clipping sound on new iMac when Logix X is running

Hi Inkaroads, I feel your pain, I am in the same situation as you and very anoid that I can't work with this lovely new computer. I was using a Personus AudioBox 22vsl and hoped that it was the prblem so yesterdat I bought a Focusrite Scarlet 2i4. Exactly the same problem except that it took a little longer to develope. Same noises then stuttering and finally cut off.

I am contacting the support pro handling my ticket today and arranging to send this 27" i7 1TB FD back and getting one without the FD since people without fusion drives are issue free.

Here is an update after talking to Apple LocicPro support for 2 hours. They admit that it is the fusion drive causing the hickups. There is no fix at the moment but gave me two options. I can return my Mac and reorder one without the fusion drive, either straight ADA or SSD (flash) or take it back to the authorised Apple store that I bought it through and have them erase the fusion software and reformat the small SSD (124gz) and the 1TB ADA. Ersasing the FD software seems to be the fastest solution. The only wrinkle is that I will be left with two internal drives, the small SSD and the larger ADA. That means I have to be careful not to let the little SSD get full up, basicaly treating the 1TB ADA as a scratch drive and only putting the OS and Aplications on the SSD.

I don't know if this will help any of you but I'm going to do the drive reformatting tomorrow and will report on how it goes. Wish me luck.

Note:

The "Fusion Drive Software"

Thx for the report Clambake.

Just for the heck I booted my imac through an external hd and I'm letting it run itunes, just to see if the audio problems persist. I already did this on the first Imac I received and the audio problems were gone.

I have a little more than a week to decide if I will get a refund from Apple. I'll probably do that and order a standard hd configuration, unless some news come out.

Best.

Hi All,

Just spoke to Focusrite UK tech dept, the 1st question they asked about my new iMac "was it a fusion drive" running Mavericks which it is, he then went onto confirm that there are known issue with USB / Firewire audio interfaces (not just Focusrite) and 95% sure it is an Apple software issue, hopefully there will be a fix for this soon, I found going back to using my iMac headphone out has no issues, but obviously cannot record audio through a mic. I also have an IK iRig Pro and have had the same audio recording issues.

Hmm..., I've have just spoken to AppleCare (in Denmark), and they had never heard about this problem before?! They kept saying it was a problem with the thirdparty programs and devices (RME, AVID, Steinberg, Native Instruments, Adobe...) and that it had nothing to do with the new iMac or the fusion drive...

I really hope that Apple recognize this issue, and fix it soon!!

Calle,

It may just be your local Applecare rep hadn't heard of this issue but Apple is aware of it and are working on a fix.

As an aside, just to clear up any possible confusion...

Certain Audio Interfaces also have a similar sounding issue... (Its not the same as the 2013 iMac/FD issue but can produce similar sounding issues) and there is work to be done on their drivers/firmware too.. but the FD and iMac 2013 issue is one that can easily be identified simply by running iTunes using the built in Audio... and without any external hardware connected at all.

I can also confirm that a Mac Mini with a FD drive does not have this issue.... nor a 2013 iMac with a standard HD or a SSD... so it seems it is a specific issue relating to a certain combination of hardware.. i.e. a 2013 iMac and a Fusion Drive... and the software/controller used by that specific hardware combination.

Any other issues with other combinations of hardware, is likely being caused by Audio Interface driver/firmware issues....and those are issues that the AI Devs will need to address and fix.

Well.. Tomorrow is day 14 and still no fix?!

This is getting worrying now. I have logged my issue and Apple have called me back with things to try (unsuccessfully). I am now wondering what to do. Do I return it tomorrow and ask for an SSD only or do I return it and wait for the MacPro? Or do I just wait for the fix?

This is now affecting my projects and has completely hindered the purchase. :-(

It's an amazing machine but if it doesn't do the one job I got it for, what am I meant to do?!

What would you do? Thoughts?

I decided to get the iMac back in the box and return it to Apple. After I get my refund I'll place a new order for an identical machine with a standard hd. I think getting a fusion drive was a mistake from the beginning.

All this after booting the mac from an external drive and having absolutely no issues for hours.

Not a scientific test, I know, but that's what I did.

Ciao!

JohnPaul,

In fairness it hasn't been 14 days...

Its been about a week since Apple idetified the issue and started work on a possible fix and such things do and can take time to fully understand.. No point in rushing out a fix that then messes up something else...

My advice is to be patient if you can.. or return your iMac and obtain a different model without FD.. if thats an option still.. or boot up from an external drive... as doing so, seems to fix the issue for many people.. (even if that is only a temporary workaround until Apple releases a real fix)

Hi

Is it time limited to ask for a return? I am in uk and on there phone line they state that we have of warranty ??

Spoke with apple two days ago pro apps and they are in the process of gathering as much eveidence and from as many users of the fd 2013 imac problem. It all sounds as if it's going in the right direction.

Not sure if I want to return my imac but don't want to miss the boat either

Thanks

I just like to say thanks to everyone who posted on this thread. I ended up playing it safe and getting my iMac with a regular 3TB non-fusion drive. I'll report back with any issues. I'm really not looking forward to update ****, reinstalling all programs, serial numbers and revalidating all my plugins, but hopefully this new computer will last me a good 3-4 years. Wish me luck.

If anyone has advice on migrating one iMac to the other, please let me know. I bought a migration program with a USB to USB cable and figured I would just copy the whole drive (currently SL on the old iMac) to the new drive then reinstall Mavericks.

DeadP,

I was reading in another topic that Maverick shows increased core audio latency, if Maverick has indeed added a safety buffer in core audio that would explain why some are having less problems with clipping, popping or stuttering audio. Just speculation on my part.

I don't think SL will run on the new Mac.