Logic Pro X - Input monitoring crackling caused by graphics

Question

Logic Pro X - Input monitoring crackling caused by graphics

I am having some bad performance issues with Logic Pro X on my Retina 4K iMac late 2015 (3,3 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, SSD HD, Audio interface RME Babyface Pro). MacOS Sierra, Logic Pro X, AU plugins and RME drivers are all updated to their newest versions.

As soon as I engage input monitoring on an audio track I am getting bad crackles and pops during playback and recording. I checked all the audio preferences. A buffer size of 128 is absolutely unusable, with 256 it gets a little better.

I suspect that this is a graphics problem because when I scroll the arrangement window up and down (or it gets moved to the right during playpack) or move the mixer window around the crackling gets really bad.

The only solution I could come up with so far is to open Logic in low resolution mode. That seems to solve the audio problem, but it looks like ****. And I assume with a system like mine there should normally not be any performance problems at all?!

Any ideas?

iMac, iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Feb 21, 2017 5:03 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 18, 2017 9:52 PM in response to GrabtharsHammer

I don't know if the underlying issues were completely solved - the last thread in the CPU meter still gets a little nervous sometimes when clicking and scrolling in the main window - but the audio crackles and glitches have been noticeably reduced. Thanks to Logic's developers for taking care of this with the release of 10.3.2! I consider this solved.

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Answer 2

Pancenter

Level 6

14,782 points

Feb 22, 2017 9:52 AM in response to GrabtharsHammer

Even though it seems unrelated.

You can try this...

If Alchemy controls feel unresponsive in Logic Pro X - Apple Support

Also, try running Logic in Non-Retina Mode. I think it's done via Logic's Icon "Info" selection.

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Answer 3

Feb 21, 2017 5:57 AM in response to kerochan

As far as I am aware that problem didn't exist with the earlier versions. I have an SSD drive so that can't be the problem, too. I suspect Logic's new GUI is not compatible with the iMac's integrated Intel Iris GPU.

I already froze all other tracks except the one with input monitoring to avoid CPU problems, but it didn't help, too. The Disk I/O meter doesn't show any problems, but the Audio (CPU) meter displays a spike on the 8th core when I engage inout monitoring and start playback or recording. Strange.

This really shouldn't be happening with one of the top iMac models.

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Answer 4

kerochan

Level 4

1,071 points

Feb 21, 2017 6:33 AM in response to GrabtharsHammer

I agree, this shouldn't be happening at all.

I do think you need to call Apple re this, I have stuck to using Logic 10.2.4 on my main system, no problems.

I did however make a copy of 10.2.4 on my Macbook air, then updated to Logic 10.3.0, but because of various bugs I just use Logic 10.2.4.

Your set up up is great, and your RME is one of the best.

Did you make a copy of the earlier Logic? if so, you have no problem, just use that.

I hope you can get this situation sorted asap.

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Answer 5

Feb 22, 2017 12:59 AM in response to GrabtharsHammer

I just uploaded a short screen capture video in youtube (sorry, without sound, it’s just a screen capture video made with quicktime) that demonstrates the issue. The CPU meter is spiking heavily every time I click into the tracks area or scroll vertically/horizontally. The CPU spikes cause terrible audio crackling and pops.

The CPU spikes only appear when input monitoring is activated.

https://youtu.be/_5qsaJ3MS9M

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Answer 6

Pancenter

Level 6

14,782 points

Feb 22, 2017 1:53 AM in response to GrabtharsHammer

By the Sons of Warvan... you aren't the first to mention this, there's been a couple of posts along the same lines, probably a combination of things including the Retina screen. Supposedly Logic's graphics have not yet been brought up to speed.

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Answer 7

Feb 23, 2017 7:35 AM in response to Pancenter

Yes, running Logic in low resolution mode instead 4K retina resolution solves the glitches/crackles problem. But I don't think this should be the only solution on one of their current top model iMacs.

And there are other users of Retina devices having performance issues, too.

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Answer 8

Feb 23, 2017 7:42 AM in response to GrabtharsHammer

The above article isn't about running Logic in non-Retina mode, its about changing the color space from P3 to the sRGB. Can you try turning back on the high res mode and then follow the instructions in the above article?

I'm curious if the workaround solves your issue?

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Answer 9

Feb 23, 2017 7:55 AM in response to Logic Expert

THAT is totally weird. I never thought a color profile could influence Logic's performance.

Okay, I tested it and indeed the performance is slightly better with the sRGB profile. Audio glitches are still there, but not as bad as with the original iMac color profile or the one I profiled with ColorMunki.

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Answer 10

Feb 23, 2017 8:07 AM in response to GrabtharsHammer

So just to be clear, configuring Logic in standard resolution mode eliminates the crackles, but changing color space only reduces, but doesn't eliminate crackles?

When did the problem start occurring for you? Was there a specific version of Logic, or OS update?

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Answer 11

Pancenter

Level 6

14,782 points

Feb 23, 2017 8:12 AM in response to Logic Expert

Logic Expert wrote:

The above article isn't about running Logic in non-Retina mode, its about changing the color space from P3 to the sRGB. Can you try turning back on the high res mode and then follow the instructions in the above article?

I'm curious if the workaround solves your issue?

Thanks for clarifying my post, I guess it wasn't obvious those were two different operations.

I agree, Logic should not have to be run in a lower res mode, I don't think all of Logic's graphic routines have been re-written to the latest specs and as a result use a lot of bandwidth on Retina screens.

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Answer 12

Feb 23, 2017 9:39 AM in response to Pancenter

I would like a confirmation that the problem still occurs with "open in Low Resolution" is not checked, but the color profile is set to sRGB.

Unfortunately, my iMac is a slightly older model that does not have the new wide color p3 display. I do have a MBP with the P3 display, but I'm not seeing the above behavior.

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Answer 13

May 5, 2017 4:50 PM in response to GrabtharsHammer

Just in case it is of interest- I'm on a MBP Retina 15" mid 2015, LPX10.3.1, El Cap. I just got a Dell 32" monitor and noticed some new digital distortion of the kind youre talking about- glitches, snats, etc, and some additional latency. Changed the monitor resolution on the Dell back to "default for display" and the extra latency and hash disappeared.

I'm also surprised that graphics would have that effect. Now I'll know to put that in the troubleshooting mix.

Thanks for the tip!

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Answer 14

kerochan

Level 4

1,071 points

Feb 21, 2017 5:21 AM in response to GrabtharsHammer

That *****

Are you using Fusion or Flash storage?

You say you have updated to the latest Logic, (10.3.0?) did you have this problem with Logic 10.2.4?

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Answer 15

Feb 21, 2017 6:44 AM in response to kerochan

Thanks for your efforts, kerochan.

Yes, I will probably have to contact Apple. :-(

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