Multiple audio noises even when mixer faders are down
Hi from Keith. My MBox 2 Mini does weird things to my gear! I use a Toshiba Satellite Pro laptop, which connects via USB to the MBox. MBox stereo analog outputs in the back go to a Behringer mixer. Laptop internal audio goes to the same mixer on two different channels - I have also tried sending the laptop audio to a separate Yamaha mixer which has the Behringer as a sub.
Problem: loud splutter and pops, a steady whine at 1,000Hz, another steady whine (occasionally) at about 1,400Hz. Sometimes the whines are not there, then they start for no reason even when the equipment is not in use but just idling. It is not mains "ripple", which occurs at set times and goes away after a while - these two whines can stay for hours.
Now, the plot thickens here. The sputtering comes through both the computer audio AND the MBox audio. Turning down the comp audio or the MBox audio just lessens the noise. What's more, the sputtering and the 1,000Hz whine SOMETIMES gets softer when I turn UP the left computer audio to about mid-way, but that increases the other whine - and with the MBox channels down or muted the whine and sometimes the sputtering gets louder - and that's with the computer audio actually unplugged! When I unplug the MBox leads from the mixer, the whines and sputtering in the computer audio stop. When I unplug the USB, the whines and sputtering in the computer audio stop. I have new leads, all mains power comes from a single power point, and I've tried other audio leads. Also, I cannot get analog audio into the MBox through the right-hand stereo jack, on any button setting, but the XLR works fine. Oh, one other thing. The system crackles a little a bit when I move the USB connector in the computer.
Phew! Any help? Thanks!
I have another solution for my own problem! I installed an isolating transformer ahead of my main power buss into the control room - NOISE GONE! Looks like earthing was the problem indeed. My studio is on reclaimed land and there might be a mians earth problem. Thanks guys, you are awesome! :-)
I have another solution for my own problem! I installed an isolating
transformer ahead of my main power buss into the control room - NOISE
GONE! Looks like earthing was the problem indeed. My studio is on
reclaimed land and there might be a mians earth problem. Thanks guys,
you are awesome! :-)
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Re: Multiple audio noises even when mixer faders are down
Dude, invest (very good investment for use of DAW) in an apple computer and go to ramjet.com and add additional RAM and you will have absolutely no more problems to ask help again!
Re: Multiple audio noises even when mixer faders are down
100% raidiation problem!
it was wid my denon protech also,
see if earthing is correct for all gears,
try keeping an equidistance of 10"inches between each gadets
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mixer faders can get dust in them , this is why its so important to keep them clean , cleaning them out is a bit messy , as one needs to hold it upside down and spray contact cleaner down in the slot (lots) till it runs out clean/clear while moving fader up/down , of course having it unpowered at this time is correct , allow it to completely dry out before repowering
Your fader seems to be dirty.
Spray in some WD-40 or such (according where you live).
Do NOT use "contact cleaner" spray ! That will dry up the carbon tracks.
Peace
Assuming you are on a Windows system, go to Control panel/Sounds and devices/ and check that the Mbox2 appears as the default in the Audio and also Voice tabs/panes while unit is connected. If it is not, select it in each... if it is not in the list offered, then the drivers have not been installed for the Mbox.
The mbox mini is usb powered, wont work without power so your mac or pc must be powered on and connected. The blue led will be on when powered. Assuming you have the the appropriate cables, you want to make sure the condenser is plugged into the Mic/Line input. (Input 1 on the back of the mbox mini). All condenser mics require phantom power, so engage the +48V switch. Also make sure the DI (direct input) switch is not engaged. The input gain control is located on the front of the mbox... There needs to be speakers connected to the 1/4 output jacks on the back of the mbox or headphones on the front for sound output. Use the large knob for monitor volume control.
In protools:
Create a Stereo Master fader track
Create a mono audio track
Set the input of the mono audio track to Mic/Line 1
Arm the track for record (click & make sure the R is red)
You should getting levels and sound output from your condenser.
unfortunately any pro tools application below version 7.4.2 is not compatible with leopard and I don't think you can use mbox 1 with the universal mac I may be wrong but I wanna say I tried a while back and even garageband wouldn't find it anymore but you can check for sure by going to the applications folder then open the utilities folder in there is an application called "Audio Midi Setup" and you can select the mbox in there if you see it but if not there is no patch or driver that I know of to get it working unless you upgrade pro tools which if you do upgrade I suggest getting mbox 2 and getting LE with it
If all other functions work for those channels, the most likely problem is the fader itself. These can fail and operate more like switches rather than faders. Without witnessing the behavior, I can not state that for sure. While these mixers are not the hardest to work on, they are time consuming. The faders can be purchased from Mackie directly. If you need to have this repaired, any shop that repairs audio gear should be able to erpair this for you. Where are you located?
Double check and Ensure your headphones work.
Ensure that the master level is turned all the way to the right (Playback). I would also check that the main audio out of the Mbox is functioning so use two TRS 1/4" [balanced] cables to and amp and speakers to ensure master output jacks give you the same result. If they do chances are the Mbox is bad, if not it could be just the headphone preamp is bad
what you are hearing is latency(delay) in the electronics, software, and maybe your computer is producing some problems also. Have you tried to monitor yourself direct from a mixer before you feed the signal into the MBox.
I have another solution for my own problem! I installed an isolating
transformer ahead of my main power buss into the control room - NOISE
GONE! Looks like earthing was the problem indeed. My studio is on
reclaimed land and there might be a mians earth problem. Thanks guys,
you are awesome! :-)
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