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Level 1

0 points

Random Static - Help!

I recently started recording our podcast (Manic Mommies) using my new MacBook Pro. After 30ish minutes, a line of static appears in the audio stream (I can hear it when monitoring the recording and GarageBand records it). The static is really terrible and makes the recording unusable. I figured out that if I quit GarageBand the static would stop. I can then restart GB and record for another 15 minutes (give or take) before it starts again.

The first time it happened I was using an older version of GB. The second time I had upgraded to the latest and greatest version.

The static can also be heard by others (say we're recording a Skype call). I don't think it's the microphones, because they are working fine on my co-hosts machine. I'm just not sure what is causing the static - is it related to GarageBand or the laptop.

Help! I'm so frustrated, I have to go use my old laptop to record this week's show since I can't be sure of the content!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Sep 13, 2007 7:08 AM

138 replies

vampduck

Level 1

8 points

Sep 23, 2008 10:40 PM in response to The Recognitions

This problem persists in 10.5.5 and on a computer with no hubs.

Oct 3, 2008 8:44 PM in response to ManicMommies

Ok, I may have found a solution. (Leopard 10.5.5, fwiw)

The problem, according to some people in a different forum, may be related to the clock source of the USB box.

To fix this, I went into Apps/Utilities/Audio Midi Setup. In the Audio menu there is an entry "Open Aggregate Device Editor". Click that.
In the dialog, click the + button at the bottom of the list, which was empty on my machine.
It will add a new device and in the bottom pane all the sound devices in your computer will show up. Only check the ones you want to use (USB audio). Then use the Clock radio button and select one of the USB devices as the clock source (I used the output).
Click Done.
Now set your default input and output to "Aggregate Device".

That fixed it for me. YMMV, as always.

Nov 14, 2008 3:09 PM in response to ManicMommies

I've got a new Mac Mini and tried all these ideas.
Still get the distortion/static from my USB input if I wait.

Works fine with my XP Pro laptop, shame the Cakewalk Pyro software crashes when you try to break tracks up.

I'm using my Mini with a Stanton T90 USB turntable.

I'm asking the same questions:-

who do we need to contact at Apple?
are Apple going to resolve this?

Considering MacOSX boasts high specs for Audio and Video I feel this is a huge letdown.

Yours
Leon.

Random Static - Help!