I am looking to purchase a QC MINI, and I am trying to figure out the power situation. Look at the pic: I am using the QC MINI as both an audio interface, and for Fx - for my iPad (Loopy Pro).
I am using the Ankur 65W charger (link below). In my rig set up in the picture, I run a USB C to USB C cable from my Ankur charger/power into my USB hub - and this provides power for the iPad and for the MC8 (MIDI Controller).
QUESTION: For the QC MINI - knowing it has super cool A/C cable with a twisting and locking cable - is there a way to run power from my Ankur charger to the QC MINI - what cables would be needed?
For the QC MINI - can or does the USB C port provide power? (the documentation I have seen suggests the USB C does not provide power out, only audio)
For the QC MINI - can or does the USB C port accept or receive power in? (the documentation I have seen suggests the USB C will not or cannot be used to power the device)
For the QC MINI - can or does the USB C port accept or receive MIDI messages in??? (the documentation I have see suggests you cannot send MIDI messages to the QC MINI via the USB C port)
Before I buy the QC MINI - I want to get the right cables /extras so I can get it up and running right away.
The Mini’s USB-C port does not provide power, nor receive power. However, there is a MIDI Over USB option which is accessible in the settings menu.
QC Mini needs 1.2A at 12 VDC, making it a 14.4W device.
MC8 needs 9-12 VDC with “at least” 120 mA, making it a 1.08W device at minimum. Small beans.
Power requirements for iPads differ depending on the generation. Later generations (5th-9th) generally need 12W.
12V is an optional voltage level for USB PD devices. I tried looking to see if the Anker 735 charger supports 12V but it doesn’t say so anywhere on the website. (I’m annoyed at that.)
Then there’s this graphic for the Anker in 3-output mode:
Assuming that the Anker could provide 12V to the Mini, then you would need to choose which output to use for the Mini and the iPad. Let’s say you run the Mini on the Anker’s top terminal in order to handle 14.4W (at startup; someone else in this forum already confirmed it runs about 1A normally, so about 12W nominally) safely. The MC8 would likely be plugged into the bottom USB port. Then you’re running a 12W (assumed) iPad on the middle output, at its 12W maximum. You may be able to get away with it, but I think it’s a bad idea to run a power supply output at maximum.
My recommendation to you, personally, is to not attempt to power a QC Mini this way. We don’t know if the Anker can provide the right voltage to the Mini, and there’s a risk of burning it out by running at least one of its outputs hot. Better to use the Mini’s OEM power supply or some other 12V supply (center pin negative, 2.1mm barrel connector).
I’m not sure if that is technically correct, but I use a powerbank to power my full size QC, which is also 12v, and it works perfectly - and perhaps more important, SILENTLY, which is not always the case with the factory power supply!
There are lots of threads about this on the forums here, see here;
This is a great mobile set up that gives me about 5-6 hours running my QC. Newer full size QC’s may last longer as they have a lower power comsumption.
And I don’t know for sure if the Mini can run this way, but I strongly suspect it can…
