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Looking for a usb-c hub with long (ish) lead
I’ve just pulled the trigger on a 1st gen pro 11 and was looking for a hub but can’t help noticing that they all have pathetically short cables. This is ok with a normal usb as they would then be further extended via the CCK. No luck here!
Looking to spend around £10-£15 or dollar equivalent. 20cm perhaps? Thanks
Comments
You won’t find one, and ones that have a jack instead of a fixed lead are unicorns. Best solution I’ve found are extension cables.
Thanks @Liquidmantis I guess I’m just going to get an extension then. In which case I’ll probably get an adapter from my existing usb hub to usb c that might act as one, unless usb C is not backwards compatible with older usb? Mmmmm, that would definitely be the easiest.
So I’d basically be only replacing the CCk with this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Converting-Thunderbolt-Compatible-Support/dp/B077FY7831/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=usb+to+usb-c+adapter&qid=1604917099&sr=8-7
@supadom The trouble with that USB-C to USB-B adapter is that there's no provision for Power Delivery. So you're always balancing on the edge of running out of battery.
Ah ok. Because the only reason I’m upgrading from pro 10.5 to 11 is the fact that apparently usb C outputs more power to connected devices.
Maybe I should get all usb C set up then.
It's a bit of a "fresh start" pain, as is losing the ad hoc convenience of the built-in 1/8" headphone jack, but overall the all USB-C set is worthwhile.
I've tried several USB-C hubs, and while my favorite isn't available now, my personal preference is for one that does NOT have the built-in 1/8" jack, but has two USB-C inputs, as well as an assortment of USB 3 and USB 2 type A USB ports. The reason I don't like the 1/8" jack is when the hub is connected, the 1/8" becomes the audio device, regardless of whether or not you have anything inserted into the jack. Of the two USB-C ports, one is just for power delivery, but the other is a USB-C host port. So I just use the Apple USB-C to 1/8" adapter to either use headphones direct to the iPad, or the same phones through the hub if I want charging or other devices.
The power from the USB-C iPad is nice, as it does end up offering more options for running things without a powered hub.
I got the Kingston Nucleum hub and an extension cable from Amazon. Works great.
Maybe I should clarify. USB-C Power Delivery is the ability to charge the iPad over the connector, while transmitting data and power to connected devices. We had this ability with the current Lightning Camera Adapter, which has a Lightning power connector alongside the USB connector. Some USB-C hubs, but not all, include this capability. I suspect they're oriented to laptops with separate power bricks, not our one-connector iPads. If you're focused on mobility, I guess it's no problem. For me, the battery always seems to run down at inconvenient moments, so being able to plug in is valuable.
So I bought a cheap 4 port usb c hub and an a 20cm extension for the ridiculously short cable.
Now it occurred to me that if usb c iPads send more energy out i might need to keep it topped up! Any ideas for a CCK3 replacement?
....or should I have bought a powered hub instead?
I looked for a usb c y-type spitter but they all have headphone adapter in the name despite not having a 3.5mm Jack in on them. I’m proper confused.
I guess you were trying to explain it to me in your last post! @uncledave sorry for being dumb. I’m an expert in lighting hubs I promise!
I guess another question might be:
If I connect a power bank to one of the USB ports on the hub will it power the iPad?
Sorry, it’s all theoretical work for me at the moment as my 11” pro is due this Tuesday.
This looks like something that might do the trick
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LENTION-5Port-USB-C-Hub-Thunderbolt-to-USB-3-0-Power-Adapter-for-MacBook-Samsung-/372841668282?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
No. That's the problem. The hub needs to have a separate power input port, and support "USB Power Delivery"; that's not just words, it's a specification. USB-C is quite a lot more complicated than Lightning or USB 3.0; see Wikipedia for all the details.
This might work. The picture shows a "Charging" port. But it's not mentioned in the description. I'd want to see the full manufacturer's specs, and confirm the words "Power Delivery" appeared. Still, it might be worth a punt.
So all the bits have arrived now. iPad Pro 11 and the cheap hub that I’ve noticed has a power barrel socket but unfortunately it doesn’t send any power to the iPad.
