Information on 2013 iMac FD issue / USB2-3 Issue and Driver Incompatibility issue

Thanks for this clarification.

Do you mean to say that the USB2/3 issue is not specific to Haswell iMacs with Fusion Drives?

I didn't think the iPhone problem was different because the error in the logs at the point of input freezing was identical:

Hi Guys!

I was experiencing Issue 1 from the OP and I would like to confirm that splitting my fusion drive fixed it for me.

My audio interface is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 which is USB 2.0 and it is running in class compliant mode - works perfectly on my late 2013 27" iMac 3.5GHz i7 3TB Fusion Drive (which has now been split).

Hope that encourages others out there to try out this fix and get back into recording!

I have some problems with new Imac too.

My IMac is 2013 3.2 GHz Interl Core i5 with 8 gb memory and 3TB fusion drive.

I have pro tools 11.03. but I could not use my digi003. there was a problem with connection.

I reinstalled 003 drive and reinstalled pro tool 11 again and changed Firewire cable and adaptor.

but it was same.

The firewire connection is not stable it is disconnected and drop out after running pro tools 30 second.

I thought it was problem of digi 003 but now I know It's problem about Fusion Drive. Sad...

Well, I had a new Motu 4 Pre and it had terrible noise/cutout problems. I tried it with both the Firewire and USB.

The Art Of Sound wrote:

But I'm starting to shop for a suitable non-FW replacement.

Unless you are looking at TB interfaces.. I would highly recommend you stay away from USB2 or 3 interfaces at this time.... and stick to good, well supported FW ones... such as the Motu range...

But of course, the choice is yours.....

Yes, late 2013 iMac with FD.

But the Motu may have had a problem, too. In addition to producing some horrible screeching sounds, it eventually died altogether and I've had to return it.

Now I'm hoping the audio interface problem gets solved by Apple but I'm also looking to find the most compatible unit I can find (within my price range, say about $600 or less). Anyone have suggestions?

My old Roland is working reasonably well, with just an occasional burst of noise (of course, an occasional burst of noise is not going to work for real recording, but at least for now I can listen to audio through it). I'm pretty sure this Roland is USB 2.

g

The Art Of Sound wrote:

ges8ges,

...and do you have a 2013 iMac with a Fusion Drive fitted?

If so, thats the source of your problem and not the Motu....

The comment you quoted was about the USB2/3 issue and not the FD issue wich affects ALL interface types...

I will hop in quickly to add one small variable about the FW/Thunderbolt adapter. I had been using it on a 2TB FW hard drive and was experiencing sporadic kernel panic crashes. I used the alternate USB 2/3 interface on the drive, and no more kernel panics. So, I believe there is SOME issue here hat MAY have an effect on going that interface route.

I have a late 2013 iMac 27 i5 with a 3TB Fusion Drive and have been experiencing all the same issues with Audio. I use Logic as my DAW, but it's there with ANY audio. I have a Tascam US144 interface. I'd gotten a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 which was better than the Tascam's performance, however when it didn't solve the problem, I returned it. My fingers are crossed...

Bob

Hi everyone,

Not to pile on the misery, but I am indeed another who has major issues with my maxed out 27" iMac FD. Using RME Fireface 800, which in itself is insanely stabil and works well on all other computers I own. After about a minute or so of any audio everything goes in to stutter mode =(

So disappointed. The iMac just arrived today and was supposed to be my new main workstation.

Im going to call Applecare tomorrow and basically tell them to take it back. My question for you guys is; do we know for a fact that the same iMacs but with 1 TB SSD works properly?

Thank you for all/any anwsers.

/ Alexander

Hi Alexander,

Reading through all these posts, the answer is no, we don't know for sure if a 1TB SSD works properly all the time. There are a variety of answers, so I'd advise holding until Apple at least acknowledges they have a problem or works out the issues. Some user are saying that the developers release of 10.9.2 solves things. We'll see. But for now, if you can live without it and hold until we know things are working, I'd say send it back.

Bob

Sorry to confuse, but I don't think that I did...

He writes that he HAS an iMac with a Fusion drive and asks if he gets one with a solid state drive, will it work?

If you scour EVERYTHING, you will find folks without fusion drives still reporting problems. And you will find companies such as Apogee suggesting that the problem is NOT with the Fusion drive, despite people splitting or eliminating them and finding fixes.

Despite all the anecdotal evidence here, there is still evidence to suggest that nothing is set in stone at this point.

I would still recommend he send the unit back and wait until issues are fixed. It still has the USB issues, and as far as FireWire/Thunderbolt issues, there are problems there, as I have reported my own non-audio issues. And the only stable audio drivers are ones that are essentially only Class-compliant at best.

That's my opinion based on everything I've read here and elsewhere.

If there is any 100% evidence I am missing please let me know. I'd love to see it?

Bob

Thank you both for your replies. As I too have tried to read as many if these posts (and on numerous other threads as well) it seems to me that the issue is FD specifically, like you said. In that case im a bit relieved as I feel that the bigger SSD is a viable (or better) alternative. I just had to ask first, as I know I would throw a fit if I swap and then still have (the same) issues.

To me, this is by far the single most embarrasing development I have encountered by Apple. Nevertheless I think Fusion Drive is something wchich we will only see for a short amount of time, in waiting for more effecient SSD markets.

Anyways, bottom line, as far as you know, is that I can change my unit for an SSD version and it SHOULD be fine?

Thanks again.

ArtOfSound, I DO thank you for consolidating, analyzing, filtering and getting all this data into one place. It does help streamline the process. Hopefully, the issues will soon be fixed with software/firmware updates for the various problems. I remember the problem with the high frequency whine in the original iPod that nearly drove me crazy. So many red herrings in trying to nail that one down, including a lot of people who couldn't hear it and thought I was nuts. But, it got fixed with a software update. So, the more organized we stay, the better off we are.

Bob