KVM Switch for Multi-Computer Monitor Sharing

The Goal

Switch 3 monitors, keyboard, and mouse between Studio A Mac and student laptops—while giving students easy Dante network access.

Key requirements:

• All devices stay connected (no cable swapping)
• Each monitor can show any source (mix Mac + Student on different screens)
• Students can connect to Dante network for studio mic preamps
• USB 3.0 audio interfaces work through the KVM setup

The Solution: Matrix KVM + RME Digiface Dante

Video/Keyboard/Mouse: TESmart Matrix KVM

Current setup (budget option): TESmart 4-Port USB-C KVM Switch↗ (~$230)

• 4 computers, 3 displays each
• USB 3.0 hub for keyboard/mouse
• Basic switching (all-or-nothing mode)

Upgrade path (flexible routing): TESmart HKS403-P23 Hybrid KVM↗ (~$470)

• Independent monitor routing - Each monitor can show any computer
• Preset memory - Save configurations (e.g., "All Mac", "Teaching Split", "Mirrored")
• Yes, you can mirror content on all 3 displays - Create preset where all 3 monitors show same computer
• 4K@60Hz per monitor
• Front panel buttons + IR remote

How independent routing works:

Monitor 1 → Show Mac
Monitor 2 → Show Student laptop  
Monitor 3 → Show Media server

OR create "Mirrored" preset:

Monitor 1 → Show Student laptop
Monitor 2 → Show Student laptop (same content)
Monitor 3 → Show Student laptop (same content)

Mix and match any way you want. Save 8+ presets for instant recall.

Audio/Dante: RME Digiface Dante

RME Digiface Dante↗ (~$1,700)

Why this is perfect for the KVM setup:

1. USB 3.0 connection (not Thunderbolt)

• Plugs into TESmart KVM's USB 3.0 hub
• Switches with keyboard/mouse automatically
• No Thunderbolt reinitialization delays
• Works with any student laptop (Windows/Mac)

2. Dante network bridge

• 64×64 channels of Dante I/O
• Student connects RME → Instant access to studio mic preamps via Dante network
• No need for spare PCIe chassis or Thunderbolt switching

3. Stable audio interface

• Class-compliant USB (no driver installation on student laptops)
• Rock-solid RME drivers (better than DisplayLink or sketchy USB adapters)
• Low latency, reliable operation

How It Works Together

Setup:

Studio A Mac → TESmart KVM (3× HDMI + USB hub)
Student Laptop → TESmart KVM (3× HDMI + USB hub)
                          ↓
                    USB 3.0 hub connects:
                    - Keyboard/Mouse
                    - RME Digiface Dante
                          ↓
              RME connects to Dante network (Ethernet)
                          ↓
              Studio mic preamps, Rednet devices, etc.

Student workflow:

1. Plug laptop into TESmart KVM (single USB-C cable if using dock, or HDMI adapters)
2. Press KVM button → All 3 monitors + keyboard/mouse + RME Digiface switch to student
3. Student's DAW sees RME Digiface as audio interface
4. Student has 64 channels of Dante I/O → Studio mic preamps, Rednet gear, etc.
5. After session: Press KVM button → Everything switches back to Mac

Why RME Digiface instead of Thunderbolt PCIe chassis:

• USB 3.0 switches cleanly with KVM (Thunderbolt causes disconnect/reconnect)
• Works with any student laptop (even non-Thunderbolt Windows machines)
• Class-compliant drivers (no software installation required)
• More Dante channels (64×64) than most PCIe cards
• Portable (student could use in their own studio setup)

Your Mac's Audio (Separate from KVM)

Keep your UAD Apollo permanently connected to Mac via Thunderbolt (not through KVM)

• Your plugins/sessions stay loaded
• No switching delays
• Apollo is YOUR interface; RME Digiface is STUDENT interface

Recommended Complete Setup

What you already have:

• Studio A Mac with UAD Apollo (stays on Mac, not switched)
• 3 monitors
• Dante network infrastructure (Rednet devices, mic preamps)

Presets You Can Create

TESmart HKS403-P23 preset memory (8+ presets):

Preset 1: "All Mac"

• Monitor 1-2-3 → Mac
• Use when you're working solo

Preset 2: "All Student"

• Monitor 1-2-3 → Student laptop
• Use when student takes over

Preset 3: "Teaching Split"

• Monitor 1-2 → Student laptop
• Monitor 3 → Mac reference materials

Preset 4: "Mirrored Demo"

• Monitor 1-2-3 → Student laptop (same content)
• Great for presentations, showing same thing on all screens

Preset 5: "Media Playback"

• Monitor 1 → Mac
• Monitor 2 → Student
• Monitor 3 → Media server

Mix and match any way you want. Instant recall with IR remote or front panel button.