Still, everything seems to be working and unlike 10.5’ I’m getting enough juice to everything connected:
Novation launchkey
Korg nanokontrol
Actition foot pedal
and
Zoom U-24 audio/midi interface
It is actually quite amazing that all of this is able to run off power provided by the iPad. I’m quite impressed but expect the battery going down like crazy. The time will tell I guess.
The hub’s cable is short and chunky so not ideal but I managed to make it work...just. It was only £5.99 so I shall not complain
I definitely recommend finding something with “Power delivery” to keep the iPad charged. It will have a USB-C port that is dedicated for power input to charge the host. Should work with a battery pack if you are off-grid.
And yeah, I feel your pain about the short cables. I ended up staying with my 2017 Pro, but I was researching USB-C hubs at one point and frustrated by the lack of longer cable options.
https://www.amazon.com.au/LENTION-Charging-Compatible-2020-2016-ChromeBook/dp/B087JMGSL2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=LENTION+3.3FT+Long+Cable+USB+C+Hub+with+4K+HDMI,+2+USB+3.0,+Card+Reader,+Aux,+Type+C+Data/&qid=1605578129&s=electronics&sr=1-1
This is what I have and working well with 3.3ft cable, audio out and power delivery. Works with Anker battery pack. With many peripherals attached I also use my laptop charger for extra juice if required.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pWCnh11u5aG3MTfz6
That's a good find and liking your 'rig-work'. Amazing to think with all the innovation going on that only one manufacturer came up with "hey, why don't we make the cable longer?" @supadom, would that one do it for you?
EDIT: found a nice pink one for you
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LENTION-Multiport-Charging-Adapter-Compatible-Rose-Gold/dp/B07VL1J4CD
Actually, that looks very much like the ebay one you originally posted, just £30 more for a longer cable... ouch.
EDIT 2:
That's the 3ft boy, £30:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LENTION-Multiport-USB-C-Hub-to-USB-3-0-HDMI-Digital-AV-Adapter-for-MacBook-Pro/373105131592?hash=item56decc8048:g:nMIAAOSwgD9fAcE5
I think it will depend on how much you want to resolve the power issues, if any. The flaky power from the lightning connector has been my major issue since day one. I guess it’s no biggie if you only have one reasonably light controller connected and the interface has its own power supply. I have 3 low power controllers and zoom u24 with its own adapter. This would work most of the time but for some reason it would occasionally drop the amps and I’d be getting all sorts of errors with some controllers not responding or u24 disconnecting to that familiar feedback from internal speakers.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m ready to accomodate the short and chubby cable if it sorts out the power headaches as they’ve been bugging me for years.
Funniest of all. I never jam away from the power socket! Still even at home, with powered hubs and powered interface both connected to Apple original fast chargers I’d still get occasional power drops. Hopefully no more
.
I’ve put my hub vertically now and it isn’t that bad. I might tape it so it always stays at that angle!!! 😂😂
Ha @steve99 just when one thinks he’s done with dongles and cables there’s another one on the horizon!
TBH I think I just stick with what I have. £30 sounds steep for a cheap and cheerful kind of guy like me. It’s only my first day with the new (to me) pro 11 and I’m already contemplating getting the 2020 version (6GB ram!) if one crops up at a right price so might have to hold my horses on splashing out too much on fancy dongles.
Thanks for the links though
My 2020 11” pro arrived today so this thread was really helpful. Thanks.
@supadom Thanks for sharing your setup pic. Those types of pictures make me feel like there are other people in the world like me lol!!
Haha, yes, more freaks than you can imagine. I’m at v10 of my live rig. The first one was with Behringer UCA 222, mpk mini and an e pad for triggering impaktor (in my profile pic). Then I’ve moved onto a double mpk mini with Akai EIE after that. It sure has been a journey and I often wonder whether I spent more time building live rigs or playing music! 🤣🤣
@supadom > I often wonder whether I spent more time building live rigs or playing music! 🤣🤣
yes, this is me for sure. I like to build rigs but spend more time coding solutions to compose music without having to play an instrument. If I had spent the same time learning the piano I'd be classical concert level for sure I reckon!!! But I guess we just have to go with where the charm is...
Wow, that’s one powerful machine! Go 6Gb ram!
This is my 10.5 and the new 11 side by side running the same Audiobus session. The cpu is clearly relaxed on both but ram is up there at 90% on both which tells me I should have gone for the 2020 version.