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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

Dec 10, 2013 1:42 PM in response to adam swink

I'm on an iMac with FD and I have 3 USB audio devices: a logitech headset, a Blue Yeti mic, and a Griffin iMic. They all work perfectly on my 2013 MBA w/Mavericks. Neither of them work on my iMac 2013 with FD. I doubt those companies are going to issue a driver update because none of them have drivers. So it seems that Apple will have to come up with a solution, especially because the devices work just fine with non FD Macs (including my previous 2008 Mac Pro).

Dec 10, 2013 2:30 PM in response to derKlecks

I just sent this to FEEDBACK at Apple:

Hi. Using any kind of 3rd party audio interface, whether it's USB or Firewire, is nearly impossible with my new iMac. Trying to use a Tascam 144 or Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or any other meets with static, clicks, dropouts and distortion. Take a look at your own discussion boards. They are LOADED with people with problems. These don't seem to be peculiar to the OS, but to iMacs with Fusion drives. Creating a standard boot drive solves the problem as does partitioning or splitting the Fusion drive. But anything with a Fusion drive seems to have real issues. This is something that needs a fix ASAP. Please help.

Dec 11, 2013 1:28 PM in response to derKlecks

I'm a musician using a number of usb audio interfaces to try and send an audio signal to Logic X on a new late model 2013 Haswell 27 inch Imac.


I have exactly this problem - audio in works flawlessly for 30-60 seconds at most, then it tends to delay, pop, scratch and distort and then fall apart totally.


I've tried different interfaces, different software, always the same result.


All Ive managed to get so far from Apply is reset SMC and PROM, neither of which have helped. They dont seem to be aware of a widespread problem though.

Dec 11, 2013 10:29 PM in response to MorkJT

Everyone don't give up hope. We are all in this.


We may be a minority on Apple's radar, but if we work together, we can hopefully get an fix sooner than later...


Do you want to have to return your fusion drive iMac for a SSD iMac, partition your drive and have your iMac work slower, wait for a driver update that may never happen from your hardware manufacturer or Apple, or just buy another interface?... I certainly do not want to do any of these options and frankly, I feel Apple should give us some answers on what is happening... They do not even put a disclaimer on the fusion drive option that *all audio interfaces do not work* at the moment. This is a huge inconvenience and has wasted too much of our time. Instead of continuing to complain on this forum, I advise doing the following...


***Here are 6 simple things you can do to help speed up the process for a response or firmware update from Apple or from your audio hardware manufacturer***:


1. Keep sending Apple feedback at:


- http://www.apple.com/feedback/imac.html


2. Keep contacting AppleCare and Apple Support. Keep asking about the status on if Apple is working on a solution or not:


- 800 MY APPLE

- http://www.apple.com/support/


3. Keep calling your tech support for your audio interface (AVID, etc)


-Ask what is the situation is... Are you working on fix? Are you working with Apple on a fix?


4. Contact your friends who work at Apple. Tell them to give feedback.


5. Go to the press:


- Send a tip to http://www.macrumors.com , http://www.engadget.com , http://gizmodo.com/ , http://www.t3.com , etc.


6. Keep refreshing this forum link so the views go up.


- Every time you refresh this forum (Command + R) the view count will always go up (only if you are signed in). You can literally just keep hitting refresh and the views quickly go up. The more views, the more likely websites and Apple will take our issue seriously.

Massive problem with audio interface

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