Cable Management

Color-code by source:

• Blue cables: Mac to KVM (3× HDMI)
• Red cables: Student input to KVM (3× HDMI from dock)
• Black cables: Monitors to KVM outputs (3× HDMI)

Label both ends with P-Touch:

• "MAC HDMI 1", "MAC HDMI 2", "MAC HDMI 3"
• "STUDENT HDMI 1", "STUDENT HDMI 2", "STUDENT HDMI 3"
• "MONITOR 1 OUT", "MONITOR 2 OUT", "MONITOR 3 OUT"

Why This Setup is Better

Compared to simple KVM (what you have now):

• ✅ Independent monitor routing (not all-or-nothing)
• ✅ Save/recall presets (no manual switching)
• ✅ Mix sources across displays (Mac on Monitor 1, Student on Monitor 2)
• ✅ Mirror content when needed (presentation mode)

Compared to Thunderbolt PCIe switching (what doesn't exist):

• ✅ USB 3.0 switches cleanly (no device reinitialization)
• ✅ Works with any student laptop (not just Thunderbolt Macs)
• ✅ Class-compliant drivers (no software installation)
• ✅ More Dante channels than PCIe cards
• ✅ Portable (student can use in their own setup)

Why RME Digiface Dante is the key:

• USB 3.0 audio interface that works through KVM's USB hub
• Dante bridge gives student instant access to studio mic preamps
• No Thunderbolt complexity
• Rock-solid RME drivers

Workflow Example

Student session:

1. Before student arrives: Press preset button "All Mac" (you're working in Pro Tools)

2. Student connects:

   • Modern laptop: Single USB-C cable to CalDigit dock
   • Older laptop: HDMI adapters + USB cable

3. Switch to student: Press preset button "All Student"

   • All 3 monitors show student's Ableton session
   • Keyboard/mouse control switches to student
   • RME Digiface switches to student (appears as audio interface)
   • Student has 64 Dante channels → Studio mic preamps

4. Teaching moment: Press preset button "Teaching Split"

   • Monitor 1-2 show student's Ableton
   • Monitor 3 shows your Mac reference materials
   • You can reference examples while student works

5. Presentation mode: Press preset button "Mirrored Demo"

   • All 3 monitors show same content (great for group viewing)

6. After session: Press preset button "All Mac"

   • Everything returns to your setup
   • Student unplugs their laptop

No cable swapping. No driver installation. No Thunderbolt disconnects.

Handling Different Student Laptops

Modern laptop (2020+ with USB-C/Thunderbolt):

• Connect to CalDigit TS4 dock with single cable
• Dock outputs 3× HDMI to KVM
• Everything works automatically

Older laptop (pre-2020, limited USB-C):

• Use HDMI port + USB-C to Dual HDMI adapter↗
• 3 HDMI cables to KVM
• Separate USB cable for keyboard/mouse

Very old laptop (no USB-C):

• Student uses laptop's built-in screen as 3rd display
• 2 external monitors via HDMI adapters
• Avoid DisplayLink (causes flickering, kernel panics)

Quick Troubleshooting

Student laptop only shows 1-2 displays:

• Check laptop specs (some only support 2 external displays)
• Lower resolution to 1440p on one monitor
• Use laptop's built-in screen as 3rd display

RME Digiface not appearing in student's DAW:

• Check USB cable connection
• Verify KVM switched USB hub to student
• RME is class-compliant (no drivers needed on Mac)

Desktop icons rearrange when switching:

• TESmart HKS403-P23 has EDID emulation (prevents this)
• Or use macOS app Stay↗ (~$20)

Monitors go black for 1-2 seconds when switching:

• Normal EDID handshake
• EDID emulation reduces this to ~0.5 seconds

Next Steps

1. Order TESmart HKS403-P23 ($470) to replace your current KVM
2. Order RME Digiface Dante ($1,700) for USB 3.0 Dante bridge
3. Keep CalDigit TS4 dock at desk for student use
4. Create cable management plan (color-coded, labeled)
5. Program presets when TESmart arrives (All Mac, All Student, Teaching Split, Mirrored)

Total upgrade cost: ~$2,170 (TESmart + RME)

What you gain:

• Flexible monitor routing (any source on any monitor)
• Easy student Dante access (no Thunderbolt complexity)
• Preset memory (instant recall)
• USB 3.0 audio (switches cleanly with keyboard/mouse)
• Works with any student laptop (Mac/Windows)