Macbook 2015 Mojave - Audio Playback Issue (Dropouts)

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Level 1

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Macbook 2015 Mojave - Audio Playback Issue (Dropouts)

Hi,

i'm using a Macbook Pro 2015 with Mojave 10.14.6 and I'm experiencing some strange sound errors.

While playing audio with an external sound card form any source (spotify desktop, chrome, youtube, ableton) the playback randomly drops out. Sometimes it's only a crack noise than in other cases its a broken for seconds. It's more likely to occur when I have some apps running but even with only one app I can still happen.

I've tried different cables, different ports (thunderbolt 2, usb) , its all the same.

When I use it with different sound cards the crack sound may differ a bit (bleeps and cracks noises).

I'm monitoring the Activity monitor while this occurs and it may occours more often while there is some heavier CPU usage.

Anyway the system parameters are:

3,1 GHz Intel Core i7

16 GB 1867 MHz DDR3

Thanks for any help.

Posted on Apr 30, 2020 3:10 PM

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Answer 1

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Wilddrums

Level 5

4,268 points

May 1, 2020 11:27 AM in response to gergo274

Thanks for the video. I can hear it clearly. It seems more than a drop. Almost loosing sync.

There are many reports of similar problems with recent Macs but I don't think it is your case.

Putting aside a hardware problem, You can try to reset the SMC and the PRAM: How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support.

Also, get and run Etrecheck and post the report here. Search Etrecheck in the Mac App Store.

WD

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Answer 2

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,268 points

Apr 30, 2020 3:41 PM in response to gergo274

Please, give us more details: What external audio interface? Make and Model? How is it connected to the computer?

Same problem using the Built-in output?

Does the problem goes away when Bluetooth or WiFi is deactivated?

Any changes just before the problem started? Updates, new software or device?

WD

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Answer 3

gergo274 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 1, 2020 7:10 AM in response to Wilddrums

It happens with both of my audio interfaces (UAD Apollo Twin via thunderbolt 2 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 via usb).

Here's a video of it while using the Apollo interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lJaNFjxWRU.

Thru different sound cards the issue sounds different too.

It occurs while using the built-in output too.

It doesn't go away when I deactivate Bluetooth and wifi.

I use everything set on 44100 Hz and 24 bit.

I honestly don't remember any points when I started recognise it although It feels like it's getting worse and worse over time.

Thanks for taking your time.

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Answer 4

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,268 points

May 1, 2020 2:34 PM in response to gergo274

Thanks for the feedback and the report.

I will look at it in details and get back as soon as I can. Meanwhile other users can provide their own insights.

Few things you can look at:

Do you have any trial or demo software installed?

Live 32 - Do you need that?

Logic Pro X 10.3.0 - Is it the version you really installed?

WD

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Answer 5

gergo274 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 17, 2020 7:05 AM in response to Wilddrums

hi, thanks again for your advices.

I have some demo softwares yes. Sorry bu I dont really get what do you mean by "Live 32" i didnt find it installed or anything.

Logic Pro X 10.3.0 was jus installed a couple days ago to test the sound thru a different DAW but I haven't tested it yet.

Thanks for the help.

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Answer 6

gergo274 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 1, 2020 1:26 PM in response to Wilddrums

I've reseted SMC and PRAM as well - checked and the problem is still here.

Also runned Entrecheck here's the full report:

EntreCheck report

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 7

gergo274 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 3, 2020 3:46 AM in response to Wilddrums

Is there any trace you may found in the report that would allow me to start further searching?

Really appreciate your help.

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Macbook 2015 Mojave - Audio Playback Issue (Dropouts)

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