USB/MIDI Hub recommendations.

scottm747

Hi ST3 users. I’m after recommendations for hubs to send midi and audio data while using ST3 (soon to be 4).

My current setup is ST3 running on an iPad Air 5th gen, connected with an apple lightning usb c cable to a usb c powered hub under my board. This enables iPad charging. From there I have 3 USB A outputs, one to the desk for the 8 track audio, one connected to my midi baby for stop start and song changes, and one for midi data to my fractal which daisy chains to my band mate. We use midi for everything, preset changes, scene changes, boss VE500 vocal pedal control and finally lights. It’s awesome and worked flawlessly……….until a few weeks ago. Thankfully the last gig we lost our midi data intermittently but never the audio so it was salvageable with some tap dancing. We’ve tried different midi cables but wasn’t a fix.

It could be a coincidence but it’s only occurred since I updated to iOS 26. I’m after recommendations for a robust midi/usb hub that would work for the above use. Happy to spend a bit and it would need to fit under my rockboard. Not interested in going wireless/bluetooth, has to be wired.

Looking forward to hearing how you guys run your shows!

TimRyland

scottm747 , Ithink that iPados26 has caused lots of problems. Since I updated, whenever I try to connect items via Bluetooth, i.e chocolate Pedal, WIDI Jack, Flic Button, the Bluetooth audio becomes horribly distorted and unusable. I’ve gone back to using my iPad 5th gen on ios 16 to solve it.

MusicMan81

scottm747

I use

CME WIDI Thru6 BT 60€
+
CME U2 MIDI Pro. 18€

and works flawlessly! you connect the U2 from he powered hub, to the midi input in the Thru6 BT, and can run 5 Midi Out Thru and 1 Midi Bluetooth wireless, and I haven’t had a single problem.

Vedeja

I have a similar setup but need only 2 USB A ports, so it won’t do you any good. But quality wise, the brand has been reliable in my case:

https://www.amazon.se/dp/B0D1XLNWP2?ref_=pe_151259441_1319653191_t_fed_asin_title

A feature I don’t use but tested once is the HDMI which allows for an external screen to be used with ST.

I’m on iPadOS 26 but have had no problems. Usb cables are kept as short as possible.

DickyDutch

Vedeja Interestingly I’ve only just bought a ugreen revodok like the one you recommend and I’m very disappointed with it. Although it connects to my Bose T1 mixer it doesn’t want to know my FLOW8 - it just won’t connect - I’ve tried everything! I’ve also got another cheap hub that I bought from TEMU - that connects to the Flow 8 okay (providing I use very short cables) but it won’t charge my iPad. I’m still looking for a solution!

AnthonyB

In my experience when buying non-genuine Apple adapters/hubs (which I never do), it will always be luck of the draw and that paying more doesn't always increase the likelihood of success.

I've been using this $10 adapter for close to 2 years - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BZRYQJV4 - it is Lightning to 1xLightning (for power)+ 2xUSB-A (audio and MIDI). I haven't needed more USB connection points to necessitate going up to a USB Hub yet.
The only issue I sometimes run into is that Stage Traxx sometimes doesn't 'see' my Behringer X32 mixer interface. I suspect it is just USB detection logic failing as it is always resolved by unplugging everything, then re-plug each cable one at a time.

For the iPad I run Stage Cue on and need HDMI output, another cheap $10 adapter - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DJMCSKZY - that is Lightning to 1xLightning (power), 1xHDMI (video), 1xUSB (unused in my setup).

AnthonyB

AnthonyB ...and in-between, lots of CME WIDI gear.

CME H4MIDI WC + WIDI Core chip is connected to ST Host iPad.
From there wired MIDI connection to my Behringer X32 mixer and wireless connections to guitar/bass multi-effects and Roland SPD-SX trigger pad via CME WIDI Master or WIDI Jack on those end devices.

scottm747

MusicMan81 what powered hub do you use out of interest? Seems the be the weak link in my setup.

scottm747

AnthonyB do you find the wireless midi reliable enough?

AnthonyB

scottm747 do you find the wireless midi reliable enough?

100% reliable.
I have a guitarist that was even a hold-out and I had a 20m MIDI cable running all the way to his effects unit on stage. Even he, after 6 months of no issue with everyone else's wireless MIDI, had to admit it was solid and green-lit me buying him a WIDI Jack when they were next on sale 🙂

The only issue I've ever had was entirely user error. Another guitarist got to a gig and as we readied for sound check he pointed out that his effects unit wasn't receiving any MIDI events.
Naturally, my first question was "have you made any changes to the Helix config or settings or to the device in general?"
Unsurprisingly, the response I got was "No!"
Naturally, I didn't believe him...
He was using a WIDI Jack on his Helix. For reasons I still don't understand, he had taken the WIDI Jack out of his Helix at the end of the previous rehearsal and at sound check plugged them in to the wrong ports (switching In and Out)...

But the technology itself, every gig and rehearsal, it just powers up and establishes connection in the same way you just naturally assume your phone will connect to your home WiFi when you turn it on.

scottm747

AnthonyB many thanks for the feedback mate, I’m going to take a look! Cheers

AnthonyB

scottm747 I feel like I should ask CME for some affiliate links and sponsorship given the amount of positive publicity and active case study I provide 😛

Also, their support is nothing short of superb. I was quite nervous about trying it out, and so I architected up a solution in PowerPoint with lots of detail on what was connecting to what, and what was doing what, and sent it over to them to 'validate'. Within hours they had made some tweaks to my PowerPoint file and sent it back. I literally bought everything on Amazon the next day.

There is also a brilliant Facebook group that the CME guys are very active in - https://www.facebook.com/groups/cmeprofans