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Crackling Audio

Open hekuli opened this issue 2 years ago • 21 comments

Please Confirm

  • [X] I have read the FAQ and Wiki where most common issues can be resolved
  • [X] I have searched Discussions to see if the same question has already been asked
  • [X] This is a bug and not a question about audio routing or configuration, which should be posted in Discussions

macOS Version

macOS 13 Ventura

BlackHole Build(s) Affected

  • [ ] 2 channel
  • [X] 16 channel
  • [ ] 64 channel
  • [ ] other/custom build

Describe the bug

I keep getting period crackling sounds whenever I use the latest version (0.5.0) with my Mac. I didn't have this issue before. Seems to be new with Sonoma or a recent update before that. It happens every 5-10 minutes or so. Sounds like digital clipping type of distortion.

I'm using Sonoma 14.2.1 (23C71) Apple M1 Max.

Reproduction Steps

  1. Set main system audio out to Blackhole 2 ch
  2. Route the audio through a track in Ableton
  3. Configure Ableton to route it's main out to my physical soundcard.
  4. Listen to music from Spotify for a while.

Expected Behavior

I expect clear audio with no crackling or distortion.

Screenshots

No response

hekuli avatar Dec 22 '23 20:12 hekuli

This is an issue with Ableton. I have no idea what they are doing wrong.

Please try to reproduce in any other DAW and let me know. On Dec 22, 2023 at 12:47 PM -0800, Hekuli @.***>, wrote:

Please Confirm

• I have read the FAQ and Wiki where most common issues can be resolved • I have searched Discussions to see if the same question has already been asked • This is a bug and not a question about audio routing or configuration, which should be posted in Discussions

macOS Version macOS 13 Ventura BlackHole Build(s) Affected

• 2 channel • 16 channel • 64 channel • other/custom build

Describe the bug I keep getting period crackling sounds whenever I use the latest version (0.5.0) with my Mac. I didn't have this issue before. Seems to be new with Sonoma or a recent update before that. It happens every 5-10 minutes or so. Sounds like digital clipping type of distortion. I'm using Sonoma 14.2.1 (23C71) Apple M1 Max. Reproduction Steps

  1. Set main system audio out to Blackhole 2 ch
  2. Route the audio through a track in Ableton
  3. Configure Ableton to route it's main out to my physical soundcard.
  4. Listen to music from Spotify for a while.

Expected Behavior I expect clear audio with no crackling or distortion. Screenshots No response — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Dec 22 '23 21:12 devinroth

Hi thanks for responding so quickly.

I just tried and was able to quickly reproduce the same problem with a very simple Touchdesigner patch that does nothing but re-route the audio from Blackhole.

Screenshot 2023-12-22 at 22 36 19

I don't have any other issues with Ableton, my system audio, or my sound interface. This problem only occurs for me when Blackhole is in the picture.

hekuli avatar Dec 22 '23 21:12 hekuli

Try another test.

With Ableton record the audio. Do you get crackles with recorded audio or any when monitoring? On Dec 22, 2023 at 1:40 PM -0800, Hekuli @.***>, wrote:

Hi thanks for responding so quickly. I just tried and was able to quickly reproduce the same problem with a very simple Touchdesigner patch that does nothing but re-route the audio from Blackhole. Screenshot.2023-12-22.at.22.36.19.png (view on web) I don't have any other issues with Ableton, my system audio, or my sound interface. This problem only occurs for me when Blackhole is in the picture. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Dec 22 '23 21:12 devinroth

Also any errors in Console when you’re reproducing the issue? On Dec 22, 2023 at 1:40 PM -0800, Hekuli @.***>, wrote:

Hi thanks for responding so quickly. I just tried and was able to quickly reproduce the same problem with a very simple Touchdesigner patch that does nothing but re-route the audio from Blackhole. Screenshot.2023-12-22.at.22.36.19.png (view on web) I don't have any other issues with Ableton, my system audio, or my sound interface. This problem only occurs for me when Blackhole is in the picture. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Dec 22 '23 21:12 devinroth

Also test with Logic / GarageBand. On Dec 22, 2023 at 1:40 PM -0800, Hekuli @.***>, wrote:

Hi thanks for responding so quickly. I just tried and was able to quickly reproduce the same problem with a very simple Touchdesigner patch that does nothing but re-route the audio from Blackhole. Screenshot.2023-12-22.at.22.36.19.png (view on web) I don't have any other issues with Ableton, my system audio, or my sound interface. This problem only occurs for me when Blackhole is in the picture. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Dec 22 '23 22:12 devinroth

Here is a recording of it from Ableton.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bn7cyIJ5oyqfxUBv1nw-hj5EPfigyBwm/view?usp=sharing

Nothing in the Console.

Sorry but I don't have/want Logic or Garageband.

hekuli avatar Dec 23 '23 09:12 hekuli

How about Audacity? Could you try recording in Audacity for me? On Dec 23, 2023 at 1:35 AM -0800, Hekuli @.***>, wrote:

Here is a recording of it from Ableton. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bn7cyIJ5oyqfxUBv1nw-hj5EPfigyBwm/view?usp=sharing Nothing in the Console. Sorry but I don't have/want Logic or Garageband. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Dec 23 '23 16:12 devinroth

I confirm this.

