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Massive problem with audio interface

Hi there.


I recently bought a brandnew iMac 27" Haswell i7. I encountered problems with my Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 audio interface. These are buzzing, clicking and noise immediately or after 3 minutes or so. I tried everything, re-installed the driveres several times, nothing, really nothing worked.


Then I bought an RME Babyface audio interface - and guess what? It's the same problem. I also have a massive sound noise after some minutes or the recording channel in Garage Band drops completely.


What is wrong here? I already tried using a different power plug, tried all USB ports, turned off WiFi, HDD sleep mode, etc. Nothing worked.


Do you have an idea?


I appeciate your help,

Adrian.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 25, 2013 1:29 PM

Reply
762 replies

Feb 3, 2014 2:54 PM in response to ViennaTom

These days, I decided to give Time Machine a try and go back in Time. Maybe I could get back that nice pleasant audio crackling popping issue I had months ago (completely gone), who knows? , so I tried CMD-R to do a full wipe and restore of the FD on itself . After that, everything worked fine (one missing virtual machine file was not backupped?? why??) and the audio issue did not come back. So either the TM knows what file to place on what part of the FD or the audio issue is not caused by "re-balancing" the files...

Feb 4, 2014 11:11 AM in response to ViennaTom

Hey team,


I'm having the same issues. Terribly frustrating as I've been a pro-audio mac user since 2005 and haven't experienced anything like this.


Purchased a new 27" iMac in December 2013 with 10.9.1, Fusion 3TB, 2.4 Ghz and 16GB Ram. Using an RME UCX audio interface via USB.


I get slowly degrading audio (sounds like a bitcrusher plugin) that eventually leaves the audio useless after 5-10 minutes. This happens regardless of what software I'm using - itunes, web browser, logic, ableton, etc.


The apple retail store was unable to diagnose the issue (go figure). It's just really suprising that this issue isn't publicized internally at apple yet.


Now I'm stuck; not sure if I wait it out, exchange my iMac for a Macbook w/ SSD, or swap out the Fusion drive for SSD.


I can't belive pro audio doesn't even work on the new macs. Sad.


Hoping that this 10.9.2 update fixes things, but there doesn't seem to be a peep from apple.


C'mon apple.


Also note that I tried creating a separate boot drive on an external USB hard drive. When I boot from this hard drive I don't experience any of the audio problems listed above. Methinks its the fusion drive that's the problem.

Feb 4, 2014 11:33 AM in response to MisterWaylo


Now I'm stuck; not sure if I wait it out, exchange my iMac for a Macbook w/ SSD, or swap out the Fusion drive for SSD.


Throughout the many pages of this discussion (and also this discussion) you will see that there are multiple issues affecting pro-audio interfaces.


As I have discovered, a new MBP will not eliminate all the issues (except obviously the Fusion issue)


I suggest entering a bug report at apple.com/feedback if you haven't already.


By the way, is RME issuing "Mavericks" patches? I know some other manufacturers are, with varied results.

Feb 4, 2014 1:14 PM in response to derKlecks

Ok, so I posted a week or so ago that I returned my iMac with it's 3TB Poopsion Drive. Having seen people report the problem with the SSD as well, i went to the apple store near me and tried to talk to the staff there about this whole issue. No one knew what the **** was going on, or that this was even an issue, even the 'geniuses' didn't really have an answer. They just spend their days fixing phones and selling ridiculously high-end machines to people who only use them to check their FaceBook, send emails, and watch ****. So seeing that it's not even on their radar at a store wide level - you know, so that the staff can educate the user before they make a purchase - I decided to order a new machine with just the standard HDD... only downside, it'll take about a month to be ready ***! I'll definitely post on here once I have everything up and running. I hope it arrives earlier than expected *fingers crossed*!

Feb 5, 2014 4:13 AM in response to derKlecks

Just a note for those who fall under the following criteria...


- Within Australia

- Are attempting to return/swap their faulty fusion drive iMac, but are outside Apple's official 'return exchange' window and have been told 'no thanks' by apple.


As a sufferer of this problem, I too was told repeatedly that apple's engineers are 'working on the problem' and that nothing else could be done.


Fortunately Australian consumer law is on our side here. Even the information on Apples statutory warranty page lends itself well to our argument that these products are unfit for their intended purpose.


You can find the page here...


http://www.apple.com/au/legal/statutory-warranty/


I sent through an annotated copy to apple's supprt staff highlighting the points I felt were relevant, along with mention that I'd contacted the ACCC for clarification.


You can find the annotated version here...


http://tinypic.com/r/dwc1li/8


After having the case escalated 3 or 4 times, putting the problem in writing along with apple's own stat warranty page was the first time I felt as though I'd been heard. A replacement iMac (sans fusion drive) is currently in the works.


My point is, if you've spent upwards of $3k for a system that can't perform tasks that my nearly 10yr old windows pc can, then don't let it go. As consumers, we have rights; we just have to be aware of them.


This is the first apple system I've purchased. I switched from windows due to the perceived 'turn key' solution that Mac's offer in this field. It's been a disppointing experience.


Good luck.

Feb 5, 2014 4:30 AM in response to derKlecks

i can report a couple of crash/click/dropout/whitenoise free hours of playing with my echo audiofire interface after getting my new macbookproretina EARLY2013 WITHOUT haswell running 10.8.5


it was like the last retina mbp BEFORE haswell i found in the internet which was still brandnew!


i m in touch with native instruments tech support daily about this issue, and they seem almost certain, that the promlems do only happen with machines having either:


- intel Haswell chips (late 2013 mba and mbpr)

- mavericks

- fusion drive


this basically means at the moment ALL new apple computers (maybe except the macpro) are USELESS for audio work with external soundcards!!

Feb 6, 2014 4:46 AM in response to derKlecks

I too had all of the problems described and got back to Apple in the UK immediately to tell them that there were evident issues. They of course don't want to admit what it is but finally accepted that there was a problem of some sorts to do with ports and Fusion Drive. I have accepted an exchange for my Fusion Drive iMac to a SSD iMac. I will await the outcome of futher tests. The only thing I can do after that would be to buy a USB3 or Thunderbolt interface - more money and not so many choices out there........

Feb 6, 2014 10:44 AM in response to derKlecks

Just wanted to share my story, because reading this thread was extremenly helpful and supportive.


I bought a 27" iMac with 3TB Fusion Drive about three weeks ago. I use an Apogee Duet 1 with firewire(and added the thunderbolt adapter.) I downloaded the new apoggee software for Mavericks.


I record using Garageband. I could record for about two minutes before the sound would start cutting out. A couple minutes later I would either get full blown static, or just pure silence. No output or input through the audio interface would work.


I started doing research and seeing that many pro musicians like myself were having the same problems, and were unable to work.


I called Apple support and "Vince" merely suggested that I try unplugging the computer and plugging it back in. I did that to humor him and obviously that didn't do the trick. I asked him if I should switch the hard-drive out for a Serial ATA or wait for an update to the operating system. He just said that the computer is mine now, and I can do whatever I want with it. Thanks "Vince". I'm sure you're knowledgable trouble-shooting makes Apple proud.


I took my computer to the Genius Bar. They were all very nice there, but unaware of this massive problem! I pointed them to this thread, and they didn't even know about it. It was the 14th day on my return policy and I simply returned the computer and got a full refund. But now I'm back to using my 2011 macbook pro for recording, and unable to do my job to its full potential.


Apple, if you are reading this, please awknowledge the problem and fix it asap. I'm a big fan of your products, but this has been extremely frustrating.

Massive problem with audio interface

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