AUDIO - POP ... not cables for pro tools

[[email protected]]

Following on my previous thread, after reinstalling the operating system, and then MBOX STUDIO, here is the result with PRO-TOOLS NOT RUNNING (licence issue being resolved)


MBOX set to 44.1 hz, internal clock, 1024 samples, safe mode. Input/output latency is 24/26 milliseconds



YouTube still "pops and pips when playing through MBOX Studio internal 7/8. But, far less than before. Windows output is set to 44.1hz cd quality 16 bit or 24 bit studio...the later seems to pop less



When nothing is playing, I hear very, very low volume 'pip' that would easily disappear in an audio recording and mix.


When playing a CD quality .wav file plays, I don't hear the pips. I'm assuming they are either not there or are lost in the mix.


Next up - fix the licence issue and try recording in pro-tools again, while all windows audio is blocked from using MBOX.

[[email protected]]

Dell had me reinstall the operating system - their way of trying to solve the audio pop problem ( I'll never do that again ).



MBOX STUDIO is re-installed and running without pro-tools (waiting to resolve licence issue) CLOCK SOURCE=Internal, Sample Rate=44.1. Buffer =1024, Safe Mode=ON Input Latency=24ms, Output Latency=26ms.


YouTube is playing through MBOX STUDIO Internal 7 & 8 to KRK monitors on main-out. All other outputs are set "DON'T ALLOW WINDOWS TO USE THIS DEVICE" (inputs not blocked) While not as bad as before, this is still producing POPS and clicks. CPU is running at 5.1GHz at a steady 4% usage. DISK=4% Memory 50% of 16gb. GPU running at. 23% (triple monitor). After trying a different YouTube video CPU climbed to 13% but average CPU dropped to about 4.8GHz



When I drop the volume on Internal 7 & 8 to -INF all pops and clicks stop and KRK monitors are dead silent. When I stop YouTube and put the Internal 7 & 8 back at 0-unity the KRK monitors are dead-silent.



I noticed that sometimes opening another application (OUTLOOK) while running YouTube, the audio crackles a bit. Sometimes, if I jiggle the VOLUME control on YOUTUBE, the audio pops a bit (logitech wireless mouse and keyboard)



I pushed the sample rate to 2048 and pops persisted. This pushed input Latency up to 48ms with no change in pops and crackles.


I changed metering from "POST" to "PRE". Now I see that YouTube is hitting LineFX 1 & 2 OUT, and ADAT 7/8 OUT. Nothing connected to those outputs.

[albee1952]

If you bought the Mbox new(and its under warranty, I would have a conversation with the dealer as it sounds like maybe its a bad unit. I've been using my Mbox Studio for close to a year with Windows 11 and have never heard any unexpected noises regardless of routing. Even with Loopback enabled, everything simply works flawlessly. Youtube, Windows Media Player and Pro Tools all sound great and all sound the same(barring the source resolution).

[[email protected]]

I was fearing that --- I'm trying everything possible so I am sure it's the MBOX and not the computer that the problem. I'm going to disable other audio drivers, then block window from using it, then run pro tools (stilll waiting on licence). If that fails then I'll do the RMA as last ditch...I was hoping to record an artist in Aug.

[Darryl Ramm]

What does waiting on a license mean? You can get a free license for Pro Tools Intro and install it to the computer. That is fine to test with for now. If you had that already and wiped the computer you can reactivate one of the several Intro activations from the Ilok license manager.

I mentioned returning this interface several posts ago. All the steps to determine if that should be done should have taken an hour or so at most. You have just wasted time participating in the Dell support clown show. Dell is an atrocious poor vendor of consumer computers, and the chance their support folks have any clue what is going on with a DAW system is zero.

Do not get yourself into a window where you cannot return the interface if it is faulty (and some nice resellers might let you swap at the store, or maybe test another/demo unit if you can take your PC there).

[junkgear]

Which version of MBox Control are you using?
Ensure you are using the latest version and that the firmware on your MBox Studio was updated to the latest.
The first version of the firmware had known gain staging issues with computer audio where it would clip easily.

The latest is 1.0.2, although the fix for gain staging was include in 1.0.1

[[email protected]]

I hear ya, and you are probably right.



But I have had lots of success with Dell machines, consumer and business class, running Media Composer and Pro Tools, even on a 20$ reconditioned optiplex that was under spec. It wasn't supposed to work but it did - go figure.



Sending the new computer back was an option but Dell wasn't taking it back until we found a problem with it, and now we know there isn't a problem - neither I nor they can find one (bin using PCs since the first 286 was issued).



The reseller (in another city in Canada 1.5 hours away) has agreed to take it back. I want the BOX and the promo deal so this was the last resort. Testing this and getting it back will take '''how long'? They don't have any in stock - they got cleaned out by he promo. They did get their pro-audio specialist to call from Toronto, and he too is at a loss.



Anyway, thanks for weighing in and your thoughts on this.

[JoelG]

For argument sake, just for testing, try uninstalling the NVidia driver and using the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver. The Display Driver Uninstaller is a good tool for this.

This might not help you in the long run, since you can't really change your video adapter in a laptop, but (years ago) I moved from NVidia to AMD due to driver issues causing the same latency and clicks/pops you're mentioning.

Joel

[[email protected]]

I've got the Desk Top 3030. We've tried disabling all audio tried alternate drivers for NVIDIA video /audio on the computer and blocked windows from using the USB output. No luck. Nvdia was flagged in Latency MON so that was one of the first things we tried.


Returning this this next week. Will have to try something else

[JoelG]

Sorry, for some reason I thought you had said Latitude, but nope, Inspiron.

I'd still give it a go removing all Nvidia drivers using the DDU tool and see what happens. If it is the root of the problem at least you have the option of going AMD.

Joel