Steps to reproduce:

  1. Open Ableton, go to settings, select Blackhole under both the audio input & output device.
  2. Load any song onto the audio track.
  3. Insert a new audio track & set the arm to record.
  4. Hit the record button from the main control.
  5. Listen SOLO to the newly recorded track & there will be crackling noise in between.

My analysis: From what I could see, the crackling sound can be heard whenever there's clipping of the recorded waveform.

How to resolve: Avoid using Blackhole as a direct audio I/O device & make a configuration for audio input & output.

  1. Open Audio MIDI setup.
  2. Click + icon to add a new multi output device, check blackhole along with MacBook speaker (can also select other devices), check Drift Correction for blackhole.
  3. Click + icon to add a new aggregate device, check blackhole along with MacBook microphone (can also select other devices), check Drift Correction for blackhole.
  4. Now under Ableton settings, use these newly created configurations.

[Reference image for the recorded audio] image

aadityakr7 avatar Dec 26 '23 18:12 aadityakr7

Thanks. I’m still waiting for the audacity test.

Devin On Dec 26, 2023 at 10:07 AM -0800, Aaditya Kr Dhiman @.***>, wrote:

I confirm this. Steps to reproduce:

  1. Open Ableton, go to settings, select Blackhole under both the audio input & output device.
  2. Load any song onto the audio track.
  3. Insert a new audio track & set the arm to record.
  4. Hit the record button from the main control.
  5. Listen SOLO to the newly recorded track & there will be crackling noise in between.

My analysis: From what I could see, the crackling sound can be heard whenever there's clipping of the recorded waveform. How to resolve: Avoid using Blackhole as a direct audio I/O device & make a configuration for audio input & output.

  1. Open Audio MIDI setup.
  2. Click + icon to add a new multi output device, check blackhole along with MacBook speaker (can also select other devices), check Drift Correction for blackhole.
  3. Click + icon to add a new aggregate device, check blackhole along with MacBook microphone (can also select other devices), check Drift Correction for blackhole.
  4. Now under Ableton settings, use these newly created configurations.

[Reference image for the recorded audio] image.png (view on web) — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Dec 26 '23 18:12 devinroth

Not sure if this helps, but using on Mac Sonoma in FL Studio 21. No crackling audio. Just thought I would add some context from a different DAW software.

APinchofDill avatar Feb 27 '24 19:02 APinchofDill

I got this same crackling audio issue with Logic yesterday during a livestreamed recital. I had to resort to using my iPhone mic as a workaround. I set the buffer size in Logic to be 512 or 1024 (way larger than what I think I need — I have an MBP with an M3 Max), and Logic, Black Hole, and my Steinberg interface were all at 48kHz.

PianoMan7 avatar Jun 03 '24 01:06 PianoMan7

I would like to say that I didn't do as the documentation said by having Macbook Pro Speakers enabled and listed as the top device in the Multi-Output device. Is this the potential cause?

I would love more detail about why it needs to be done this way. What do you mean by "issues with MacOS"? Which MacOS? I'm on Sonoma 14.5.

PianoMan7 avatar Jun 03 '24 02:06 PianoMan7

Without screenshot I can’t know for sure. That being said multi-outputs and aggregates are pretty buggy. If you can reproduce the issue without a multi-output then I can probably find a way to fix.

Devin On Jun 2, 2024 at 7:11 PM -0700, PianoMan7 @.***>, wrote:

I would like to say that I didn't do as the documentation said by having Macbook Pro Speakers enabled and listed as the top device in the Multi-Output device. Is this the potential cause? I would love more detail about why it needs to be done this way. What do you mean by "issues with MacOS"? Which MacOS? I'm on Sonoma 14.5. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Jun 03 '24 02:06 devinroth

Can confirm that the issue is not only in Ableton Live. It get worse with time. So, basically if I livestream (basically only OBS, Minecraft, Discord and TouchPortal running) for some time, the crackling get's worse and worse. I then just have to switch the sound output to something else and then back again an then it's fine again (but again, get worse with time).

Using a multi-output virtual device to be able to capture the computer sound in OBS.

Magganpice avatar Jun 21 '24 17:06 Magganpice

That sounds exactly like Drift issues. What are you using for Drift correction?

Devin On Jun 21, 2024 at 10:03 AM -0700, Magganpice @.***>, wrote:

Can confirm that the issue is not only in Ableton Live. It get worse with time. So, basically if I livestream (basically only OBS, Minecraft and TouchPortal running) for some time, the crackling get's worse and worse. I then just have to switch the sound output to something else and then back again an then it's fine again (but again, get worse with time). Using a multi-output virtual device to be able to capture the computer sound in OBS. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Jun 21 '24 17:06 devinroth

Screenshot 2024-06-21 at 19 19 02

OK, thanks! Is this the problem? Which one should I choose for Drift correction?

Magganpice avatar Jun 21 '24 17:06 Magganpice

All devices that are not the primary/clock device.

Devin On Jun 21, 2024 at 10:20 AM -0700, Magganpice @.***>, wrote:

Screenshot.2024-06-21.at.19.19.02.png (view on web) OK, thanks! Is this the problem? Which one should I choose for Drift correction? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

devinroth avatar Jun 21 '24 17:06 devinroth