Thanks Keith. I have a 10 ft. USB-C to USB-B / Printer Cable on the way ... should get it today! So I am hopeful that will fix my problem.
Funny thing though, I just turned on my system this morning and everything went well. Connections with the mothership and everything. Then I let the keyboard and computer fall asleep while I worked on my actual job, and came back to it ... and it was GONE again. Like it's finicky or something.
But if this new wire doesn't do the trick, then I will look for a powered hub. I wonder, does the USB-B supply power from the MatrixBrute to the macbook?
Rgds