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Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
I recently started using Pro Tools 8 LE at home using an Mbox 2 Mini I have had since late 2009. Not owning a pair of headphones, I decided to buy a brand new pair of Sennheiser HD 280 headphones for recording use. Before purchasing these headphones, I had already started recording using Yamaha HS50M monitors to get my feet wet into home recording after not doing so for three years.
When I use the headphones via the Headphone Output on the Mbox 2 Mini, there is this awful distortion that occurs during playback. The levels on the recording are not peaking. I tried playing with the Headphone/Monitor Output Level and Mix (Ratio) knobs to see if that was the issue, but there is still this distortion when played through the headphones, even after the Headphone/Monitor Output Level knob is turned just a hair clockwise after being turned all the way down (which is approximately the seven-o'-clock position). This distortion does not occur during playback through the monitors and there does not seem to be any issue with the headphones themselves after testing them on my laptop and a small practice amp. I also changed USB cables and plugged them into a different USB port on the computer to see if that would help in any way but to no avail. I can not seem to find an issue quite similar to this one through searches. I very much appreciate you taking time to read this. Below is a Sandra report for the computer in which I am using Pro Tools and all of my hardware on. I hope you are having a great day today! SiSoftware Sandra ID Host Name : user-aa5bbe4e6a Workgroup : WORKGROUP Computer Model : Dell OptiPlex 745 Serial Number : 541**** Chassis : Dell Mini Tower Mainboard : Dell 0HR330 Serial Number : ..CN1374********* BIOS : Dell 2.3.1 05/21/2007 Total Memory : 3GB DIMM DDR Processors Processor : Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.40GHz (2C 3.39GHz, 2x 2MB L2) Socket/Slot : FC ΅PGA478 Chipset Memory Controller : Dell OptiPlex 745 4x 199MHz (796MHz), 4GB DIMM DDR 800MHz, Integrated Graphics Memory Module(s) Memory Module : Kingston K 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-6-6-18 3-24-6-3) Memory Module : Kingston K 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-6-6-18 3-24-6-3) Memory Module : Kingston K 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-6-6-18 3-24-6-3) Memory Module : Kingston K 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-6-6-18 3-24-6-3) Video System Monitor/Panel : Hewlett Packard HP vs17 (1600x1200, 17.1") Monitor/Panel : Hewlett Packard HP vs17 (1600x1200, 17.1") Monitor/Panel : Hewlett Packard HP vs17 (1600x1200, 17.1") Video Adapter : Intel(R) Q965/Q963 Express Chipset Family (8SP 400MHz, 256MB DDR2 128-bit, Integrated Graphics) Storage Devices HITACHI HDS7250SASUN500G 0738KVHNBH (500.1GB, SATA300, 15MB Cache) : 466GB (C:) Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH164 (2TB, USB2/SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 2TB (E:) HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-H60L (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D:) Logical Storage Devices Hard Disk (C:) : 466GB (NTFS) @ HITACHI HDS7250SASUN500G 0738KVHNBH (500.1GB, SATA300, 15MB Cache) Optical Drive (D:) : N/A @ HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-H60L (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) Floppy Disk (A:) : N/A MJ's drive (E:) : 2TB (NTFS) @ Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH164 (2TB, USB2/SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm) Peripherals LPC Hub Controller 1 : Intel 82801HB/HR (ICH8/R) LPC Interface Controller LPC Legacy Controller 1 : SMSC SCH5514D-NS Audio Device : Dell OptiPlex 745 Audio Codec : Analog Devices AD1983HD sound chip Serial Port(s) : 1 Parallel Port(s) : 1 Disk Controller : Dell OptiPlex 745 Disk Controller : Dell OptiPlex 745 USB Controller 1 : Dell OptiPlex 745 USB Controller 2 : Dell OptiPlex 745 USB Controller 3 : Dell OptiPlex 745 USB Controller 4 : Dell OptiPlex 745 USB Controller 5 : Dell OptiPlex 745 USB Controller 6 : Dell OptiPlex 745 USB Controller 7 : Dell OptiPlex 745 SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus Printers and Faxes Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour) Printer : HP DeskJet 720C (600x600, Parallel, Colour) Network Services Network Adapter : Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport (Ethernet) Operating System Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 3) Platform Compliance : x86 |
#2
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
Disconnect the monitor/speakers and any other audio inputs. Connect a single Microphone (yes it onyl has one mic input anyhow...) or single other audio signal source to an input and turn the mix knob fully counter-clockwise so you hear the input though the Mbox 2 Mini's build in hardware monitor.
Turn the headphone monitor level up a bit. Does it sound distorted? If so try turning the corresponding gain knob (on the front panel of the Mbox 2 Mini ) down for that input. If its still distorted you likely have a faulty Mbox2 Mini, probably not worth fixing... but there are lots of other options out there. If you now play a prerecorded/existing audio track back from Pro Tools and slowly turn the mix knob clockwise you should start hearing the track blended with the audio from the mic or other source you are using. Does it get distorted? |
#3
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
Thank you for your response Darryl! I did try both of those and there is still this distortion through the headphone output that ranges from small crackling, mostly in the left speaker of the headphones, to extremely high gain that resembles peaking levels. And again, this does not occur through the monitors. I figure that it probably is just the device being faulty, but I thought coming here and getting a second opinion would not hurt. Thank you again!
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#4
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
Quote:
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#5
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
I'm not positive this is the cause, but much of your computer is not compatible with LE. Here are the immediate red flags:
Integrated graphics USB recording drive(USB was not supported on Windows XP)
__________________
HP Z4 workstation, Mbox Studio https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...0sound%20works The better I drink, the more I mix BTW, my name is Dave, but most people call me.........................Dave |
#6
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
Yes but it only happens on the headphone out, hard to rationalize how that can happen.
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#7
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
Just curious, why does it say 4X1GB RAM and in the RAM section up top it says 3GB RAM
Chris
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Best Regards Christopher #thestruggleisreal South Side Music Group WEBHOME |
#8
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
This is due to 2 reasons. 1-XP is a 32 bit OS and only recognizes around 3.4GB, no matter how much is installed. And 2-part of that RAM is being "stolen" by the on-board graphics.
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HP Z4 workstation, Mbox Studio https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...0sound%20works The better I drink, the more I mix BTW, my name is Dave, but most people call me.........................Dave |
#9
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
Quote:
That sounds unsettling. Do you know if Pro Tools 8 LE would work on a 64-bit OS? |
#10
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Re: Headphone output distortion in Mbox 2 Mini
Glad the Mbox 2 from GC worked out.
Stop worrying about things that are not a problem now. Trying to upgrade/do this will get you in a world of hurt if you do not do this properly. When you are ready to spend $1k-$2k or more and upgrade to Pro Tools 11 and a new PC running Windows 7 x64 or Windows 8 then you upgrade. It makes no sense to worry about anything until then. |
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