Delta 1010 users?

[Shotgun]

I've started hearing noise on playback - static. Scratchy noise, like a dirty pot. When tracking down the source of the intermittant static through the signal path, I found that the slightest physical contact with the input jacks, the output jacks, or the +4/-10 buttons on the back of the 1010 breakout box causes HORRIBLE static / scratchy noise.

I inserted and removed balanced cables MANY times, to try and clean, swapped cables, shot some contact cleaner (the good stuff), and the problem goes away for a while then reappears in a day or two. Some channels are worse than others, but they are all doing it.

What do I mean by "the slightest physical contact with the input jacks, the output jacks, or the +4/-10 buttons causes HORRIBLE static / scratchy noise?" I am saying that when you touch the cable(s) plugged into both input and output jacks on the breakout box, or when you touch the +4/-10 button for any and all channels, during playback or recording, or neither if outputs are sent to the mixer, then very pronounced static is introduced into the otherwise normal signal.

It seems dirty, or like there is a problem with the signal within the box. I'm out of warranty.

Anybody a) ever had a similar problem with their 1010?, and/or b) ever had M-audio service hardware?

Thanks,
Keith

[rjohnstone]

Sounds like you got a grounding problem.
A lot of breakout type boxes share a common ground between input and output jacks.
Seeing that you live in Florida, I would open the box up and look for corrosion on the contacts since you live in a high humidity environment.

[Shotgun]

I'm there with you on the humidity. But the insides looked pretty enough last week when I opened it up for air blasting and Caig-ing. Worked fine after that, too. For three or four days.

[mm2002]

I've been using mine for a couple of months now, and I absolutely love it, however, you're kinda scaring me bro! No, just kidding. I think rjohnstone is probably onto something there, especially considering you've cleaned it and everything was good for a bit. The only thing that concerns me is that our humidity is every bit as high as yours if not more sometimes, and I haven't had a huge problem with it on any of my equipment. Your problem kinda sounds like static electricity to me. Is it a carpeted room, and have you noticed "shocks" whwn touching anything (or anyone) else? Just grasping at straws here, but it makes some sense to me. Definitely could be a grounding issue.

[Shotgun]

It is on tile, Mark.

Humidity is so high here that you couldn't generate any noticble static electricity with a damn Van de Graff. Grounding could be something, but it isn't hum - it is crackle. And it doesn't go away when you touch it, it crackles gawdawful when you touch the vinyl TRS cable. And when you touch the plastic +4/-10 switches. Not metal parts. But lemmie try some grounding troubleshooting tomorrow.

Otherwise, M-Audio is sending me RMA info. The repair rates seem reasonable to me, especially compared to the cost to replace it. But the four week turn around blows goats.

[mm2002]

I've never tried blowing a goat.........anything special I should know before giving it a whirl?