Recording with an M-Audio JamLab ....annoying lil click sound....

Hey everyone,

I am doing basic demo'ing in garageband using the m-audio jamlab (this is all i can afford at the time being) and I notice that when i'm recording/playback tracks, I often get this lil 'clicks' or 'glitch' pops in the track that occur like ever 6 bars or so...

Last night I updated the driver of the jamlab to the most recent, 1.6.1...
I really want to do some demo's and put alot of effort into this. I know most of you will say its about time to purchase a half decent interface, but at the time I cannot. Is there ANY kind of recommendations u can give me regarding this annoyance which is taking away from the quality of my tracks?

MacMini, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Aug 25, 2006 9:12 AM

37 replies

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Aug 25, 2006 11:25 AM in response to David MacVicar

Off to m-audio?

B-(> Yeah, I think so.

Wait, one more thought just occurred. Open your Audio MIDI Setup utility and make sure your interface i set to 44100 and 16-Bit.

If it's already set that way, then I can't think of anything else to suggest. Hopefully M-Audio will have some ideas for you

Aug 25, 2006 11:40 AM in response to HangTime

Hang...check out these screenshots

When i first open the audio/midi utility, i see this....

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/xmacvicar/Picture1.jpg

It says on the left hand side - properties for: built in audio...if I change this to say "m-audio jamlab" I see this.....

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/xmacvicar/Picture2.jpg

2ch - 24bit is the only selection I have available...what about on the top right hand side of the utility window..."default output and system output" what should they be set to?

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Aug 25, 2006 11:45 AM in response to David MacVicar

Unfortunately I'm not too well versed in AMS, I used it once to set up my FirePod and never had to touch it again.

The fact that the Interface only supports 24-bit might be a problem, but I'm not sure. M-Audio would definitely be the better people to talk to, sorry. B(

Aug 25, 2006 11:52 AM in response to HangTime

Hey

Just got off the phone with the M-audio tech support Josh...He stated that I should try unplugging any other devices that are connect to the USB ports to possibly help the speed/pop issues because the computer might be pinging other possible USB devices at the same time causing it....other than that, thats all he mentioned..I'll give that a go...

Aug 25, 2006 11:55 AM in response to David MacVicar

well...

I tried everything that hangtime and the m-audio people suggested and I am still receiving the cracks and pop's (rice crispies) that have plagued so many others.

**** this ***** so much. I am afraid to purchase another interface because I have a feeling the problem will persist.

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Aug 25, 2006 12:34 PM in response to David MacVicar

David I have the same problem with a M-Audio Black Box except it doesn't happen all the time. I gave up on using it as a interface and just use the FX through my Firewire interface.

I'm guessing it's a usb problem. I must also say I had a Fast track usb that did not have this problem.

Aug 25, 2006 1:13 PM in response to isteveus

Thanks for your input isteveus...

If it was a possible USB problem, wouldn't the Fast Track USB have an issue as well?

I am pondering this because I may purchase the M-audio Mobile Pre unit to be my new 'interface'. I am not so sure because I am thinking of getting a Digitech RP350 for my guitar tones, and that has usb connectivity. I am unsure which way to go...

Is it possible that my slower Mac Mini HD may be to slow and causing the pops?

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Aug 25, 2006 1:21 PM in response to David MacVicar

I wouldn't suspect the HD of causing the clicks (my iBook would have the same, o slower, HD.

Also, before you count on connectivity with the Digitech, make sure there are Mac Drivers.

Aug 25, 2006 1:30 PM in response to HangTime

Ya I emailed a digitech rep and they said it will have support for mac's and garageband.

**** I cannot for the life of me figure this problem out. I was reading a post on a completely different website about people recording with Logic and they were sometimes getting pops. One guy stated he replaced the actual USB cable with a better quality Belkin one and the problem disappeared.

Something is telling me that there is a problem with my sound devices or something, because when i switch with monitor on/off and channel 1 mono, I can hear the clicking/popping taking place then as well....its so weird.... 😟

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Aug 25, 2006 1:45 PM in response to David MacVicar

I don't think it's a usb problem in general but with some m-audio devices and some mac's.

As I write this I'm wondering if it could be my third party usb 2.0 card in my G4 tower. I'm going to plug the black box into my powerbook and see if I have the same problem I'll let you know.

Aug 25, 2006 1:58 PM in response to isteveus

Oh snap...

In the sys. prefs you can select the jamlab prefs.....

I didn't realize before, but you can change the sample bit depth to either 16 or 24. Currently it is at 24, shoudl I change this to 16 and could this be a possible fix?

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Aug 25, 2006 2:08 PM in response to David MacVicar

Definitely worth trying. It's not going to hurt anything, and GB works at 16-bit

Aug 25, 2006 2:12 PM in response to HangTime

Just tried it...

The pops are just as prevalent as before. I give up, I think I will try another recording application such as Logic Express or Tracktion or something. My recording nerves are shot! hahaah....

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Aug 25, 2006 2:31 PM in response to David MacVicar

It clicks on my powerbook also. Here is a mp3 I just made you can hear the click click click at the end.

Aug 25, 2006 2:34 PM in response to isteveus

isteveus...

Ok...You have the exact problem I have as well. Is the ONLY solution now to purchase a higher quality interface? Right now I have the jamlab which retails for like 79 bucks, but Im looking at the M-audio MobilePre which retails for like 299 or something....

Will the 'better' quality interface solve this issue?

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Recording with an M-Audio JamLab ....annoying lil click sound....