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

I've created this new thread to outline the THREE different issues currently being discussed in various threads here and elsewhere in the hope of clarifying a few things and cleaning the 'mess' up a little!

There are currently THREE specific and different issues that a Mac owner might have in relation to Audio problems.

Some Users may well have all three problems at the same time or a combination of any/all of them.

Issue #1 - If you own a 2013 iMac with a Fusion Drive fitted then you wil get audio dropouts, clicks and other audio issues.

To test, unplug all 3rd party interfaces and test with internal Audio only.  Most people report audio dropout and noise via internal Audio.

Status - Wating on a software fix from Apple.

Possible temporary workaround options -

1) Boot from an External HD, (Very effective with a high reported success rate) and wait until fix is issued by Apple.

2) Split the FD into separate SSD and Mech Drives... (Fairly effective... but not as good as the ext drive menthod it seems)  and wait for fix from Apple.

3) Contact Apple and ask for a non FD replacement iMac (when/if possible)

4) Wait for the Apple Fix

Issue #2 = If you use a USB2 device/interface/whatever and it is connected to a USB3 port then that device might have problems.

Note: This issue does not affect Firewire devices for obvious reasons...

Possible Workarounds - Note: Users have reported varying levels of success with these fixes depending on the USB2 device in question. and what else is connected to your Mac.

1) Use a USB2 powered hub. Connect device to powered hub and connect powered hub to USB3 port

2) Use a Thunderbolt hub. Conect device to TBolt hub and hub to TBolt port on Mac.

Status - Waiting on fixes from the makers of these USB2 devices to correct the problem where possible.

Issue #3 - Incompatible drivers/hardware with either 10.9 and/or 10.8. Affects mainly audio interfaces that use drivers to communicate with your Mac... but can also affect USB2 Midi interfaces and Audio interfaces those that are supposed to be 'class compliant' and therefore do not use drivers... Class compliant devices have been fixed in the past by firmware updates whenever possible, by the makers of the device. In some cases however, makers of certain USB2 devices have not been able to correct the issue and have released new versions of their hardware to reolve issue (which of course were not provided as free replacements for users with these probmatic devices!)

Workaround

Roll back to previous working OS X version whenever possible and wait for updated drivers from Maker of your device.

Status - Awaiting updated drivers from the Makers of the USB2 device.

As can be seen from the above list, it is possible that certain users who have a 2013 imac with an FD fitted and own a USB2 interface could be subject to all three issues... and you should be keenly aware of this fact. When Apple release a fix for Issue #1 you may still have problems relating to either/both Issue #2 and #3... depending on the USB2 device you own....

Important Note:

Please feel free to ask questions regarding these three issues and their descriptions but try not to clutter up the thread with other problems or posts regarding comments such as  "Why isn't Apple/Maker of device fixing this?"  or "I'll switch to "Name of other DAW" if this isnt fixed soon..."  as frankly no one here cares about such things as none of us work for Apple

Thanks!