Ableton Forum

This is an email I sent to support. Thought I'd repost it here for those of you experiencing pops and click in v6 that didn't occurr in v5.

********
PROBLEM:
Pops and cracks specific to ableton 6 with presonus
firebox and multi-core processing support.

Problem is
resolved by turning off multiprocessor support. Below
is my system and the data I used to find the
workaround.


SYSTEM:
Mac G4 dual 1.4 FW800
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/p ... p_mdd.html
2 gig ram.
Presonus Firebox
Ableton Live 6.0.7
(the firebox is the ONLY firewire peripheral on my
system)
internal hard drive ata100

DATA:

Play a lightweight soft synth:
pops and cracks.

import mp3 file into ableton 6 and play the imported
file:
pops and cracks

play same mp3 file from the media browser in ableton
6:
NO POPS!

Play same file on itunes, digital performer and any
other software:
NO POPS!

Play the same file in Ableton 5 demo.
NO POPS!

Play file/softsynth using ableton 6 and internal mac
audio interface:
NO POPS!

Play file/softsyenth using ableton 6 and firebox with
multi-processor support turned off.
NO POPS!

Ableton shows cpu at 16% and no hard disk light coming
on.
Problem happens regardless of audio buffer sizes.

If turning off dual cpu support helped relieve pops and clicks for you, please post and let everyone know which interface you were using.

I have the same problem but with my mono core computer (G5 1.8 ghz, 1.5 gig RAM w/ Presonus Firebox). I just can't turn on multi-processor switch (it's logical!). Just have hard clicks and pops when using Live. I have CPU spikes in Activity Monitor when i use my Firebox as sound output. If i use Live with the apple built-in audio card, EVERYTHING IS FINE !! Do somebody knows what is the problem here ?

i've had very similar behaviour with the firebox in live

weird crackles and pops. messing around with the buffer size, with the firebox utility and/or switching to built in audio and back usually fixes it, but it's annoying.

dont think id be posting my serial number on a forum dude

cheameup wrote:dont think id be posting my serial number on a forum dude

woops! Thanks!



OK. everyone.
Since turning off multi-cpu support I am still 100% problem free using the firebox.

So I really haven't given it much thought anymore. Just a reminder though to all you firebox users. Make sure the firebox is the ONLY thing connected via firewire. Otherwise you are going to get clicks n pops.

good luck.

chewywater wrote:

cheameup wrote:dont think id be posting my serial number on a forum dude

woops! Thanks!



OK. everyone.
Since turning off multi-cpu support I am still 100% problem free using the firebox.

So I really haven't given it much thought anymore. Just a reminder though to all you firebox users. Make sure the firebox is the ONLY thing connected via firewire. Otherwise you are going to get clicks n pops.

good luck.

Are you sure?

I have a Presonus Firebox and an external HD side-chained and everything is fine. I have sometimes clicks and pops but it happens even if i have only my firebox plugged in my firewire. By the way, one thing i suppose will work for the clicks and pops is will try to plug a new PCI firewire card. Since i heard one of the problems with the presonus is the apple combo-card, i hope it will help.

reminder though to all you firebox users. Make sure the firebox is the ONLY thing connected via firewire. Otherwise you are going to get clicks n pops.

Are you sure?

For me yes: Trying to put anything more than the firebox on the firewire bus gives me pops and clicks, regardless of connection configuration. Of course every system is different.

So I use Sata2 drives instead of FW drives now for all my projects/samples.


Here's a response I eventually received from ableton:


There seem to be some issues with Presonus Firebox and Firepod, which
seem to occur after the latest 10.4.10 update (under certain
circumstances even earlier). One user even reported problems with
internal audio output (also in other applications) while his firebox was
connected but not selected as an output device. Disconnecting the
Firebox led to a normal output using his Mac´s internal audio.

switching to the built-in card and back sorted it out for me on a mac pro.

thanks.

it barfed when i tried turning off multiprocessor support, i was worried for a minute there...

I have a firepod and I can't get around some audio gapping (clicks and pops). I have raised my buffer to a ridiculous size (for a firepod, it is much smaller when I use Reaper). I cleaned it up completely when I used my onboard audio instead of the firepod and a 512 sample buffer. Doesn't do me much good because I bought the firepod for a reason. I went as far as to disable all the devices sharing the IRQ as the firewire card (TI chipset).

Okay Abes, why does Live 7 have problems with the Firebox/pod when other DAW's don't seem to?

yea, this problem is pretty annoying.

i thought i had the problem licked, but there are still some pops and clicks, they're just in different spots now.

I have clicks and pops no matter if it's set on multi-processor or not. I can't figure out how to fix it.

I'm using a Mackie Onyx Satellite.

pocketdrummer wrote: I'm using a Mackie Onyx Satellite.

mac os x? pfft! MackIe!

talk about a company that has gone down hill.

Don't even get me started......

http://www.mackie.com/products/satellit ... ack_TN.pdf


^ important info. make sure you click link.

any update on this I am having same problem with my Firebox. It sucks a fat dick.