Is your compressor working properly?

the compressor is out of the box about 3 weeks ago i cant imagine theres any thing wrong with it

I can imagine it though...
Get a nice clean signal coming out from something, run it through only the compressor, listen... Noise?

well thats what im doing. i get a nice clean signal into my pre amp, put it through to the compressor....the only way i can monitor the signal is sending it to my mbox and monitor it through my daw.....its noisy...my main concern is on the mbox shouldnt i have the swich on line and not mic??

well thats what im doing. i get a nice clean signal into my pre amp, put it through to the compressor....the only way i can monitor the signal is sending it to my mbox and monitor it through my daw.....its noisy...my main concern is on the mbox shouldnt i have the swich on line and not mic??

From what you've said before I assume your mbox mic/line works with mics and lines? Noise free with everything but your compressor?
If it is noise free, your compressor is stuffed.
Or your gain structure is still whack.
Bent, tell him.

You're sending an amplified signal into an instrument input. In other words you're sending a signal at, say +40 into an input that's +4 already. Why can't you use an XLR-XLR cable from the compressor to the M-Box?

Frank

I believe that there is a polarity issue at the connection from the comp to the Mbox. You stated that there is an XLR-to-1/4" cable between the comp and the Mbox thingy. Is the 1/4" plug on this cable a TRS? Or a TS? What is the 1/4" jack on the Mbox? TRS or TS? This may very well be the reason that you get squat from the connecting to the 1/4" input on the Mbox and are getting balls-to-the-walls when you plug into the XLR mic input on the Mbox.
And, no, you are correct regarding the statement that you don't want to plug the output of the comp into the mic pre section of the Mbox. Too noisey, no headroom, crappy sounding.

Actually, this is not an isolated incident with the M-Box 2, which I have. Digi design offered no help when I spoke to them directly at the AES in October about this VERY SAME PROBLEM when I use my API 312/3124 transformer balanced preamp out or, the balanced transformer isolated output from my Neve console into the line input. NO CAN-DO! Nasty peaked out distortion no matter what! It's crap equipment!

I find myself utilizing the DI unbalanced, high impedance input with greater success, on this sorry unit, fed from a Dwight Cavendish, consumer level, unbalanced, duplication distribution amplifier. UGH! The distortion starts asymmetrically otherwise and as level increases becomes symmetrical distortion. I have found no fix for this interfacing as yet.

Tell me nobody else's having this problem??? Too bad those idiots didn't provide an insert on the Crap Box 2? They won't even supply schematics. WTF? THAT'S NOT PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT! Professional equipment always includes schematics. What is there proprietary about crap generic equipment? I only got this piece of crap for the ProTools, since I had to learn the software and tell people, " yes, I have ProTools".

I was told by Digi design they knew of a company that offered modified inputs. I asked them if they supplied THAT company with schematics? They said no. Go figure? Sure, I've traced plenty of circuits that had proprietary electronics without schematics like the Aphex exciter & others. It's just not fun. I'm just about ready to open up my Crap Box 2 to eliminate everything up to the converter. Maybe even sling a couple of old UTC or Neve Transformers onto the input? God knows I have plenty. Then I could interface it with a piece of professional equipment. It tells you that the line inputs are balanced but it seems like anything over -10 DB clips the input. So it's really designed for beginner equipment, not professionals! I hate them! This isn't even made by M-Audio, which I think makes better products? My M-Audio Transit with its 1/8" inputs works better, can be fed from my API's and only cost 80 bucks. But it wasn't supplied with ProTools. For that unit, it's an additional $300 upgrade to ProTools M-Powered. So I couldn't even use it with my LE series of Pro tools. WTF? How convenient for them. And people wonder why I don't like Digi Declined Pro tools?

When I have nothing better to do I'll tackle my Crap Box 2 and I'll let you know what kind of modifications to make.

Pro Fool
Ms. Remy Ann David

I was messing around last night with this. the only way i got a clean signal was plugging my line jack into the mbox's second input where there is no mic switch at all and using the PAD on it. i got to crank my preamp to about 3 oclock now, but the hum is gone and the level seems more balanced......this seem ok? am i loosing a lot with that PAD SWITCH? whatever, guess for now it will have to due.......

The pad switch is/should be completely transparent as it is supposed to be a resistive network, ahead of the input section to the preamp.

There really isn't any problem with going into the high impedance, unbalanced input. That's provided lines are Kept within 20 feet and proper grounding to prevent ground loops, observed.

But that's not the point! This is still a frustrating piece of crap, to deal with from a supposedly professional piece of equipment! And very shortly, I'll open the box and trace out the circuit. Then maybe I'll be able to post a good modification for this electronic abortion. No wonder a third-party company offers an input upgrade!? IT'S NECESSARY!

Conversely, you might want to contact Digi design and ask them what company they know of, who modifies the inputs to their lousy M-box 2?

Dissatisfied Crap-box 2 owner
Ms. Remy Ann David

These guys do Mods for digi products. Not sure about the new Mbox 2 but they did a mod for the original Mbox.

http://www.blacklionaudio.com/

I bet if you shoot them an email, they would give you a quote on a custom mod.