All midi controllers should have USB hubs!!

**sarasin** · 06-17-2013, 03:18 AM

There is no chance I could use my VCI100, Sound Card and my APC off a Hub, without powering it.

No dice.

**thepanache** · 06-18-2013, 05:57 AM

I'm using a MBP with 2 USB 2.0 ports in my studio. Running my soundcard out of one port and a 4 port USB hub out of the other.

Got a MIDI keyboard, Maschine, wireless mouse and another controller running from the hub, no proplems what so ever, no latency, not underpowered, works like a charm. All done through a pretty cheap hub.

The point I'm trying to make is that using a USB hub is completely fine for controllers, they don't require too much power and only send MIDI data back to you're computer.

**mdcdesign** · 06-18-2013, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by thepanache

I'm using a MBP with 2 USB 2.0 ports in my studio. Running my soundcard out of one port and a 4 port USB hub out of the other.

Got a MIDI keyboard, Maschine, wireless mouse and another controller running from the hub, no proplems what so ever, no latency, not underpowered, works like a charm. All done through a pretty cheap hub.

The point I'm trying to make is that using a USB hub is completely fine for controllers, they don't require too much power and only send MIDI data back to you're computer.

This.

**nem0nic** · 06-18-2013, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by thepanache

I'm using a MBP with 2 USB 2.0 ports in my studio. Running my soundcard out of one port and a 4 port USB hub out of the other.

Got a MIDI keyboard, Maschine, wireless mouse and another controller running from the hub, no proplems what so ever, no latency, not underpowered, works like a charm. All done through a pretty cheap hub.

The point I'm trying to make is that using a USB hub is completely fine for controllers, they don't require too much power and only send MIDI data back to you're computer.

Here's the problem. You never know how much power your controller is going to draw. That APC40 might be fine mapped to other software, but when you attach it to Live and load a session you can double your power consumption. The other side of this is you also don't know how much power your computer is going to allocate to your device. Your computer doesn't allocate full power to your USB device just because you plug it in. And once allocated, there are situations where that value can change.

There are also other influencing issues. For example, when I was at another company we received a batch of USB cables that were of poor enough quality that they took one of our products that was marginal and pushed them over the edge to intermittent failure.

A powered, multi-T hub makes life easier and WAY more reliable. Is it needed 100% of the time? Of course not. But I for one would rather have it and never worry about these issues. All it costs is one mains plug. And if you're a DJ and you don't have a traveller's power strip in your gig bag, that's on you.

**sarasin** · 06-18-2013, 09:31 AM

Maschine has its own power no?

If the devices you are hanging off the USB Hub have their own power....then its no issue.

If you have things like a VCI100 or other USB powered devices...you need to have the Hub powered.

**sarasin** · 06-18-2013, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by nem0nic

Here's the problem. You never know how much power your controller is going to draw. That APC40 might be fine mapped to other software, but when you attach it to Live and load a session you can double your power consumption. The other side of this is you also don't know how much power your computer is going to allocate to your device. Your computer doesn't allocate full power to your USB device just because you plug it in. And once allocated, there are situations where that value can change.

There are also other influencing issues. For example, when I was at another company we received a batch of USB cables that were of poor enough quality that they took one of our products that was marginal and pushed them over the edge to intermittent failure.

A powered, multi-T hub makes life easier and WAY more reliable. Is it needed 100% of the time? Of course not. But I for one would rather have it and never worry about these issues. All it costs is one mains plug. And if you're a DJ and you don't have a traveller's power strip in your gig bag, that's on you.

Thank you sir....

Someone who knows what he is talking about and not giving half assed advice.

**makar1** · 06-18-2013, 09:52 AM

The VCI 100 has it's own power. Maschine does not.

Just because someone has a different experience and opinion that doesn't make their advice "half assed".

**sarasin** · 06-18-2013, 10:01 AM

LOL....The VCI100 comes shipped...without the power adapter.
So yes..its USB powered (power comes via the USB cable)...unless you buy the adapter.
It is half assed as its plainly just not true.

If you have powered USB devices...(that have their own power cables) then you do not need to have a Powered USB Hub.

If you are hanging devices off your hub that have no power cable and have a load of LED's and other goodies that suck power....you will run into trouble with a USB hub that is not powered.

Its is very simple my friend. Not trying to knock anyone, purely saying that you can't call that a myth. HAHAHAHA

Go and try it and have a look.

I have a USB hub that can work without its power cable. If i hang an external HHD off it with no power...a mouse...a VCI100 with no power cable...things start going wrong quickly.

Plug the Hubs power in....all sorted.