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

I just got off the phone with support and ran through a gambit of troubleshooting options. Although the pro apps support tech was super nice, my issue is still persisting. I tried to recreate the issue on a 2012 MBP running Mavericks and couldn't do it which kind-of confirms suspicions. They told me to contact CPU support, so for those still experiencing issues I'll post anything I find out.

I also have been having issues with Premiere and After Effects as they start to render and then they stall for several minutes - then once they begin to render they render EXTREMELY quickly.  I'm thinking the fusion drive might be trying to rewrite the program files on the system drive even though all of my media is on a TB raid.

After talking to general Apple support, Pro Apps support, and CPU support, I have to box up my computer and take it to the Apple store.

We tried the following:

-Startup in "Safe Mode"

-Clearing PRAM

-Startup after unplugging iMac power supply for 60 seconds

-Reproducing issue #1 in Garage Band

-Creating a "Test Account" to ensure it wasn't a user preference issue

And that's all I can remember off the top of my head. Also, it seems that the crackling, for me, is produced after using "Input Monitoring." Once that is initiated the crackling begins, even if you turn it off for subsequent recordsing. No, it's not a latency or buffer size issue.

I mentioned this thread and the potential FD issue to everyone I talked to, but none were familiar with it. I'll post back when I have updates.

Wish me luck!

I am seriously thinking of taking my audio interface (Focusrite Pro 14 via thunderbolt to FireWire adapter) and a memory stick with one of my sessions from LPX into the Apple store and Trying THEIR 2013 3.5ghz i7 iMac and see what happens!?

Still have a "log/ticket" with apple that's been weeks now.

Sigh.

I think we should get the iMac's swapped out with 1TB SSD's for compensation.

Also can't believe that the new update won't solve this. How king is it gonna be now?!?!

Do I start billing Apple for the extra studio time cause my slow *** Old MBP can't keep up, hence the upgrade to the imac?!?!?!

Sigh.. So tired of this issue now. Want it fixed. Irony is if we all went with a 2012 iMac, we wouldn't have this issue!? Madness!

No audio 95% of time from MOTU Traveler mk1.

Brand new iMac bought 5th November 2013.

3.5ghz.

3tb fusion drive.

Gtx780m.

Latest updates.

Mavericks.

Motu are aware of problem and apparently so are apple.

Motu doing best to figure out if it's a core audio problem (needs apple fix) or a firmware/driver update (Motu fix).

Speakers can scream with high pitch micro phonic type infinite sound which can be stopped by selecting or deselecting core audio control...temp fix fir like 2 seconds if at all. 

Sound sometimes come back but totally unreliable.

If it's not fixed before start if December it's a refund (agreed with apple for 14 day return extension to 30 days).

Would rather it was fixed though.

Just to clarify so there is no confusion here..........

Also can't believe that the new update won't solve this. How king is it gonna be now?!?!

Bear in mind what is being spoken about is just the latest seed and not the finished update... There is still time for the Engineering team to implement a fix.. be it part of this next 10.9 update or a separate firmware/software update for 2013 iMacs with FDs...  that could be released prior to or after, the 10.9.1 update

Trying THEIR 2013 3.5ghz i7 iMac and see what happens!?

If it's one with an FD you will continue to have issues.. If it's 'sans FD' then it should be fine... One of my clients has the same interface using FW and with a FD-less iMac he has no issues... but feel free to try it out for yourself.

Irony is if we all went with a 2012 iMac, we wouldn't have this issue!? Madness!

Not exactly.. If you had gone with a 2013 iMac without a FD you would have been fine too given your audio interface uses Firewire... It's only those with USB interfaces that have issues with Mavericks and USB3 ports on newer Macs... due mainly to driver incompatibilities..

jwweeks wrote:

 

 

the top of my head. Also, it seems that the crackling, for me, is produced after using "Input Monitoring." Once that is initiated the crackling begins, even if you turn it off for subsequent recordsing. No, it's not a latency or buffer size issue.

jrweeks,

I have a question:

What does your Mac have for input options?

If you go to Audio MIDI setup what input options do you show for audio. It's my understanding the new machines do not have a "Line Input" what about "digital input" or "mic input".

If you have both digital Input and Mic input do both of those show up in Logic?

DeadPhish,

That's the way most tablets are setup, so any of the iOS type audio interfaces should work, I wonder if it's possible that it's a stereo IN, probably just mono.

<edit> I should have said - iPhone/Tablet audio I/O devices that use the headphone port should work

My curiosity about Inputs types is because the (reported) Rice-Krispie crackling is indicative of an unlocked digital audio stream. I wanted to see what available inputs can be seen in Audio MIDI Setup. And to see if different Inputs, sampling rates or bit rates changed anything.

Just a recap, sorry about this but I've been reading so much and I'm kind of confused.

Just got my refund from Apple after sending back my second Imac 27, I7, 1TBFD.

I have an Apogee Duet USB.

My understanding is that right now, there's no iMac machine I can buy and have it work absolutely fine. Even if it's a 7200HD or SSD. Correct?

Ciao

Actually, Inkaroads, you can have a perfectly functioning system. But you must be OK with buying a Belkin Thunderbolt Hub. Just plug your USB Duet in and start working! So far after a few days I've not had a single problem.  And I've been working 16 hour days in multiple programs. My computer is an iMac 3.5GHz i7 16GB ram &amp; 3TB 7200 drive w/ USB Duet 2. The Belkin hub is $300 but I believe it's worth it. I highly recommend it as it bypasses any USB based problems. So if you don't mind the $300 you can purchase it on the apple store :)

Thx brentonius!

So, just to sum it up:

Buying an Imac with 7200Hd I would save 150euro (compared to the FD). Adding the Belkin would cost 303euro.

With +153euro (compared to my original order) I would have a working setup wo FD. Makes sense, not nice, but makes sense :-)

It's not just USB 3.

I have no audio problem (works for very short time at best) on Motu traveler that only has FireWire. I'm using fireside to thunderbolt adapter.

I thought maybe it was the adapters fat but Motu confirmed there is a problem with late 2013 iMac with fusion drive and Mavericks OS.

To clarify I meant I am getting NO audio out or in.

I have the audio problem with FireWire.

My above post sounded like the opposite. :)

I realize that this doesn't really add to the discussion, but what bothers me is that so far I have seen no actual evidence whatsoever that Apple is working to fix this problem (ditto Apogee).

What's more, there seems to be wildly disparate treatment of new iMac buyers with respect to returns. For instance, some have been told that their return period will be extended to thirty days, while others (such as I) have been told firmly that the fourteen-day period (which I've missed) stays in effect. If the problem is the same, then treatment of the buyers should be the same.