Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

USB Device Mode Explained

💡 USB Device Mode is a setting that determines how your computer recognizes and interacts with the Hub when connected via a USB-C cable. Depending on your setup, you can configure the Hub to act as a complete communication system or as a dedicated microphone source. 

Where on the Hub can you find this?

Global Settings -> System -> USB Device Mode

What is it for and why? 

This setting tells the Hub how to introduce itself to your computer. It determines if the audio signal travels in both directions (to and from the computer) or only in one direction (from the microphones to the computer).

Depending on your audio setup, you may need to change how the computer handles Hub's signal.

🔸 Speakerphone Mode 🔸

In this mode, the Hub is recognized by your computer as both a Microphone and a Loudspeaker. Audio is sent to the computer (your voice) and received from the computer (the remote participants).

Best for video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet) where you want to use the Hub as the primary audio interface for the call. 

Note: Hub is not a loudspeaker itself. To actually hear the remote participants, you must connect it to external speakers via its analog or digital outputs. 

🔹 Microphone Mode 🔹

In this mode, the Hub performs strictly as a Microphone source. The computer only sees the 2 or 4 wireless microphone channels coming from the Hub and it doesn’t try to send any audio back to the Hub. 

Note: Computer sees Hub as a single stereo audio input pair (2 channels - left and right). Mix of inputs is configured in Hub:
Out -> Mixout -> USB Out -> Mix Configuration

Best for university lecture capture or recording scenarios where you only need to record the presenter’s voice and don't need the Hub to manage room audio. 

Troubleshooting

It can be frustrating when audio doesn't just work. Here’s how you can tell if USB Device Mode is set to the wrong one for your specific setup.

💬 My computer volume is up, but no sound is coming out of my room speakers.

Hub is likely set to Microphone Mode. In this mode, the computer won't send any audio to the Hub. To fix this, switch to Speakerphone Mode so the computer knows to push the sound to the Hub and out to your speakers. 

💬  I see Catchbox Hub listed as both an Input and an Output in my settings.

This means the Hub is correctly set to Speakerphone Mode. It's the default and expected behavior for most hybrid setups.

Factory/Default Setting

Speakerphone mode. 

🔦 Simple Analogy

Speakerphone Mode is like a standard phone call. You can talk and hear the other person (remote participants) at the same time.

And Microphone mode is like a megaphone because it only sends your voice out to the crowd (the computer), but it doesn't have a way to let the crowd/remote participants talk back to you.