Pro tools, strange clicks and pops (not buffer size)

[Metro.]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the game here, I've just built up my own studio, working on projects of my own for the last year. Now I've started to draw attention and record other local (Glasgow, UK) artists as well. I've just recently had to move to an M-Powered Pro Tools system, using a profire 26/26 as my audio interface. I'm working on an old MacBook Pro (2 GB Ram with a 1.83Ghz processor)

I've run into a very strange problem, and am wondering if anyone else has experienced this before. In pro-tools playback I'm getting pops and clicks. Now at first I thought this was due to my HW buffer size, but after resetting that, I realized that all of these pops and clicks come at exactly the same time. So I then thought perhaps I was being very inept, and was simply not cross fading my regions. But after a quick check I realized there weren't any region separations at all in these locations.
After this I had to troll through every region and find the click. It would show up in one track or the other, and I could get rid of it by simply deleting that bit of the region, but obviously this has draw backs as I'm also deleting a section of the guitar, or kick pedal, or fiddle, or bass...

Anyone run into this before?

[ckreon]

Sounds like you didn't clock your interface(s) properly.

Check and make sure your Profire is set to internal clock (and make sure anything connected is also set to the Profire's clock).

And just to qualify, the Profire's clock is widely hailed as better than anything in it's comparative range, so unless you've got some serious AD horsepower (i.e. Apogee), it is the best source to clock to.

*EDIT: Would also like to add that you can try and draw those clicks/pops out with the pencil tool. If they aren't too severe you can virtually eliminate them without the detriment of having to cut out audio time.

[Metro.]

hmmm. I'm not sure if that's the problem - the profire has been set to internal clock, and Pro Tools always defaults to the profire's settings. but perhaps I'm still missing something? I'm not using any ADATs or optical connections, so I'm not sure what else it could be..

[psycho_monkey]

Set pt to record silence for a bit, on multiple channels..do the clicks occur? Anything like fridges, thermostats etc clicking at the same time? This could be the issue.

[Metro.]

Something I've just noticed as well: I'm mixing the tracks now, and I've noticed that these clicks will just create themselves sometimes. So clicks that definitely weren't recorded, and weren't even in the playback are now showing up in the regions..
I was going through with the BF clip remover, and realized I was fighting a losing battle. But anyway, so I don't think it's the actual recording.

They wouldn't bother me, except that they are showing up on the bounce down. Not so good..

[czarthp]

I've been getting pops in PT's when recording with the 2626. I need to try logic and see if it does the same. I was recording a skype convo so I don't know if that had anything to do with it

[psycho_monkey]

Ok, so it's not clocking or the fridge.

Try preference and database trash, and if this doesn't fix it, try copying and working off a different drive. I've seen drive corruption do this before.

[Metro.]

So here's a little update on the situation. I now realize these pops go away when I shut the program down, but come back after working for awhile, I think generally when I'm working on mixes that have lots of tracks and plugins.

I thought the problem then was the fact that I was going through the USB connection for my external hard drive (the daisy-chained firewire wasn't supplying power to my drive for some reason). However, I've just bought a power supply, and am now going through the Firewire daisy-chain.

The problem persists. Any input?

(also, I've tried a database trash, and working off a different hard drive, all to no avail)

[Derrick02045]

Originally Posted by Metro.

So here's a little update on the situation. I now realize these pops go away when I shut the program down, but come back after working for awhile, I think generally when I'm working on mixes that have lots of tracks and plugins.

I thought the problem then was the fact that I was going through the USB connection for my external hard drive (the daisy-chained firewire wasn't supplying power to my drive for some reason). However, I've just bought a power supply, and am now going through the Firewire daisy-chain.

The problem persists. Any input?

(also, I've tried a database trash, and working off a different hard drive, all to no avail)

i have exact same prob dude! i have to reset the buffer size it ll go away. but yeah wenever i hv loads of plug it happen

[Metro.]

Yeah. Except, again, the buffer size doesn't help at all. So I dunno. maybe it's just my machine's not capable of handling it all..

[toolskid]

you dont have any elastic audio enabled do you?

[Zombie Stomper]

Have you tried adjusting the number of processors in the RTAS settings?

[pianomog]

Wow! i am so glad i found this post! I have been dealing with this for a month now.. i recently sold my 002 rack and got the 2626 so i can run all 16 channels with my zed-r-16. it's not clocking, i have been all over the place in terms of buffer size. I called m-audio and they had me optimized my mac-book pro. i spent time on the phone with sweetwater tech. i just cant figure it out. Its tuff because i record the mix of the zed back into PT and it takes a long long time to get it perfect with out clicks or pops.. I tried just going through outs 1 and 2 and just head phones with nothing else hooked up. i also borrowed my friends 002 rack just to make sure i wasn't crazy and it worked perfect! so its either PTMP or the 2626. I just sent an email to sweetwater asking for a refund. i would rather have less track count then stability. unless some one smarter can figure this outthumbsup

[mp54u]

I had this on a small project studio I setup once. In the buffer settings, uncheck the ignore errors on playback... Here is the excerpt from the manual. This might not be it but it fixes the issues on mac / PT Mpowered/ PF26/26 setup.

