Any one having noise issue running RME Fireface UFX with Logic Pro X on OS X 10.9.1?

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Level 1

13 points

Any one having noise issue running RME Fireface UFX with Logic Pro X on OS X 10.9.1?

I can't seem to get a consistent and reliable no-noise recording. I'm running OS X 10.9.1. My Fireface UFX is updated to firmware v353 and drivers are 1.91. I'm recording into Logic Pro X. I can occasionally get a good recording but eventually all I get is noise. Once the system is in this state I can sometimes reset the core audio by disabling and enabling core audio in Logic preferences. Not sure what the issue is. I called RME state-side tech support. They suggested it was some kind of USB bus issue. So I removed everthing on the bus except for the Fireface UFX. Still no luck. I have a brand new iMac (i7 with 16GB ram non-fusion drive) and a brand new Fireface UFX. Any help would be much appreciated.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 7, 2014 3:16 AM

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Answer 1

Svbullt Author

Level 1

13 points

Feb 18, 2014 7:54 PM in response to Svbullt

After weeks of troubleshooting and support calls to Apple and RME with no resolution I finally gave up on the USB and switched to FW. So far the issue seems to be cleared. I still get a few glitches every now and then but otherwise things seem to be working. I suspect there is some issue with the RME USB driver or with the USB/coreaudio on the iMac.

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Answer 2

Pancenter

Level 6

14,692 points

Feb 18, 2014 8:36 PM in response to Svbullt

I swear Apple is becoming less and less concerned with what's left of their pro/semi-pro market.

From the two developers I spoke with yesterday the next OS release 10.9.2 is supposed to have some fixes for audio related problems due to "Power Management" interference from the Intel "Haswell" chipset. What you''re seeing via USB is power management interruptions as the Haswell chipset and Mac OS is adjusting the USB bus to cut power usage.

The main feature of the new Intel Haswell chipset is not more speed but rather efficient power management.

Take a look at these new OSX features... none of which are good for real time applications (audio recording).

http://www.apple.com/osx/advanced-technologies/

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Answer 3

JN Maron

Level 1

5 points

Feb 19, 2014 2:43 AM in response to Svbullt

I encounter the same problem with the Focusrite 8i6 Scarlett Mixconttrol :-(

It's a real nightmare, no way to achieve any recording, it sounds like some random monster ha s creeped into my Logic Pro 9 !!! I have downloaded thye latest drivers, been in touch been the tech suport team a t Focusrite who are willing to help and are developing new beta drivers, 1.7 & 1.8 & 1.8b1 etc. etc. unfortunately nothing seems to help.

Note : I have been using the same hardware and Logic for over a year with OSX Mountain Lion 7 without any problem, upgaded dec 2013 to OS X 8 Mavericks, still no problrem al was running smooth & fine, my Imac was also equipped with16Gb Ram and Fusiion drive ... until Mac was stlen from my desk rercently.

Had to buy one brand new running on OSX 9.1 and hat's where the trouble starts!

Since the Focusrite team seems unable to fix this (unstablity might be linked to some USB issue) , I really hope OSX 9.2 will solve the problem. Otherwise I think I'll have to buy some more expensive Thunderbolt equipedsoud devce (as Apollo, Motu ).

Any hints are welcome until then ;-)

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Answer 4

Svbullt Author

Level 1

13 points

Feb 19, 2014 7:53 AM in response to Pancenter

Thank you. Based on the symptoms I observed on my system what you are suggesting makes sense. The support engineers I talked to seemed to have no cue about it. The front line support referred me to a senior advisor. He also had no clue. He took my contact information and said he would research and get back to me. That was 5 days ago. I have heard nothing since.

I had no such issues running other DAWs on my PC for years. I recently decided to make the switch to Mac so I could use Logic. I assumed wrongly that the latest versions of iMac and Logic Pro X would run flawlessly with my RME USB audio interface. I spent around $5k on hardware and software to make the switch then many hours of head scratching and still I'm not able to produce any music using USB audio. At least my interface gives me the option of using firewire as a temporary workaround.

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Answer 5

Svbullt Author

Level 1

13 points

Feb 19, 2014 8:03 AM in response to JN Maron

For about the same price as your Scarlett your could try Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 which is Firewire and see if the issue clears.

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Answer 6

JN Maron

Level 1

5 points

Feb 19, 2014 9:26 AM in response to Svbullt

Yes it sounds quite a lot like my story, I've been using Windows PC's for over 25 years (by the way still using the original Encore score editor) and got fed up with those changes every year, just like if they wanted us to buy a brand new car about each Spring ! Thought spending more money on Mac would be more professionaly reliable and here I am, stuck with about the same issues as 10 years ago : the Bus link to the soundboard suddenly becomes unstable , big noise . OK keep cool, just reboot and wait, over and over. Try all possible configs. Helpless, Hopeless !

About the Focusrite, well they are ok and also quite cheap for the quality they offer. But I'm really fed up with it now! I ust don't understand it takes the tech team 3 about month to not fix the problem

Also I'm loking for a good soundboard with minimum 4 mic preamps to record string nstruments with a good stereo quality and natural sound. How about a good old REVOX analog tape recorder ;-)

Whata waste of time & money. Let's jsut stop computing 😝

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Answer 7

Pancenter

Level 6

14,692 points

Feb 19, 2014 10:00 AM in response to Svbullt

There is also a problem with the new iMacs equipped with a Fusion drive, this is a known problem with the "software" that controls the Fusion drive. 10.9.2 is also supposed to help/fix that problem as well. There's already several ongoing threads related to the headaches caused by the new iMac/Fusion drive combination.

I still use a custom built PC w/RME audio as my main studio computer and use Logic/Mac for my own use.

Here's a link to a multiple problem thread.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5659615?answerId=24915868022#24915868022

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