Bad distortion Logic Pro 10.8-11 MacOS Rosetta

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Level 1

120 points

Bad distortion Logic Pro 10.8-11 MacOS Rosetta

This distortion has been constantly, intermittently appearing off and on for the last 6 months and I really need to get it figured out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3Wh1XpJFc

Setup - MacBook Pro 16" M1 16/500 & SSL 2+ are both only about 6 months old. Very little extra programs installed on the MBP - Lightroom, Photoshop, 1Password, Sony Imaging, Caster, Chronosync, iLock License Manager, Synthesizer V Pro, Also Logic Pro 10.3 (the last version to be able to read SDII files) that's about it. This MBP is only used for Photo tethering - and Logic. Nothing else.

I've done all the obvious checks -

• swapping the interface's USB cable -

• Headphones also distort so it's not the audio system. speakers or headphones - no difference

• Connected everything to my Mac Studio M2 and no issues (same files)

• Happens across multiple files - even bare bones ones

• Created a blank user account and have not experienced it - so far.

• Levels are moderate - No peaks

I noticed it mainly happening on some default piano patches in the reverb decay portion so I bypassed the FX (in the buses) and that got rid of it. So far... but I also didn't download the entire soundware and FX packages on that account...

Any ideas?

Reinstalling Logic seems like a thought - but when it works OK on the blank user account it makes me pause on that.

If there's something wonky in my user account - how do I find it?

I think any kind of complete MacOS clean install isn't necessary - though it would be really the most nuclear thing to do. Given that I don't have a lot installed on the MBP it might not be so painful.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.3

Posted on Jul 23, 2024 12:12 PM

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Answer 1

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igirl1 Author

Level 1

120 points

Jul 23, 2024 2:00 PM in response to yoyoBen

Just create a new test user account, restart your computer and sign in to your new account.

I had already done this - #5 above - " Created a blank user account and have not experienced it"

Before you do this, disable Rosetta and boot Logic with your old account.

THIS however..... lightbulb moment - seems to be the solution to the cause! Thanks!!!

Initial tests seem to confirm. (Hoping this sticks and nothing else pops up)

FWIW - the blank account also wouldn't have had Rosetta turned on as that is a user preference...

I have one file in particular that will distort reliably on the piano in the same spot pretty much every time.

I toggled back and forth several times quitting & restarting Logic while switching between Rosetta On then Off.

Rosetta On = distortion - every time

Rosetta Off = no distortion - ever

This at least allows me to work around the problem, understanding the cause.

I'm guessing that my M1 MacBook Pro can't handle running Logic in Rosetta (too wimpy) - but my M2 Mac Studio doesn't even blink.

Synthesizer V Pro requires Rosetta - so I can mute offending tracks/FX while I work with it - and then bounce/export the audio file output for mixing later with Rosetta turned Off.

Thanks again for the detective work on this. I totally forgot about Rosetta as a suspect.

It saves me a lot of unnecessary and fruitless uninstalling and reinstalling chasing gremlins!

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Answer 2

yoyoBen

Level 4

3,613 points

Jul 23, 2024 12:40 PM in response to igirl1

If there's something wonky in my user account - how do I find it?

Just create a new test user account, restart your computer and sign in to your new account.

Before you do this, disable Rosetta and boot Logic with your old account.

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Answer 3

yoyoBen

Level 4

3,613 points

Jul 24, 2024 12:14 AM in response to igirl1

Great you did find the culprit.

I'm guessing that my M1 MacBook Pro can't handle running Logic in Rosetta (too wimpy) - but my M2 Mac Studio doesn't even blink.

It could also caused by the MacOS. But be careful updating, create a complete time machine backup before doing that. However, I think your workaround is also good.

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Answer 4

igirl1 Author

Level 1

120 points

Jul 24, 2024 6:50 AM in response to yoyoBen

It could also caused by the MacOS. But be careful updating, create a complete time machine backup before doing that. However, I think your workaround is also good.

Already there - I run a 2TB SSD partitioned 50//50 - Time Machine on one volume and Chronosync backing up my user files on the other.

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Bad distortion Logic Pro 10.8-11 MacOS Rosetta

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