MOTUnation.com

New reply from MOTU Support: "Yes, we've seen improvements with Thunderbolt docks as a "buffer". And yes, other users across different manufacturers are experiencing similar symptoms. We believe this to be an Apple Core Audio bug.

It's more prevalent over USB, but we've seen it on Thunderbolt as well. So hopefully this fixes it for you for now. Feel free to keep this ticket open and we can share any additional information or updates with each other when the time comes."

As an update, tonight i used the Ultralite for about 3 hours plugged directly into the USB-A port of my 2018 Mac Mini.

The first time i played audio, i used itunes to play a song and it played with a static on top of it. I skipped a few songs and the static remained. I then opened the OSX Audio/MIDI settings and also the MOTU discovery and Pro Audio tool. I can't remember which fixed it, but i didn't change anything, just opening the util fixed it.

Then i spent about 2 hours in Cubase (88.2khz, 256buff) and then an hour playing guitar using S-Gear and BIAS FX (44.1khz, 32buff) with no issues at all.

I'll keep it plugged in this way for awhile to see if anything else pops up.

That's interesting. I still use a much older PCI-based system with an HD192 and a 24 I/O. When I first boot up and attempt to play system audio out through my MOTU interfaces, it comes out the wrong outputs. Opening the PCI Audio utility and clicking something (can't remember what right now... in front of wrong computer) fixes it. Basically something needs to be "tickled" by the utility once and then it behaves properly from then on. Again this is playing back system audio from the Mac. Playback from DP is fine without doing this.

txbdan: For me, tickling the "Computer Volume Controls" checkbox fixes these issues.

James: I think that's the same behavior I'm seeing. Only issues are with regard to Mac system audio. I don't THINK I've ever had these issues in a DAW or anything else that directly addresses the soundcard.

renderful wrote:James: I think that's the same behavior I'm seeing. Only issues are with regard to Mac system audio. I don't THINK I've ever had these issues in a DAW or anything else that directory addresses the soundcard.

Same with me. Although I know we're using different hardware and I'm using older PCI stuff, but the system audio does not go out the correct outputs until I open and close the PCI Audio Setup app and click something.

Just wanted to update again. I'm still having issues with the audio disconnecting and having to uncheck/check the "computer volume" button to wake it up again. This can happen 2-4 times in a 4hr session. I've had only two instances with static/crackles so far. The big issue is the disconnects.

So, my setup isn't working perfectly either. I submitted a ticket with MOTU but they didn't seem to have many ideas either. I also submitted with Apple to keep the issue on their radar.