Hi, this is my first post here. I'm having a problem with my M-Audio MobilePre USB. I have an MXL 990 condenser mic and two computers set up for recording. One is a laptop P3, the other a desktop P4. Both have IDENTICAL setups: Win2K, Wavelab 5, latest service packs, drivers, same mixer settings, etc, etc.
The problem is that I can't get a good recording using the MobilePre's built-in pre-amp and phantom power on the desktop system. There is a lot of kind of wobbly-sounding distortion, and the signal from the mic is very weak. I'd say the signal never rises more than 10db above the noise.
Here's the strange part: if I unplug the MobilePre from the desktop and plug it right in to the laptop, it works perfectly. The noise is gone and the signal from the mic is very strong. It sounds perfect!
Anyway, to summarize: MXL + MobilePre + laptop = great, MXL + MobilePre + desktop = terrible!
Basically I'm just writing to see if anybody might now what is causing this. I'd like to be able to use my desktop for recording, and I know it CAN work because the laptop is perfect. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Brian
Comments
Thanks for the input! After doing a lot of research last night,
Thanks for the input! After doing a lot of research last night, I found out how to fix the problem. I went out to buy a powered USB hub for my desktop. I plugged the MobilePre into that, and the noise was gone and the input signal was strong. I think it was just a problem that the power from the USB wasn't enough to power the mic. I guess the laptop has more juice for some reason! Anyway, all is well now, and in fact the MobilePre sounds truly fantastic. Pretty good for $120...
Brian
some thoughts: i've heard that condensers and the MobilePre does
some thoughts:
i've heard that condensers and the MobilePre doesn't go well with eachother. don't know about the low input though.
it could be the powersupply on your desktop DAW that's doing all the background noise etc.
is your laptop on an AC outlet or on battery?
- ced