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Audio drop outs with new 2013 iMac

I'm experiencing audio dropouts on my new 2013 iMac. Basically the audio just stops and I am forced to unplug then replug back in my audio interface. I know other people are having this problem, so I thought I would start a thread to see if we could try to troubleshoot the problem, provide advice, and share the latest information from audio interface companies and Apple in regards to this issue. Please write your post in the following format so it's easy to read and so others can better help you:


My audio interface: Apogee Duet 2 (USB)

My computer: iMac 3.05Ghz / 16GbRAM / 7200rpm internal hard drive

OS: Mountain Lion OSX 10.8.5


Description of problem: Audio drops out, especially when changing programs. Happens when monitor falls asleep and is woken up.

Solution: unplug, replug the Duet 2 in


Email from Apogee after I asked them for help: "Thanks for your email. From what I understand, there seems to be some sort of hardware issue with the very newest iMac (released 35 days ago) that is affecting many brands and models of USB interfaces, not just the Duet. We are in testing and talks with Apple to address this issue as soon as possible. "


Anyone else having problems with audio on your new iMac? I started this thread mainly to concern the drop out audio problem. I should mention that've there is another thread dealing with a different problem, audio distortion/bitcrushing sound: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5428602?start=0&tstart=0

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

Posted on Nov 12, 2013 3:28 AM

Reply
33 replies

Nov 19, 2013 5:56 PM in response to brentonius

SAME EXACT THING HERE. This is what I posted in a diff thread:


2013 iMac 1TB Flash Drive

OS 10.8.5


Constant audio drop outs using Apogee Duet. I have to unplug and replug several times to get the system to recognize it. Sometimes when it is connected, Audio Prefs doesn't even recognize it and it shows up as "Unknown". When I click Audio Prefs before I get in, I get the spinning beachball and it takes a while for it to open. I have been in touch with Apogee but to no avail. It seems to work on my 2013 Macbook Pro, but I haven't tested extensively. It seems to get tripped up if I'm working in Ableton and get a Facetime call or if I try to use Youtube / Soundcloud. The system gets noticebly slower. When I switch back to Ableton, Duet is recognized (sometimes not recognized at all) but I cannot play anything inside the project window.


Not sure what to do at this point 😐

Nov 21, 2013 7:16 PM in response to brentonius

I'm having the exact same problem and to add insult to injury - THIS IS MY SECOND iMAC - SAME PROBLEM!


I'm using a PreSonus AudioBox 22VSL and music starts out fine and the more time goes by the sounds starts poping and clicking, then starts skipping and the longer it goes the worst it gets! If I stop music and then start it again the problem resolves itself and then will repeat each time.


It's almost like the USB 3.0 bus is getting flooded with data and it just drops the bus connection to the computer.


TRY THIS - Play music from iTunes, let it play then put a burnable disc or portable HD on the USB bus and try to write say 10-30GB of data and watch what happens... When the sound shuts down the drive will drop and you will get an error message about the drive no longer being able to continue.


This iMac is a brand new one since Apple replaced my late 2013 iMac with a new one - no questions asked and while I was hopeful OS X Mavericks might this this the problem still exists.


I am hopeful Apple identifies what's going on here and either releases a software or firmware fix to this issue.

Dec 5, 2013 11:26 AM in response to brentonius

Yep - bought a new iMac on 11/12/13 - custom 21.5 i7 with fusion drive and 16gb ram..tried 2 different audio interfaces M-Audio Fast Track and the Focusrite 2i2 and both would eventually start to develop issues over time as I would use them as audio output / inputs - itunes, Logic Pro, what ever...completely unpredicable..sometimes I can go for an hour, sometimes only minutes before the audio gets chopping, poppy, etc...


I'm glad I purchased Apple Care AND in November because I have until Jan 7th to return it. And I will if the issue isnt addressed by then..not to mention I have an order out for the Presonus 1818vsl, which I've just recently read it's completely not working with ANY of Apples latest releases of computer, iMac macbooks.


I have an order in now for a Thunderbolt dock, so dropped another $200 - as I've read that if you run your USB audio interfaces through the dock, it fixes the issue...may be the only way for me to do since I make a living on recording and music...I really don't want to return this computer!

Dec 6, 2013 11:52 AM in response to brentonius

We are in the same boat. Currently running a 2013 iMac 27" with fusion drive. We havent yet updated to mavericks either so we think this takes that out of the equasion. We where using an Maudio Profire2626 originally but this went out the window stright away with lack of drivers available. Luckily we had an NRV10 hanging around and found that it worked great.


Now the last couple of weeks we've started to see drop outs more regularly. This can occur after hours or minutes of ussage. We find switching off and on can delay any further dropouts. However in the last two weeks we've noticed a big increase in down time due to drop out after drop out and eventually the Mac stops 'talking' to the audio interface. Its becoming a real problem and as a working studio this can only mean bad things for us.


Having read a lot of threads about it, we are unsure to where the problem lies. Is it the drivers or infact is it the iMac. In this case we'd be **** out of luck swapping to any interface. We are really disappointed in both Apple and interface manufactorers for lacking in solving the problem.


We look forward to reading anyones input on solving the issue.

Dec 9, 2013 9:50 AM in response to brentonius

I am having exact similar Issue with MOTU Ultralite Mk3 hybrid. I talked to thier support they responded same that it is issue with iMacs with any 3rd party audio interface.


In addition to that the audio is with lot of pops and clicks as well.


They recommend that the Issue is with Mavericks so try to run Mountain Lion OS if you can but looks like this Issue with iMacs not OS.

Dec 24, 2013 8:52 AM in response to brentonius

OK - so I posted earlier in here while very irritated about the USB audio interface BS that's going on...UPDATE - so I bit the bullet and ordered a Belkin Thunderbolt Dock - (music is what I do for a living, so needed to do something) - finally came today and I've been running my Scarlet 2i2 through the dock into my late 2013 iMac, Mavericks, Fusion Drive... NO PROBLEMS SO FAR...my plan is to leave my current project in Logic open all day, let the computer go to sleep and come back and try again...I'll post my progress...it may be a Merry Christmas after all, at least in terms of being able to get back to work..I'm still out another $300..Bah.

Audio drop outs with new 2013 iMac

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