# Macbook and usb hub / power and juice? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [April 16, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573 "2009-04-16T16:33:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![claudek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@claudek](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/claudek)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/1 "2009-04-16T16:33:14Z")
**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? ---
**Author:** ![jthompsn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jthompsn/32/12238_2.png) [@jthompsn](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/jthompsn)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/2 "2009-04-16T16:51:49Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![DJPhaidon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djphaidon/32/14663_2.png) [@DJPhaidon](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DJPhaidon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/3 "2009-04-16T16:59:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![claudek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@claudek](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/claudek)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/4 "2009-04-16T17:05:48Z")
> [@DJPhaidon](#): > > 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? ---
**Author:** ![DJPhaidon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djphaidon/32/14663_2.png) [@DJPhaidon](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DJPhaidon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/5 "2009-04-16T17:22:10Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![claudek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@claudek](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/claudek)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/6 "2009-04-16T17:27:03Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![DJPhaidon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djphaidon/32/14663_2.png) [@DJPhaidon](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DJPhaidon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/7 "2009-04-16T17:44:06Z")
True. The VCI and Nano on the same hub shouldn’t cause an issue. ---
**Author:** ![claudek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@claudek](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/claudek)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/8 "2009-04-16T19:20:54Z")
Anyone know if one hub/port is stronger than the other in terms of power? ---
**Author:** ![JesC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jesc/32/10376_2.png) [@JesC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/JesC)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/9 "2009-04-16T19:41:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![claudek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@claudek](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/claudek)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/10 "2009-04-16T20:21:05Z")
Thanks..hmm..that sux for the kontrol and scene bug with the hub. ---
**Author:** ![JesC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jesc/32/10376_2.png) [@JesC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/JesC)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/macbook-and-usb-hub-power-and-juice/3573/11 "2009-04-16T20:32:33Z")
its not that bad, you still have 8 rows of knobs/faders/buttons to work with. could be the reason why they put 9 rows instead of 8.