USB hubs

rbro · Post by **rbro** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:55 pm

OK, I finally was able to move my "setup" off of the kitchen table and into the "office", which is now an office/studio. I can spread my equipment out a bit and get a bit of breathing room. Ideally I'd like everything plugged in and ready to go when inspiration strikes, but I only have 2 USB ports in my PB G4. Can I use a powered USB hub to have everything plugged in and ready to go, or is that not possible? Here's what I have that uses USB:

M-Audio Fasttrack USB
TriggerFinger
Roland GI-20
Rig Kontrol (Guitar Rig II foot controller)
Novation reMote SL-25 (coming soon)

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive hub that will let me have all this stuff plugged in and ready to rock, or is there not enough power from the hub to power all of these devices?

Pete_m · Post by **Pete_m** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:02 pm

any powered usb hub with enough ports will do..

just pop down your local computer hardware store store or search online..

edit- this is your best bet http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... e&n=560798

rbro · Post by **rbro** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:05 pm

Pete_m wrote:any powered usb hub with enough ports will do..

just pop down your local computer hardware store store or search online..

edit- this is your best bet [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... e&n=560798[/url]

Is there enough power for all these puppies, or will I need to have some use their own power supplies?

Pete_m · Post by **Pete_m** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:10 pm

rbro wrote:
Pete_m wrote:any powered usb hub with enough ports will do..

just pop down your local computer hardware store store or search online..

edit- this is your best bet [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... e&n=560798[/url]
Is there enough power for all these puppies, or will I need to have some use their own power supplies?

i imagine they will all work fine as long as you connect the power to the hub itself, but the novation synth wont like being plugged into a usb hub, so you will probably need to have a power supply for this also

stealth1 · Post by **stealth1** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:55 pm

I've done this in the past and it works just fine bro

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:58 pm

I'm using one of these: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=149.

Works great, and there's a 4-port version available: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=152.

Some hubs will work without an external power supply. It depends on what you're plugging into the hub. Some devices need more current than the USB connection supplies.

kineticUk · Post by **kineticUk** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:01 pm

I would go with hambone and make sure you get a decent hub.
Don't just get a generic brand as you are more likely to have problems if you make music and have devices midi/audio plugged into it.
Spend the little extra and you won't have to worry.
BTW I have used an XStation with a hub before without problems, so get a decent one and I don't see any reason why you cannot plug your novation into it.

Pete_m · Post by **Pete_m** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:26 pm

kineticUk wrote:I would go with hambone and make sure you get a decent hub.
Don't just get a generic brand as you are more likely to have problems if you make music and have devices midi/audio plugged into it.
Spend the little extra and you won't have to worry.
BTW I have used an XStation with a hub before without problems, so get a decent one and I don't see any reason why you cannot plug your novation into it.

i have the same hub i posted a link too and my xsation 25 works ok but if i connect 7 devices it sometimes wont work.. i looked in the manual and it says this is normal so now i just leave the power cable in just to be sure

CWoodOne · Post by **CWoodOne** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:05 pm

Make sure that if you have a mixture of USB 1.1 and USB 2 devices that your entire hub doesn't slow down to 1.1 . Bellkin, among others, make hubs that don't slow down every port to the lowest speed if a USB 1.1 device is connected.