Too much phantom power required for USB port?

[Deesha]

Hi, I'm a new MBox/ProTools user and I just plugged my mic in to my MBox, and put on the 48V phantom power. My computer told me my USB hub couldn't support that much voltage. Can someone guide me in what I should do? Will it destroy my computer? Is this a solvable problem?

Thanks.

[spkguitar]

Quick solution; don't use a HUB.

Other than that, we're going to need details about your system to offer any comprehensive assistance. You haven't even told us what kind of computer, let alone which mBox you are using. (there are now 5 different kinds, you know. Only 4 of them are USB, so that narrows it down )

[RangerJay]

Are you plugging your MBox DIRECTLY into your computer? Or do you have an additional hub? Typically, you see this message if you have several devices plugged into an un-powered hub.

You should plug directly into the computer when using USB for audio recording. If this generates an error message, see what else you have plugged into your computer. If possible, test with ONLY the MBox plugged in -- nothing else. If this generates the error, then you may have other issues. Some computers have devices plugged into the USB hub internally. You can see what's on there by looking at your hardware in device manager.

Another option, which is cheap, is to buy a dedicated USB card and install it in your computer. The PCI buss should have plenty of power to spare for the card and your MBox. Did I mention that this is cheap?

[Deesha]

I have a Dell Inspiron and Windows XP. I'm plugging the MBox (hmm ... it just says MBox ... what am I looking for? Version 6.4 and 6.7 ... both ProTools disks came with it) directly into the USB port -- it says to not use a hub. Does that give you more info? It gets very upset when I turn on the phantom power ...

[Deesha]

How complicated is it to install a USB card? The only other USB thing I've got in is my printer, which is off ... would that be it? Are some USBs just not able to handle that kind of voltage? Thanks.

[northridgedave]

It's only fitting to get a question about Phantoms I mean phantom power on Halloween.

To answer again, the Mbox should be plugged directly into a usb port of it's own probably on the back of the computer (perhaps on the front). It's picky, it doesn't like to share a port.

You should have at least two and maybe four usb ports that are coming right out of the computer. Don't use a hub (like the intructions say).

Try plugging the Mbox in without using any other usb things (like a printer, etc.) plugged in.

Most computers have more than adequate power supplies to power usb stuff as long you pay attention to what needs to be plugged directly and what can function from a hub.

If you need to use an ilok it CAN probably go into an external hub. I have plugged my ilok in that way for a long time and it always has worked fine.

Hope this helps.
Dave

[RangerJay]

So you have a laptop, then?

Right click on My Computer on the desktop, and select Properties.

Click on the Hardware tab and press the Device Manager button.

Look for Universal Serial Bus controllers, expand the list, and look at the properties for your root hub. It will tell you how much voltage is available. Typically, it will say something like 500 Ma or the like. That's a half of one amp, and that isn't much. If you have a trackpad, it may actually be hooked into the USB system, and perhaps the keyboard too.

I'm not familiar with the MBox series, but you may have the option of hooking up an external power supply to the MBox, and that would eliminate the need for USB power altogether.

I am working from memory on the Windows device manager. I'm on a Mac at the moment, so you might have to go fish a little...

[Deesha]

Hi ... thanks so much for all these ideas!

My USBs say 500mA per hub ...

I tried three things: plugging the MBox into just the computer, then doing it through a hub, and now with a phantom power supply. It said it was too much voltage on the first one, the mic wouldn't work on the second one, and the third one completely fried my computer and I had to do a system restore. Now I have to drag all my files back into the proper place!

I have a Dell Inspiron 8500 with a Pentium 4 processor and over a gig of RAM ... I simply can't figure out what's wrong ... I either need to do something to this computer to make it able to handle my condensor mic or get a different computer just for audio recording which I'm trying to make my livlihood. any ideas ... ?

Thaks so much.