You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Jason Wooten Author

Level 1

4 points

Robotic Static Sounds USB Headset

Issue: When using any USB headset or USB audio input device on any Macintosh with any operating system from 10.5.7 to 10.6.1, after about 10-20 minutes of use, all audio from the headset becomes garbled and has a robotic static sound quality.

Tested with: Dozens of different Macintosh Computers over the last 6 months with different USB headsets and microphone input devices.

Reproducable: Yes, via either Garageband, Ventrilo or a number of other software applications that do USB Audio Input

References:
http://www.ventrilo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37302
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=17367983174&sid=1
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9983346&#9983346
http://ministryoftruthblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/fixing-usb-audio-static-on-mac-o sx.html
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?s=d9c3718b7185c8e1caee585c248c3bab&showtopic=75 528&st=40

Additional Information and attempted fixes:
• Tried it with a powered USB Hub
• Switched the Audio Midi Setup input to 48k
• Using Audio Midi Setup to create an aggregate device
• Tried it on different Macs, Different Headsets and Different physical locations
• Tried different USB ports

Message was edited by: Jaycyn

Macintosh, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Sep 18, 2009 1:22 PM

170 replies

May 13, 2016 8:16 AM in response to domemvs

Found a clue earlier in this thread that fixed the problem for me. On a new MacbookPro, my trusty Plantronics suddenly was creating static, noise and out of phase recording.

This was fixed by changing the input sampling in the target application from 48Hz to 44Hz. There is no way to do this at a system level, just the application level.

variuse

Level 1

8 points

Nov 29, 2010 5:43 AM in response to Wingman2112

I have submitted a bug using Apple's official bugtracking website ( http://bugreport.apple.com/) and wrote some detailed feedback at http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

Hope that helps...

Einherji

Level 1

0 points

Mar 21, 2011 3:10 PM in response to Jason Wooten

Still no mention of a fix with system update 10.6.7

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4472

Jason Wooten Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 21, 2009 11:47 AM in response to ryan.maroon

Another user has bug report 7076979 on file - however, the Developer Bug Reporting system will not allow others to view your bug report.

I have opened another report with more information 7239868

Ellyllon

Level 1

0 points

Sep 23, 2009 7:44 AM in response to Jason Wooten

Same problem here - nothing to do with the headset. (I made the sad mistake of assuming this, then ordering a new one.)

Dabo7

Level 1

0 points

Oct 2, 2009 2:34 PM in response to Jarrett Kertesz

Same issue, REALLY annoying, and makes me regret installing the Mac Pro 10.5.7 that seemed to have started it all. So /bump in hopes of an answer.

Oct 23, 2009 4:10 PM in response to chaoscomposer

Just confirming this isn't limited to Ventrilo - it is any USB headset in any voice app. It happens all the time to me when I'm on Skype, and Vent.

Zellski

Level 1

0 points

Mar 24, 2010 11:14 AM in response to Jason Wooten

The excellent instructions posted by cburgess (near-bottom of previous page) worked perfectly for me - thank you!

Einherji

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2010 5:05 PM in response to Jason Wooten

Just upgraded to version 10.6.3 and I am still experiencing the same problem with my Logitech 960 USB headset.

Apr 15, 2010 1:42 PM in response to Einherji

Thank you for your help. I reinstalled the system because I needed to have sound working today, but I'll try your suggestion on the weekend.

Thank you 😀

dec182

Level 1

0 points

Jun 19, 2010 5:47 PM in response to Zephyrana

Seems like the latest update to OSX brought this back for me... so bump.

Harrolds

Level 1

0 points

Jun 27, 2010 11:11 AM in response to Jason Wooten

This fix did originally resolve the issue.. but since the latest apple update this fix no longer wants to work.. any suggestions?

Aug 31, 2010 6:37 PM in response to Jason Wooten

Same issue here. This is really annoying. We know this is a USB driver issue because swapping the USB kext for an older one worked. Come on, Apple, please address this.

Trev

Zehwuh

Level 1

0 points

Sep 23, 2010 12:25 AM in response to Zehwuh

Anyone know a solution to this in 10.6.4?
Would be very grateful!

dec182

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2010 7:27 PM in response to mr.bill

So glad to see this problem STILL exists in 10.6.5!

Keep up the good work, Apple! Let's keep this bug alive!

Domo Arigato, I am Mr. Roboto!

Robotic Static Sounds USB Headset