Powerbook / Mbox strange noise

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 3:57 pm

here's what it sounds like (might be loud) : noise
I hear it every time I open pro tools, Reason, or any other program which works with the Mbox. I think it's picking up the computer's hard drive or CPU, but I don't know what to do about it. Anyone else have the same problem?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 4:25 pm

Is it a constant noise or is it only when the HD is being accessed or something?

How loud is it? I listened to the sample and it sounds like RF noise from an outside source, not really the typical HD access noise that I've heard. Try moving the Mbox around, see if anything changes. Try turning the lights off too.

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 4:37 pm

it's a constant noise, and it doesn't depend on the position of the Mbox or the lights; I've been using it in all kinds of situations, and it's always the same thing. When the Mbox is plugged in, but pro tools is not on, there's no noise; as soon as I open the program, the noise starts, it becomes more intense when I turn on phantom power. I hear it in speakers and in headphones. On the pro tools message board on digi's site, a bunch of people have the same problem with their macs. And it's not just the Mbox; 002 has it also. Sad

I was thinking of some solutions: figuring out how to use an external power source for the Mbox, or taking the CPU out of the powerbook, and magnetically shielding it or something.

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 5:01 pm

I guess the only other troubleshooting thing I can think of is to plug the Mbox into a powered hub (thereby changing the power source) and seeing if that changes anything. Although you're not supposed to actually record like that...

Other than that, I don't really know, hopefully some other peeps have ideas.

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 5:26 pm

check to see if your wifi card anntena is pluged in, my friend had a similar problem

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 5:42 pm

frob wrote:

check to see if your wifi card anntena is pluged in, my friend had a similar problem

where is that located? my air port is turned off if that's what you mean

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 11:49 pm

i have an m box and a mac and my m box makes the same noise (without the traffic noise in the background - or whatever that LF noise is) - i can make the noise stop or at least decrease by playing witth the usb out at the back of the m box. see if this makes a difference - i don't know if i need to get a new cable or what but that noise has not always been there...good news is tho: the noise dosn't end up on tracks etc...just a bit annoying tho hey?!

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:52 am

I saw a thread somewhere that was dealing with this issue, only I believe it was with the Firebox.

Turns out that it was cheap parts used in the power supply of the powerbook.

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:28 pm

I have a hi pitched whine noise issue with my mbox2 and G5 dual 2.0GHz. The link you posted to a sample of the noise no longer works so i don't no if its the same noise but i bet it is!

I'm trying to crack it atm. Any help appreciated. I've tried removing all non-essential gear from my studio and different USB porrts, no luck. I hear the noise over my speakers (thru an amp) and over headphones plugged into a Mackie mixer. But not from headphones plugged into the mbox itself, or over on audio files recorded thru the mbox.

I too suspect my G5 power supply! Infact i think ill try the Apple forums now

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:44 am

I saw a post on this noise issue at Harmony Central Forums. The section under Craig Anderton and his review of the Presonus Inspire and the Mackie Satelite. He seems to narrow it down to a mac issue. He mentions disabling a setting to fix the problem. Others had posted the same problem you speak of.

Hope it helps

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:39 pm

Also check to see if your audio cables are running parallel to any power sources. I suspect electro-magnetic interference, especially if you have a CRT

I have multiple Macs and the only noise I experience is from my firewire drives.

Cool

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