pro tools problem (lots of white noise)

[AsuraDemon]

ok, so I'm a newbie to pro tools, and have an mbox 2, and am using a Dell PC (a dimension 5100, with 1 gig of RAM, and a 3 gig pentium 4. My hard drive is a Maxtor. The mbox is connected via USB). I have figured out how to record instrument tracks with no problem, however I need to record vocals, but whenever I do, I end up with constant loud white noise, and a comparatively quiet recording of the vocal. I know the problem is not the mic (it's a bluebird) because other people have used it with their own pro tools setups and not had any problem. So what's going on? This is really frustrating, I don't want to be limited to using my mbox 2 for just midi/synth.

EDIT ok this is really weird. The bluebird mic has been working fine with my significant other's pro tools setup, but not with mine. However the SM 57 seems to be working fine with both (well, sort of, the wav form still seems a bit small, but there's not nearly as much static). This is really disappointing since the bluebird is such a great mic. I guess there's some sort of compatibility issue with bluebird mics and mbox 2s. I didn't even know this sort of thing was possible. I didn't really want to use the SM 57, but it looks like I'm stuck using it, until I can figure out how to make the bluebird work with my mbox. This is weird, and really sucks.

[Jroye82]

Hmm white noise.....try a different usb cable? mic cable? check your connections...

I know that on my macbook pro for some reason I can only use my left USB port or I get fuzz in my recordings.


Are you using your 48v on your mics? i assume...

[AsuraDemon]

using a different mic cable has as of yet, made no difference. I haven't tried a different USB cable (or port), but I haven't had problems with using the USB cable (or the port) with anything else. Yes I am using the 48v. I suppose there could be something wrong with both mic cables, but that would be odd. I guess I'll try using a different USB cable, and a different port as well. Are there any other possibilites as far as what could be wrong?

[thedogandthewolf]

I don't have an Mbox 2 but i have heard noisy recordings from them and i think it is the converters. White noise however is odd so I'm not sure it's that. do you mean noise floor hiss? sometimes if you use phantom from the interface it creates more noise, also check your power and make sure you are using the same power source or a common ground for your equipment. I would say try another cable but if you've tried 2 that probably not it.

hope this helps

[AsuraDemon]

the noise is basically loud static, it's not too much different from what you'd hear on the tv if you turn it to a channel that's nothing but "dead air". As for what I'm using to plug in the equipment, I have several power supplies linked together (I don't have that many power outlets in my room).

[thedogandthewolf]

it maybe that the mic is damaged in some way capsule, (XLR input jack etc). Or try another input on the mbox if you haven't already to see if you get the same result...

[brandondrury]

The bluebird mic has been working fine with my significant other's pro tools setup, but not with mine. However the SM 57 seems to be working fine with both

This SCREAMS phantom power issues! It's possibly a cable. Where you using the same XLR cable in between both Pro Tools boxes? It's possibly the phantom power on your Mbox. I'd try using a different condenser to see if it works okay on your system.

Brandon

[DemonicTempest]

Originally Posted by AsuraDemon

the noise is basically loud static, it's not too much different from what you'd hear on the tv if you turn it to a channel that's nothing but "dead air". As for what I'm using to plug in the equipment, I have several power supplies linked together (I don't have that many power outlets in my room).

You dont have that crapy protools whitenoise emulator on the bus to you

[AsuraDemon]

I'm almost certain now that it's the phantom power that's the problem. The mic that I was having problems with was tested again on another computer, and worked fine. I guess I'll be using an SM57 for now.

[AsuraDemon]

Well so far the mic is working fine for people whom don't have mbox 2's, but someone else with an mbox 2 tried to use it, and said it's not working out for them either. Would I be right in guessing that Mbox's phantom power sucks? Perhaps the mic would work if I used an external phantom power? It works for people that don't use Mbox 2's, so there's got to be something about Mbox 2's which is the problem.
There's got to be a way around this, it's just ridiculous that Mbox 2's don't work properly with bluebird mics. What's even more ridiculous is that I've heard that you can buy bluebird mics bundled with mbox2's, why would a mic be sold along with a piece of hardware that it won't even work with?