BobF
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USB2 hubs
Everything is USB these days. Anybody got a recommendation for a hub that's reliable and powered?
I would like to free up ports for things that need the speed, using the hub for qwerty keyboard, mouse, FaderPort and anything else with low data speed requirements.
I already have a grunch load of USB3 ports, USB2 should be fine.
Or would an internal card be a better idea? Got one of those to recommend?
Bob -- Angels are crying because truth has died ...Illegitimi non carborundum --Studio One Pro / i7-6700@3.80GHZ, 32GB Win 10 Pro x64 Roland FA06, LX61+, Fishman Tripleplay, FaderPort, US-16x08 + ARC2.5/Event PS8s Waves Gold/IKM Max/Nomad Factory IS3/K11U
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fireberd
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/24 11:40:54
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Generally, its best to keep the keyboard and mouse plugged directly into the PC rather than on a Hub. Some BIOS will not recognize the keyboard and/or mouse if its on an external hub.
I've got several "no name" self powered hubs and they are several years old and still work well. Only USB hub that I've had problems with was a Belkin (I've had problems with other Belkin and avoid anything Belkin now).
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dwardzala
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/24 15:11:43
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I have a USB 2 card with 4 ports on it. I actually have all my music stuff plugged into that one (interface and two midi controllers.) i don't recall what brand it was but it wasn't more than about $10 at Microcenter or Newegg.
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slartabartfast
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/24 16:10:10
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So if you have all the USB 3 sockets you need, why are you not plugging your USB 2 devices into them? If you have a shortage of USB sockets overall then a hub would be required to expand the system.
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soens
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/24 16:43:13
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I use a Rosewill 10 port for MIDI interface, keyboard, printers, ext HDDs, etc. Audio interface and mouse are direct ins. It's only USB 2 but has worked fine.
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abacab
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/24 19:54:03
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☄ Helpfulby doncolga 2017/03/01 03:49:24
BobF
Everything is USB these days. Anybody got a recommendation for a hub that's reliable and powered?
I would like to free up ports for things that need the speed, using the hub for qwerty keyboard, mouse, FaderPort and anything else with low data speed requirements.
I already have a grunch load of USB3 ports, USB2 should be fine.
Or would an internal card be a better idea? Got one of those to recommend?
Your motherboard probably has a couple of USB2 headers that you can use. Just connect a cheap rear case expansion bracket with the mobo connector cable to the header and you will have more ports, running on the integrated USB bus. No need for a 3rd party chip expansion card running from the PCIe bus. Example: https://www.amazon.com/USB-4-Port-Bracket-Dual-Headers/dp/B0027YYMQA $2.75 + $4.50 shipping
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dwardzala
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/24 22:04:02
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@abacab That might be what I installed. I did it so long ago I don't remember.
DaveMain Studio- Core i5 @2.67GHz, 16Gb Ram, (2) 500Gb HDs, (1) 360 Gb HD MotU Ultralite AVB, Axiom 49 Midi Controller, Akai MPD18 Midi Controller Win10 x64 Home Sonar 2017.06 Platinum (and X3e, X2c, X1d) Mobile Studio - Sager NP8677 (i7-6700HQ @2.67MHz, 16G Ram, 250G SSD, 1T HD) M-Box Mini v. 2 Win 10 x64 Home Sonar 2016.10 Platinum Check out my original music: https://soundcloud.com/d-wardzala/sets/d-wardzala-original-music
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abacab
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/24 22:26:34
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dwardzala
@abacab That might be what I installed. I did it so long ago I don't remember.
Yup, I have not installed a hub since I discovered those things. Your mobo manual is your best friend as far as your system features are concerned 
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kitekrazy1
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/02/26 13:55:32
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I use a hub only for dongles. So many boards have plenty of USB ports. USB 3 will work fine. If you have issues and no USB 3 devices you can disable USB 3 on some boards in the BIOS.
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Mesh
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/03/02 15:23:28
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I bought one of these when I built my current system (back in 2013), but never installed it as I didn't have the need for it. It's still in the original box and to be honest, I don't know even if these are useful anymore. 
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BobF
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/03/02 15:53:30
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I ended up grabbing a powered 4 port hub that has been working just fine. It has my keyboard, mouse and FaderPort. I may add the Waves thumbdrive someday, but everything is sweet for the time being.
Bob -- Angels are crying because truth has died ...Illegitimi non carborundum --Studio One Pro / i7-6700@3.80GHZ, 32GB Win 10 Pro x64 Roland FA06, LX61+, Fishman Tripleplay, FaderPort, US-16x08 + ARC2.5/Event PS8s Waves Gold/IKM Max/Nomad Factory IS3/K11U
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rivers88
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Re: USB2 hubs
2017/03/05 15:34:37
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FWIW -
I have had great luck with Belkin 4 and 7-port powered USB 2.0 "stick" (descriptive term - all USB ports on same side) hubs. As long as the devices attached are USB 2.0, they seem to work just fine. I've had no issues with multiple MIDI controllers, patchbays, and USB synth interfaces thru these hubs. I do dedicate a USB 2.0 port on my PC for my audio interface, but pretty much everything else connects thru hubs.
The one issue I have run in to is using some external 3.0 drives that are "supposed" to be backwards compatible with 2.0. I have a couple of WD Passport Ultra (3.0) external drives that are VERY finicky about hubs (even powered hubs), and they frequently disconnect on 2.0 hubs (I have tried several different brands and models) during high data transfers such as backups. Oddly enough, they seem fine on dedicated 2.0 ports on my Windows 10 PC, and I can stack several 3.0 external drives on a 3.0 powered hub attached to a 3.0 port without issue.
My guess is USB 3.0 devices are much less tolerant of fluctuations in bus speeds and voltage levels than similar 2.0 devices - at the trade-off for MUCH improved data transfer speeds, especially when using USB 3.0 SSD's. So for USB 3.0 devices, the extra cost of a compatible powered USB 3.0 hub is worth the expense, IMHO.
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