Ever since November of 2020, Apple Mac’s have been powered by Apple Silicon which uses ARM-based processor designs. Is Shure really saying don’t use any of their XLR to USB audio converters on Apple products, because the software that controls the hardware is incompatible?
To actually use the MVX2U and unlock basic features, you need the app. I went to the internet-address given in the “Quick Start” guide and got this notice: “ShurePlus Motive Desktop app is discontinued”. There was no explanation about any replacement. So my brand new XLR to USB converter has no app?
Here is why the app is so important: You need it to adjust gain or to set the auto gain adjustment features, you also need the app to turn OFF phantom power (the device comes with +48 phantom power enabled so DON’T USE IT WITH A RIBBON MIC!).
There is a whole constellation of apps on the Shure web site but none conclusively point to my new Shure product, the MVX2U. After some looking around I found the MOTIVE MIX app and it looked like it had some features that might do the job. Before downloading I decided to look at the “Release Notes” since they’re all posted there in reverse order by date. I looked at the current, latest release, 1.6.1 dated June 17, 2025, the 10th line says “Not recommended for ARM-based PCs”.
I hate experimenting with lame software, especially when the software is explicitly telling me it’s not recommended. I’ve been using Macs since 1985 and one thing I’ve learned the hard way; don't crap up my system with bad software experiments - it is often virtually impossible to get all the tidbits removed and get back to a working system when bad software is unleashed on your OS.
THE MVX2U Digital Audio Interface - Product Description
This is an XLR-to-USB digital audio converter with a USB-C output hole and an integrated headphone amp. There are NO knobs or controls on the unit itself, you need the app to control this little metal nugget.
Now, the retail chain is going to be clogged with another returned product, because I’m done with this one and sending it back. This could have been avoided if Shure just made the truth clear upfront: something like "not for Mac".
By virtue of “class compliant” audio design the MVX2U might deliver audio to a Mac over USB-C as delivered, but I will never know. I’m not experimenting, I have work to do and don’t need puzzles, problems and headaches.
Without the app I can’t control phantom power, which is “enabled from new” <- Shure’s wording. One of my favorite vocal mics currently is a ribbon - in the MVX2U QUICK START GUIDE it says “If using a ribbon microphone, please disable the phantom power within the ShurePlus MOTIVE Desktop App” (which is discontinued and no longer available).
The advertising should say “limited Mac Compatibility” but it implies that everything Mac and Widows are equal, even though somewhere in the Shure company they know it’s “not for ARM PC’s”. Maybe that's why the app was discontinued? Maybe they are planning on a real piece of software for Apple users? That's a lot of maybes.
LIKES
- Compact size
- Simple connections
- Simplified controls (settings memorized)
- Low price
DISLIKES
- App not for ARM PC’s (Apple Macs are ARM PC’s)
- Intel processors are End-of-Life on Mac platform
- No controls without app
- No way to turn off phantom-power
- No way to control headphone output
- Mechanical noise from onboard headphone connection
EPILOGUE
I’ve been a big fan of Shure microphones since the 1960’s when I first learned about their products - my first good microphone was a Shure 515 high impedance cardioid model. Over the 60+ years I’ve been fiddling with all things Shure, their electronic offerings (like compressors, mixers, and conference processing) have often been disappointing or less than satisfying. The MVX2U is an excellent example disappointing, with steaming heaps of marketing buzz words combined with a nasty side order of ARM processor, software incompatibility. It’s not like Apple just recently came up with their own processors, they're in their fifth year of producing ARM desktop processors.
This little Shure microphone A-to-D is getting returned to the seller and it earns a strong “DO NOT BUY” for Mac software, incompatibility. If I can't turn off the phantom power, I'll turn off my money.
If High on Technology receives any pertinent support comments or explanations from Shure we will post them here.
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
©August 2025 by Mark King, it is NOT ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.
Go forth and create something beautiful. . . . . . .
