Ableton Forum

Hi,
I'm looking at switching platforms to a macbook pro from my windows Desktop. However I am concerned about USB ports as it only has 2. From past experience on the Windows platform upon connecting a powered USB hub a strange 50hz-AC static wobbling tone is heard throughout the whole system. Unplugging the AC adapter for the hub solves the problem immediately. The thing is I am unsure if my equipment will run through an unpowered hub. Obviously the soundcard will be connected directly to the computer and other devices through the hub.

The equipment I am using is as follows-
M-Audio Fast Track Ultra
Novation Xio-Synth and MIDI
Korg nanoPAD
Alesis Micron Synth
+ Mouse

Anyone had experience with USB-hubs and laptops running pro-audio on USB?

Cheers
Ant

I have 2 4-way USB hubs for my MBP. One is powered, the other is not. Any USB device that is self powered will not be an issue with either type, but I have had issues with connecting 3 or 4 devices looking for power to a non-powered USB hub. One of each works for my setup.

On the static issue, I have never had issues. And the one I have is far from being top of the line!