Not enough USB-ports on macbook

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
1

Not enough USB-ports on macbook

Hey guys

I bought a new macbook pro 13" and now i have a problem. I don’t have enough usb-ports for dj’ing (i only have 2 ports). I need 1 usb port for my vci and the other port for my soundcard. But now i cant connect my mouse/keyboard.
I dont want to use a power adaptor for my vci or my soundcard so i am looking for a firewire 800 soundcard so i can save one usb port for my mouse and keyboard..

The problem is all the firewire 800 cards i’ve found so far are above my budget (200 euro’s) and i really need one port for my mouse keyboard etc.

How did you guys solve this problem??

Thanx

Nick

2

maybe u should buy an active usb hub…that could help…i did this for my vaio cause it only had 3 usb…

3

Wireless (bluetooth) mouse and keyboard?

The apple one’s aren’t cheap but they are sexy!

4

i bet you could run the VCI off a USB hub with no problems. just make sure you get a power brick for the VCI. USB2.0 has plenty bandwith for the vci, mouse, and keyboard.

5

you can pick up a used presonus firebox for under $200

6

yeah look for a usb hub. they have them super cheap at monoprice.com

7

First of all thanks for all those fast replies, really appreciate that!

So i have 2 options:

  1. I buy a usb-hub to connect my vci and my mouse(but i need to buy a adaptor for the vci, because the usb-hub cant supply enough power?) but now have 1 port free for a usb-sound card.

  2. I buy a firewire 800 soundcard, and i am able to use my two free usb-ports (converting firewire 800 to firewire 200 or 400 wil give me power supply problems?) The PreSonus FireBox isnt a firewire 800 soundcard is it?

I am leaning towards option two because i dont like using a adaptor for my vci..
So now i have to find a firewire 800 card below the 200 euro’s..

Help me :confused:

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Re: Not enough USB-ports on macbook

to work with mac, my firebox liked it when it had a power supply connected, otherwise it gives you issues, like not connecting and shit. so power supply shouldn’t be an issue as long as you can connect the ac adapter

9

did a little research but the firebox isnt firwire 800 is it?

10

You could get a powered usb hub instead of a power brick for the VCI.

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thats what i do. i was even wondering about ripping up a wireless keyboard and trying to attach arcade buttons to hotcues - bluetooth controller - sick!

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So i will buy a wireless mouse and use my macbook’s keyboard. Now i have the two usb ports free for the vci and a soundcard. Now i have to switch my focus from a firewire to a usb-soundcard. Which usb-soundcard do you guys suggest. It has to be compact and stable.. I don’t need very much options, i only use it for traktor pro.

13

I would suggest the NI range! :wink:

Presonus is good, RME rocks like no other but they just don’t do small-ish interfaces!

Z

14

the RME Fireface 400 is pretty small.

(8 inch - 6inch - 1inch) Roughly

15

it has to be usb or a affordable firewire 800 card.

16

NI Audio 2 DJ?

I got an NI Audio Kontrol 1 and love it. Pretty rugged and portable and is set up for using Traktor, either in internal mode or external mode and is great for production too.

Not too pricey either considering.

17

RME is king but definitely not for a tighter budget :disappointed:

18

The NI Audio 2 is very low priced and portable, i have to admit the Audio Kontrol 1 also looks very interesting..
Going to check out some reviews about those 2 cards…
Thanx for all the advice!

19

Get a FireWire 400 6 Circuit to 9 Circuit lead and a power supply (provided by Presonus) and use a Presonus Firebox.

Doesnt matter that the Firebox is FireWire 400.

20

What about the Echo Audiofire 2? Seems like a good alternative to me