Wow, that's so crazy I'd believe it might actually be true. I have such a love/hate relationship with my duet. Sigh.
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Help!! High Self Noise on Apogee Duet using MBP
- Thread starter gnomeisland
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Wow, that's so crazy I'd believe it might actually be true. I have such a love/hate relationship with my duet. Sigh.
Not impressed
This is a follow up to what I wrote two weeks ago. I had my duet replaced at that time because it was making a heap of noise (a lot of hiss in the mic input). Talking with the guys in the shop it seemed like my unplugging mics a few times with the phantom power on may have caused this. Two weeks into using this new one, however, I have to say I'm really not impressed. In the mic input I start getting hiss at 40dB. This is about the level I need to record my vocals. I need a higher level for acoustic guitar when fingerpicking. So it's possibly ok for my vocals, but useless for quiet songs on guitar. What a joke!
This is a follow up to what I wrote two weeks ago. I had my duet replaced at that time because it was making a heap of noise (a lot of hiss in the mic input). Talking with the guys in the shop it seemed like my unplugging mics a few times with the phantom power on may have caused this. Two weeks into using this new one, however, I have to say I'm really not impressed. In the mic input I start getting hiss at 40dB. This is about the level I need to record my vocals. I need a higher level for acoustic guitar when fingerpicking. So it's possibly ok for my vocals, but useless for quiet songs on guitar. What a joke!
I've found that turning off the Airport on the MacBook Pro, at least while working, removes all the crackling noise.
I think I read this somewhere on another forum. This was especially bad for me when working using Spectrasonics plug-ins.
The turning off the Wifi seems to clear it all up for me for now.
best
Andrew Ingkavet
Composer/Producer
http://www.ingkavet.org
I think I read this somewhere on another forum. This was especially bad for me when working using Spectrasonics plug-ins.
The turning off the Wifi seems to clear it all up for me for now.
best
Andrew Ingkavet
Composer/Producer
http://www.ingkavet.org
I believe that there are a few different noise issues that people are experiencing with the Duet. I'll explain the one that I was having, and how I went about fixing it.
When I plugged in a Mic and was monitoring through my headphones and brought the input gain above 35dB, I would hear a bad hum/hiss. I was able to eliminate it by disconnecting my KRK Monitors. This made me think that there was a ground-loop somewhere. I recalled some information from my Studio Maintenance class about the "One-End-Only" rule which states: Lift the ground on one end of all line-level balanced signals. Since the output is line level and I'm going into the balanced inputs on my KRK monitors, clearly I needed to lift the ground. This is why the 3-prong to 2-prong ground defeater solution works for some people--it eliminates an audio signals path to ground, and potential for noise (which all ground has--unless hospital-grade orange plugs).
I opened up one end of each of my TRS cables going to my monitors, clipped the shield/ground, and I was good to go--no noise issues at all anymore. Just beautiful, pure Duet wonder.
This may not work for everybody, since it seems people are experiencing noise when there aren't even mics plugged in. I was not, I only experienced it when I was monitoring the mic input. Hope this helps!
When I plugged in a Mic and was monitoring through my headphones and brought the input gain above 35dB, I would hear a bad hum/hiss. I was able to eliminate it by disconnecting my KRK Monitors. This made me think that there was a ground-loop somewhere. I recalled some information from my Studio Maintenance class about the "One-End-Only" rule which states: Lift the ground on one end of all line-level balanced signals. Since the output is line level and I'm going into the balanced inputs on my KRK monitors, clearly I needed to lift the ground. This is why the 3-prong to 2-prong ground defeater solution works for some people--it eliminates an audio signals path to ground, and potential for noise (which all ground has--unless hospital-grade orange plugs).
I opened up one end of each of my TRS cables going to my monitors, clipped the shield/ground, and I was good to go--no noise issues at all anymore. Just beautiful, pure Duet wonder.
This may not work for everybody, since it seems people are experiencing noise when there aren't even mics plugged in. I was not, I only experienced it when I was monitoring the mic input. Hope this helps!
THIS.
I have a Duet connected via TRS to a pair of HS80M's. I'm using the FW400-FW800 cable that came with the Duet.
One of the monitor speakers was exhibiting quite a bit of noise (both the Duet and monitors are brand new). Odd noise too, like my hard drive accessing data, or moving my mouse around. The mouse was the worst and most annoying. Anytime it moved you would hear a high-pitched whine in the speaker.
After moving things around, trying different cables, etc I determined that the TRS connector in the noisy monitor must be bad. So, I purchased some TS-XLR cables (TS because I was also suspicious that the unbalanced Duet was sending out noise over the balanced side of the cable). Plugging them in, however, it was even WORSE and now was in BOTH monitors. This ruled out the monitors being the issue. I also don't record with the Duet often, so the inputs are always turned off.
I stumbled upon this post and figured I would give it a shot... XLR connectors are easy to disassemble anyways. I pulled the wire out of pin 1 and voila! Noise is completely gone, in both monitors! Of course, now I know that the TRS connector in one of my monitors has a bad ground.
All I can figure is that the FW800 cable carries extra noise which is picked up by the ground of the Duet. I never had an issue when I had a Duet connected via FW400 (I stupidly changed to another card for awhile before changing computers altogether and repurchasing a Duet). I don't know how these FW400-FW800 cables are constructed, but I wonder if there are extra, unused pins on the FW800 side that are just terminated to the grounding shield of the FW400 end. This would account for the fact that it's picking up computer noise and the Duet really has no way to handle it (since it was designed for FW400).
So yes, in short, I registered here just to post that this solution worked for me. Cut the ground wire!
Thanks ahendy!
Has anyone noticed a difference using the Apogee cable versus another persons? There was some speculation that there could be interface/ground loop from the firewire cable.
I have some nasty hiss/noise problems with my duet when I connect my external Screen.
No matter what firewire port/cable, DVI or VGA cable or power cable.
I use a early '08 MacBook Pro (4.1, the last pre-unibody). When I connect my NEC MultiSync LCD 2690WUXi the noise starts. Pressing the cable at the area where the ports are located at the screen is enough to get some pretty loud whitenoise. When I plug the dvi cable into the port some high frequent hissing appears in certain intervals (the white noise stays all the time).
It's driving me crazy. I live with it since more than 2 years without a solution. I connected my Duet to a M-Patch2 to lower the overall sound output so I was able to compensate some noise but it is still hearable.
Does anybody have similar problems with an post DVI Macbook Pro (DisplayPort)? Because I plan to buy a new MBP somewhen next year. Or better: Does anyone know a solution to fix the problem with an old MacBook Pro?
It seems to me that it's a problem with the logic board: The signal/power of the dvi (connected to the screen which is connected to the 230V (germany) power outlet) seem to interfere with the firewire output.
EDIT: I just reread the posts above mine. I don't have any hissing/noise problems when my external screen IS NOT connected. So this solution won't apply to my problem, does it? Without screen the sound is perfect.
No matter what firewire port/cable, DVI or VGA cable or power cable.
I use a early '08 MacBook Pro (4.1, the last pre-unibody). When I connect my NEC MultiSync LCD 2690WUXi the noise starts. Pressing the cable at the area where the ports are located at the screen is enough to get some pretty loud whitenoise. When I plug the dvi cable into the port some high frequent hissing appears in certain intervals (the white noise stays all the time).
It's driving me crazy. I live with it since more than 2 years without a solution. I connected my Duet to a M-Patch2 to lower the overall sound output so I was able to compensate some noise but it is still hearable.
Does anybody have similar problems with an post DVI Macbook Pro (DisplayPort)? Because I plan to buy a new MBP somewhen next year. Or better: Does anyone know a solution to fix the problem with an old MacBook Pro?
It seems to me that it's a problem with the logic board: The signal/power of the dvi (connected to the screen which is connected to the 230V (germany) power outlet) seem to interfere with the firewire output.
EDIT: I just reread the posts above mine. I don't have any hissing/noise problems when my external screen IS NOT connected. So this solution won't apply to my problem, does it? Without screen the sound is perfect.
I have a '09 MBP and mini. They seem better but the duet can still be finnicky. It is a love/hate relationship.
Do you have the same noise issues as I described? My Duet works flawlessly while my MBP isn't connected to the external screen.
It doesn't seem to but honestly I use it mostly on the mini and I never did a proper A/B testing when I had a MBP similar to yours. I mention that because it doesn't seem like every duet MBP '08 combo has your issue (could be wrong on this).
I've had similar noise issues when recording and mine was all down to my Apple Cinema Display.
For those of you that don't have one, it comes with a Mini Display port, USB, and Power for the MBP. Taking each one individually out of the MBP didn't solve the problem until I had removed ALL contact between the ACD and the Macbook Pro. Then, hey presto!! No noise.
