Ableton Forum

Hey all,

Here's an odd one, and I can't figure it out.

Issue: I get a mysterious feedback-like sound through my speakers when using Live 11

Facts:
[*]Feedback sound: sounds like that weird sound you get when a cell phone interferes with speakers. Always present when using Live 11 (beta latest version). Not super loud - but noticeable enough to ruin mixing. It sounds like a shielding issue, but:
[*]Does not happen when using Live 10 or Logic or any other app
[*]I've turned off the audio input in the settings menu to rule out any wayward audio routings.
[*]Turning volume up/down does not make any difference to volume of noise.

Specs:
[*]MBP 2020, 16" 2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9, 32gb RAM
[*]Apollo X4 interface

Another fact:
[*]Once you hear it, you can't unhear it. It's driving me nuts.

I know this is one of those random posts, but I was hoping for any insight/ideas before I tear this studio apart.

Any ideas, gang?

It's L11 new updated audio engine
Weird that you're only hearing it with L11 and not L10.
You said feedback, but then cellphone noises, these are quite different things, no? Or do you have both type of sounds?
Do you have a Push plugged-in? Or any other controller with touch-sensitive knobs/faders?
Which mac OS?
I'll also check your Apollo's version, I don't remember seeing anything related to this device on the beta platform, but my memory isn't always very effective. I'll check.

Bwah ha ha! New audio engine!

It’s so darn bizarre - I just can’t figure this out.

Yeah, feedback is the wrong word. Definitely sounds like interference. It’s almost like a hard drive interfering. I only hear the sound through the speakers - there’s no actual audio coming out of the software or interface.

I’ve unplugged all controllers, so nothing going on there.

It’s just so weird that it only happens in Live 11. This might have been from one of the more recent beta updates since I didn’t notice it before.

I’ll check my Apollo software too mate. I didn’t think to check if that was current.

Mac OS - Catalina. I guess I know what I’m doing today!!!

do you hear the sound through headphones plugged into the audio interface?

It'd be nice if you could to report on Centercode after you've made sure it's coming from L11, Shift.

I had something like this the other day. I went through all my tracks that didn’t need to have input and changed them to “no input.” That got rid of The noise coming from a track that was setup to receive input and picking up noise from a guitar cable that wasn’t plugged into a guitar but was picking up strange noises.

Thank you so much, everyone.

I tried headphones as suggested - beautifully silent. I don't think this is an L11 issue, but L11 does react strangely to it.

I think the issue is speaker interference. I have so many cables in a mess, I think my Yamahas are picking up all sorts of electrical rubbish that I've created through bad cable/gadget management.

If I listen very carefully, the interference is always present. L11 seems to amplify it for whatever reason - it's almost like it is boosting the signal (which it very well might be doing).

Jur - I'll report this over at centrecode, but I am definitely the numbnuts that's causing this!

I think my only solution is to unplug everything and try to isolate the source of the interference. It could be hubs, external drives, wifi routers, mics, who knows!

Shift Gorden wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:21 pm

It could be hubs, external drives, wifi routers, mics, who knows!

or you screen's light/contrast setting's! I'm not kidding, I have an at least 10 years old screen, and there's a certain range of light and/or color settings on it that causes interference in my Yamahas (but not on my Eve...)

You know, when I unplug one of my monitors from the hub, the intensity of the interference is greatly reduced. I thought I was going crazy - it makes a big difference. What in the world!?

I'll see if there is a sweetspot for settings - thanks man!

[jur] wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:50 pm

Shift Gorden wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:21 pm

It could be hubs, external drives, wifi routers, mics, who knows!

or you screen's light/contrast setting's! I'm not kidding, I have an at least 10 years old screen, and there's a certain range of light and/or color settings on it that causes interference in my Yamahas (but not on my Eve...)

yep, my previous display started developing a buzz when there was a lot of white being displayed, even more when scrolling...