Digi 002 output distortion - please help!

[audiorayne]

Help! Recently I've been having an issue with my Digi002, and posted it on the Digi DUC forum with no luck. I called the tech sup at my online retailer and they hadn't hadn't ever seen this issue before. Digi's tech support is so backed up that right now they don't even pretend to be available to take calls, so I'm hoping one of you Taxi Pro Tools folks out there might have seen this issue before and can lend me your brain. Recently my Digi002 main outputs became really distorted when playing back Pro Tools session audio. As soon as any bass hits it sounds like my speakers are blown. But, I tried the Digi 002 headphone output as well, and it's the same thing through the headphones. Normally I run a headphone mix sent to the 002 analog outs 7-8 then to a presonus headphone amp, and somehow the audio there is fine. I tried other sessions thinking that I'd just screwed something up with a plugin and was overloading the master bus or something, but it was the same situation with those sessions as well.When I connect my Mbox mini instead of the 002, the audio on the main outs is fine too. It's just the 002 main outputs that are causing the problem, but it's only in Pro Tools. When I listen to iTunes through the 002 using the CoreAudio Manager, for example, it works fine.I've searched everywhere for an answer to this, done everything in the troubleshooting thread, and I've also tried reinstalling both the Mac OS, and Pro Tools, and running the system with no peripherals attached at all. No luck.Here's my config:Macbook Pro 17 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo2GB RAM 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAMMac OS 10.4.9Pro Tools LE 7.4external FW800 hard driveExternal monitor on DVIiLok on USBLogitech wireless mouse with USB transmitterIf anyone out there can help, I'll buy all your drinks at the Rally next year! (is that incentive or what!?) -AR

[ernstinen]

Hi AR,I had the same problem with my Digi002 using the digital inputs and outputs. Terrible crackling and distortion.What I figured out was that I had TWO Firewire cables connected to my computer, one to a Firewire soundcard/interface (which I used for Gigastudio, and not at the same time as Pro Tools), and the other to the Digi002. When I unplugged the other Firewire cable, problem solved!If that's not your problem, I know that Digi002 power supplies go bad, and Digidesign knows it. I'm on my 3rd one, and the company paid to replace them even after the unit was out of warranty, no questions asked.Hope this helps!Ern

[audiorayne]

Thanks guys for responding so quickly. Just reaffirms my opinion that this forum is awesome. Taxi: 2; DUC: 0. Ernstinen,The problem is in fact with the analog outputs (no digital involved). I’ve been using an external HD on FW800 in addition to the 002’s FW400 connection for over a year with no problems. When I disconnect everything but the 002 the problem remains. When I reinstalled OSX and PTLE 7.4, those peripherals were connected but not turned on – not sure if that means anything, or if I should have just disconnected everything when reinstalling. I’ve read a bit about the 002 power supplies so I’m hoping (if I can get in touch with Digidesign) that it’s something that simple (and free). I’m also out of warranty. I curious though – on Digi’s tech support line, when you got this replacement, did you choose the “eligible registered hardware” option or the “out of warranty, you’ll-have-to-pay-us-to-talk-to-us” option? Aub,I agree – the iTunes thing makes this really weird.These aren’t the clicks and pops of an out of sync digital (to the best of my knowledge – I’m not an expert yet). The reason I know this is because I also have a Mackie 800R which I slave the 002 to via lightpipe when recording (no FW connection involved). Every now and then I’ll turn on the 002 and forget to also turn on the 800R, and I’ll try to play iTunes – I get clicks and pops then, because (I think) the 002 is still looking for the external clock that’s not there. As soon as I turn on the 800R again (or alternatively set the 002 to internal clock), no more clicks and pops. What happens in PT sessions, even when the 002 is set to internal clock and the 800R is off, is crazy distortion as if I’ve got a way overloaded master bus, or a limiter is cranked too high. On the surface it just seems like a simple operator error where I screwed up the signal flow in my session (or something like that). But, if that’s the case the problem should only apply to that session (hopefully), and definitely should also exist even with the Mbox mini (USB) connected instead of the 002. Unfortunately it happens in all sessions with the 002, but doesn’t happen in any session at all when the Mbox is connected instead. Just a thought - I’ve only had the 800R for a couple months now – maybe that’s causing some problems?? During my troubleshooting sessions, I deleted all Digidesign Database folders & user Digi prefs, I ran Apple hardware check, etc.There’s one thing I forgot to mention. I’m also running WinXP with Boot Camp, and although iTunes works in OSX with the 002, it doesn’t work worth a crap in Windows (even with 002 on internal clock, etc) – I’ve got Digi’s standalone CoreAudio manager, and it skips and jumps like crazy, almost like half of every second of audio has been removed. Do some versions of iTunes cause FW problems that you know of? I’m using iTunes 7.3 on both OSX and WinXP. Thanks again,-AR

[audiorayne]

Quote:7.4 hasn't been out that long, could it be a bug with that version? Any chance of reverting to 7.3 for a moment to try it out? I haven't installed 7.4 yet so I don't have first hand experience with it. I'm thinking that since iTunes works fine this is probably not a hardware issue but most likely a software issue, maybe 7.4 and core audio are not playing nicely with each other as Aub mentioned.Hey Antonio, thanks for your input.This problem actually started while I was running 7.3. I wiped my previous OS 10.4.8 and installed the 10.4.9 combo update, and bought the upgrade to PTLE 7.4 this weekend hoping that might solve the issue (AND allow me to play with elastic time). Well, elastic time is pretty cool, but my session still sounds like poo. Keep posting those thoughts!-AR

[ernstinen]

Quote:I slave the 002 via lightpipe when recording Hmmmm --- I've had problems using Lightpipe with an Adat. Same thing --- crackles and distortion. When I first bought the Digi002, I thought I'd bounce tracks from the Adat to Pro Tools via Lightpipe as an experiment. Didn't work, so I gave up. I just didn't NEED to do that, so I shrugged it off and moved on. What a conundrum! --- Keep those ideas coming, guys!Ern

[aubreyz]

Yes some versions of iTunes cause all kinds of goofiness... I'm still on 7.0 "something". The whole bootcamp thing brings up things I could only guess at The next question... does it do this at all sample rates? Have you tried a session at 44.1k, 48k and 96k.Also, when did PT go from +6 to +12? Was that 7.3 or 7.1. Are you using +12 sessions? Pure conjecture, but maybe there is a firmware update for the 002??I love and hate mysteries Aub

[audiorayne]

Hmm... maybe I'll ditch iTunes and see what happens... Good thinking Aub. I use the 800R to record so I can skip the 002 pres and converters - my input to PT is via the 002's ADAT inputs. Up until now that's worked stellar. I actually tried recording something that way, and it comes in fine, but the playback distortion through the 002 is still there. I know the recording via the 800R/lightpipe is fine because the Mbox plays that recorded track back with no problem.Haven't tried any sessions at the different sample rates but I'll check that out asap too. Looks like the +12 dB fader gain happened in LEv6.4 (didn't realize it was so long ago either...) (http://archive.digidesign.com/support/001/) [addendum: the previously available +6 dB fader gain option for new sessions was removed in V7.0, in case that's what you meant, Aub...]I looked into firmware updates anyways but apparently when you launch PT it checks out your hardware and busts you some firmware love if you need it (including the fader firmware I assume). Haven't gotten any love in a long time - guess that means I don't need any... ha ha ha. There's a song title for you. Thanks as always. I'll check back with updates, but if any other ideas spring to mind in the meantime, let me know.Cheers,-AR

[audiorayne]

Montster - thanks for your input … looks like the other avenues are mostly exhausted so it’s probably going to be Digi tech support for me!To those who have been graciously following this thread: After considerable hours troubleshooting yesterday, the problem remains… (Aaargh!)Here are the facts:1. Digi 002 distorted outputs. Sounds like main outs are overloaded or speakers are blown. Most noticeable with “full” mixes where bass is present. Problem is fuzz and distortion, not digital clicks and pops.2. Includes Digi 002 main monitor outputs, headphone outputs (using headphones), and the main analog outputs 1-2.3. Does not affect Digi 002 analog outs 3 through 8 - those are crisp and clear as normal. Tested all outputs with two brands of monitors, and headphones.4. Problem exists for all sessions5. Problem exists only when Pro Tools is running. When audio is played through iTunes, Digi 002 main & headphone outputs are fine6. Problem DOES NOT exist when running Pro Tools with Mbox Mini via USB (w/ 002 switched off). Problem initially observed with the following configuration:1. Macbook Pro 17”, 2 GB RAM 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 100GB 7200rpm HD2. Mac OS 10.4.83. Pro Tools LE 7.3.1cs54. External Glyph hard drive on firewire 8005. Mackie Onyx 800R interface used as clock master, connected via lightpipe to Digi002 ADAT input6. External display on DVI7. iLok on USB8. Logitech wireless mouse with USB transmitterSame problem observed even after the following troubleshooting steps were performed and/or under the following conditions:1. Delete Digidesign Databases folders at root of all drives2. Delete Digi User Prefs (DAE Prefs, DigiSetup.OSX, PT prefs, com.digidesign…. etc.) 3. Reinstall updated Mac OS (10.4.9) from combo update4. Install Pro Tools LE 7.45. Open new sessions in PT LE 7.4 at 48, 88.2, 96kHz, and import a WAV file from a commercial CD as a test 6. Record something through the 800R (master) to the 002 via lightpipe. Playback through 002 and then test w/ Mbox Mini – 002 distorted, Mbox not distorted.7. Run Macbook with only iLok and Digi 002 connected. Run 002 with internal clock (800R switched off and disconnected from 002)8. Uninstall iTunes9. Replace firewire cable10. Replace power cable11. Power 002 from different circuitThanks again to everyone who followed this. Hopefully now that I have this all laid out Digi tech support might be able to help more quickly. If you can think of any way that would make the description of the issue or the troubleshooting more clear, let me know.Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! (where applicable )-AR

[audiorayne]

Update (again):Well, the independent shop says it's going to cost either $360 or $402 depending on what the problem is. Not much cheaper than Digi's replacement! *bang head* If anyone has any idea where I can find schematics and spare parts for these units, please let me know! I got my popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and elbow macaroni (and Farmer's white glue of course) ready to go! -ARP.S. Tried it with another computer yesterday as suggested by Justin in this thread ... same deal. *bangity bangity bang*

[audiorayne]

Quote:this might be worth a look...http://www.blacklionaudio.com/digi002_mod.htmlThanks Steve,This mod looks pretty cool.. I got in touch with the guys there and they told me that the mod may or may not fix the issue that I'm having. If not I'd still have to send the 002 away to get repaired. Total amount could be either $500 (mod) or $900 (mod AND repair). Neither of those amounts look terribly appealing right now! I wonder if my wife would accept that as her Christmas present?