FINALLY!!!
In a perfect recording session I use my MBP on battery only, all unused inputs and outputs turned down and the output amplifier disconnect or turned off. I monitor with phones and I've gotten almost perfect results.
Hope this helps,
For those of you that don't have one, it comes with a Mini Display port, USB, and Power for the MBP. Taking each one individually out of the MBP didn't solve the problem until I had removed ALL contact between the ACD and the Macbook Pro. Then, hey presto!! No noise.
FINALLY!!!
In a perfect recording session I use my MBP on battery only, all unused inputs and outputs turned down and the output amplifier disconnect or turned off. I monitor with phones and I've gotten almost perfect results.
Hope this helps,
Has anyone find a solution for this problem?
I had this problem in february and had to send it in for repair. After a long long wait I got it back and uptil today it has been working.
Today I got exact the same problem back. I was changing from one microphone to another and when I changed back to the first microphone I heard the noise.
Maybe it has something to with letting the phantom power on while changing microphone, but if that´s the case, why dont apogee send out information about that???
I like this product... When it is WORKING...
Please can someone tell me what to do. I´v had it for over 1 year so i hope my guarantie is still valid (I live in Sweden).
This product is expensive and totally worthless for me.
I had this problem in february and had to send it in for repair. After a long long wait I got it back and uptil today it has been working.
Today I got exact the same problem back. I was changing from one microphone to another and when I changed back to the first microphone I heard the noise.
Maybe it has something to with letting the phantom power on while changing microphone, but if that´s the case, why dont apogee send out information about that???
I like this product... When it is WORKING...
Please can someone tell me what to do. I´v had it for over 1 year so i hope my guarantie is still valid (I live in Sweden).
This product is expensive and totally worthless for me.
It is hard to say if it is a universal problem or just with a few select setups but it does seem to be a problem. *never unplug or plug in a mic with phantom power enabled* Cold reboot your system and see if that works. As long as I remember to turn off phantom power while switching out mics it seems to work without a problem for me.
I tried to restart the computer but the problem is still there.
Any other suggestions? (channel 1 phantom power works but not channel 2 phantom power).
I think this is exactly what I did to screw up my Duet. I can no longer get a good signal into my recordings without massive amounts of hiss. When the recording session started, everything was fine, then I changed mic cables with the phantom power still on
, and now I get a lot of noise with the preamp at 45-50 whereas it wasn't like that before. Just curious, what have you done with your Duet since ?
I think this is exactly what I did to screw up my Duet. I can no longer get a good signal into my recordings without massive amounts of hiss. When the recording session started, everything was fine, then I changed mic cables with the phantom power still on
Just curious, what have you done with your Duet since ?
Interesting because I believe I was doing the same things. It has to be something about changing the mic cables.
Why does not Apogee tells us about this issue!?
Now I have to contact the store again and let them send it in. That means no soundcard for weeks...again.
Hello everybody... I stumbled across this by doing a Google search... I was having this same issue and fixed it...
All I did was I found an old multi plug I had laying around, I took some pliers and cut the ground off and connected my two HS-80M's to just that multiplug... then plugged in the old multi plug into my other decent multi plug and now the noise is gone...
I am not sure how safe this is but if something blows up I'll let you guys know.
All I did was I found an old multi plug I had laying around, I took some pliers and cut the ground off and connected my two HS-80M's to just that multiplug... then plugged in the old multi plug into my other decent multi plug and now the noise is gone...
I am not sure how safe this is but if something blows up I'll let you guys know.
Apogee Duet Mic pre noise
Hey, I just got the duet and I had the same problem. The output sounds great but the mic pres have alot of noise This is my second one. It was working fine when I got the second one until I updated my Macbook 15inch Pro 2.8 Core 2 Duo operating system from 10.6.6 to 10.6.7 That's when I started getting the noise in my mic pres and now I can't record anything with quality. I did find out that I had my macbook power supply laying next to the duet when I updated. I just moved the power supply away from it because I had it on the table next to the duet and alot of the noise dissappeared. The noise is still there but it's way better then previously. I believe that the unit is not shielded and by the power supply being so close it damaged the mic pres I am going to send this one back to AMS and get a new one make sure that no type of power supply is near it whatsoever. I really think that is the problem with the duets on macbook pro's. No one with a desktop has had this problem because the power cords do not sit on the desk like a laptop plug does. Anybody with the same problem try that and see if the noise disappears Hope this helped!
