The Windows operating system settings in this section are necessary to ensure optimum stability and performance with Thunderbolt Apollo interfaces. Follow the procedures below before using your Apollo.

• Configure Windows for Thunderbolt
• Prevent Windows from powering off USB devices
• Disable Windows Notification Sounds
• Using Windows WDM System Audio

Configure Windows for Thunderbolt

Additional steps are required to configure Windows for use with UAD Thunderbolt devices. For details, see this article.

Prevent Windows from powering off USB devices

Default Windows settings can interrupt USB data streams. Follow the procedure below to prevent Windows from powering off USB devices.

1. Open the Windows Device Manager. The Device Manager can be accessed by right-clicking the Windows Start Menu and selecting the item from the contextual menu.

2. Double-click the Universal Serial Bus controllers branch in the Device Manager window. The individual USB controllers in the branch are displayed in a list.

The USB controllers branch in Device Manager

3. Double-click the USB Root Hub device in the branch list. The Properties window for the individual device opens.

USB Root Hub controller device in branch list

4. Click the Power Management tab within the device's Properties window. The power management options are displayed.

5. Uncheck the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" option.

6. Click the OK button to activate the new setting.

Correct setting shown – "Allow" option is disabled in device properties window

7. Important: Repeat steps 3 – 6 for all individual devices that include "USB Root Hub" in its name.

Important: Repeat procedure for all USB Root Hubs

Disable Windows Notification Sounds

Windows notification sounds (such as a "ding" when an alert window appears) can interfere with DAW audio. Follow the procedure below to disable all alert notification sounds.

1. Open the Sound control panel. Control Panel > Sound can be accessed by right-clicking the Windows Start Menu and selecting "Control Panel" from the contextual menu, then double-clicking Sound with the Control Panel window.

2. Click the Sounds tab within the Sound control panel window. The Windows notification sounds options are displayed.

3. Click the "Sound Scheme" drop menu to display the menu items.

4. Select "No Sounds" from the Sound Scheme drop menu.

5. Click the Apply button to activate the new setting.

Important: Ensure the "Play Windows Startup sound" box is unchecked.

Correct setting shown – "No Sounds" scheme is selected in Sound control panel

Using Windows WDM System Audio

For important information about using Windows system sounds (such as media players, web browser audio, etc) with a Thunderbolt Apollo, see this article.

Optional Settings – Windows Optimizations

Additional tuning tips to maximize system optimization are available. For details, see the Windows Optimization - Optional Settings article.