No Playback

[TaraBurke]

Hi, I'm a voice artist, no audio editing training... this software is too complex for me but I'm stuck with it and trying to work my way around.
I've just upgraded to PT 12 working on PC Win10, I have MBoxMini.
I'm creating a track, I can see the waves - looks like it's picking up some static because there is a thick line throughout the quiet spots.
I have no playback. I turn the record and play buttons off and nothing. I'm not sure what's wrong.
Hoping you can help.
I also tried to download the SiSoftware to do a Sandra report for you but that seems to cost more money now, can't get it for free.
Cheers,
Tara

[The Weed]

First question would be, why are you stuck with Pro Tools? There are a few free audio editors you can use. Audacity and Ocenaudio come to mind.

Second, which Mbox Mini to do you have - the third generation? If so, did you install the latest drivers?

And how are you monitoring playback?

And what output is your recorded track set to?

Do you see that track's meter moving when you playback the audio?

[TaraBurke]

Hi, I’ve paid for 12mthly subscription so can’t change now... yes 3rd Gen MBox. I can see the meter running during playback but no sound coming through. I checked that mute wasn’t on, on the Box - it could be as simple as that? Thanks for your attention. I’m sure the latest drivers are running, everything else looks fine.

[The Weed]

You haven't answered two of my questions:

How are you monitoring your audio? Speakers or headphones? BTW, the sound won't come out of your computer speakers.

What is the output of your track set to? It should be Analog 1-2.

Plus: Is the track itself muted?

[Southsidemusic]

Hi and Welcome to the Community

Launch PT with the N key held down and choose your mbox when popup window appears. Then goto settings in PT and choose i/o. There press the default button on both Input and Output tabs and ses if that helps.

[TaraBurke]

Hi SouthsideMusic,
I had tried to launch with the N key down but it kept bringing up the Notepad, so I hit the N key as soon as I had launched PT, not sure that helped...

I've attached a snip of the pop up window but couldn't find where to select my mbox.

I defaulted my i/o settings and nothing has changed.

I can see I'm recording and the meter is moving also in playback, but nothing through my headphones while recording or during playback.

Hi The Weed,
Appreciate your help but some of your questions are over my head - as I mentioned, I've had zero sound editing training. I record my voice, playback, edit and send - done. I should never have been sold PT, it's too sophisticated for me but I'm willing to stick at it if I can.

I'm using headphones by the way and regarding these questions of yours...
* What is the output of your track set to? It should be Analog 1-2.

* Plus: Is the track itself muted?

No idea what you're asking me....

I only use 1 track - a voice track, no instruments or music beds.

Thanks for your help though...

Cheers,
Tara

[Southsidemusic]

If thats the popup that comes up when you launch Pro Tools and hold down the N key, then something is serioulsy wrong with your computer.

Under playback engine in PT what audio is selected there? Goto setting dropdown in PT and choose Playback option and see what it says.

Also are you using the headphone jack on the mbox or computer?

[TaraBurke]

Hi,

Oh dear that sounds serious indeed, especially considering this is a brand new computer with the latest version of PT downloaded?

As I said before holding down the N key doesn't do anything, it doesn't allow me to launch PT - on my old computer (Win 7) it used to do it but not this new baby.

I finally found the playback engine in 'Setup' and saw that the Output Device had nothing in there, I selected the only option available (Speaker/Headphones). I've tried again but can't hear anything still. Do I need to restart PT?
See attached...
Tara

[Southsidemusic]

That means your mbox isn’t installed correctly and need to be installed. Run the driver install again and always restart after any install and see if you can choose the mbox in playback but until you see that choice it isn’t installed.

Goto Avid website and download the correct driver for your mbox and OS and do the install. Then we can try to help you set up PT correrctly.

You say you are sure the latest driver is installed but if you haven’t done that then it is not installed.

[TaraBurke]

Hi Christopher,
Thanks for the tip... I know where the drivers are in my AVID account, maybe they didn’t download properly... I’ll try again.
I’ll know it’s been successful if the mbox comes up as an option then?
Cheers, Tara