octafish
Level 1 (25 points)

Q: Audio reduced to clicks - Need Advice!

I've been trying to troubleshoot this problem for some time no on my Mac Pro. WIth just about any audio app - iTunes, Pandora, Ableton Live etc. after a certain amount of time, the audio starts to distort and ultimately gets reduced to a series of repeating clicks. I've switched up audio interfaces, switched up MIDI/USB cables. Tried plugging them into different ports, out of hubs and directly into my Mac. I thought it might be memory related, but it seems to happen when I have enough available memory as well. Happens in all audio apps. Any advice on how to troubleshoot?

Mac Pro Nehalem Octocore 2009, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 2x 2.26 Ghz, 12GB RAM

Posted on Jan 6, 2013 1:10 PM

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octafish

Q: Audio reduced to clicks - Need Advice!

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  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 22, 2013 1:15 PM in response to cheekypaul
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 22, 2013 1:15 PM in response to cheekypaul

    Yes, that is my gear. Running 10.8.2 now. This issue has occured when uisng Pandora on the web (Safari), Soundcloud on the web (Safari), Pandora app, Spotify App as well as Ableton Live. Another possibly related issue(?) is that sometimes when I play Youtube videos in Safari I will get no Audio and the only way to resolve is to restart Safari. I have recently switched to using Firefox (due to what seems to be some kind of memory leak problem) and have not noticed the Youtube sound problem.

     

    Anyway, with regards to the main audio issue, the only solution has been to quit and restart the app which works 99% of the time, or unplug and plug back in the USB cable connected to the audio interface, which appears to work 100% of the time.

     

    I'll switch back to my audio interface now and post the details here of when it happens again.

    I really appreciate your help on this by the way.

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 22, 2013 1:19 PM in response to octafish
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 22, 2013 1:19 PM in response to octafish

    Also, fwiw, although I removed Soundflower and the Logmein Sound drivers, they still show up as input/output options under System Preferences->Sound.

  • by cheekypaul,

    cheekypaul cheekypaul Jan 22, 2013 1:54 PM in response to octafish
    Level 2 (228 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 22, 2013 1:54 PM in response to octafish

    ok.

    to get an idea of this sound that you're talking about, can you try something?

     

    run ableton.

    tell me what the audio page says, can you take a pic and insert it here? what are the input and output devices, in/out sample rate and buffer size.

     

    then load up any track.

    hit play and on the audio section of the ableton prefs, adjust the buffer size down while the track is running until the track won't playback and distorts.

    is that the clicky/distortion/break up you've been hearing?

     

    screenshot 2013-01-22 at 21.50.15.jpg

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 22, 2013 2:21 PM in response to cheekypaul
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 22, 2013 2:21 PM in response to cheekypaul

    Here it is before the test:

     

    abletonprefs.jpg

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 22, 2013 2:29 PM in response to octafish
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 22, 2013 2:29 PM in response to octafish

    I tried your test. This is slightly different than what I'm experiencing. Adjusting the buffer size down in Ableton distorts the audio and slows it down, but the problem I'm talking about reduces the audio to a clicking noise before stopping it altogether. Similar, but different. Also my problem happens throughout multiple audio apps.

  • by cheekypaul,

    cheekypaul cheekypaul Jan 22, 2013 3:29 PM in response to octafish
    Level 2 (228 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 22, 2013 3:29 PM in response to octafish

    ok.

    im going to think about it for a few days.

    but you say you havent had the noise using the built in audio or at least not using an interface?

    plug up an interface and stick with that one, if possible, until you get the noise. try to notice the turning point.

    fix it, doing your usual reset/restart, and then try and make it happen again.

    look up the current drivers for any interfaces you're using and read the small print to see if theres any issues.

    this could go on...

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 22, 2013 3:43 PM in response to cheekypaul
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 22, 2013 3:43 PM in response to cheekypaul

    Yes, it's a headscratcher for me...... I'm going to let it run overnight using the built in audio again, just to make sure. If it happens, then there will be no audio playing when I check my machine in the morning. I've tried to notice any kind of turning point before and eliminate all variables, but still cannot figure it out. It happens at random times it seems. Lack of memory does not seem to be the issue as far as I can tell. I noticed it for months on my old interface (which was a used Native Instruments Kore Controller), did all my trouble shooting with that. i.e., new cables, different ports, straight into the mac w/ no hub, etc., etc. and then bought a brand new Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 interface...same issues, same troubleshooting - switched cables, ports etc. Even changed the connections from the audio interface to my speakers from 1/4" to 1/4" to 1/4" to XLR. Same problem. The only clue I really have is the error I see in the log, which once again is:

     

    1/8/13 12:37:29.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff80421f6e00]::clipOutputSamples(0x3490, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/8/13 12:37:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 88601324 ( 48000)  output : 88602091 ( 48000)  (+767)

     

    not sure where else to turn. Sometimes my machne will play audio for 8-10 hours without this issue popping up, so I can't exactly bring my machine and peripherals into the Apple store and sit at the Genius Bar all day..........

