Macbook and usb hub / power and juice?
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  1. #1
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    Default Macbook and usb hub / power and juice?

    I have a Macbook 13 Core 2 duo 4mb ram / L2 Cache: 4 MB : and and running a Audio 8 Dj and VCI-100 on the usb ports.

    All is working fine, but was wondering if any of you run a non powered usb hub cable to get more ports and how this works? I would like to run on the hub cable expander, the VCI-100 and a Korg NanoKontrol, and on the other free port, the Audio 8 Dj..Would this be ok, or suck too much juice?

    Also, any suggestion on which is the stronger port?
    Last edited by claudek; 04-16-2009 at 11:35 AM.
    VCI-100 Black SE/ FW 1.3 / VCI-300
    Traktor Pro 1.1.2 / Serato Itch / SL3 / Ableton Live 7
    Korg NanoKontrol / KRK V4's
    NI Audio 8 Dj / Pioneer DJM-600
    Macbook 13"/ 2ghz

  2. #2
    Tech Mentor jthompsn's Avatar
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    I have the same dilema. I have been hesitant with adding the usb hub even though the one I have has its own power supply.
    [Macbook 2.2ghz core 2, 4gb ram, 500gb 7200 Seagate Momentus HD, Western Digital 500gb external HD, Lion 10.7.2, Kontrol S4, Midi Fighter #67, Pioneer HDJ-2000, Traktor Pro 2

  3. #3
    Tech Mentor DJPhaidon's Avatar
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    How old is the Macbook? Reason I say this is that my G4 Powerbook does not work with non-powered USB hubs.

    My first instinct is that if your vci-100 works from the USB supplied power, then you should be ok using a non-powered USB hub. I would add though, that running quite a few USB devices off of 1 USB port connected to a non-powered USB hub could add a huge drain on the power supplied to all the hub connected devices. So basically, for safety of the equipment and your set, I would run a powered USB hub.

    Or you could get a Firewire to USB converter cable for the 1 extra device and not have to worry about power or a hub, if of course you aren't using your FW port.

    13" MacBook Pro 2.7 i7 w/dual Raid0 OWC SSDs - S4 - Ableton Live 8- Lemur- iPad 2

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by DJPhaidon View Post
    How old is the Macbook? Reason I say this is
    Or you could get a Firewire to USB converter cable for the 1 extra device and not have to worry about power or a hub, if of course you aren't using your FW port.
    Macbook is in the last generation of the plastic ones. I think the Firewire to USB thing is a good idea, but they work well?
    VCI-100 Black SE/ FW 1.3 / VCI-300
    Traktor Pro 1.1.2 / Serato Itch / SL3 / Ableton Live 7
    Korg NanoKontrol / KRK V4's
    NI Audio 8 Dj / Pioneer DJM-600
    Macbook 13"/ 2ghz

  5. #5
    Tech Mentor DJPhaidon's Avatar
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    Because it captured my curriousity, I'm sad to say that after doing some research, the Firewire to USB "adapter" cable thing is only supported currently by windows XP. There is a company that makes an "embedded chip" FW to USB cable, but it is sold out and even if it was in stock it's $119, and used mostly for video applications. I would recommend a powered USB hub after that discovery.

    13" MacBook Pro 2.7 i7 w/dual Raid0 OWC SSDs - S4 - Ableton Live 8- Lemur- iPad 2

  6. #6
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    I dunno, I think the best idea maybe would be to power the VCI-100 or just get a powered usb hub, but my friend told me the Korg Nano takes very little power, so should not be even a problem to run 2 on one usb line and audio on another..I guess I can always try. I wonder if there is a USB power amount user application that tells if the juice is running too high out of the ports?
    VCI-100 Black SE/ FW 1.3 / VCI-300
    Traktor Pro 1.1.2 / Serato Itch / SL3 / Ableton Live 7
    Korg NanoKontrol / KRK V4's
    NI Audio 8 Dj / Pioneer DJM-600
    Macbook 13"/ 2ghz

  7. #7
    Tech Mentor DJPhaidon's Avatar
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    True. The VCI and Nano on the same hub shouldn't cause an issue.

    13" MacBook Pro 2.7 i7 w/dual Raid0 OWC SSDs - S4 - Ableton Live 8- Lemur- iPad 2

  8. #8
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    Anyone know if one hub/port is stronger than the other in terms of power?
    VCI-100 Black SE/ FW 1.3 / VCI-300
    Traktor Pro 1.1.2 / Serato Itch / SL3 / Ableton Live 7
    Korg NanoKontrol / KRK V4's
    NI Audio 8 Dj / Pioneer DJM-600
    Macbook 13"/ 2ghz

  9. #9
    DJTT Dominator JesC's Avatar
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    dont mean to jump in all late...but I have the setup ur talking about..and it works well. The Nano KNTRL doesnt take up that much juice so I would say...Run ur A8 on the 1st USB port next to the firewire & the hub on the 2nd USB port. I tired it the other way and the vci looked like a x-mas tree.

    1 problem ur going to run into is...the midi channel. You have to use scene #4 and you can use the 1st Row on the left, being that its stuck in Midi Ch 1. I've tried serveral work around with no luck. I also tried using the Korg Editor, but it only lets ur change the global settings on Nano Pad or Key, forgot which one.
    Last edited by JesC; 04-16-2009 at 02:43 PM.
    Controllerist: Think different | SoundCloud | MixCloud | Twitter |

  10. #10
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    Thanks..hmm..that sux for the kontrol and scene bug with the hub.
    VCI-100 Black SE/ FW 1.3 / VCI-300
    Traktor Pro 1.1.2 / Serato Itch / SL3 / Ableton Live 7
    Korg NanoKontrol / KRK V4's
    NI Audio 8 Dj / Pioneer DJM-600
    Macbook 13"/ 2ghz

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