clipping sound on new iMac when Logix X is running

Hi Noel,

Well that is really odd.... as I happen to also have an Ultralite Mk1 here, connected to my 2013 Mac (with a Mech Drive) via FW and after installing 10.9.1, it is working as it did before, without issue..... so I'm not sure what could be going on with your particular Mac and setup.....

So.. I am really sorry to hear you are having such issues... but obviously this isn't something i can recreate here or test for, because it isn't happening here... and from what i can tell, the 10.9.1 update didn't change anything related to Audio or CoreAudio at all... or anything else connected with i/o in fact.... so i cannot think why suddenly, you cannot see any of your devices.

However, having said all that......

One thing to try.. would be to reset the PRAM....

http://support.apple.com/kb/ph14222

...as this can sometimes 'fix' wierd issues with externally connected devices, not being seen by OS X....

If that doesn't do the trick you could also try resetting the SMC....

(This is the extended version of the normal instructions with my own added notes)

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug ALL external devices including Keyboards and Mice
3. Unplug the computer's power cord.
4. Wait fifteen seconds. (Very important!)
5. Plug in just the Keyboard and Mouse (and nothing else) if using hardwired wired versions
6. Attach the computer's power cord
7. Wait five seconds, (Again, very important!)
8. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
9. Allow computer to fully restart
10. Shut down the computer
11. Connect all external devices (Id start with just the Ultralite via FW as a test)
12. Restart computer

If the Ultralite works.. then shut down the computer and add the rest of your external devices/drives etc... and test again....

Hopefully one of these two 'fixes' will reset something that allows at least the FW'd Ultralite, to be seen by OS X correctly

Once again, AoS, thanks...that did do it. Some combination of PRAM reset and power cycljng all my interfaces seems to have given it a clean slate.

Also, fwiw to others arm-wrestling iMac USB issues, one other thing that has also helped me. I kept having really bad USB issues when waking the machine up from sleep - nothing would reconnect, interfaces wouldn't be recognized etc. Under System Preferences - Energy Saver, checking the option "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off" solved most of those issues. Maybe not good for the Earth, or my electric bill, but definitely better than having to reboot every time I return to the machine after 5 minutes.

I still get some occasional disconnects of USB3 drives, but for the most part, these are greatly reduced.

Still very annoyed with this machine though, and filled with buyer's remorse.

In the future, something to keep in mind: When performing an operating system upgrade, unplug all USB/Firewire peripherals except keyboard/mouse. As the New OS is upgraded the port reset/initialize and quite often a bit of garbage data is sent out causing some audio devices and keyboards it behave badly.

Today Apogee said:

A potential work around in the interim is increasing the sample rate to 96 kHz in the Maestro> System Setup tab for Core Audio Apps such as iTunes. In Logic> settings> audio increase the project sample rate to 96 kHz.

This did nothing to solve my issues with Quartet and Meastro 2. In fact, it seemed to make everything less stable than before.

K5,

I got the same tip, but unfortunately didn't change anything for my quartet and maestro either.

Has anyone tried or read about anybody using a UA Apollo with Thunderbolt card sucesfully?

Hi All,

I have been watching and reading all the post related to this issue.

I have a late 2013 with 1T FD and I wanted to thank all the people here, especially Nigel, for all the information sharing,

I wanted to share with you my experience with this issue.

I had the pops/crackling/noise issue.

had it on ML and Mav, on any audio software, when used Line6 UX1, and Motu MicroBook ii/Audio Express.

it took my some time and effort until I finally realized the problem is with my machine.

the first solution I tried: booting from external HD, did not worked well for me - I still got the pops.

I don't know why, maybe my system was still using the FD somehow.. I did not erase it.

the second solution I tried : splitting the FD worked for me.

I no longer get the pops! there is a nice article how to do it with the Terminal:

http://www.macworld.com/article/2015664/how-to-split-up-a-fusion-drive.html

Unfortunately, I can not get a refund/fix/replacement from my local authorized seller (iMac was sent to lab and passed all tests), nor a solution,

Apple support help was poor because I am outside of US.

imagine that - spent a nice amount on iMac and interface, and I can get a decent sound.

really sad.

One more point : I got a few application crashes, it happened twice with Logic Pro X, and once more with another application - I don't know if it is even related to the issue.

so, my current state is: FD was spitted, I do get a decent sound now, nobody (local authorized seller/Apple)

really helped me, I am crossing my finger and waiting to Apple fix.

Peace, love and Rock'n'Roll,

Yo-C

Nigel,

Thanks for the clarification - you're a superstar for the effort you're putting into the community.

I'll sit tight I guess....

Found this quote on the forums of a very well known audio company:

Over the last weeks, we have been contacted by several customers using a late 2013 iMac system with a fusion drive and one of our audio interfaces on Mavericks.

Usually, drop outs occur not only in ( company's software ) but also on Youtube, iTunes etc.

We just received the confirmation from Apple that a fix for this issue - which btw is not limited to our applications and audio interfaces - needs to come from Apple with an update.

Unfortunately, the latest Mavericks 10.9.1 update does not address this. We hope to have a fix or at least more information on this topic in January.

Hopefully this issue will resolve soon!

Lee

Hi all...

I have updated the User Tip on this subject with links to find out how to split a Fusion Drive.... as well as a quick update about 10.9.1 (which doesn't fix the FD issue at this time)

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6421

Thanks!

Just a heads up... Apple has just released 10.9.2 for developers but I have no faith on this containing any fixes for audio issues.

The focus areas they mention are:

- Mail

- Messages

- Graphics Drivers

- VoiceOver

- VPN

Maybe on 10.9.3... *sigh*

poinggo,

I'd be very suprised if this fix came as part of a general update to OS X.

Given it is a specific problem with a specific iMac, I would expect any fix to come as a standalone update (maybe via Software Updates but maybe also as a downloadable update along the lines of a firmware fix) that presents itself only to those only the specific iMacs affected by the issue.... (i.e. 2013 iMacs with FD fitted)

Hey everyone,

I thought I had a fix with deleting the maestro software when using a duet which worked fine with play back but wasn't able to record through mic inputs... only software instruments. I ended up buying a caldigit thunberbolt hub and now I'm able to use my imac for music. It's a shame that after spending so much for the newest and best computer it didn't work at all. I finally was able to record and mix for hours without a glitch.

Thanks to all, especially to " Art of Sound", for all the help and info. I hope things get resolved soon so we can all get down doing our music.... Peace!

Thank you Beefus....

...and really glad to hear you are, at least, up and running now.... although unfortunately, at quite some extra cost to you......

Merry Christmas!

Nigel

Art of Sound, Deadphish and everyone else...

Just turned on my iMac to find that App store was downloading a MASSIVE update to Logic Pro X.

says that includes stability updates within it and I am still downloading now but wondering if there is any change for the 2013 imac FD problems.. apart from new drummers and interface changes.

Am still running off my external Thunderbolt drive which is 100% fine with my Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 (Firewire to thunderbolt & Saffire MixControl Software) and also my TC-Helicon Voicelive Touch 2 (USB)

Just a heads up.

Also seems that the MacPRo is now out... promoting everything graphic and audio.. (blood boiling).

hope this gets fixed soon. my Apple Ticket is STILL open with Apple Support UK.

JP

Merry Christmas to All BTW