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Pro Tools Problem

  • 21-11-2012 10:44pm
    #1
    Luckycharms_74
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,682 ✭✭✭


    Hi All

    I started using Pro Tools 9 a few months back. The interface I'm using is the Fast Track Pro. I used it maybe 6 times at home and it recorded perfect. The problem happened today. I brought the laptop & Fast track pro to our rehearsals room and proceeded to try and record. The problem was that each time we tried to record it came out distorted. The gains were down pretty low and no clipping was showing on the LEDs.
    We tried to change the cables and It was still the came. I tried to play a backing track on Pro Tools and that was distorted also. I'm wondering if it could be a bad earth from the laptop or maybe the USB cable from laptop to Fast Track pro is the problem.
    Has anyone else come across this problem :confused:


Comments

  • #2
    QuadLeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭QuadLeo


    Just so I understand... if you import clean audio into a pro tools session, a backing track for example, it becomes distorted when you play it back?

    If this is the case it's likely the problem is with the headphone preamp or the monitor outputs on the interface. Can you try another interface just to narrow it down? It's unusual for all inputs and outputs to be distorting. Unless there's a major circuitry/power problem, I wouldn't be sure.

    Try using the interface on bus power only, then with it plugged in, see if it makes a difference. Unlikely that it's the usb cable but it could be the loose socket. But I'd imagine it just wouldn't work at all if there was a dodgy USB connection.


  • #3
    Luckycharms_74
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,682 ✭✭✭Luckycharms_74


    QuadLeo wrote: »
    Just so I understand... if you import clean audio into a pro tools session, a backing track for example, it becomes distorted when you play it back?

    It happened what I tried to record a track. I thought it might be a problem with the recording inputs so I tried to play a backing track and that was also distorted.
    QuadLeo wrote: »
    If this is the case it's likely the problem is with the headphone preamp or the monitor outputs on the interface. Can you try another interface just to narrow it down? It's unusual for all inputs and outputs to be distorting. Unless there's a major circuitry/power problem, I wouldn't be sure.

    I don't have another interface to try. It just seems weird that all of a sudden it didn't work properly
    QuadLeo wrote: »
    Try using the interface on bus power only, then with it plugged in, see if it makes a difference.

    The interface has always run on BUS power, I don't have an additional power supply for it. I assumed that I didn't need a power supply.

    QuadLeo wrote: »
    Unlikely that it's the usb cable but it could be the loose socket. But I'd imagine it just wouldn't work at all if there was a dodgy USB connection.
    I would have thought the same regarding the USB. It either works or it doesn't.


    I will disconnect everything and reconnect later. I will also try different USB slots on the laptop. I hope its just some gremlins in the system and they will fcuk off out of it :D


  • #4
    QuadLeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭QuadLeo


    Hmmm... Have you tried exporting/bouncing one of the recorded tracks and playing them in itunes or something? Listening without the interface. If it's clean then it has to be the headphone output on the interface, or just the whole interface is bust.


  • #5
    Luckycharms_74
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,682 ✭✭✭Luckycharms_74


    I found a fix on another site. They suggested to change the playback buffer in the playback engine. I changed it from 2 (default) to 1. It seems to have fixed it :).

    GI9pr.jpg


  • #6
    Luckycharms_74
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,682 ✭✭✭Luckycharms_74


    Quick update.

    It has started giving the old problem again. I have tried to change the setting in playback engine but it still Distorts. Any Pro Tools experts out there can help ?


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  • #7
    studiorat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,408 ✭✭✭studiorat


    Did you change the Hardware buffer?

    I've come across problems sometimes with the front USB sockets on a Mac Pro supplying less power than the back sockets.

    What sort of distortion are we talking about? Analog or digital? Like a distortion pedal or clipping?


  • #8
    Luckycharms_74
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,682 ✭✭✭Luckycharms_74


    studiorat wrote: »
    Did you change the Hardware buffer?

    Haven't used it since. Will try change it later tonight and see how it works. The weird thing is ?I have been using the desktop the past few nights with the pro tools projects that were giving problems on the laptop and they all worked perfect.
    studiorat wrote: »
    I've come across problems sometimes with the front USB sockets on a Mac Pro supplying less power than the back sockets.

    I must check the different USB on the laptop.
    studiorat wrote: »
    What sort of distortion are we talking about? Analog or digital? Like a distortion pedal or clipping?

    Not sure how to tell on that one. It seems to be clipping i think.


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