Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

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mokus
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Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:09 am

Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by mokus » Tue Dec 12, 2023 5:45 am

Hi, really strange situation with unwanted noise/interference in Ableton:

- I have an external device via Apollo Twin X inputs. No plugins in Ableton are active or even loaded.
- Universal Audio Console (also no plugins) shows zero noise, but in Ableton there's a bunch (static/interference sounding) that seems to be caused by software.
- Tried different external devices. Noise is about the same type/level each time.
- Also tried using USB as the audio input instead of the Apollo Twin, and noise was acting the same way.
- Noise isn't constant -- if I play a sample in Ableton, the noise seems to reset itself, then gradually come back in only when all audio playback is silent.
- The noise is also affected by audio apps running on my OS, like Audio Hijack and SoundSource. In fact I tried to record the problem in Audio Hijack, but even just stopping/recording has a huge effect on the noise. They both seem to add to it, as closing them decreases the noise but doesn't make it go away entirely. Tried closing out of all other OS applications but that didn't help.
- Tried a computer restart and Apollo Twin power cycle.

Anyway I'm pretty stumped as I've been using Ableton just about a decade, along with the Apollo and this same computer since 2020, all without any issue like this. Any clues? Appreciate you reading.

H20nly
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Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by H20nly » Tue Dec 12, 2023 6:39 am

I had a situation a few weeks ago where there was some odd sound that seemed to be in Live. I tried restarting my Mac and various troubleshooting… I’ll skip the details, but it was because I was charging my track pad. If you’ve got anything plugged into ports that you don’t need and/or that draws power, try unplugging it

mokus
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Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:09 am

Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by mokus » Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:52 am

H20nly wrote:
Tue Dec 12, 2023 6:39 am
I had a situation a few weeks ago where there was some odd sound that seemed to be in Live. I tried restarting my Mac and various troubleshooting… I’ll skip the details, but it was because I was charging my track pad. If you’ve got anything plugged into ports that you don’t need and/or that draws power, try unplugging it
Good call! It was my Elektron Analog Rytm connected via USB. It wasn't even powered on. Wish there were some kind of explanation for this.

Thank you, it was driving me crazy

H20nly
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Location: The Wild West

Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by H20nly » Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:06 pm

I think the power draw was interfering with my audio interface and Live was picking it up. In my case, I have a Mac Studio and was using one of the USB C ports connected to what is essentially a hub - it’s a platform made for Mac Minis that can hold an external M.2 drive I use for backups. My Mac was powering that on a standard USB C port, not lightning. I changed things around after that… but my take away was to make sure my mouse, keyboard, and track pad are all charged *before* a recording session

In your case, you might be able to use a powered hub and/or move to a different USB port that’s more suitable for your Elektron

mokus
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:09 am

Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by mokus » Tue Dec 12, 2023 8:21 pm

H20nly wrote:
Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:06 pm
I think the power draw was interfering with my audio interface and Live was picking it up. In my case, I have a Mac Studio and was using one of the USB C ports connected to what is essentially a hub - it’s a platform made for Mac Minis that can hold an external M.2 drive I use for backups. My Mac was powering that on a standard USB C port, not lightning. I changed things around after that… but my take away was to make sure my mouse, keyboard, and track pad are all charged *before* a recording session

In your case, you might be able to use a powered hub and/or move to a different USB port that’s more suitable for your Elektron
Right, I'm using a powered hub, same one I've always used with various Elektron instruments, never had an issue. Going to troubleshoot with the others though since there was just a big hardware update to the RYTM. Only difference I can think of. I'll bring it up over at the Elektronauts forums.

mokus
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Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:09 am

Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by mokus » Wed Feb 28, 2024 11:10 pm

Ok finally figured out the real culprit: SoundSource. Anyone know why, or a workaround? I love using it for headphone EQ

H20nly
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Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by H20nly » Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:50 pm

Wow. I looked up SoundSource and suddenly had a terrible flashback

viewtopic.php?t=246859

mokus
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Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by mokus » Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:45 am

H20nly wrote:
Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:50 pm
Wow. I looked up SoundSource and suddenly had a terrible flashback

viewtopic.php?t=246859
Ah that's really interesting. I guess you're suggesting that this company's software is problematic with Ableton, and to stay away?

If so, I wonder if your or anyone else could suggest an alternative to SoundSource (and also Audio Hijack, which I feel has a HUGE overlap with Ableton users).

I really love being able to load several audio plugins into SoundSource (e.g. headphone EQ + CanOpener Studio for mixing), as it greatly reduces the chances of accidentally bouncing a track with the plugins left activated during output. Or even just throwing Pro-Q3 onto a track I'm playing in any non-Ableton audio app to adjust the EQ. Also, being able to route specific applications' audio to different outputs, adjust the volume of different applications (including boosting very quiet ones, like Rekordbox), are all really helpful.

Anyway thanks for responding with this!

mokus
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:09 am

Re: Strange noise/interference from Ext. input in Ableton only

Post by mokus » Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:12 am

I've created a new thread here since figuring out the problem is specifically Rogue Amoeba applications, so that can be noted clearly in the subject: viewtopic.php?p=1821632#p1821632

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