I use the USB hub but my external hard drives are firewire. I like the fact that it can clip onto the stand. I wouldn't think it would be a problem but if I were you, I'd try to download the manual or some kind of info about the hard drive and see what (if anything) is says about plugging it into a hub as opposed to directly into the laptop.

Dont think that drive will work. Most of the time when you are using a drive that is bus powered (pulls power from the PC) the hub will need to be powered for it to work properly.

This isnt 100% true but is a good rule to stick to.

"Either the Hub or the Drive needs to be powered, your computer wont power both of them."

got it thx again

We've been using it here with our tech gear. It has worked fine when we needed it. Having multiple devices plugged in didn't cause any midi control issues. So far so good :)

For a harddrive, I put some industrial strengh Velcro on my 2.5" external and the back of my MacBook pro. Never need a place to put my harddrive anymore...

Chad what devices do u have plugged in to your hub?

It varies from time to time. Right now, nothing but it's sitting there ready to be used.

I think he really wants to know if you have had an external hard drive plugged in to it with out it having to be powered by a source other than the hub itself.

hmmm. Not that I recall. Basically we were testing multiple midi devices and seeing if you they conflicted with each other.

Thanks for the 411 guys. Going to just pick up a powered hub.

the wise move,

I thought crane were all about quality, why not offer powered with an adapter that you could buy sepretaly and use it powered or non powered,

just crane trying to cash in on the dumb folk

well for someone like me who uses firewire hubs and sometimes several other midi devices, I don't always need a powered hub so why pay more money for something I don't need and have one more thing to carry and keep track of? (the big wall wart adapter)

Also, using the Crane stand, I like the fact that the hub can just clip pretty much anywhere on the stand I want it to.

I think the best move he could have made would be to download some free info on the drive and do a little bit of research to find out weather it could work off of a hub... if so, he could have gotten the Crane hub which he was obviously interested in and saved a little money.

Wiz, ill look into the specs and see if it will work. But I think a powered hub would be better anyways

you're probably right and it's usually better safe than sorry but it's worth looking into.
Also, why not go with a firewire hub? (unless your laptop doesn't have FW)

that's kind of a dumb statement - just because it's not powered doesn't mean it's not quality. Powered hubs are useful for some things, but you don't really need if for djing needs unless you're running a bus-powered HD off it. If you're running midi controllers or powered HDs - a powered hub is unnecessary.

Besides, the only time you really need a powered hub is for macbooks which only have 2 USB ports - if you're going external harddrive on a mac, there's no reason you shouldn't be on Firewire or Thuderbolt - it's better for serato anyway...

here is a better one then the crane, half the prie and the option to power it if you want,
www.pcwisemalta.com

i'm not going to get into this, if you cannot see the advantages of the powered one then lets just leave it at that and watch for a support thread on why your getting dropouts when you try adding usb sticks and non powered devices to your non powered hub

This lil guy is virtually indestructable. Ive dropped it down stairs, ive sat on it in my bag by accident. Stepped on it once after dropping it. I pretty much treat it like shit.

Can be bus powered or wired. If i dont plug it in, my usb drive dont connect. Midi is fine tho.

www.google.com

i don't think anyone said anything about using a non-powered hub with non-powered storage devices. Just that some people don't need powered hubs for the devices they do choose to use (like midi controllers).

If you need to run a non-powered harddrive on a hub, then it's pretty much consensus that you need to be running a powered hub.

Hey guys,

We are currently working on a powered HUB with MASSIVE specs! We put the USB2.0 hub out in order to continue our mission to clean up and add efficiency to a DJ's work space. It will not work for everyone and that is okay. The new hub that we have coming will also be double the price. Like any gear you need to test it before you take it out. I tried my old Trigger-Finger (very power hungry) and it didn't work. In fact, I tried it without the hub and it did not work due to the power available from my laptop by itself. I tried it with a powered hub and it worked. Most of the older devices may have trouble. Some of the less expensive machines out there may have trouble. They new hub that is currently getting tooled up and is on the way will have the following specs (can still improve if needed, so let us know ASAP):

Introduction:
This is a USB 3.0 Super Speed 4 Ports HUB designed for connecting seven USB devices from a host computer or another hub. It can work on Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2003/2000/ME, Mac OS X and various Linux kernels without additional driver.

Features:
1.Compliant with USB3.0,backward compatible with USB2.0/1.1
2.Support the following speed data rate :
Low-speed(1.5Mbps)/Full-speed(12Mbps)/High-speed(480Mbps) /Super-speed(5Gbps)
3.Plug-and-play
4.Each USB port has a power switch
5.One upstream to connect with USB3.0 host,four downstream to connect with USB3.0 device.
6.Power: Input: AC 100~240V, 50-60Hz
7.Output: DC 5V 2A
8.Support Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2003/2000/ME, Mac OS X and various Linux kernels

Again, this hub will be overkill for a lot of people. For the people that need it, it will kick ass. It will also clip to the Crane Stand Pro and Standard. For the people that do not need the monster, pick up the USB2.0. If it does not work for you, call us up and we will take it back with no questions asked.

i still have lots of problems when at the club we need to plug 2 usb HD plus Kontrol x1.
if we are playing with 1 hd + Kx1 and arrives the other dj and needs to plug his hard drive all systems fails. music stops (serato) because it apparentely eject the other hard drive and also the x1. and we need to restart to restart Kx1.
i ve tested 4 Hubs power plugged and always the same. (Macbook white), and several hard drives. (portable).
any suggestions? or anyone had this problem?
not even dropouts. it simply ejects for a moment the other hd.
thanks. j.

Getting into VSL with MBP 13.3 2010 dual, I'm looking at the idea of a powered firewire splitter over USB 2.0. I use external firewire hard drive for audio but now adding other hardware in the future Is this a better option then powered usb hub? I use usb to run SL3

If so could you suggest product?

Cheers,
Matt

that would be pointless since you'd still be running at USB 2.0 speeds.

What's the status of this powered hub? Is it released yet or still in the testing phase?? I'm in the market for a small powered hub to run 2 pios in HID and a denon DN-HC1000s... Thanks

This is not yet released:

imageshack.us

Serato heads only. Please don't blast it.

This new hub is literally the shit. For 20 bucks, you can power your great aunt's life support. We are really stoked to get them and they will kill any hub out there. The power supply on this bad buoy is pretty much off the charts. It should be in all the stores by November. We are also working on another one as well, but I guess people do not care too much about 3.0?

Oh, btw, this is 2.0

also, that is the new Crane Stand Plus in white. Basically a Crane Stand Pro for 90 bucks. Again, please don't blast.

Looks great, I'm deffo going to try one of these if I can get hold of one, UK availability? I've gone through at least 3 hubs in just over a year, d-link powered which are meant to be pretty good, but always fail at some stage.

i can vouch for it

Thank you Crane... Looking forward to the release..

is it MTT?

again....

changing the game

Curious why no one is asking about the new Crane Stand Plus...

Red, I need to check. I think no. We have a USB 3.0 that we are working on that is going to be more in the 40-50 price range. This hub is primarily centered on power supply. From what we have seen out there, you cannot find a powered USB 2.0 Hub for under $30. Let along one that keeps wires tight and clips to most anything.

What's up with the Center Stage?

+1

are they available in the UK / at all ?

Yep, uk availability please!

@thecranestand , what's the story on the crane stand plus?

Crane Stand, any updates? I need a new powered USB hub and the pic of the plus stand is gone, but may be interested in that also, as I am looking for a white stand similar to the Pro.

crane plus.
nuff said......