Deadphish42

Q: clipping sound on new iMac when Logix X is running

I just got the new iMac that was released two weeks ago yesterday.  All I did was set it up with Logic X, Main Stage, and Aperture all from the app store. nothing else was put on it.  I opened up logic just to check it out and see how much faster the performance would be.  I just wanted to give it a quick test and played some apple loops I immideatly noticed it was making a clipping sound randomly.  The meters were not peaking everything was in the green and if you turned down the gain the clipping just got quiteter.  I called apple support thinking it was a hardware issue.  They had me do some trouble shooting like playing the same loops through quicktime and the clipping persisted. they also had me play a youtube video to see if I could hear the clipping. It wasn't as noticible but it was there. Apple decided that it would be a good idea to reformat the computer tomorrow and start over.  Sounded fine to me seeing how I didn't have much installed yet.  I did a little more trouble shooting on my own after I got off the phone with apple. First I made a copy of three apple loops and put them on my desktop then restarted the computer. Then after a fresh restart and nothing running I opened one of the apple loops off the desktop with quicktime player and it sounded great no clipping. Same with You Tube. I then opened Logic Pro X. Did nothing with it but minimize it. I then went back to quick time player and tried to play the loop again. This time the clipping was back. Same with You Tube. 

My conclusion for some reason when logic is running the audio makes a random clipping sound no matter what audio program you play the audio through. (Clipping sound comes out of the internal speakers as well as headphones) 

All of my software is up to date.

 

I am running:

 

27" iMac

3.5GHz Intel Core i7

16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

 

If anybody has experienced this same problem or has any recomendations they would be greatly appreciated.

I am going to reformat in the morning and try and start again.

I will post my results

 

Thank you,

 

Aaron

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Oct 8, 2013 11:22 PM

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Q: clipping sound on new iMac when Logix X is running

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  • by Inkaroads,

    Inkaroads Inkaroads Nov 5, 2013 9:19 AM in response to AdInfinitumband
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 5, 2013 9:19 AM in response to AdInfinitumband

    Hi. I'm in no way a tech so I could be totally wrong but I did notice also on the previous imac (the one I sent in to be replaced) that the presence or not of usb stuff connected to the iMac would affect the severeness of the audio problem.

    So, out of ignorance, I bought the USB3 hub with the intent of trying to "clean/sanitize" up that area.

    Apparently this does have an effect as with all my usb2 stuff going through the new hub (which is USB3, has a USB3 cable but has ports compatible with usb2 and usb1.1 ) the problem is minimized. At least on my setup.

     

    Really don't know if this is the problem and if it could be fixed through software or hardware.

    I think holding off a bit to see what happens is the best strategy.

    Sorry for the "stuttering" english. :-)

     

    Ciao

  • by Clambake,

    Clambake Clambake Nov 5, 2013 10:44 AM in response to Inkaroads
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 5, 2013 10:44 AM in response to Inkaroads

    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.

  • by Clambake,

    Clambake Clambake Nov 5, 2013 1:36 PM in response to Inkaroads
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 5, 2013 1:36 PM in response to Inkaroads

    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.

  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Nov 5, 2013 7:21 PM in response to Clambake
    Level 6 (9,998 points)
    Audio
    Nov 5, 2013 7:21 PM in response to Clambake

    Note:

     

    The "Fusion Drive Software"

  • by Inkaroads,

    Inkaroads Inkaroads Nov 6, 2013 2:20 AM in response to Clambake
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 2:20 AM in response to Clambake

    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.

  • by vtay143,

    vtay143 vtay143 Nov 6, 2013 8:05 AM in response to Inkaroads
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 8:05 AM in response to Inkaroads

    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.

  • by calle100,

    calle100 calle100 Nov 6, 2013 8:17 AM in response to Deadphish42
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 8:17 AM in response to Deadphish42

    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!!

     


  • by The Art Of Sound,

    The Art Of Sound The Art Of Sound Nov 6, 2013 9:31 AM in response to calle100
    Level 6 (12,107 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 9:31 AM in response to calle100

    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.

  • by Johnpaulmusic,

    Johnpaulmusic Johnpaulmusic Nov 6, 2013 10:12 AM in response to Deadphish42
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 10:12 AM in response to Deadphish42

    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?

  • by Inkaroads,

    Inkaroads Inkaroads Nov 6, 2013 10:26 AM in response to Johnpaulmusic
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 10:26 AM in response to Johnpaulmusic

    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!

  • by The Art Of Sound,

    The Art Of Sound The Art Of Sound Nov 6, 2013 10:33 AM in response to Johnpaulmusic
    Level 6 (12,107 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 10:33 AM in response to Johnpaulmusic

    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)

  • by Clandestyne,

    Clandestyne Clandestyne Nov 6, 2013 10:40 AM in response to The Art Of Sound
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 10:40 AM in response to The Art Of Sound

    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

  • by Deadphish42,

    Deadphish42 Deadphish42 Nov 6, 2013 2:46 PM in response to Clandestyne
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 2:46 PM in response to Clandestyne

    Hello Everyone,

     

    I just got a email from my Apple rep and she had just checked with the engineers and they are still collecting machines that the problem has been identified on right now. No word on a fix at this time. She's been pretty good about keeping me posted. She doesn't always have alot of information but at least I know I'm not forgotton.

     

    That's all I have. Just thought I would share what I was hearing from Apple.

     

    DeadPhish

  • by AdInfinitumband,

    AdInfinitumband AdInfinitumband Nov 6, 2013 8:30 PM in response to Deadphish42
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 8:30 PM in response to Deadphish42

    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. 

  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Nov 6, 2013 8:52 PM in response to Deadphish42
    Level 6 (9,998 points)
    Audio
    Nov 6, 2013 8:52 PM in response to Deadphish42

    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.

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