Firewire to USB hub

Question

Level 1

7 points

Firewire to USB hub

Hi there,

I have an older iMac that I make music on. Due to the number of midi devices connected to the computer, I need more high speed USB ports to run all of the devices with minimal latency.

My firewire port has sat there quite uselessly since purchasing the computer, and I was wondering if anyone can recommend a powered male firewire to female USB hub. I would assume that the firewire port can handle more data than a USB port, hence will avoid some of the latency/device recognition issues that I am having with my existing USB to USB hub (unpowered).

If anyone could offer some advice as to how I should negotiate this issue, I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks.

p.s. are there any issues with serial port selection when running such a hub through the firewire port?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Apr 15, 2013 5:11 AM

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Answer 1

WZZZ

Level 6

13,220 points

Apr 15, 2013 5:22 AM in response to p.m.o.

Firewire to USB adapter: there is no such animal for general use. I am seeing this, though

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-firewire-to-usb-adapter.htm

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Answer 2

varjak paw

Level 10

170,206 points

Apr 15, 2013 8:44 AM in response to p.m.o.

As WZZZ said, there are no such adapters now and never have been. The hubs referrred to in the article to which WZZZ posted are not converters; they're just separate Firewire and USB hubs in a single box sharing a single power supply (something may people, including purportedly knowledgable web sites, completely misundertstand). Otherwise the ports are complete separate, just as if you had separate hubs.

If you need more USB ports, then unless you have a Thunderbolt-equpped iMac, the only route is via a USB hub off your existing ports.

Regards.

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Answer 3

p.m.o. Author

Level 1

7 points

Apr 15, 2013 9:32 AM in response to WZZZ

So what's the solution?

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Answer 4

p.m.o. Author

Level 1

7 points

Apr 15, 2013 9:34 AM in response to p.m.o.

Will a powered USB hub solve my woes?

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Answer 5

Apr 15, 2013 9:49 AM in response to p.m.o.

You could go midi to FireWire.

Another possibility is to use a midi combiner. multiple midi inputs go in one midi output.

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Answer 6

p.m.o. Author

Level 1

7 points

Apr 17, 2013 4:28 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Unfortunately all the midi devices are midi over usb...

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Answer 7

Apr 17, 2013 5:07 AM in response to p.m.o.

Yes, a 7-Port Powered USB 2.0 Hub would be ideal. In the US, Amazon.com sells several at reasonable prices:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D2956536011&field-keywords=usb+ 2.0+hubs

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Answer 8

May 21, 2013 11:28 PM in response to p.m.o.

Hi, I am searching to find solutions for FW800 port and USB3.0 hard drives too.

And, I would highly recommand some HDD enclosure such as ORICO series or iPD-FU3.

The ORICO 7618SUS3 3.5" SATA HDD externel enclosure has 1394b(Fireware800)ports and eSATA ports, which can make the general HDDs connected to the FW port. Besides, it also supports USB3.0 port. Besides this product is really ‘tool free' for insert or pop your HDD.

May it help u

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Answer 9

MichelPM

Level 10

80,980 points

May 22, 2013 4:31 AM in response to p.m.o.

how about something like this

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=midiinterfaces

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