Q: Massive problem with audio interface

Hello guys...

So after using the beta update 10.9 .2 for a couple weeks I can share my experience with you.

I own the late 2013 iMac i7 3,5Ghz with the 3TB FD with the Apogee Duet2

The update DOESN'T FIX the problem it only MAKES IT WAY BETTER.

I would say 90% better but there is still some persistant audio clicks and after a couple hours of using logic pro recording and playback (Latest update) the audio drops and acts weird.

BUT before I install the beta update I couldn't even start working so it's a big improvement, I can manage to work on my session I have to restart the iMac whenever it starts to mess up the audio (About 2/3 times a day) Which is still a pain in the a** but better than not being able to work at all.

This update leave me hopefull but I really hope they entirely fix the problem with the public version.

Just wanted to share this with ya'll.

tanx XcellMusic

do you have any idea when they are supposed to launch the public version ?

do you still have low output or any statics with condensator microphone ?

Hey Hank I have no idea when are they releasing the public version.

Since the update, I have no problem with my microphone for about a couple hours of using my DAW I'd say, then it start to slowly messing up the audio signal, I reboot and it's back to normal.

For all the Apogee users here's what I just found on their website at the support / download driver page :

MPORTANT MESSAGE:
For customers with Haswell Macs

If you are experiencing interrupted or distorted audio on a new 2013 Haswell Mac, Apogee has developed a beta update for Duet 2, Duet for iPad & Mac and Quartet that may resolve the issue. If you have already contacted Apogee support and received a support ticket number please email betafeedback@apogeedigital.com and include the support ticket number and "New 2013 Mac Beta" in the title. If you do not have a support ticket number please click on this link to start the process:  http://www.apogeedigital.com/contact-support.php

tanx for the feedback XcellMusic this is suuuuuch a pain in the A.... ! i mean we all bought apple for multimedia reputation and it is failling big time .. i cant accept to boot and reboot because of this mess ! man .. this is unacceptable

i have an idea ... i am considering removing mavericks and install windows ... i d only keep the apple design as apparently they are NOT ABLE anymore to deliver reliable software

my advice : SELL APPPLE

i wish you manage to record peacefully some good music without being too much annoyed by this (expansive) failure

in your last post i see that Apogee is more reactive than multi billion dollars APPLE ... this is amazing

Thanks for the info XCellMusic,

Apogee was very quick to respond to my ticket. Those guys seems to be interested in solving this even if it is not them causing it. I will try that new beta from them and see what happens.

I'd be VERY curious to know if the Apogee beta fixes things for you (and anyone else) since I have five days left to decide whether to retrun my shiny new Haswell iMac which I bought to use exclusively as a music production machine.  My PreSonus Firepod isn't Mavericks compatible (before discovering all these threads I had assumed that's why I was getting pops and clicks) so I was also about to shell out for a Duet 2.  I'm just not sure if it's going to turn out that there's a hardware problem with the Haswell iMacs, in which case I'd definitely want to return it while I can, or if it's really an issue that can be fixed via a software patch or firmware update.  If the Apogee beta fixes things, I'll obviously feel much better, and will have some peace of mind in keeping the iMac.  Thanks!

Hey all, I just got my replacemend duet for ipad mad, updated the firmware and new mavericks drivers from the apogee site, and whammo, same problem.

It seemed as though it was going to work.  iTunes initially worked fine, but after trying to add simple drum loop to 2nd track guitar in garageband, the plugged in guitar was not audible, totally static’d out.  At this time, flipping back to iTunes revealed same thing, all frapped out iTunes.  Had to unplug and replug duet to get it to reset.  Even playing Itunes by itself without the other "challenge" apps at the same time reveals crapping outr after approximately 30 minutes.

I was able to make the same drivers work on my gf’s new 2013 macbook air also running 10.9.1.  I had previous M audio interface, as well as steinburg all crap out on the iMac 27" 3TB fuision drive.   Still very dissappointed.

When is Apple gonna step up and admit its a problem with the computer.  Does anyone know it the 3TB  hardrive version or the SSD work with apogee Duet?  I think the fusion drive has to go.  POC....piece of crap.

