Crackling Audio

[hekuli]

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

[devinroth]

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: ***@***.***>

[hekuli]

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.

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.

[devinroth]

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]

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]

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: ***@***.***>

[hekuli]

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.

[devinroth]

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: ***@***.***>

[aadityakr7]

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]

[devinroth]

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: ***@***.***>

[APinchofDill]

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.