VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

asnively · Last edited by asnively on Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:03 pm; edited 1 time in total

My brand new M-Audio MobilePre has a nasty hiss. Not just when I'm recording, when I listen to any audio file or CD. It even hisses into my cans when the mic is unplugged!

I've noticed from message board postings throughout the web that this is not an uncommon problem. Apparently, there is just not enough power to record loud enough, so one tends to crank the gain, and then the hiss begins.

One guys said that M-Audio told him to get another pre-amp to boost the signal.
Do you think I should add another pre-amp to my set up? (Which one?) Or should I take this box back to Guitar Center and get something else? (What do I get?)

Thanks!
Amy
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Hart · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:22 am Post subject:

Didn't you just buy it last week?

I don't have that unit so I can't comment on it specifically, but that is unacceptable. I would call tech support and have them do their thing. If the answer really is "buy a pre and boost the signal" then I would take the box back and try something else.

If you end up returning it, I've had good luck with my firebox so far.

What store are you using? See if there's some way you can set up your mic configuration in the store and test out interfaces before you ever take them home.
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tackerman · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:28 am Post subject:

Amy, I have one of those in my studio at the station and haven't noticed any problems.

I'd take it back, get a replacement unit and see if you still have the issue.

Could just be a bad piece of equipment. It happens.

TC · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:25 am Post subject:

I had the exact same problem. I took it back and replaced it with an MBox, and I've been happy ever since.

asnively · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:08 pm Post subject:

Yep, this is the box I just bought about about a week ago (my old pre-amp fell and broke it's little gain knob off.)

That hissing that I thought was the room, and then the mic cables, and then my gain settings, and then, and then... turned out to be this darned MobilePre. I was reticent to blame it because so many people love it!

Back to the store it goes. Urg. I'll plug it in there to check it. Thanks for the idea!

xoxo,
Amy
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dhouston67 · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 1:19 pm Post subject:

Audio-gear message boards seem to be rife with MobilePre hiss complaints. Granted, it can come from many places in the chain, but one piece of gear to get so many overall complaints is a red flag. I'll keep shopping.
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Frank F · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

Hiss in the MobilePre comes from many sources, but mainly from the USB chips used in the MobiblePre and your PC or Mac box. M-Audio configured the MobilePre originally for a Mac laptop... so if you have one of those - it might be a good thing.

There are several ways to fix that on a PC... one of the easiest is to get another GOOD/BETTER USB 2.0 card (or at least an additional one to place in the box). Doing this changes how you use the USB chips on board the Motherboard - thus you will get a quieter USB connection.

Returning it and replacing it with another MobilePre is going to nothing for you but make you angry and more broke... (I know it's b-a-a-a-d English, but what the heck...).

Since M-Audio was bought by DigiDesign they have produced toys which are designed primarily for Mac's which is the platform for testing used by M-Audio. A PC user can find marginal success with M-Audio equipment - as they are only tested 'to work' on a PC now. M-Audio offers good products - IF you know how to make it work with your platform.

Frank F
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TC · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject:

Frank F · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject:

Hey, I said "it MIGHT be a good thing"?????...

The grounding issue is probably the "most" likely culprit... but it could be chips, it could be cables, it could be PC, it could be MAC's, it could be...

(Knowing me I would be the one to take it apart and void the warranty, make it work - - and then sell the dad-blamed thing... Working right, of course... Then I would buy something I KNOW works - but if you can't do that - send it back and say "FIX" or give me my money back - plus 25% for my trouble... LOL)

Toodles,

Frank F
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