Audio balance shifts

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Level 1

21 points

Audio balance shifts

I am using an M1 MBP and Big Sur 11.2. I have external speakers connected to a CalDigit TS3 Thunderbolt dock. Whenever I unplug and reattach the dock, the system audio balance shifts to the left channel. (The amount of the shift seems to vary each time.)

Does anyone know how to prevent this from happening? I installed a third-party app called "Balance Lock" that fixes the problem by forcing the balance back to center, but a third-party app in the background is a clunky fix.

Thanks

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Feb 8, 2021 1:06 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Feb 10, 2021 11:57 AM in response to Karl Dreeves

Hey Karl Dreeves,

Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities! We understand that your audio balance is shifting to the left when disconnecting and reconnecting your dock. Have you checked with CalDigit for a possible driver update for the dock? If not, we recommend checking with their support site to see if one is available: Support - CalDigit

If the issue continues after updating the drivers, or if one isn't available, let's help to isolate this by testing in a new user account. This will let us know if the issue is only in your user account or system-wide: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

Does this also happen if you connect the speakers directly to your Mac, instead of while using the dock? This can help to narrow down speakers or dock. Keep us posted.

Take care.

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Answer 2

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Feb 11, 2021 5:56 AM in response to Karl Dreeves

Karl Dreeves,

That's good to know. What happened when you tested in another user account, and when not using the dock? Do you use the "Docking Station Utility" with the dock? If so, there is an available update for the TS3 with CalDigit that includes the Mac with M1. Just wanting to be sure everything is updated for their dock.

The more details you can share the better.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

Eric--F

Community Specialist

Mar 4, 2021 7:45 PM in response to Karl Dreeves

Karl Dreeves,

Got it. If you don't use the dock, does this same behavior happen? If not, you'll want to reach out to the manufacturer to look into this more. If it does happen without the dock, reach Apple support: Get Support

Best regards.

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Answer 4

Karl Dreeves Author

Level 1

21 points

Mar 4, 2021 9:12 AM in response to mingoslkd

I haven't had the time to test out another user account. But the same issue is now happening on my 2020 Intel MBP. I set up both machines independently, that is I did not restore either from a backup or anything like that. So I think the fact that this is happening on both rules out the possibility that it is a corrupted setting or something like that in the M1 user account.

To answer your other question, I don't use the docking station utility as I have no need for it.

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Answer 5

Karl Dreeves Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 10, 2021 12:29 PM in response to mingoslkd

Thanks. There are no drivers for M1. Firmware is up-to-date.

I also have an Intel MBP and it works fine on that machine, without the extra drivers installed.

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Audio balance shifts

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