VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Moe Egan · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject: MBox Hum Question

In an attempt to make 2009 the year I treat VO as a real live job and not just a wicked pissah hobby that pays really well- I have tried again to get my Mbox set up so that I can use my PC to record (I've been using my lap top for months now).

Anyway. I have a hum that only starts when I turn on the recording software - I get a great clear signal in my headphones until I hit record on Sound Forge AND on Pro Tools. Any suggestions as to how to make the hum go bye bye?

Thanks!! (as a technically challenged VO I thank you in advance for even thinking about answering this question).

Smile

Happy New Year!
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Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject:

You're recording in both at the same time?
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Moe Egan · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:10 pm Post subject:

No, tried one. got home, then tried the other.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject:

Dang— I wish I had a better grip on the way a PC works.
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Edo · Guest

Moe, happy new year first of all!

Is the hum present when nothing is plugged into the Mbox? Is it there still when you put the monitor mix knob fully to the direct signal. Is the hum present when recording or just when LISTENING to the recording channel(s)?

And make sure you don't 'earth' stuff to different points as that can cause an earth loop. Also check whether you have multiple pieces of equipment hooked up through USB, it might be possible the current load is too much for your computer. It can take a max of 500 mA. Any load beyond that needs to be fed to a POWERED USB-hub.

Hope you find the culprit!

Moe Egan · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

Hey Edo- Happy New Year to you too! I was going to ask you if you wanted to trade places for a few days and come up to NH from Piscadera Bay, but I see your in the Chilly Netherlands right now...so never mind Wink

I will try to see if the USB load is the secret. The hum only starts when I hit record - whether it's Sound Forge or Pro Tools. I hear it when recording and in playback....I'll take the other USB elements out and see if that's the secret...I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the suggestions.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Edo · Guest

I'm flying back to sunny Curaçao on Sunday... and I'll breathe warmer air then Laugh

Keep us posted on your little issue... we'll jump in on request...

Moe Egan · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks! Safe trip home.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

georgethetech · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

Would you say it is more of a "buzz" than a "hum"?
Did it happen with your laptop as well?
It's a common problem with MBox 2's and Minis with certain computers.
Noise from the CPU gets into the USB bus and into your Mbox. Try installing a USB card in your PC and use that.
Try switching USB cables, use the shortest one you can.
Try using a USB cable with "chokes" installed (those little cylinders).
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Frank F · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject:

Moe Egan · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:39 am Post subject:

Thanks George and Frank....got my to do list for the day (I'm totally tech-challenged -think of the apes on 2001- so this will be an adventure.) I was actually thinking of trying the Mbox on my Macbook....to see if the problem still pops up...so since you asked that George I"m going to try it this morning (and since taking the path of least resistance is my MO, I may just stick with using my Macbook for VO and keep the PC for paperwork etc).

Thanks again guys. I'll keep you updated on my adventures today (once the hum or buzz is conquered, then I'm onto finishing the Zephyr install. Yikes)
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Moe Egan · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:41 am Post subject:

Never fails that in order to get the thing done you want, there are five things you must do first....gotta clear out and store many old VO files on my Mac before I can install ProTools and the MBox...good thing it's a quiet VO day!
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Vocalvoodoo · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:21 am Post subject:

My Mbox 2 has this problem, although mine is a a high pitched whine rather than a buzz or hum, and the Digi Support suggestions don't work for me, and don't for a lot of people actually. (balanced monitor cables and a high quality USB cable). What DOES work is completely disconnecting the monitors from the Mbox2 while recording because unfortunately the whine does go to tape even though it's being generated by the monitor outs somehow. I don't know if this works for everyone, but it does in my situation. Not a great work around of course. Also, if I'm using an external D/A converter via S/PDIF like the DAC1, the problem goes away too (because of course I'm not using the Mbox2's monitor outs). Again, not a great work around because who want's to have to buy a separate D/A just to get rid of some whine?!

There is a lot of info about this problem at duc.digidesign.com.

FWIW, I'm on an Alu iMac, but I had this problem on my PC too.

If you're on an older MBox, not an Mbox 2, please disregard. Smile

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Josh Mahler
http://www.vocalvoodoo.com

Edo · Guest

I own both a PTHD rig and an LE rig (Mbox2) but the latter never had any flaws...

Vocalvoodoo · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject: