Presonus Audiobox USB - Noise, Hiss (Please Help)

  • Thread starter Thread starter joelsandberg
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joelsandberg

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I'm having this issue which is driving me crazy.
My Presonus Audiobox USB is giving me hell of a noise, hissing or whatever you call it. It completely ruins my recordings...

I was able to record the sound, would appreciate if you would take your time and listen, and come up with any ideas on what's causing this. I've heard of something called a ground loop caused by the powering of the Audiobox(?)

I have the same problem on boty my desktop pc and my laptop. Even when my laptop is running on battery only I have this problem. I'm recording my piano via the two inputs, note that the Audiobox gives me the noise even if nothing is plugged in.

(PS: Since I cant post links without making 10 entrys first, you have to copy and paste this in your browser, thank you for the trouble)
soundcloud.com/joelsandbergmusic/noise
 
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Hey Jo.
I've done a link for you, but apparently your track is set to private.
 
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Ok I heard it.

It sounds like the kind of interference that's pretty common on laptops with USB interfaces.

Can you hear noises when you move the mouse and click on things?

Does it go away when you completely unplug the mains adapter?

If that's what it is, it's a plague. :(
 
The thing is, I have the problem on my desktop computer also ):
Nothing happens when I move the mouse and click on things.

The mains adapter? Nothing happens when I run the laptop on battery, if that's what you mean?

Anyhow, this is indeed a plague ):
 
Ok, you did say that already, and I should have read it properly! :facepalm:


What's your output path? Perhaps you're picking up interference on the way out?


Try listening on headphones to see if it's still there.
 
I've tried both outputting to speakers and headphones. Several different headphones actually, still the same problem..
 
Dang. You're killing me here.

Ok, so on several computers you get the problem with only the audio box and headphones plugged in.

Does an input channel have to be armed to hear it, or is it just constant? (with the mixer knob set to playback)
 
What do you mean by armed? The noise is constant, wheter there's anything plugged in or not. Also, the volume of the noise increases as i turn the gain for the input up.
 
I mean if you set the knob to playback and boot your computer, do you hear the noise straight away,
or do you have to go into your recording software and enable a track for recording?
 
Steenamaroo said:
I mean if you set the knob to playback and boot your computer, do you hear the noise straight away,
or do you have to go into your recording software and enable a track for recording?
Click to expand...

oh yeah, I hear the noise when I set it to playback!
 
Yeah, switching the USB cable is about all I can think of, unless the unit itself is faulty.
 
Make sure your drivers are bang up to date and for the correct platform.

Short of that, all you can do is take the audiobox else where, like work/school/friend's house.

If the problem follows then I guess there's something wrong with the box?!
 
The drivers are up to date yes.
Ima try and see how it works elsewhere.

Have anyone else experienced this problem with the Audiobox?
 
Buzz Buzz Buzz

Sorry I've just found this thread but:-

I've been plagued with this since buying the audiobox 2 years ago. I've tried a few solutions suggested but have ended up working around the problem. I have had the box back to the shop for testing but they say they were unable to find a fault.

Since then I have been recording with the mic plugged into my piano and the piano inputting to the audiobox. That way my source volume is higher and I can keep the audiobox input gain set lower which reduces the volume of the buzz. I get some distortion from the piano amp so this is not ideal

-The buzz can be seen as "sound" on the volume bar of a recording track (even with nothing running and no inputs or outputs plugged in).
-With an input gain set to maximum the volume indicator for the track shows between a third and half volume.
-With the input gain set to half, the buzz is not apparent but the volume is too low to be of much use and upping the recorded volume in mixing magnifies the previously inaudible buzz.
-With my speakers turned on this sounds like a pulsing Buzz Buzz Buzz.
-Sometimes the buzz reduces when I touch the audiobox, suggesting a grounding issue, but not always.
-I've tried different Mics, although as I say the buzz happens without a mic.
-Moving the mic around the room seems to make it better or worse (or is that moving me around the room?)

My only solution so far is to have the input sound high enough so that I don't have turn the audiobox gain up beyond half way.

As an separate aside, I got rid of a different buzz by not having my dimmer switched lights turned on. dimmer switches are no good near recording.
 
Hey,
You'd probably be better starting your own thread but here goes.
You say you get this buzz even with no input cables plugged in? Ie. no mic or instrument?
You also say the techs at the shop found no fault with the unit?

That makes me think it's a problem with your cable, computer, or environment.
So, what do you do? Change those things.

Try a new cable, try a different computer and try a different room/house/power socket.

Are you using a laptop? These things are pretty common on laptops. A quick test is to completely unplug the laptop power supply and run on battery.
 
Thanks, that was quick.
After reading about earth lifters I have just temporarily disconnected the earth as a test, but absolutely no difference.

I did buy new cables - no difference but it "buzzes" on the screen without any connections at all other than its own power cable.

I haven't tried another computer (I am using a desktop PC not a laptop)

I've tried other sockets.

I'll try setting up a laptop, not sure if my studio one artist is licensed for more that one machine.
Cheers.
 
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