USB Hub Recommendations - Multiple USB Devices & Windows 11 & Reaper

[Trvbass]

I am running Reaper on Windows 11 with a number of USB connected devices, mainly the Soundcraft UI24r mixer, but several other devices that are either managed by USB or MIDI'd to Reaper over USB. These are connected via 25' USB A/B/C cables connected to open ports on the PC and its docking station - this works most of the time, but I wanted ask if others have found that a USB hub might help and which one(s) have worked for you.

Here's one possibility: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0793HQ57L/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A3OZJ6V1VGEJ36&psc=1

I'm hoping others can share their winning strategies for USB connected devices - Thanks!

 

[silky smoove]

I wanted ask if others have found that a USB hub might help

Help in what way?

I'm hoping others can share their winning strategies for USB connected devices

It's simple. Connect them directly to the computer without any sort of hub in between for best performance.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Help in what way?


It's simple. Connect them directly to the computer without any sort of hub in between for best performance.

This ^

After 15 years as an IT Professional, I can tell you that the LAST thing you want to add is additional points of failure, if at all avoidable. Something like mice, keyboards, USB light strips, or a thumb drive are fine to put into a USB hub (I suggest a powered one, though)...audio interfaces, hi-def video devices, or anything with sustained high data transfer (like an HDMI capture card) should plugged in DIRECTLY. I would also recommend connecting to the rear of the PC, as some cases don't have the most reliable front-panel USB ports (this goes for docking stations, I would recommend directly connecting to the laptop if possible).

 

[fdeck]

I don't have an elaborate audio system at home, but at my day job, I automate laboratory experiments by connecting multiple devices and instruments via USB. Some of them are fairly high bandwidth.

Here are some things I've found:

Cable length matters, because USB detects the time-of-flight and adjusts the data rate downward if needed. So your highest throughput stuff needs to be on shorter cables. I proved this by A/B testing a video camera with long and short cables. Also, some things just don't play well with hubs. And sometimes it won't be obvious because the system has negotiated a lower bandwidth, but it means your performance isn't as good as it could be. So I think, keep cables short if possible, and experiment to find the best arrangement. Shorter USB cables, and longer cables for your keyboard, mouse, and display, might be preferable

 

[Aloe]

the only type of hub that works for me for real-time applications is a Thunderbolt 3/4 one and not every one. I've had good luck with Caldigit and Elgato Thunderbolt 3 docks and negative with a ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 dock.

be sure you actually connect it to a Thunderbolt port, not just a USB one.

 

[nickpc]

Your docking station is (probably) already a hub, so don't attach hubs to it. Daisy chaining hubs can lead to all kinds of weirdness.

 

[EvilJ]

I use one of the MOTU midi interfaces to avoid using too many USB ports for my DAW. It works great!

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/microlite--motu-micro-lite

 

[spantini]

I have a similar setup: Reaper and Win 11 MINI PC. The MINI PC has enough ports but it got a bit crowded with only five devices plugged in. Then I wanted at least two additional for a thumb drive and external SSD. So I checked out some hubs.

I was advised to get a powered hub and I did. I know it's best to connect certain devices directly to the PC, which would have reduced the number of ports needed in the hub. After looking at all the combinations, I settled on seven ports in case I needed to expand.

Instead of plugging my interface and printer directly to PC, I connected the hub only with the five devices, thumb and SSD straight into the hub. Because I moved the PC location four feet further away, I used a longer cable on the printer . This is a much neater setup as far as cables go. I figured if the interface or printer had problems via the hub, I could just move them to the PC. Turns out after several months there have been no problems, so I left everything in the hub.

This is the hub :

Amazon.com