USB Hubs
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: USB Hubs

  1. #1
    Tech Mentor jimmyv's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    129

    Default USB Hubs

    I was hoping I can find some updated information. I have a late 2013 (bought April 2014) MacBook Pro 15" retina display. I am using a kontrol S4 mk2 and have recently added an F1. I normally have the S4 connected to 1 USB port and an external hard drive (Western Digital my passport for Mac USB 3.0) connected to the other. I know I need a powered usb hub, but is there a recommended one to use? I do know that the S4 needs to be connected to the computer, but I use a different audio interface (MOTU 828) connected by thunderbolt. So my questions are...
    1. What's the best powered usb hub to use? Should I get a 3.0 hub?
    2. Since I am using a different audio interface connected by thunderbolt, is it still necessary to keep the S4 plugged directly to the computer?

  2. #2
    Tech Mentor Hi Im Shy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Tallahassee FL
    Posts
    141

    Default

    Sounds like a little trial and error are in order. I know that some of my gear has a problem with the USB 3.0 ports in it so I picked up a cheap 12 dollar powered USB 2.0 hub to step it down to 2.0 and it works beautifully with everything I own. What's wrong with the built in sound-card in the S4? In my experience the less you have to carry with you the better. I really don't think there is a "best powered usb hub" It's just repeating a signal on 4 devices and providing enough power to juice up all 4. It's prob not necessary to keep it plugged directly in but you're just adding another fail point if you plug it in farther back. Good luck!

  3. #3
    Tech Guru the_bastet's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH
    Posts
    2,866

    Default

    There are def some total shite powered USB hubs out there. In short you get what you pay for bruv. Watch out for any deal that seams too good to be true. There is nothing worse than buying a powered USB hub just to find out that every port is only powered at 1 amp.
    - Equipment - 2X Technics 1200, 2X Audio Technica ATLP1240, 2X XDJ700, 2X XDJ1000 MK2, Denon DNX-1100, Mixars DUO, DJM750 MK2, NI Audio 10, NI Aduio 4, Serato SL3, 4X Shure M44-7, 2X Ortofon Pro S, 2X Numark Groove Tool, Maschine MK3, Samson Carbon 49, Roland SE-02, Novation Launchcontrol, TouchOSC, Nocation Peak, Arturia MiniBrute, Korg Volca Kick, MicroKorg (Classic), NI Komplete Audio 6

  4. #4
    Tech Mentor jimmyv's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    129

    Default

    Thanks for the info... I guess I still have more research to do. The built in sound card works just fine. However, I feel it is not powerful enough, so I added in a recording studio grade sound card a MOTU 828. The difference in sound quality is amazing.

  5. #5

  6. #6
    Tech Mentor Hi Im Shy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Tallahassee FL
    Posts
    141

    Default

    Well seeing how .5 to .9 Amps is max normal operating current of a USB port 1 amp each should be fine?

  7. #7
    Tech Guru the_bastet's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH
    Posts
    2,866

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hi Im Shy View Post
    Well seeing how .5 to .9 Amps is max normal operating current of a USB port 1 amp each should be fine?
    You are thinking of the data stream bruv. The power down stream of a USB 2 or 3 port is in range from .9 to 2.1 at 5 volts. For example, most thumb drives only require 1 amp whereas my wd passports require at least 1.5 (which causes issues on the xdj.... dan you pioneer).
    - Equipment - 2X Technics 1200, 2X Audio Technica ATLP1240, 2X XDJ700, 2X XDJ1000 MK2, Denon DNX-1100, Mixars DUO, DJM750 MK2, NI Audio 10, NI Aduio 4, Serato SL3, 4X Shure M44-7, 2X Ortofon Pro S, 2X Numark Groove Tool, Maschine MK3, Samson Carbon 49, Roland SE-02, Novation Launchcontrol, TouchOSC, Nocation Peak, Arturia MiniBrute, Korg Volca Kick, MicroKorg (Classic), NI Komplete Audio 6

  8. #8
    Tech Guru William Gibson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    ChiCompton
    Posts
    533

    Default

    I thought the general rule of thumb was keep your sound card plugged into its own port then connect all your controllers to a powered port? I thought that was said to give you the least amount of latency or problems. Since your bypassing the s4 soundcard I wouuuuld.....

    Motu direct into thuderbolt
    external hdd direct into usb
    all other controllers into a powered hub.

    If I had to choose between latency of files on a hdd and latency of button presses on a controller I would choose latency on the controller.

    I do believe this will give you the best performance.

    This is all my opinion of course. Which is right below whale shit on the totem of life...

    I have an '10 mbp and have an apogee duet plugged direct into one usb and then my ohm rgb and a few midi fighters plugged into a powered hub by d link and have zero latency issues with ableton live.

    good luck

  9. #9
    Tech Guru Tarekith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Luxembourg
    Posts
    888

    Default

    I use a Plugable USB3 hub in my studio, all my controllers, external HDs, the s8, and my soundcard are connected to it with no issues at all. Amazon has them fairly cheap.

  10. #10
    Tech Wizard DjRitam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Posts
    60

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jimmyv View Post
    I was hoping I can find some updated information. I have a late 2013 (bought April 2014) MacBook Pro 15" retina display. I am using a kontrol S4 mk2 and have recently added an F1. I normally have the S4 connected to 1 USB port and an external hard drive (Western Digital my passport for Mac USB 3.0) connected to the other. I know I need a powered usb hub, but is there a recommended one to use? I do know that the S4 needs to be connected to the computer, but I use a different audio interface (MOTU 828) connected by thunderbolt. So my questions are...
    1. What's the best powered usb hub to use? Should I get a 3.0 hub?
    2. Since I am using a different audio interface connected by thunderbolt, is it still necessary to keep the S4 plugged directly to the computer?
    To thoroughly answer your question..... MOST... If not ALL midi controllers, from my understanding, are usb 2.0 compliant and many resources I've read have suggested staying away from USB 3.0 Hubs. Even though they are backward compatible.

    I'm currently using a Belkin AC-powered 7-port USB Hub and couldn't be happier with it! I've used it in combination with my Vestax vci-400EG, Traktor F1, Audio 6, Ableton Push, Traktor s4 mk1 and additional hard drives connected. Not all at the same time, of course. But, vci and f1 or audio 6 and push,.. So on and so forth. I haven't had A SINGLE issues with audio drop-outs, latency, ETC. I should add that aside from not having the I7 processor.. I did upgrade my Mid-2012 Macbook Pro to 16gb of ram and a 250gb internal 840 EVO SSD. Didn't want to take the chance of future issues. So as long as you are running your gear on a machine that is more... "current". The Belkin is the way to go. At least in my opinion.

    http://www.belkin.com/us/F5U701-Belk...E2273BF9EBBFA/
    Last edited by DjRitam; 04-12-2015 at 06:10 AM. Reason: Addition of link to specific product recommendation
    mid-2012 Macbook Pro 13", S4,VCI-400EG, F1 Rokit 5's

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •