View Full Version : Are there downsides to using USB hubs?
Phil513
06-02-2011, 03:46 PM
I'm running out of USB ports, was thinking of getting a hub, but wondered if it would, say, affect latency on midi controllers and such?
Anybody use 'em?
jelloman
06-02-2011, 03:48 PM
my keyboard is also a hub...I wouldn't plug my recording interface into it, but it's fine for my camra and mp3 player...
dodgechargerfan
06-02-2011, 03:49 PM
Not sure about latency, but make sure you get one with it's own power.
Some devices don't like to be fed from hubs that draw power from the USB port on the computer.
Phil513
06-02-2011, 03:50 PM
Not sure about latency, but make sure you get one with it's own power.
Some devices don't like to be fed from hubs that draw power from the USB port on the computer.
Thanks, good tip. :aok:
Yes, there will be an increase in latency, but it can usually be managed from within the software.
Denverdave
06-02-2011, 04:17 PM
This has my interest because I only have three USB inputs one my recording computer and two are in constant use (mouse & studio monitors). I want to add a keyboard/MIDI controller soon.
Phil513
06-02-2011, 04:17 PM
Yes, there will be an increase in latency, but it can usually be managed from within the software.
Well maybe i can arrange it so my two midi controllers, (a keyboard and guitar interface) can go directly in, then use a hub for dongles and such.
Phil513
06-02-2011, 04:19 PM
This has my interest because I only have three USB inputs one my recording computer and two are in constant use (mouse & studio monitors). I want to add a keyboard/MIDI controller soon.
I just ordered a pair of Alesis Monitors, but they have a 1/4" TRS jack that will plug into the output of the guitar interface, so that saves me one. :D
Denverdave
06-02-2011, 04:22 PM
I just ordered a pair of Alesis Monitors, but they have a 1/4" TRS jack that will plug into the output of the guitar interface, so that saves me one. :D
I run my monitors out of the back of my recording interface and the recording interface into the computer all the time. So the monitors are a TRS input. So the recording interface is actually taking up the second USB all the time, not the monitors. My bad...
The key is to try and limit your USB devices to as few as possible. If you have a USB mouse... Ditch it, USB Keybaord... ditch it, and so on. The biggest latency culprit BY FAR though, is a USB network adapter. If you have one, KILL IT. in fact, if you use your music computer for internet access at all, don't use wireless unless you absolutely have to. If you don't access the internet with it at all, going into your Windows "Services" and disabling ALL of the net related features will add a HUGE amount of speed back to your usable end of the scale and squash most if not ALL of your latency.
Phil513
06-02-2011, 04:24 PM
I run my monitors out of the back of my recording interface and the recording interface into the computer all the time. So the monitors are a TRS input. So the recording interface is actually taking up the second USB all the time, not the monitors. My bad...
Ah, same as me then.
If you are worried about devices having latency by being plugged into a hub, plug all of your recording devices directly into the computer. Use the hub for the keyboard, mouse, printers, etc.
If you are worried about devices having latency by being plugged into a hub, plug all of your recording devices directly into the computer. Use the hub for the keyboard, mouse, printers, etc.
While this is good advice, the trick is still to have as FEW USB devices attached as possible. Simply adding a hub only increases the number of available inputs... It's the computer and the on board BUS that has top process all of that stuff in and out.
Prages
06-02-2011, 07:57 PM
If you have a USB mouse... Ditch it, USB Keybaord... ditch it, and so on.
How would one do that on modern computers that don't have keyboard or mouse inputs?
aliensporebomb
06-02-2011, 08:30 PM
I guess I broke the law then. I have two eight port USB hubs for a total of 16 ports and every last port is filled. I routinely do music sessions with over 40 simultaneous tracks too. Ugh.
jelloman
06-02-2011, 08:32 PM
I guess I broke the law then. I have two eight port USB hubs for a total of 16 ports and every last port is filled. I routinely do music sessions with over 40 simultaneous tracks too. Ugh.
cop0
cop0
If your computer can handle it, then it's no problem. With enough processor power, RAM, Bus Speed, and a good interface, you can run that much stuff without latency. But, if latency is already a problem, installing more USB ports/devices is going to have an ill effect.
As for what to do if your computer is "Too Modern" to have PS/2 inputs for mouse and keyboard... Well, then use USB. As I said, it's all about limiting the use of USB devices to the bare minimum you can get away with. Some things however simply can't be worked around. No biggie.
rusholmeruffian
06-03-2011, 03:49 AM
Important: to avoid potential ground loop-induced 60hz hum as a result of bad wiring, make sure that any bus-powered USB audio devices go right into the computer. My M-Audio Fast Track Pro hums like a swarm of wasps if I run it into a powered hub, but it's whisper-quiet when direct into the computer.
aliensporebomb
06-03-2011, 02:22 PM
If your computer can handle it, then it's no problem. With enough processor power, RAM, Bus Speed, and a good interface, you can run that much stuff without latency. But, if latency is already a problem, installing more USB ports/devices is going to have an ill effect.
As for what to do if your computer is "Too Modern" to have PS/2 inputs for mouse and keyboard... Well, then use USB. As I said, it's all about limiting the use of USB devices to the bare minimum you can get away with. Some things however simply can't be worked around. No biggie.
Ah. On the recording computer I'm running a Corei7 2.8 ghz processor (turbo boost to 3.4 ghz) with 12 gigs of DDR3 memory and about 6 TB of disc these days. It's kind of a big beast but it does the job.
Ah. On the recording computer I'm running a Corei7 2.8 ghz processor (turbo boost to 3.4 ghz) with 12 gigs of DDR3 memory and about 6 TB of disc these days. It's kind of a big beast but it does the job.
See, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! That thing has BALLZ.
Just to expand on what I was saying before, the best practice (if you can swing it) is to make your recording computer exclusively a recording computer. The more devices you have attached to it, the more stuff that's loaded onto it, and the more things you use it for, the slower it's going to be able to handle the recording process. If you have the ability to dedicate one machine to recording, then you want to remove all software that you aren't using, limit the devices attached (USB or other) and most importantly... disable as many "Services" as possible. Most newer Windows machines have anywhere from 50-70 processes running in the background at all times. You actually only need less than 20 (or even as few as 10-15) in order to operate the machine. Turning off features like desktop themes and "gadgets" is a biggie also.
There's a great book that I highly recommend for ANYONE who plans to use a PC to record. Even for someone like me, with 25+ years experience recording all kinds of music in all kinds of environments, including a TON of electronic music, there was a lot of eye opening info in there. "Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies" (http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recording-Musicians-Dummies-Strong/dp/0470385421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307121038&sr=8-1) breaks all this town in a clear and concise way and should be on everyone's desktop.
Phil513
06-03-2011, 05:08 PM
See, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! That thing has BALLZ.
Just to expand on what I was saying before, the best practice (if you can swing it) is to make your recording computer exclusively a recording computer. The more devices you have attached to it, the more stuff that's loaded onto it, and the more things you use it for, the slower it's going to be able to handle the recording process. If you have the ability to dedicate one machine to recording, then you want to remove all software that you aren't using, limit the devices attached (USB or other) and most importantly... disable as many "Services" as possible. Most newer Windows machines have anywhere from 50-70 processes running in the background at all times. You actually only need less than 20 (or even as few as 10-15) in order to operate the machine. Turning off features like desktop themes and "gadgets" is a biggie also.
There's a great book that I highly recommend for ANYONE who plans to use a PC to record. Even for someone like me, with 25+ years experience recording all kinds of music in all kinds of environments, including a TON of electronic music, there was a lot of eye opening info in there. "Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies" (http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recording-Musicians-Dummies-Strong/dp/0470385421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307121038&sr=8-1) breaks all this town in a clear and concise way and should be on everyone's desktop.
I'll be picking that up. Thanks!
Prages
06-03-2011, 06:04 PM
I'll be picking that up. Thanks!
Haven't read the book, but if you go here, it's a pretty good step by step on what you should to optimize Windows 7 for Pro Tools.
Just skip anything that's Pro Tools specific like updating digidesign drivers and such.
http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=349411
Phil513
06-03-2011, 06:17 PM
Haven't read the book, but if you go here, it's a pretty good step by step on what you should to optimize Windows 7 for Pro Tools.
Just skip anything that's Pro Tools specific like updating digidesign drivers and such.
http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=349411
Thanks dude, i'll go through that when i get home. Thats some good info right there.
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