usb splitter?

[ecc83]

I know what a usb hub is but is there (can there be?) a device that splits a usb DEVICE e.g. interface, so that it can be used on two computers?
N.B. If not, and one of you invents one, I want Royalties (1/2 to forum).

Dave.

[GB_Joe]

Well, I've never heard of such a thing, so it can't possibly exist...;)

I'm guessing you want to use an audio interface on two computers simultaneously? Anything else, you can hot-swap the cable in a jiffy anyway, so I doubt if anyone would be too fussed. For some reason I've got a hunch that that wouldn't work, but I'm not sure why...

Actually, I'm not being much help am I? Sorry!

[ecc83]

ACTuallly! Joe you're right. I want to
share my BCA2000. Hot swaping is not an option. 1, it is dead fussy and would probably crash the pc or not work. 2, remote pc could be a wall away.
I have the two p2p2 networked which is "sort of" good. I tried loading the drivers on the remote pc a, la, a printer (which shares fine) but no go.
Just being tight, I should buy two. Nah, I just enjoy tinkering, my son is the musician and berates me for changing things!
Rock on
Dave.

[GB_Joe]

I think you'll be needing someone who has a much deeper grasp of the workings of USB to help you here...

However, considering how slow printers tend to be when accessed via another PC, and how hard you have to work to get just a single DAW PC working glitch-free, I would think that trying to operate an audio interface in such a manner is probably opening yourself up to what might be referred to as "a whole world of pain"...

[oretez]

oddly enough I've never seen this done, but theoretically it should be possible

catagory to search would be 'repeater' .. . and there are commercially available distribution (typically via CAT 5(or 6) cable) 'repeaters' . . . then tend to be 'not cheap'

whether an active (vs. passive) extender would accomplish same task I'm not sure but I did a quick search (and couldn't find manufacturer I remembered seeing at some point) for a not excessively expense extender/repeater that I thought would take usb input at computer 'A' and repeat it to computer 'B'

I remember device (basically a cable with an 'active' node at one end) being in the $24 range

now that you brought it I'll probably have to reseach more thoroughly

[ecc83]

Thanks oretez. That will be £50.00 over here so I am a third of the way to another usb interface. As an inverterate tinkerer I am fascinated by the whole idea of running my rig from one pc. I have investigated remote desktop,VNC,midi over ethernet, can't get any of the buggers to work. Hey Joe! The speed would not be an issue. I can send a 10M .wav file in a blink so how long would a "record" button push take?
Please chaps, don't expend any energy or time on this. I am semi-retired, I do not want to waste others lives! One thing which did work fine; I made up a 5mtr monitor extension using 2X Cat6 cable(I have shedloads) plugged a screen in a room away and hacked away merrilly with a wireless kbd and mouse. Next I shall make a vga to RJ45 adapter (2off) so I can send it thru' walls.
Rock on
Dave

[GB_Joe]

More than a third of the way - I had a quick look on ebay, a BCA2000 went about a week ago for £68 inc. postage!

You're not kidding about the tinkering, are you?!? I would've thought that the VNC\Remote idea would be the best approach for this. When I said about speed, I'm talking about the classic DAW latency issues, you need to have record and playback very closely synced if it's going to be usable. You can wait a second for the thing to respond to transport controls, sure, but you need to be able to play in time with what's already recorded.

Don't worry about me wasting my time though - I'm supposed to be working on something entirely different, so I'm here procrastinating...:rolleyes:

[ecc83]

I am suprised it made that much. Their infamy proceeds them. To be fair the BCA is V good value for money, even at £150.00, The problem is with the drivers and the fact that Behringer don't know jack about interfacing gear with pc's.(or interfacing with anyone else for that matter) If anyone out there has one I will peronally talk them thru' it. If you are looking to buy one you will need a 2G or better pc and 1G ram. That said the mic amps are very good, independant 48v, Useful noise gate, limiter, H Z in, 2 independant headphone feeds, MIDI in/out/thru' Not bad.
As I said I like hardware and fiddling with things but software drives me mad. Mostly it does not work for me. E.g. I found a site with a service manual free for my Sony Mdisc recorder. Saved, whacked onto other pc, tried to open,jack, Works won't,Open Office won't. Ah it's a RAR file (yeah me neither!) Found a free dld, installed. The bloody thing has smarmed all over my files but STILL won't open the manual!
Old engineers don't fade away, they just tap&die.
Dave.

[itsplayed]

It can be done and the device does exist......
http://www.usbgear.com/USB20_4port_SHARING_Hub/index.html

[ecc83]

I've just had a naughty thought. If you can get a widget that shares a USB DEVICE on two pc's. Where does that leave dongles?????

Dave

[itsplayed]

Dongles are a different matter. It's bad enough configuring it for one PC(especially if it's being shared by more than one piece of software) never mind for two, I wouldn't even go there.....they suck!