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User profile for user: zzzTimzzz
zzzTimzzz Author
User level: Level 1
21 points

iMovie won’t play audio through interface

Hi, I’m using iMovie 10.1.14 on my iMac running Mojave 10.14.6.


iMovie refuses to output audio to my Universal Audio interface. The Audio midi setup is configured correctly.


Any other audio is routed as expected (using QuickTime or Logic etc).


When I swap the audio output In system preferences to Internal Speakers I hear what I expect to hear through my iMac.

If I then switch back to my Universal Audio Thunderbolt the sound will come through the interface. But if I press stop and start playing my movie again there is no sound.


My routing and set up is definitely correct. The sound works occasionally and then immediately fails, every time.


It seems to be a bug.


Has anyone else Had this problem?


My only workaround at this point is to use headphones plugged into my iMac but that’s far from ideal.


Many thanks

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 10.14

Posted on Aug 5, 2020 1:20 AM

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
47,730 points

Posted on Aug 6, 2020 7:11 AM

Try these diagnostic procedures:


Deleting

Preferences


Try opening iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and selecting to delete preferences in the box that

appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. Now see if iMovie will play the sound.


Safe Mode


You could also try booting up in Safe Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after everything loads, immediately shut down and reboot in normal mode. Then see if iMovie works properly.


Updating iMovie


To update/redownload iMovie 10, drag your iMovie 10 app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do not empty the

trash. Sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You will see your purchases displayed, including iMovie 10. Redownload/update iMovie from there. If not successful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash and return it to the Applications folder.


Resetting the System Management Controller


Try resetting the System Management Controller:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295


Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM


Try resetting the NVRAM or PRAM, although this issue would be fairly rare:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
47,730 points

Aug 6, 2020 7:11 AM in response to zzzTimzzz

Try these diagnostic procedures:


Deleting

Preferences


Try opening iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and selecting to delete preferences in the box that

appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. Now see if iMovie will play the sound.


Safe Mode


You could also try booting up in Safe Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after everything loads, immediately shut down and reboot in normal mode. Then see if iMovie works properly.


Updating iMovie


To update/redownload iMovie 10, drag your iMovie 10 app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do not empty the

trash. Sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You will see your purchases displayed, including iMovie 10. Redownload/update iMovie from there. If not successful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash and return it to the Applications folder.


Resetting the System Management Controller


Try resetting the System Management Controller:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295


Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM


Try resetting the NVRAM or PRAM, although this issue would be fairly rare:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

Reply
User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
47,730 points

Aug 5, 2020 8:55 AM in response to zzzTimzzz

Hi,


Since the iMovie audio output works everywhere except with your Universal Audio interface, it does not appear that the issue is related to a bug in iMovie. I'm thinking that it might have something to do with the Thunderbolt connection to the Universal Audio interface. Their website shows that it can be used with Thunderbolt 2 or 3. I believe that your iMac 27" has a Thunderbolt 3 port so if you are using that it should be working O.K. You might try switching to another Thunderbolt port, if your iMac has one, and see what happens. Or perhaps the input port on your Universal Audio has some issue. I'm just speculating here.


Also, you might want to try posting your question in the UA forums. They have a troubleshooting section. Here's a link:


https://uadforum.com/forum.php


-- Rich

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iMovie won’t play audio through interface

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