Questions & Answers

AudioBox iTwo randomly started recording at very low db

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asked Jul 14, 2017 in AudioBox USB by matthewolson1 (190 points)
Ok first off, I apologize if this is long winded, but I want to give as much info as possible about my problem. Secondly, I've read the manual a couple times and I can't see that I've done anything incorrect. Third, thanks in advance for any help, I really appreciate it. I'm wrecking my head here for the last 6 hours trying to fix this.

I have the Audiobox iTwo, and it has worked perfectly for the last month with no issues recording what-so-ever. Last night the mic input doesn't seem to be getting the 48v from the Audiobox anymore. I didnt change any settings, and the best I can guess is I was running a few recording programs at the same time and somehow conflicted something somewhere, or, I have my mic (AT2020) connected to a desk mounted movable arm and I frequently move it up and down when Im getting in and out of the chair. The XLR cable that i'm using came with the arm, so maybe it's cheap and shorted from repeated movement?

basically the mic is reading input, but it comes through very weak even with all the knobs turned up. now this is the weird part, if i turn the 48v OFF, the mic works perfect for about 15s, but then fades out over the next 5 seconds back to very low level (normal speaking 4 inches away with pop filter removed comes through at -40 to -30 . also, if I put the audio mix all the way to input (left) i can hear myself nice and loud, so im guessing the mic and cable are fine.

This is windows 7.

What the heck am I doing wrong here? Id be happy to go down and by a replacement whatever if I knew what i needed to get.

Thanks, and let me know if you need any other info or specs, because this is absolutely wreckign my head.

2 Answers

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answered Jul 17, 2017 by butchrichard (131,360 points)
 
Best answer
The issue you describe with the 48v is distinct.  Also that you state it used to work and now now longer.  Sounds like your AudioBox is faulty.

You can troubleshoot by testing with new cables and a different mic of course.  You can also test your AudioBox with a different computer just to rule this out.

You should ultimately contact PreSonus Support to have your AudioBox repaired.
0 votes
answered Jul 19, 2017 by matthewolson1 (190 points)

Thanks for the reply buddy.

I ended up trying a new XLR cable. It fixed the phantom power issue. When I was pulling the old one out I noticed a really gnarly kink in it. I would wager that the 48v rail was shorting from this kink. The boom arm i was using had the cable chased through the frame. Looked really tidy, but it appears that this setup was not friendly to lots of boom arm movement. I chopped it out at the kink and remade the plug, I guess i have a really short 1m patch lead now laugh

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