Hey, I just got the duet and I had the same problem. The output sounds great but the mic pres have alot of noise This is my second one. It was working fine when I got the second one until I updated my Macbook 15inch Pro 2.8 Core 2 Duo operating system from 10.6.6 to 10.6.7 That's when I started getting the noise in my mic pres and now I can't record anything with quality. I did find out that I had my macbook power supply laying next to the duet when I updated. I just moved the power supply away from it because I had it on the table next to the duet and alot of the noise dissappeared. The noise is still there but it's way better then previously. I believe that the unit is not shielded and by the power supply being so close it damaged the mic pres I am going to send this one back to AMS and get a new one make sure that no type of power supply is near it whatsoever. I really think that is the problem with the duets on macbook pro's. No one with a desktop has had this problem because the power cords do not sit on the desk like a laptop plug does. Anybody with the same problem try that and see if the noise disappears Hope this helped!
I had this problem briefly. All signs point to user error (no offense) When I had noise issues they were definitely electronic in nature, fan oriented, buzzing, etc. I was running my mixer buss outs to my patch bay and trying to send unbalanced signal to the line in to the duet. When using microphones there was nothing but noise. When connecting mics to the duet you must use a balanced signal path especially if +48v is involved. I could be wrong, but when I re routed I had no noise issue and haven't had one since.
Apogee Duet Hiss Noise -mic test
Hi Everyone,
Recently bought my Apogee Duet and like many, I experienced a loud hiss on the mic channels, using an NT2 Rodes mic which I love. I spent two days testing and experimenting and as a last resort (which should have been my first test!) I dug out an old AKG condenser and voila the hiss was gone!
I believe the mic has had this problem for a while but on the Mbox which I was using before I used to use a lower gain level (as the Mbox has a very low mic gain range) therefore I perceived the hiss to be room noise/mic picking up computer noise etc and managed to work around it somehow!
A good lesson - always test your new interfaces with different mics just in case.
I understand that this may not be the issue for many people and I am so not technical so forgive me if I'm stating the obvious : )
I have a tendency to jump to conclusions with reading other posts and was certain that this was a firewire/electrical/grounding issue.
However with the AKG (which is not a great mic so I will need to fix my Rodes or invest in a new one) I was able to get a nice loud signal no hiss which made me realise/remember that the mic I'm using has a great effect on the overall sound in the preamps etc.
Anyway hope that helps. If like me you may have been using a mic with an older interface with not so great preamps which didn't pick up a fault with the current mic it's worth checking?
I like the Apogee Duet compared to the Mbox but don't like the flimsy cords on the break out cables and wish Apogee would supply the nice break out box as standard but ho hum you can't have it all right...
Now I have tried leaving my Rodes NT2A in the airing cupboard over night to dry out to see if that has any effect as I read that it could be a dampness inside the mic which can cause higher self noise - will let you all know if it makes any difference.
MM
Hi Everyone,
Recently bought my Apogee Duet and like many, I experienced a loud hiss on the mic channels, using an NT2 Rodes mic which I love. I spent two days testing and experimenting and as a last resort (which should have been my first test!) I dug out an old AKG condenser and voila the hiss was gone!
I believe the mic has had this problem for a while but on the Mbox which I was using before I used to use a lower gain level (as the Mbox has a very low mic gain range) therefore I perceived the hiss to be room noise/mic picking up computer noise etc and managed to work around it somehow!
A good lesson - always test your new interfaces with different mics just in case.
I understand that this may not be the issue for many people and I am so not technical so forgive me if I'm stating the obvious : )
I have a tendency to jump to conclusions with reading other posts and was certain that this was a firewire/electrical/grounding issue.
However with the AKG (which is not a great mic so I will need to fix my Rodes or invest in a new one) I was able to get a nice loud signal no hiss which made me realise/remember that the mic I'm using has a great effect on the overall sound in the preamps etc.
Anyway hope that helps. If like me you may have been using a mic with an older interface with not so great preamps which didn't pick up a fault with the current mic it's worth checking?
I like the Apogee Duet compared to the Mbox but don't like the flimsy cords on the break out cables and wish Apogee would supply the nice break out box as standard but ho hum you can't have it all right...
Now I have tried leaving my Rodes NT2A in the airing cupboard over night to dry out to see if that has any effect as I read that it could be a dampness inside the mic which can cause higher self noise - will let you all know if it makes any difference.
MM