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 22, 2013 6:51 PM in response to octafish
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 22, 2013 6:51 PM in response to octafish

    OK so here it is again. Now in this case, I had my Spotify app open but it had been paused for a few hours, so no music/audio. I just hit play on it, heard the clicking noise and saw this repeatedly in the console:

     

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0x198, 0x204) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724762660 ( 44062)  output : 724763365 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724763366 ( 44125)  output : 724764070 ( 44062)  (+704)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724764071 ( 44062)  output : 724764776 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724764777 ( 44125)  output : 724765482 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724765483 ( 44125)  output : 724766187 ( 44062)  (+704)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724766188 ( 44062)  output : 724766893 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724766894 ( 44125)  output : 724767598 ( 44062)  (+704)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724767599 ( 44062)  output : 724768304 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724768305 ( 44125)  output : 724769010 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:29.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724769011 ( 44125)  output : 724769715 ( 44062)  (+704)

    1/22/13 6:49:30.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724769716 ( 44062)  output : 724770421 ( 44125)  (+705)

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 22, 2013 6:54 PM in response to octafish
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 22, 2013 6:54 PM in response to octafish

    and this:

     

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0x974, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0xb74, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724584846 ( 44062)  output : 724585551 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0xd74, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724585552 ( 44125)  output : 724586256 ( 44062)  (+704)

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0xf74, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724586258 ( 44125)  output : 724586962 ( 44125)  (+704)

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0x1174, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0x1374, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724586963 ( 44062)  output : 724587668 ( 44125)  (+705)

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: IOAudioStream[0xffffff8032d72a00]::clipOutputSamples(0x1574, 0x200) - clipping function returned error: 0xe00002e7

    1/22/13 6:49:25.000 PM kernel[0]: stream sync error: input : 724587669 ( 44125)  output : 724588373 ( 44062)  (+704)

  • by cheekypaul,

    cheekypaul cheekypaul Jan 25, 2013 6:57 AM in response to octafish
    Level 2 (228 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 25, 2013 6:57 AM in response to octafish

    ever installed or ran other audio apps, like pro tools, reaper, reason?

  • by cheekypaul,

    cheekypaul cheekypaul Jan 25, 2013 7:17 AM in response to cheekypaul
    Level 2 (228 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 25, 2013 7:17 AM in response to cheekypaul

    make sure your scarlett is connected directly to the mac pro and not a usb hub.

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 25, 2013 12:27 PM in response to cheekypaul
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 25, 2013 12:27 PM in response to cheekypaul

    Yes, over the years I've installed multiple other audio apps.

  • by octafish,

    octafish octafish Jan 25, 2013 12:27 PM in response to cheekypaul
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jan 25, 2013 12:27 PM in response to cheekypaul

    The Scarlett is connected directly to the Mac Pro. I've tried multiple different cables as well.

  • by cheekypaul,

    cheekypaul cheekypaul Jan 25, 2013 12:56 PM in response to octafish
    Level 2 (228 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 25, 2013 12:56 PM in response to octafish

    might be obvious to say this at this point but if it were me...

     

    ...i'd have to uninstall everything non apple and/or audio based and start again. it's an unacceptable and unnatural circumstance to find oneself.

     

    a short cut to this would be to start up holding down the shift key, this will boot the macpro/osx in safe mode, disabling a lot of, if not all, 3rd party stuff that isn't apple 'built in'.

    it might be worth doing that, and also take a look at your start up items, anything in there that you don't need?

     

    other boring stuff to look for are making sure all your software is up to date.

    all your firmware is up to date. did you install the focusrite usb update?

     

    Focusrite USB2.0 Driver – OSX(1.4)

    Fixes:

    Mountain Lion Compatibility

    Alleviates some dropout issues

    Increased performance and stability

     

    Focusrite USB 2 Driver-1.4 dmg

     

    i'd certainly be checking that my audio buffers were high enough to cope with whatever it's getting sent. these can be different for each app.

    and if you don't use things like soundflower, at least make sure you are using the most up to date version of it (1.6.6b). it changes a lot, or, uninstall them fully, the uninstall app is in the dmg.

     

    sorry if that's all obvious and already done. you're going to have to strip everything out, see if the problem still exists minus anything none apple, then see what installation makes it return. if it's there after the uninstalling, it's a hardware issue. either a faulty clock not resolving or a dodgy usb port. or something else.

     

    it's gonna fun at your place this weekend!

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