USB peripherals in the studio

Discuss anything related to audio or music production.
Post Reply
dsu
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:22 pm
Contact:

USB peripherals in the studio

Post by dsu » Fri Nov 25, 2022 8:47 pm

I am wondering what other folks are doing to manage their USB peripherals in the studio.

I was using a USB hub to aggregate some device but there ended up being conflicts between the Keystep and the APC-40 which resulted in the APC-40 not being able to operate the solo buttons in Live. That is all sorted out and working now but looking to the future it seems difficult to provide enough independent USB channels, in my case to an M1 mac mini.

Here is a list of the USB peripherals currently in the studio.
1. Mouse (Keyboard is wireless Bluetooth)
2. Audio Interface
3. SSD data drive
4. Back up disk
5. APC-40
6. Arturia Keystep keyboard
7. MPK keyboard
8. RD-9
9. Phenol
10. Microfreak

Most of the thunderbolt 3 expansion / docking stations I have seen seem to have 3 addition USB ports. There is an OWC with 5 ports. Any suggestions on alternative USB expansion options for thunderbolt 3?

Tarekith
Posts: 19065
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 11:46 pm
Location: Ableton Forum Administrator
Contact:

Re: USB peripherals in the studio

Post by Tarekith » Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:02 am

I use the CalDigit TS3+ which has 6 or 7 USB ports spread across USB-A and C options if I remember correctly. Plus it charges my MBP, so I only need one TB cable going to my laptop to control more or less my whole studio.
Tarekith
Ableton Forum Administrator
https://tarekith.com

fishmonkey
Posts: 4478
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:50 am

Re: USB peripherals in the studio

Post by fishmonkey » Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:10 am

i don't think there is any way around using multiple hubs with that much gear. the quality of the circuitry in the hubs is important and sometimes also where you connect things in the the USB "tree".

i'm currently using a OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock as my main hub with 2 additional hubs hanging off that (one USB2 and one USB3). my audio interface and external SSD go straight in the dock, other less demanding stuff hangs off the secondary hubs.

like Tarekith i only have a single Thunderbolt cable going to my laptop...

dsu
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:22 pm
Contact:

Re: USB peripherals in the studio

Post by dsu » Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:54 pm

Thanks for the information Tarekith and fishmonkey.

I was unaware of the CalDigit stuff and Amazon presented another device by Plugable with 7 USB ports but I can't find any references to the Plugable device and M1 Mac compatibility.

thanks again!

dsu

Tarekith
Posts: 19065
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 11:46 pm
Location: Ableton Forum Administrator
Contact:

Re: USB peripherals in the studio

Post by Tarekith » Sun Nov 27, 2022 1:32 am

FWIW, before going with the CalDigit I used Pluggable stuff for many years with no issues at all. A great alternative for sure!
Tarekith
Ableton Forum Administrator
https://tarekith.com

brianwdowling
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2022 6:19 pm

Re: USB peripherals in the studio

Post by brianwdowling » Mon Nov 28, 2022 4:10 pm

I use the Plugable USB C Triple 4K with an M1 Mac, 3 monitors and lots of USB devices. No issues other than that my M1 Mac only supports 1 external monitor natively and the Plugable dock needs to run DisplayLink software for the monitors, and there is some slight flickering occasionally, most with video editing.

I've also used CalDigit products and no issues with those, although they don't support the multiple monitors on my M1 Mac.

I also have an Amazon USBC hub which I have had no issues with.

Thanks

Brian

dsu
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:22 pm
Contact:

Re: USB peripherals in the studio

Post by dsu » Thu Dec 01, 2022 8:04 pm

Good to learn that the Plugable is a candidate solution. Thanks again guys! :)

Post Reply