You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

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 28, 2014 1:20 AM in response to bpxbrian

I have exactly the same problem with the Duet 2. All other audio problems have been resolved but I still get audio drop outs. Mostly when using Machine, after 20 mins or so of normal playback or if I'm using the device quite intensively the sound just cuts out and I have to reopen the app.


I may drop Apogee a line before speaking with Apple as it may just be a fix to resolve as Itunes/safari etc are all ok, I will also try Logic later.


A

Feb 28, 2014 4:21 AM in response to derKlecks

just recieved my new 27inch Imac with 512GB SSD that i exchanged for my FD version.

well ive installed most of the software and i can safely say i have no issues as yet, even before updating maverik (",)

anyhow got quite an extensive list of things to test, and i'll report back if i have any problems, but i'm not expecting any.

i do so hope Apple refunds everybody that is still having problems....my advise to you is get them sent back and either get one with an SSD or mechanical drive.....FD issue still not fixed entirly, and when i spoke to an Apple engineer he informed me that they were hopeing for a final fix in 10.9.2 but said that it may well not be until 10.9.3....ouch

personaly i would contact apple and get an exchange, even if it is past your 14 days, as they are not really addressing this issue at any real speed.

Peace out Brothers

Feb 28, 2014 11:35 AM in response to JohanEckman

I'm pleased to report that 10.9.2 has thus far fixed all of my issues. I have a late 2013 iMac with 3TB fusion drive and I'm using a RME Fireface UFX (firewire to thunderbolt adapter) as well as a Burson HA160 headphone amp/external DAC (USB). Before 10.9.2 both were unuseable due to consistent pops, clicks, distortions dropouts etc. I've used both to listen to spotify, iTunes and youtube and to record audio into logic x (UFX) and thus far there have been no obvious issues since updating the OS. Fingers crossed ...

Mar 2, 2014 2:37 AM in response to JohanEckman

A little note about my iMac late 2013 3.1 i/ 16Gb, 1TB FD on 10.9.2 runs with my Mbox Pro 3 gen (with the latest drivers) though...


Every time the computer has been shut down and I start it up again there's no sound coming from the mbox. BUT if I go to mbox setting and change the sample rate to 48000 and then back again to 44,100, it starts working agian. Recorded for all day yesterday, and listening is fine through iTunes and Logic pro X. The problem doesn't occur when I restart my computer, only when it has been shut down.


But, I guess thats a small price to pay for a system that now works fine concidering how it was before 10.9.2.

Mar 2, 2014 8:28 PM in response to Foveus

Good to hear how much improvement people are having. OS 10.9.2 has helped greatly. My Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 does communicate with the iMAC. I tried to do some recording tonight in Garageband (vocals) and it was massively distorting. At first my vocal came in almost an octave higher than it is, then settled in to just crackle endlessly. The connection from iMAC to Focusrite is USB. I'm very happy that so many positive things have come out of the new OS. Now, I just need some ideas about how to be able to record.

Mar 3, 2014 2:15 AM in response to derKlecks

I came across this thread when my new iMac (3 Tb fusion drive) would not work properly driving a Weiss DAC 202. The music would be fine for 1 - 5 minutes and then fall silent, with no other indication of the problem.


After reading through the thread I decided to wait until 10.9.2 as others advised. Pleased to say the upgrade appears to have solved the problem, based on first 24 hours of use.


What were Apple thinking of, releasing Mavericks with so many bugs (not only audio but also mail, calendar agent, etc.). They used to be a company proud of delivering a hassle-free customer experience.


Thanks to everyone who posted here and good luck with your own audio systems issues as well.

Mar 3, 2014 9:24 AM in response to CMACD

The replacement 27" iMac with SSD instead of Fusion Drive arrived today and I have experienced no audio glitches with the factory installed version of Mavericks with my FireWire --> Thunderbolt Duet. I've upgraded now to 10.9.2 and again no problems to report. The audio on the last iMac would breakdown within 10-15 seconds of starting in Logic, Ableton Live and iTunes. Much happier.

Mar 3, 2014 9:29 AM in response to derKlecks

After all the problems I had with the first 27" iMac 3TB blah blah, I returned it. I then read about splitting a fusion drive into it's constituents (1x128GB SSD and 1x3TB HDD). A fusion drive is only fused by software so can be split. I bought another 27" iMac with a fusion drive, split them up and had no problems with audio since. This was true with both the betas and then the final 10.9.2 release last week. I am using a Line 6 UX2 device via USB.


If you would like full control of the SSD and HDD within a 'fusion' drive system take a look at Tom Nelson's about.com Mac website. Has full detailed instructions as well as numerous other tips and tricks.

Massive problem with audio interface

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.