audio drop outs - RESOLVED

[Jim]

Ugh, this could be it right here, Rogue Ameba the makers of Audio Hijack among other Mac OS audio tools said they were excited about changes to Sequoia that were of benefit to their apps. So most likely the Focusrite interfaces if they're more than a few in/outs do have a driver that installed with the app. Mac OS has been doing a "driverkit" driver that you can read about on RME's site if you want, it's removing drivers and audio interfaces further from the kernel.

So that's the obvious test, run your projects from the built in audio and see if they skip when listening from the headphone out.

I can only test with Built-in Audio for older projects that were recorded at 44.1 KHz due to internal audio maxing out at 48KHz. But, I can give that a shot and report back later.

I just checked the Focusrite site again. They only have drivers for Windows. I don't need or use Focusrite Control for my mixing room Scarlett interface, because it's essentially just a hardware dongle for the higher sampling rates and a convenient volume knob. I don't see anything about Sequoia incompatibility in their specs or "Help Centre," other than some other unrelated issues.

I do have SoundSource installed. It allows the user to set audio levels, routing, and custom EQs for every app. I could try disabling that. I can report back on that later, too.

I watched the RME video on audio extension. https://rme-audio.de/driverkit-vs-kernel-extension.html Looks like Ventura was the most current OS when it was produced. Good info about starting a M1 (etc) Mac in Recovery Mode of which I was unaware (Shut down, wait, hold power button until Recovery screen appears).

[Jim]

Jumping Jehoshaphat, I think you are onto something here! IDK why it didn't occur to me to suspect Sequoia. I'm not even that much of an Apple fanboy to think they can do no wrong. It seems obvious to me, now.

Sorry to pour cold water on the idea, but I am not sure Sequoia is the problem here...

viewtopic.php?t=74421&hilit=sequoia

This thread seems to show some not having issues. No M4s that I noted, however.

I found and read that thread yesterday, and added to it.

This thread has been pretty long, and so it may have been overlooked that this issue has been either random or afflicting Projects with a consistent triggering component for which I've detected no pattern so far.

I have over 400 DP Projects. I've opened about 20 on my new M4, and this dropout issue has manifested in about four. I don't think my sample size is big enough to assign a 20% rate to the frequency. If so, that would be horrible - 80 or so Projects. Yikes.

Or, IOW, 80% of my Projects are presenting no issues. Yay!

[Jim]

So that's the obvious test, run your projects from the built in audio and see if they skip when listening from the headphone out.

Thank you, Michael.

I just tried this out. A 44.1 KHz Sequence with dropouts with my Scarlett also drops out with Built-In Audio.

That exonerates the interface.

I'm back to fingering Sequoia as my primary suspect.

One difference is that the dropouts are less frequent (more time between gaps) and longer duration in 44.1 vs. 88.2. So, it appears there may be some connection to the sample rate.

[Jim]

I owe Sequoia an apology. Sort of. I owe the community here an apology for pitching in to help out.

I SOLVED my issue.

Turns out the dropouts were caused by Ozone 9 Elements having forgotten my authorization is on iLok during the transition between computers. It reverted to Demo mode, which drops out the audio every few seconds.

A common feature in all my DP Project includes Ozone and PSP Vintage Warmer on every Master track. I use Ozone when I need to add gain to my mixes. When I don't need it for that, I disable it on the Master channel strip. That accounts for the dropouts being random within Project files.

I'm still not letting Sequoia completely off the hook, because I have another issue I may post about separately, if I can't figure it out on my own.

I want to express my appreciation for those of you who offered suggestions. Thanks again. Stand down.

[cuttime]

Thanks for posting this, Jim. I'm sure it'll help someone else down the line. I've been following this thread with frustration, as I didn't have anything constructive to say, and it really sucks to have problems with a shiny new computer out of the gate. Maybe now you can enjoy it.

Looking back dear Watson, all the clues were staring at us from the start. I know others have encountered this sort of thing before, and it usually is a blast of noise that is the culprit.

[Michael Canavan]

I owe Sequoia an apology. Sort of. I owe the community here an apology for pitching in to help out.

I SOLVED my issue.

Turns out the dropouts were caused by Ozone 9 Elements having forgotten my authorization is on iLok during the transition between computers. It reverted to Demo mode, which drops out the audio every few seconds.

Oh man, that's rich! Pretty much the equivalent of tweaking the EQ on another track and wondering way too late why it's barely changing the sound!

[HCMarkus]

And we have liftoff!

Thanks for sharing Jim; glad you got it sorted!