why are my tracks skipping when i'm mixing?

Okay. I have everything set up.

I just purchased the Vestax VCI-100 and I'm using Tracktor 3 LE.
I'm running on 15# MacBook Pro with an Intel Core Duo 2.16 GHz, 1 GB of Memory at a bus speed of 667 MHz.
I'm using an M-Audio FastTrack Pro for an audio interface.

Since the MacBook only has 2 USB 2.0 ports (and M-Audio says that only the LEFT side is compatible with their interface), I'm forced to use a hub on the right side to connect the VCI-100 and my external hard drive where I store all my music. (both are USB 2.0) ...... yet, I saved a few tracks to my hard drive and just tried mixing with those, and they're STILL skipping (flipping a few beat back, stalling, etc.) .... so that is definately not the problem!

When I start mixing 2 tracks, one or both of them start skipping. I do not have the SYNC button pushed. Right when I get a good mix going, the tracks skip.

What could be causing this?

 

I actually spoke to someone at Native Instruments and they were quite helpful! I was beginning to lose faith!

They recommended that I turn up the latency rate by going to Prefernces --> Audio Setup --> Soundcard --> and I increased by Audio Latency to full blast .... 92.5 ms. (Before, it was at 40.5 ms.) But isn't this a little high?

 

that's definitely too high for your horsepower, but i assume it's the hub and a general issue with USB-power...

 

There seems to be no other way to run this entire setup (the audio interface, the external harddrive which holds all my music and the Vestax VCI-100) than with hubs since the 15" MacBook Pro only has 2 USB hubs ..... so you think it could be a power issue? I have yet to get the proper DC 9V adapter for both the soundcard and the VCI ... every place in NYC is sold out of them! But I'll look for them and get back to you and let you know how everything works ....

 

That *is* a /powered/ USB hub you are using, right? You need a USB hub that is able to power the A8DJ properly.

Alternatively you can try to hang the A8 directly on your macbook and everything else on the hub.

 

To IvanGuy

I had the exact same problem using a similar setup as you.

This solved it for me: download this PDF from the NI Support page:

http://www.native-instruments.com/fileadmin/redaktion_upload/pdf/NI_Hardware_Guide.pdf

You may need to sign up first but it's worth it.

The main thing that worked for me was disabling all network devices and AV software - I know that's scary but if you've disabled all your network devices including wireless adapter then you don't need to worry about connections from outside.

Hope it helps.