VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

I recently switched from a PC to a Mac (mini) and am using Adobe CS6 and a Mackie 820i Firewire mixer/interface. I am sometimes getting a randowm popping and static-like sound on my entire recording that plays underneath my audio. This is random but has been happeneing more frequently. I usually have to re-boot the Mac and the Mackie a time or two and then the problem goes away until next time. Anyone else had this issue? If so, please respond. Thanks!

Glenn Moore

Jason Huggins · Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 11:42 am Post subject:

This could be related to your buffer setting, could be some sort of software issue with your interface drivers, or could be something else. Helpful, right?

If it is the buffer, in AA, go to Audition -> Preferences -> Audio Hardware

Then change the I/O Buffer Size to a smaller number. If the computer is overworking to record and playback at the same time, it can cause noise in the recording. Lowering the buffer sample size can give the computer some breathing room to effectively process the audio.

Bish · Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:09 pm Post subject:

Are you running any other Firewire devices? I was using an Apogee Duet and an iSight camera that just would not play nicely together... I ended up getting a USB camera, but the real problem was that the Apogee Maestro software wasn't playing nicely. It's a known issue... Mackie may have the same problem maybe?

You say you re-boot the Mac and the Mackie and it goes away... the first thing you have to do is re-boot the Mac or the Mackie to try and see who the real culprit is. Also, I'm assuming that the Mackie has it's own OS X software (like Apogee)... so, it may be worth checking for updates/re-installing.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:18 pm Post subject:

+1 for changing the i/o buffer size.
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

not running any other Firewire devices. Will change buffer setting and see what happens. Waiting for it to happen again to try and trace it to Mackie or Adobe. We shall see but had to re-do a job 3 times today and that will get old quick:-(

Thanks!!

Glenn

Zach Meissner · Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:42 am Post subject:

Are you experiencing the problem when you record with any other software?? audacity, twisted wave, etc...
_________________
Pax vobiscum

ZachMeissner.com

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

I only use Adobe Audition. Today it seems fine as long as I turn the Mackie on first before the Mac. Seems odd but who knows.

Benjamin Stovall · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:42 pm Post subject:

Perhaps there is an update for your Mackie software? If it's true that the order of launch has an effect on the problem, it could be the software.

It could also be Audition which a future update might fix. To eliminate your DAW as the problem, try out another program to see if it still occurs. Perhaps Audacity for Mac which is free:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

As Bish pointed out, sometimes software doesn't play well together. I suppose I should also point out that this could be intermittently caused by a grounding issue. Have you tested your outlets? You can buy an inexpensive circuit tester to do so:

http://www.acmehowto.com/electrical/grounding.php
_________________
Ben Stovall Voiceover
http://www.benstovall.com

"When you're nearing the end of your rope, tie a knot. Keep on hanging. Keep on remembering, that there ain't nobody bad like you." -- The Electrifying Mojo

georgethetech · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:42 pm Post subject:

There is no new driver to install on Mac because it is Core Audio compliant. Glitches are common with external audio hardware when not powered on in the right sequence. Powering on the external hardware before booting is a good rule of thumb.

Mackie, while they make great hardware, has lousy follow-up on support and software/driver updates. Check this page, doesn't mention compatibility with Mac OS past 10.7.1, yet I know it works well past that OS version:
http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxiseries/drivers/
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

...an update on this. I changed the Buffer Size in Adobe Audition from 512 where it was set to 256, the next option. I changed it back becase it affected the audio quality. Since then I have only had the popping/crackling noise a couple times. Anyone else had this issue? Would upgrading the RAM in the Mac Mini from 4 gigs to 6 gigs help this? I want the best quality I can have without this dang noise sporatically happening. Turning on the Mackie Onyx first before the Mac Mini seems to have helped a lot but hasn't totally fixed the issue. I am wondering if there is a fix. There are no drivers to update with the Mackie since I am using a Mac. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks!

Glenn

georgethetech · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:12 pm Post subject:

Glenn, have you tried contacting Adobe support? I know it seems like a long shot, but they may have something helpful to offer on the subject.
Also, run an cable from "Tape Out" of the Mackie to Built In audio input of your Mac Mini and record that signal as an alternative to see if the problem goes away completely. If it does, the problem is directly related to the Firewire interface between Mac Mini and Mackie mixer. You could also try changing Firewire cables.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Mike Harrison · Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 5:45 am Post subject:

My suggestion would be to set the buffer to give you the best performance, and record to an external Firewire drive. I learned this the hard way ten years ago when playing back a 20-minute narration full of pops and other artifacts.

Asking your internal/boot drive to record high quality audio while it's also reading and writing operating system stuff is too taxing, and it's why your audio suffers: the OS takes precedence.

External drives with lots of storage capacity are relatively inexpensive — you need one with a minimum spindle speed of 7200rpm — and will quickly pay for itself in reduced headaches. I use two external audio drives: I record to one, and backup to the other.

Have a look:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/EliteALmini/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

georgethetech · Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 11:30 am Post subject:

Mike, what are you saying was certainly true at one time, and definitely wise for during large multitrack sessions, but unnecessary with a modern Mac recording a single audio track. And if your Mac/PC has an SSD, it's even less of a factor. Larger buffer sizes certainly help, and really don't effect you when you aren't doing multi-track dubbing.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

Yes going to contact Adobe support next week for sure. Thanks for the idea of running another cable out to the Mac Mini as well, George. I hope I can leave the buffer alone at 512. The differnece between 256 and 512 is slight but it is still there in my ears. I will probably upgrade the RAM to 6GB too. It can only help I would think.

Mike Harrison · Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 4:07 am Post subject:

Hey, thanks for the update, George! Good to know.
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.