protools mbox noise

[jmorris]

I have an mbox2 factory. Issue is there is a wicked noise when connecting to monitors via 1/4' output (trs). Oddly it is fine with headphones from headphone jack. But, if I go out from headphone jack with single stereo trs to dual mono trs to monitors, same noise. Anyclues? Audio runs fine.

 

[Grungeon]

I have an mbox2 factory. Issue is there is a wicked noise when connecting to monitors via 1/4' output (trs). Oddly it is fine with headphones from headphone jack. But, if I go out from headphone jack with single stereo trs to dual mono trs to monitors, same noise. Anyclues? Audio runs fine.

Here are some things you can try:
*Connect the headphones to the trs outputs. If there's no noise, then it might rule out the mbox2 as the source of noise.

*Try the monitors with a different sound card.

*Try the RightMark Audio Analyser test.

 

[jmorris]

I also have sonar on this laptop and mackie onyx drivers for my remote 16 channel mackie onyx mixer along with drivers for motu 2408 that I use with sonar.. Conflics? I have a lot of experience with sonar but this is my first time with protools. I bought the mbox to be able to have a very light and portable recording setup for doing video and 2 track(stereo) of audio then sync them together.

 

[philbagg]

I also have sonar on this laptop and mackie onyx drivers for my remote 16 channel mackie onyx mixer along with drivers for motu 2408 that I use with sonar.. Conflics? I have a lot of experience with sonar but this is my first time with protools. I bought the mbox to be able to have a very light and portable recording setup for doing video and 2 track(stereo) of audio then sync them together.

I know this is an old thread, but just wanted to post a fix for this problem.

The USB cable you get with the MBox is just your typical run-of-the-mill cable,
cheap enough. It would be ideal if it ran off FireWire like most interfaces, but
they chose USB. One thing Digi don't tell you is that if you use this USB cable,
it's going to give you noise, and a really annoying 1kHz (approx) tone. So, you
gotta splash out and buy a really good USB cable.

I got a "monster" USB cable the other day, fixed the problem immediately.
The only further problem I have now is that hiss from the cables, because
the Mbox2 doesn't have balanced monitor outputs, which it really should for
an interface of its' price. However, I can live with it.

 

[pezking]

Whilst I'm not disputing your experience, I can say that I have used literally dozens of Mboxs with their original cables and they have all been absolutely fine.

Perhaps there were a dodgy batch of cables which went out, or unfortunately you got a duff one. Either way I wouldn't say it's endemic.

On the other hand I've seen many Mboxs cease to work when used with any average cable (like the one which came with a printer for example).

 

[philbagg]

Whilst I'm not disputing your experience, I can say that I have used literally dozens of Mboxs with their original cables and they have all been absolutely fine.

Perhaps there were a dodgy batch of cables which went out, or unfortunately you got a duff one. Either way I wouldn't say it's endemic.

On the other hand I've seen many Mboxs cease to work when used with any average cable (like the one which came with a printer for example).

Judging by the amount of Digi-based forums (and other audio forums) that have
threads about the problem, it seems pretty common to me. The problem lies
only with the monitor outputs. The headphone outputs are fine. I've swapped
the original USB cable out with a few others in the house and same problem.

The monster USB cable was recommended on a lot of those forums, and I
just wanted to post here saying it worked, just in case a n00b actually uses
the search function and finds an answer

 

[Rusty K]

Are you Mac or PC? I run PT and Logic E with an Mbox mini and I've been having fits with audio when trying to use Logic or GarageBand. Noise is just one of the issues with me...one channel goes out sometimes...sometimes the record input is not recognised and I have to restart...also, most disturbingly just in the last week I've had punishing feedback through the built-in computer speakers which should not happen since they are not selected for output. PT runs smoothly so far

 

[Rusty K]

Judging by the amount of Digi-based forums (and other audio forums) that have
threads about the problem, it seems pretty common to me. The problem lies
only with the monitor outputs. The headphone outputs are fine. I've swapped
the original USB cable out with a few others in the house and same problem.

The monster USB cable was recommended on a lot of those forums, and I
just wanted to post here saying it worked, just in case a n00b actually uses
the search function and finds an answer

This is very good to know and a relatively easy fix if it turns out to be the problem. I checked my cables too and switched out once with no improvement.