MOTUnation.com

Hello:

Are there any DP users with the Mackie 400F. I have a Dual Core
G5 2.0 Ghz. w/ 2.5 GB of RAM running OSX 10.4.8, and DP 5.11.
I can't seem to get rid of clicks. I've tried switching the work priority to low, and the CPU meter in DP spikes very erratically.
I've also raised the sample buffer to 512 - no luck.

Are any other DP users experiencing this problem as well? I'm streaming my samples mostly off of an external USB drive (2.0). Could this be the problem? I'm using v. 1.05 of the firmware and MAckie console. This clicking begins after only playing back 4 or 5 MIDI tracks from Kontakt and the VSL VI.

I'm trying to determine if this is the Mackie 400 F causing this clicking, or something else. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

Hey - I am experiencing similar clicks, pops etc. However - it seems to only happen when I am working on something recorded prior to the 400f. New stuff done on the 400F does not seem to have the problem. Have you found a fix? I really love the sound of the Onyx and would hate to have to run out and get something different.

Thanks, Dennis

Hi Dennis:

I've stabilized my system somewhat by upgrading the Mackie 400F
firmware to version 2.06 which is the Beta version on their site. I've also found that if I keep the sample buffer size at 512, I don't get any more clicks. I know that buffer setting is still quite high, but at least that seems to
eliminate the clicks and pops.

I read another post on Unicornation that says Apple is supposedly coming out with a new audio firewire driver with their next OSX update which hopefully will fix this problem. here's some info about it. The pre-release version is available now for download through the Apple Developers Site. Its called the SDK 23. I haven't had the nerve to try it, but apparently some people have and it works much better.

Here's the link and some info. Let me know how it works if you decide to try it.

https://connect.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebOb ... leID=19682



Quote:
Usage

Install the "AppleFWAudio" package and reboot. Plug in your hardware device and check the functionality of your control panel application and audio streaming. There are many improvements in this release and most of the reported problems have been addressed. Some of improvements are:

1. Improved latency and CPU performance using the new streaming engine (currently only enabled for a few select devices)
2. Panics and system hangs when devices using the new Extended Stream Format command have been fixed.
3. Block Read and Block Write AVC commands sent through the FWAUserLib are working correctly and at full bandwidth.
4. New and improved FWAUserLib APIs. The new API's allow for more control over AVC audio devices and with creation of virtual devices.


Hope this helps,

Tom Wolfe

Thanks so much. I also read a few other threads that said setting priority to "low" would improve things. I tried this and it got rid of the clicks and pops - have also set the buffer up to 512. So far so good. I may experiment with the new apple software. Thanks again for the reply. This is my first experience (other than reading) on Unicorn Nation, and it has been a very positive one!

Thanks again
Dennis

Hello Dennis:

Just today, I tried switching the work priority setting in DP 5.11 to high
and it seems like it's working much better. I'll know more when I have a chance to play with it over the weekend, but the CPU spiking is much improved and I'm not hearing any clicks and pops.I'm using a G5 Dual Core PPC, with 2.0 Ghz. processors and 2.5 GB. of RAM.

MOTU originally told me to put the work priority setting on low, but I'm not sure this is the correct setting to use with the Beta 2.06 Mackie drivers. I also tried plugging my guitar straight into the Mackie and I was able to get the sample buffer setting down to 128 with no clicks and pops using the High setting of Work Priority. Using the Low setting I couldn't get any lower than 512.

I will post something on the Unicornation board after I confirm that this
setting is working and stable.

Thanks,

Tom

hmm this may be related .. i just bought a Tascam FireOne ..

i get CLICKs when i engage ANY DECENT plugin on playback.

I'm an apple developer ** GUI ** and I have the FirewireSDK 23 and i tried different versions of the appleFWaudio extension with NO LUCK ..

its interesting to me that your on a G5 with FW800 and getting clicks on this Mackie unit ..

This would indicate some OSX deficiency in the firewire protocol .. ???

i had hope that simple adding FW800 would fix things BUT ..
this thread adds doubts ..

ALSO .. WARNING .. if you UPGRADE to the appleFWaudio 2.1 BE SURE you have the 2.01 installer too .. the FireOne was NOT RECOGNISED under appleFWaudio 2.1 and i had to DOWNGRADE to 2.01

ok .. hope this helps
lookinnn

Thanks for your comments. I have been having never ending problems with the 400f - clicks and pops - even under the just released drivers. I lovde the pre-amps, so have been using the unit just for that and using the tascam 1884 (never a problem) for my firewire interface. I recently found the OSX 2.1 drivers and was going to try that. Others have found that this does clear things up (at least for them...) However - where do I get the 2.01 drivers in case I have to roll back? Was planning to give it all a try today.

Dennis

I have a Mackie Onyx 1640 with Firewire. Sometimes when I'm just listening to iTunes I'll get clicks. Turning the 1640 off and back on seems to fix the problem for a while.