Using a USB hard drive and a USB interface?

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JG96

JG96

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Hi Everyone. I was wondering if its OK to record from a USB interface to a USB hardrive. I am currently running a Tascam US-1800 into a 2013 macbook pro with Logic 9 (which became outdated today:cursing:) I like to record straight to my G-drive slim external hard drive. Could this cause problems such as latency and dropouts?
 
It shouldn't if it's a USB 3.0 hard drive. Even 2.0 may be okay, but I think it depends.

I dunno, I know 3.0 is plenty fast enough for it, so as long as the drive is 3.0, you're fine.
 
In my experience, it does not work so well, if USB interface and USB HDD are using the same USB controller. If you have a USB 3.0 port, then run one or the other from it. I had to purchase a PCIe USB 3.0 card ($20) for one of my old Dell desktops, in order to run both. Though I have no clue as to how a MAC runs things.

Tascam US 1800 is exactly the unit I had issues with, when running a HDD with the same port. Audio would drop out and GUI performance would get 'choppy' while trying to use them together. Once the new controller was installed, there was no bottleneck or delayed response regarding audio dropouts. I am not sure latency has anything to do with it. That has more to do with processor speed as far as I know.
 
Hmm. Yeah the drive is usb 3.0 the interface is not. I may just have to record to the laptop and then transfer after the fact.
 
So, is your external drive only USB? Both of my external drives have both USB and Firewire outputs. Thunderbolt with/Firewire adapter could likely solve the issue.
 
Hi JG96,

I have a 6 year old MacBook Pro at home that only has USB 2.0 a USB Interface and External Sata HD connected via USB and I never had a problem recording directly to the HD.
I record using Cubase (obviously). I had to do this because I ran out of space on my local HD do to the big libraries of different virtual instruments.
In my case it runs just fine just remember to repair permissions every now and then and you should be fine, specially with USB 3.0 on a newer Mac.

Best regards,
GN
 
I was doing the same thing with the same gear and no issues, but had only started with 2 tracks, no effects/plugs. So does this issue show up right away or will it show up after more tracks and plugs are in use?

add i3 Toshiba Satellite laptop 4g and 500g, Tascam 1641, Reaper, USB 2.0
 
All I know is that I ran into big issues with the Tascam US1641, Barracuda 7200 1TB external drive, Windows7 on a Dell desktop. Adding a PCIe USB 3.0 card solved all of the issues. I was running 40+ track projects with EZD and Steven Slate Trigger at the time. Not sure how that works with other systems. It could just have to do with any particular MOBO and it's USB abilities. I really do not know for sure. Just sharing what worked in my situation.
 
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thanks....
don't mean to interrupt the thread....but its so close to my system and situation too.
the work around is good help, but I was just starting, and would hate to have USB issues in the middle of it.

i had to add a mouse in a usb port too because the laptop finger pad isnt cutting it...so three things on the USB 2.0. hmmm...??
 
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