SOLUTION to the static audio issue

Yes, Mavericks seems to have solved it for me too.

I stand corrected: The issue is also present when playing through an external DAC, so it does indeed appear to be an issue with the software audio stack. I can't wait for my company to validate Mavericks, so I'll probably return this machine for a MBP.

I can confirm that the issue is fixed in Mavericks. Thanks, Apple!

I tried this and it did not work. The audio static was a system-wide issue for me. I solved it another way! If this did NOT work for you, please try my solution:

Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup

Go to Built-In Output in the pannel on the left-hand-side of the window.

1. Click "Output"
2. Set format to "2ch-24bit Integer"
3. Set format to "96000.00 Hz"

That's it! Hope that helped.

I'm glad I found this thread. I have a new MBA (about 7 weeks old), which has been making that annoying crackling, popping sound when streaming videos. I've noticed it with Firefox and Safari, but is worst with Chrome (my default browser). Never had this issue with prior MB Pro, and have always preferred Chrome browser.

The Adobe Flash plug-in has always been a problem area for aberrant behavior with Chrome. The current version is 11.9.900.117. This will install over the existing plug-in, so I really don't see what improvement will come from downloading the same plug-in, unless you have an older version running.

I used the suggestion above, of going into the Audio MIDI setup, and that suggestion seems to help with the issue in Firefox and Safari, but Chrome is still a problem, though maybe slightly better there too. So, clearly the issue, as noted here, is NOT hardware, but has to do with the interplay of browser and settings.

Oddly, I just took the MBA into Apple Genius Bar this morning, and they've decided to replace speakers and possibly logic board. Now that I see this thread, I'll make them aware that their fix is likely way off.

Haven't yet switched to Mavericks OS, but that sounds most promising of all. It's surprising that this issue hasn't gotten more notice, nor the attention of the Apple tech guys, who seem generally very knowledgable.

Sir Wetzel, you did the trick. Thanks man! The original solution posted in this thread also worked for me (not using chromes version of flash) but for some reason beyond my pay grade, adblock extensions would not block ads in flash videos if chrome's out-of-process flash plugin was disabled and adobe's version for mac was enabled. Thanks to you, I can now watch youtube without static or ads!

I've been looking for a fix for a while, works great for me.

Really appreciate the post

Cheers,

reversesharkattack

Message was edited by: reversesharkattack

Hello Guys I would like to say I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we have to look deeper into this concern as chrome isn't the culprit but I am going to lean towards flash player and as someone mentioned possibly a sw/ or even a hardware prob. As my machine responded in such fashion which is the reason I'm here looking into the problem ok the last thing I remember doing this morning is install flash to watch Elmo with my daughter on late 13 i5 2.7 8gb ram iMac osx 10.9.x so it's effecting machines other than Rmbps afterwards attempting to play a song threw iTunes I nearly sh:-Ted on myself you guys know exactly how I felt considering this is a new machine after troubleshooting and reading the discussion I'm still evaluating which bridge to cross apple care or update but yeah it's most likely not hardware seeing that these are to different machines effected and the fact that it didn't start until flash install I'll see what I come up with and post back as soon as possible

Adding to the original solution that joshxliao posted:

joshxliao wrote:

A while ago, I was having a problem where I could hear static whenever audio was played regardless if I used headphones or speakers.

The static sound is not a hardware issue. It comes from the internet browser Google Chrome. The issue is that the computer is using the integrated flash plug-in that comes with Chrome rather than using an actual Flash Player from the computer.

To fix this (if this is occuring in Chrome), this is what I have done:

1) Open Chrome and type "chrome://plugins/" without the quotation marks into the address bar

2) Disable the Adobe Flash Player

3) Download Adobe Flash Player for Google Chrome (Mac version)

This should fix the problem, as the Flash player is part of the computer and not of the browser.

I have contacted Applecare to tell them about this issue and solution with developers to see if there can be a fix for integrated Flash plug-ins.

I hope that this solves the problem for those having the static audio issue!

Cheers!

If you see something like this in Chrome's plugin section:

Adobe Flash Player(2 files)

then you probably have both the adobe flash & the inbuilt chrome flash (which is default)

To disable the chrome version & enable the system wide flash player, click on the "Details" link in the top right corner of the plugins page. This will expand the plugin details. Now disable the Chrome one (hint: look at the 'location'). The system one will now be enabled.

Source: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/108086?hl=en

And thank you joshxliao for the solution!

Thank you for this, Mansur0! I was having the static issue in Chrome with headphones, but only *sometimes* (turns out, when Flash was being used; other formats that has sound were crystal clear). I also had the "2 files" plugin and was confused by the instructions to "disable Flash and install Flash" (lol). Bringing up the details and disabling the Chrome-specific one was the solution!

Glad it helped 🙂

I have a 2009 15" MBP and have been having this issues pretty persistently as well. I have tried all of the solutions in this thread, as well as additional setting changes in the MIDI controller to no avail. I still have static with EVERY flash video I open. I guess I'll go back to firefox, or (gasp) Safari....

EDIT: I just tried the latest versions of FF and Safari as well on Mavericks with absolutely no difference. Still getting static. I have a sinking suspicion that it might be a hardware issue. Is there any hardware test I could do to check for issues with the audio?

SOLUTION! to audio noise, static, etc issues with Mountain Lion/Mavericks with Mbox 2 mini or like devices.

Finally, after much troubleshooting I think I've got the answer:

first I uploaded the latest Avid driver for Pro-Tools 9 (even though I only have Pro-Tools 8.03)

then I bought a USB 2.0 hub (I've heard these older mbox's only can handle 2.0)

tried it today, absolutely no noise!! thank heavens. Hope this helps

This is what worked for me (for audio noise, static, deterioration, etc) running an Mbox 2 mini with Mac (mountain lion and/or mavericks, mavericks didnt solve anything for me). It took way too long to find these solutions!

A) if you are using an older audio interface (mbox etc) it will work better with a USB 2.0 hub ($20, buy one with its own power supply), USB 3.0 is not generally supported for older devices/interfaces.

B) check your midi drivers, I downloaded an Avid update for Pro-Tools 9/ for my mbox 2 mini and it solved the problem for awhile, then the noise came back, then I bought a USB 2.0 hub to run the mbox through, and the noise is entirely gone. 🙂

C) I have repaired disk in utility app too, and reset the P and R ram and all the other things like that, but cant say they helped. Wont hurt though. I really think the USB 2.0 was the main factor.

Hope this helps! Nothing worse than something getting in the way of music!

Cheers

Thank you very much , I was so much worried and about to take it back to the store , and I wouldn't think they would have helped like you did ,

Thank to you

cheers

just download : https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/download/