KVR Audio

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:18 am

I expect I have a far from unique problem - I'm running out of USB ports on my PC. I'm not very technical but from what I can make out most of the USB Ports are USB 1.

Right now I have my non musical peripherals (mouse, keyboard, printer) going into a non powered USB hub.

I'm wondering what I can do re putting some of the musical USB connections on a hub. I don't think any of the things I am thinking of attaching draw power via USB but should I use a powered hub anyway?

Is there anything I should be aware of? Anything that should always go into a dedicated port?

As an example of things I might want to share a port for are;

Eventide H9 (USB used for controlling the H9 via the H9 control app on the PC)

DSI Oberheim OB6 (I think the USB is just for the software editor)

Arturia Beatstep (MIDI output via USB)

Elektron Digitakt (don't have it yet - I think the USB is for firmware updates and connection to Overbridge?)

Other things I have which I think possibly need to be on their own dedicated port;

ilok
elicenser
Soundcraft desk audio
Roli Rise controller
Nektar P6 controller
Focusrite Scarlett (just MIDI at the moment)

neverbeeninariot · Post by **neverbeeninariot** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:55 am

ChamomileShark wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:18 am I expect I have a far from unique problem - I'm running out of USB ports on my PC. I'm not very technical but from what I can make out most of the USB Ports are USB 1.

Right now I have my non musical peripherals (mouse, keyboard, printer) going into a non powered USB hub.

I'm wondering what I can do re putting some of the musical USB connections on a hub. I don't think any of the things I am thinking of attaching draw power via USB but should I use a powered hub anyway?
[...]
Other things I have which I think possibly need to be on their own dedicated port;

ilok
elicenser
Soundcraft desk audio
Roli Rise controller
Nektar P6 controller
Focusrite Scarlett (just MIDI at the moment)

I can't answer the first half of your question, but license dongles work fine in a USB hub. I'm running an Ignition key (Props/Codemeter), an iLok, and an eLicenser (Steinberg) on an Anker 4 port hub with no issues.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:06 pm

thanks for the reply. Do USB 3.0 port hubs work with USB 1.0 ports - just at a slower speed?

neverbeeninariot · Post by **neverbeeninariot** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:18 pm

In theory, but... USB 3.0 devices can be backward compatible with USB 1.1 but it is not a requirement of the 3.x specification. You would definitely have to confirm that before buying.

If you're running short of higher speed ports, maybe a PCIe USB expansion card would be a solution ? (example card)

Reefius · Post by **Reefius** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:28 pm

I don't think your PC has USB1 ports, unless it's 20 years old. It's most likely USB2.

If it's a desktop PC then you could try something like this to add USB3 ports:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Computer-Acc ... B005QDFA3I

On USB2 ports it's pointless to connect a USB3 hub (but it will work) because USB2 hubs are cheaper. If all (or most of) your devices have their own power supply, you can safely go for a non-powered hub.

mgw38 · Post by **mgw38** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:44 pm

If you have a free PCI slot, add a USB 3.0 PCI card. 4 port USB 3.0 cards range in price from 10$ to about 35$. And there are cards that have more than 4 slots in case you need that.

In case you go for an external USB hub. The audio interface should be on its own USB port. Any external sample drive you might have of add should be on its own USB port. Everything that either requires a lot of power or a lot of data traffic should be put on a dedicated port. Everything else, in particular all midi controllers and dongles, can be put together on a hub. Some of the stuff you list does not have its own power supply. I would therefore go with a powered USB hub, just to be safe.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:48 pm

ok, the PC is from 2013. I tried to work out what version the ports were by looking at the device manager but none of them have names like Universal Host or enhanced Host. They are mainly shown as "Generic USB hub"

mgw38 · Post by **mgw38** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:31 pm

2013 is most certainly USB 2.0. Older version were not around anymore back then.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:38 pm

ok thanks!

MFXxx · Post by **MFXxx** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:41 pm

Fwiw I'm using all my do goes o. A USB 3 hub. Eliencser. Propeller heads ilok. Waves and other USB assignable dingle licenses
I would suggest with any hardware sending audio and midi a dedicated USB is preferable.
I know my elektron ak37 is fine on a powered hub. The access virus isn't. Haven't tried machine controller .
Furthermore there are some multihubs which have features that work well with instruments and some not. Checkout USB hubs on gearslutZ. You'll see a post from others including myself regarding this.

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-c ... -hubs.html

Can be trial and error. However for dongles mice and keyboards along with non audio peripherals. You should be fine.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:14 pm

I have had bad luck with USB hubs so now everything goes to the PC with as much as 15 foot cable.
Have had no issues.

I have 14 USB ports in the rear and all are taken.
In the front panel I have one 3.1 and two 3.0 which are available.

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:27 pm

Generally it’s better to get a powered hub so you don’t run into problems with being able to power everything on the bus adequately.

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:32 pm

Mgw38 is correct. I will add 3 points:
Check how much power the USB hub provides, and to how many of its ports. Hubs can vary a LOT
The power drops in the hub if too many devices on it draw power.
Your computer may warn you if a peripheral needs more power.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Tue Sep 24, 2019 1:39 pm

thanks guys!

Running out of USB ports