Only two usb on macbook?! How do I use MIDI?!

**Khan88** · 06-03-2012

hey fam,
just bought a new Macbook Pro yesterday, and installed Pro Tools today.

Realized that there are ONLY TWO USB PORTS!

Pro Tools already requires the iLok and interface to connect through USB, so there are no more left to connect MIDI?!

What the heck? Please help!

**rayzer** · 06-03-2012

get yourself a usb hub or if your interface has midi ports connect through that

**UnkNowNGenius** · 06-03-2012

get some firewire

**macbeat** · 06-03-2012

Get a firewire interface for your audio (be sure you pick up a Firewire 800 to 400 cable since the newer macs only have a 9 pin connector) and for your midi controllers get one of these:

Amazon.com: Cables Unlimited USB 2.0 7-Port Desktop Hub (USB1870): Electronics

You can't just get any USB hub, it needs to be a multi-TT hub. The cheaper ones you find at most stores will not allow you to use all of your midi devices at once without conflict and dropouts.

**TranslationsMedia** · 06-03-2012

Just buy a nice powered usb port, I have around 8 usb devices connected to mine and it works perfect.

**Khan88** · 06-04-2012

Wowww that is mad lame, but thanks for the replies.

Any USB hubs you guys recommend?

Macbeat mentioned errors that may occur with a cheaper one, so apparently multi-TT is the way to go

EDIT: didn't see the link from you macbeat. Got it now. Assuming that one works well for you with no MIDI problems? do you just have that connected and run all your USB ports through that?

**macbeat** · 06-04-2012

Originally Posted by Khan88

Wowww that is mad lame, but thanks for the replies.

Any USB hubs you guys recommend?

Macbeat mentioned errors that may occur with a cheaper one, so apparently multi-TT is the way to go

EDIT: didn't see the link from you macbeat. Got it now. Assuming that one works well for you with no MIDI problems? do you just have that connected and run all your USB ports through that?

That's exactly the one I have and I've been using it over a year without any problems. I've run all of my midi controllers, thumb drives and even an audio interface through it and it performed flawlessly.