MOTU PCI-Ex 434 + 2408 ... I am desperate!

[erodrigues]

Hi all,

I need help, I am honestly desperate...

I have a high level of IT SW install/repair and medium level with electronics repair (mod guitar pedals, repair guitar amps, bias amps, etc...).

Occasionally (every 2-3min) I can hear some kind of pops/cracks (not the same as sync loss type) during playback and/or recording... even just using Windows Media Player alone playing any MP3/CD from time to time that noise will appear. I am desperate and now I believe that there is something wrong with the 2408 rack, maybe a damaged AmpOp IC, anything....

Look my test scenarios:

new drivers = installed OK
2408 + PCI343 + original studio computer = not ok
2408 + PCIex434 + original studio computer = not ok
2408 + PCI343 + new computer = not ok
2408 + PCIex434 + new computer = not ok
WinXP = not ok
Win7 x86 = not ok
Win7 x64 = not ok
Used a Furman filter for computer/2408/speaker = Not OK
All cables replaced by balanced cables = not OK
Replaced Firewire cable = not ok

I thought to try with a old version of the PCI-ex 434 but I don't have it anymore... anyone that can upload something I would be deeply thankful!!!

I have heard of a stable driver dated 2008 (???)... I am using Win7 64bit so that I can use > 4GB RAM ... I am willing to try ANY DRIVER!

Thanks in advanced,
ER.

[torrentg]

Two obvious questions that come to mind for me:

1) Is there any security software installed that is common to ALL machines that exhibit this? (Or software/drivers for a different unit from another company on ALL machines?)

2) How does the MOTU unit behave when not connected to a PC? Does it operate and sound well?

Might as well bite the bullet here and clean install a vanilla Win7 and just the MOTU stuff, for testing purposes, if needed.

Plop in some hdd you might have and use that. Disconnect the original while testing.

Oh yeah, one more thing? Which output on the MOTU are you testing here? Analog or digital? Do both do it?

lol more things keep coming to mind...did you try to see how it goes by using only headphones connected to the MOTU, to eliminate any possible amp issue?

[erodrigues]

HI,

Thanks for the quick reply, that helps me thinking to maybe start debugging other things too.

1) Is there any security software installed that is common to ALL machines that exhibit this?
ANSWER: I believe I tested without any AV installed, I even created a strip down version of XP and no go ... All tests where performed in clean XP/Win7 instalations... This started acting funny out of nothing but I have to check again I might have installed MS Essentials (??)


2) How does the MOTU unit behave when not connected to a PC? Does it operate and sound well?
ANSWER: my bad, forgot to answer that the studio hw is PC based, don't have access to any desktop OSX platform only laptops

I even bought a new HDD (SSD) and nothing... just in case there was a problem with the previous HDD (although SMART was not reporting anything bad with it)


I will investigate on the AV/Sec SW and continue looking to see if I can get my hands several old drivers releases to discard the "driver" problem... not easy to find them online hope someone from the forum has a CD or old driver stored somewhere fingers crossed!


QUESTION: Oh yeah, one more thing? Which output on the MOTU are you testing here? Analog or digital? Do both do it?
ANSWER: all, I tried all analog OUTs 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8, headphones I am not entirely sure but I will give it a go.

Again MANY thanks for the reply! Really much appreciated.

Regards,
ER