Push 3 USB-C to Mac connection issue via hub?

[BasilB]

Is anybody able to successfully connect Push 3 (not standalone) via a USB-C hub to Mac?

I have a 2020 M1 MacBook Air running latest Sonoma. Apple in their obsession with minimal connections only provide 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports! So I need to use a hub (currently a Lemorele Panda) to connect my peripherals both USB-A and USB-C.

However Push won't connect via the hub only directly, same with my display, I guess the connection speed through the hub is just not fast enough?

Has anybody on here got something similar to work, I'm happy to upgrade my hub, but which one to choose, there are so many? Anybody had any success doing this?

Thanks in advance Basil

[[jur]]

Hey Basil,

Yeah, connecting P3 via a hub is absolutely doable, but unfortunately it seems there's some hub won't make it.
I'm afraid I can't recommend any specific hub, as I have no problem with 3 different ones so I suspect only a very few don't work.
Here's some technical details that should help you finding another hub.

[BasilB]

Hey [jur]

Thanks so much for the reply, the link was interesting but only talks about power requirements, not the required connection speed eg 10Gbps etc.

Power is not my problem I have Push powered from the dedicated power supply. The issue is with the data connection from Push to Live running on my Laptop.

Having done some research I realise that the ports on my laptop are Thunderbolt, so actually super fast, but my hub was pretty cheap and maybe only supports speeds up to 480Mbps? Trouble is full spec Thunderbolt hubs seem to be super expensive, like $200!

I might try something like this and see if that works, it says it supports 10Gbps would should surely be good enough?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087QZVQJX

[Rivanni]

Hey [jur]

Thanks so much for the reply, the link was interesting but only talks about power requirements, not the required connection speed eg 10Gbps etc.

Power is not my problem I have Push powered from the dedicated power supply. The issue is with the data connection from Push to Live running on my Laptop.

Having done some research I realise that the ports on my laptop are Thunderbolt, so actually super fast, but my hub was pretty cheap and maybe only supports speeds up to 480Mbps? Trouble is full spec Thunderbolt hubs seem to be super expensive, like $200!

I might try something like this and see if that works, it says it supports 10Gbps would should surely be good enough?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087QZVQJX

I use a powered USB 3.0 (now technically referred to as USB 3.2 Gen 1) hub, so speed = 5 Gbps. This is more than enough, since all Pushes use USB 2.0. But I wouldn't buy a USB 2.0 hub since you might also want to connect other things. So a hub with 5 or 10 Gbps gives you more connectivity options.

Most important is that the hub has its own power supply.

[BasilB]

Hey Rivanni

Thanks for your reply, that's good to know, I just ordered the one I linked, it has power via the USB-C PD Input and it says it supports up to 10Gbps data transfer, so hopefully that should work!

I'll try it and if it doesn't work I'll send it back!

Thanks again

[[jur]]

Oops, my bad!

Most important is that the hub has its own power supply.

While helpful, this is definitely not a necessity. I have 2 non-powered USB-C hubs, and Push works with both.

[Rivanni]

Oops, my bad!

Most important is that the hub has its own power supply.

While helpful, this is definitely not a necessity. I have 2 non-powered USB-C hubs, and Push works with both.

Okay. Then you had more luck than me.

[BasilB]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how I get on with the replacement hub I've ordered.

I'm not sure why Push doesn't connect through the one I have already, it's powered, but it doesn't!? I understand that some hubs won't support video for an extra display, this one doesn't.

That's part of the problem I need one of my lightning ports to run my extra screen and that only leaves one other for power and anything else. As I said before considering such well designed laptops, lack of easy connectivity is my main issue with Macs, (also applies to iPads), I can't be the only one, other than that I love them!

The mysteries of all those little electrons flying around the place, it boggles the mind!

Thanks again both of you for your input.

[Rivanni]

I'm not sure why Push doesn't connect through the one I have already, it's powered

It's not.
Powered USB hubs come with their own AC adapters/power supply and can run on an external power source (wall socket). They do not take any power from your laptop. While unpowered USB hubs take all the power from your laptop.

Edit: Your next post mentions that it is not connected to your laptop but directly plugged into a standard Apple power supply.

[tmoore]

I'm finding that some hubs have slightly recessed USB-C ports and the blocky cable that Ableton includes with Push 3 doesn't fully seat in them.

[BasilB]

I'm not sure why Push doesn't connect through the one I have already, it's powered

It's not.
Powered USB hubs come with their own AC adapters/power supply and can run on an external power source (wall socket). They do not take any power from your laptop. While unpowered USB hubs take all the power from your laptop.

OK, well it has a USB-C PD port on it (I'm talking about my old hub here) which certainly passes power through to charge the laptop and I had assumed that that power was also used to supply the electronics in the hub, perhaps not?

I don't think the hub is taking power from the laptop when it's plugged directly into a standard Apple power supply and then passing that power on to charge the laptop.

[BasilB]

Anyway the good news is that I have now received the Anker hub that I ordered and it works perfectly! Push 3 connects via the hub to Ableton running on my laptop, no problem.

I think the issue I had was just down to a cheaply made hub, that probably wasn't up to doing what it was supposed to.

I don't know for sure, but I get the impression that Anker are a more reliable brand, certainly as far as their cables and chargers are concerned and that also seems true of this hub.

Yay, it's great when a hunch helps you solve a problem!

[BasilB]

So in conclusion, if you want a hub that works with Push, look for something similar to this from a reputable manufacturer.

"Anker 555 USB-C Docking Hub (8-in-1) PowerExpand Adapter, 100W Power Delivery, 4K 60Hz HDMI, 10Gbps USB-C & 2 USB-A Data Ports etc"

[[jur]]

Glad you can now enjoy your Push !