What to do?

For a week I've been on the phone with Tier 2 supervisors who are now in communication with engineering.

I have made sure that this thread and others like it have received attention and acknowledgement.

The problem is not dependent on whether or not you have a Fusion drive.

The main issue seems to be new Haswell/Crystalwell machines, and/or Mavericks, and/or Core Audio.

I highly recommend that you file a bug report with apple.com/feedback.

Pile on the bug reports there, as AppleCare reps and Geniuses generally are not aware of what goes on in the forums.

I think Apogee, Focusrite, Tascam and every other manufacturer is doing all they can to fix Apple's problem, with varied results.

I've gone through 2 2013 27" i7 iMacs with the 3TB FD and two different interfaces with the same problem!   The first one Apple swapped out back in October when they first came out without question.   It took 20 days to get the replacement but I got it and quickly realized I had the same problem.  

I finally gave up and on 12/19 ordered a MacPro, thinking I might get stuck with the iMac but hoped that 10.9 or 10.9.1 would fix this - Well we all know what happened so on 12/27 I returned #2 to Apple and asked for a refund.  Well after working with Apple and my reseller for 2 weeks they agreed to allow me to return the iMac.  

The MacPro showed up today, and guess what?   Works perfect right out of the box, no audio issues etc!

So I tell you this because they told me it was a FD issue, no simple fix for them.  I would unload that iMac as quickly as possible and either downgrade to a 7200 HDD or go to a different model computer.  I certainly would not settle for something that does not work as advertised.

Good Luck!

Hey William

What build of the OS is your new Pro running?

Hey BiggusDikkus,

The 2013 MacPro came with just 10.9 which was a little surprising, had to upload to 10.9.1, and there was a EFI firmeware update needed.   When I first plugged in a 30" Cinema display there was a h-sync issue but once the updates were done it works perfectly with the display.

I spent about 2 hours playing iTunes with now issue, and just finished a simple video project for a client with voice overs and files play flawlessly connect through a Focusrite 6i6 AI.

Hope this helps! - PS - This new Mac is just incredibly fast!

Upodate

Upgrading to new Apogee beta firmware didnt do anything. Still the same problems (dropouts, dist) when listening to a new recording. After this I installed the new Maverick beta dev version and did the same recording procedure and the problems disappeared completely. Now this needs to be tested more to be sure but there is definitely improvements in the coming Maverick version.

biggusDikkus, when you write the issue could come from core audio, i changed my old 2007 imac for 2013 one (the new one) i noticed the internal microphone i used for recording some acoustic videos was muuuch better with the 2007 ..

i cannot use the microphone of the new one .. sounds terrible, especially the guitar, it wouldnt be a problem if i could at least use an external card and microphone .. what i cannot do ! i will send back this **** imac and go back to windows .. at least for 1680 euros you get something decent

From the thread on Gearslutz.  http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/877537-potential-audio-problem-ne w-imacs-4.html

Posted by an Apogee rep.

OK, here's the update!

As some people have already deduced, the problems detailed in this thread have two separate causes:

1) The "Fusion Drive" issue, affecting new iMacs with a Fusion Drive installed.

2) The "USB Audio" issue, also affecting the iMacs as well as other new "Haswell" computers like MacBook Pros / Airs.

The Fusion Drive problem has been addressed by Apple directly, and the upcoming version of OS X - 10.9.2 - includes a fix. As mentioned above, there is a beta version available now, but you must be a member of their developer program to obtain it legally.

For some people the OS X update will fix their audio interface problems completely. Others with "Haswell" Macs may still be experiencing disconnects/distortion due to the separate USB Audio issue. We recently received code that addresses this issue, which we have integrated into the firmware for the Duet and Quartet. Today we're opening up betas of this firmware, available through our support team. You can find instructions on how to get the beta here:

Apogee Electronics > Apogee Support & Product Downloads

Hope this gives some clarity on the whole situation, and many thanks for the patience of everyone who has run into this issue with an Apogee interface!