RTAS Engine (RTAS Error Suppression)
The RTAS Engine option determines RTAS error
reporting during playback and recording. This is
especially useful when working with instrument
plug-ins.
You should only enable RTAS error suppression
if you are experiencing frequent RTAS errors
that are interrupting your creative workflow.
When RTAS error suppression is enabled, you
can experience a degradation of audio quality.
However, this may be acceptable in order to
avoid interrupting playback and recording
when working with instrument plug-ins. Be sure
to disable RTAS error suppression when you
need to ensure the highest possible audio quality,
such as for a final mix.
To enable RTAS error suppression:
1 Choose Setup > Playback Engine.
2 Select Ignore Errors During Playback/Record.
3 On Mac, you can also select Minimize Additional
I/O Latency.
4 Click OK.
RTAS Error Suppression Options
Ignore Errors During Playback/Record When enabled,
Pro Tools continues to play and record
even if the RTAS processing requirements exceed
the selected CPU Usage Limit. This can result
in pops and clicks in the audio, but does not
stop the transport.


Hope it helps.

[pianomog]

couple other things. i have turned of plugs, still got clicks. cpu usually runs at 30 to 35% the disk never gets above 20%. i record to an external HD 7200 pro drive via usb. i have a mac book pro 2008 version. 2.4 dual core 4 gigs of ram. version 10.5.8. the 2626 is ran via firewire 400 port. I also have a zed r-16 thats ran via adat to the 2626. i am clocking of the zed and it clocked properly. any help would be awesome!

[pianomog]

Originally Posted by mp54u

I had this on a small project studio I setup once. In the buffer settings, uncheck the ignore errors on playback... Here is the excerpt from the manual. This might not be it but it fixes the issues on mac / PT Mpowered/ PF26/26 setup.

RTAS Engine (RTAS Error Suppression)
The RTAS Engine option determines RTAS error
reporting during playback and recording. This is
especially useful when working with instrument
plug-ins.
You should only enable RTAS error suppression
if you are experiencing frequent RTAS errors
that are interrupting your creative workflow.
When RTAS error suppression is enabled, you
can experience a degradation of audio quality.
However, this may be acceptable in order to
avoid interrupting playback and recording
when working with instrument plug-ins. Be sure
to disable RTAS error suppression when you
need to ensure the highest possible audio quality,
such as for a final mix.
To enable RTAS error suppression:
1 Choose Setup > Playback Engine.
2 Select Ignore Errors During Playback/Record.
3 On Mac, you can also select Minimize Additional
I/O Latency.
4 Click OK.
RTAS Error Suppression Options
Ignore Errors During Playback/Record When enabled,
Pro Tools continues to play and record
even if the RTAS processing requirements exceed
the selected CPU Usage Limit. This can result
in pops and clicks in the audio, but does not
stop the transport.



Hope it helps.

Thanks for the info. i have tried this with the same results. I dont think its the plugs but i could be wrong. These pops are so weird. They can happen randomly but they don't show up in the waveform. but then if you delete the waveform where the click happened it goes away. I doesnt make sense to me. you can also restart everything and it might go away for a bit.

[khayree]

I had this problem with vocal clicks and pops on PTs. Rarely happen snow w logic & the motu, but sometimes it does,
I even noticed this pop/clicking is in some TV shows and Doc films when listening to voc recording. I spent months trying to solve this when using PTs so glad I went to logic.Oh, I dont have a solution other than what I just said

[ceichel88]

im using a mbox mini 2 at home into a macbook pro, and was getting the same problem. the interface connects via usb, and the mbox sockets that the usb goes into arent great. I just unplugged my mbox once or twice and finally the clicks and pops stopped. i think it was just a bad connection with the usb cord and socket.

hope this helps!

[pianomog]

Originally Posted by ceichel88

im using a mbox mini 2 at home into a macbook pro, and was getting the same problem. the interface connects via usb, and the mbox sockets that the usb goes into arent great. I just unplugged my mbox once or twice and finally the clicks and pops stopped. i think it was just a bad connection with the usb cord and socket.

hope this helps!

i have tried three different firewire cables. i wish it were that easy!!

[pianomog]

Originally Posted by khayree

I had this problem with vocal clicks and pops on PTs. Rarely happen snow w logic & the motu, but sometimes it does,
I even noticed this pop/clicking is in some TV shows and Doc films when listening to voc recording. I spent months trying to solve this when using PTs so glad I went to logic.Oh, I dont have a solution other than what I just said

I have logic pro. i'm very tempted to make the switch then i can use my zed with firewire and call it a day. I just dont speak logic yet lol

[dasprd]

Normally whenever I've had that happen it was for 1 or 2 reasons:

1. Latency was very low, and the cpu couldn't handle it natively.
2. Digital clocking/syncing issue with the DAW and computer.

This can especially be true when working with USB or FW and bandwidth is being quickly used up by multiple USB devices simluateneously, or multiple FW devices simulatenously all daisy chained to the same port, because they're all running on the same h/w bus internally. And epseciallly if those external devices don't have their own power supply.



- DAS

[pianomog]

metro, did you figure it out yet?

[gervish]

I'm having the same problem in Pro Tools 8 and none of the above has worked. I however DO use a digi 002, and still have the pops. Someone mention Elastic Audio as a possible culprit. I do have a lot of elastic audio tracks in my sessions. Is this the problem?

ALSO, does anyone else have random muting/soloing behavior during playback? It's driving me INSANE. I press play and for no apparent reason certain tracks are inexplicably SILENT. Note: these tracks are NOT actually muted. In fact, when I press play and then stop over and over (sometimes as many as 6-7 times) the problem suddenly goes away. Then I move on to another section of the song, press play, and it starts ALL OVER AGAIN. Absolutely INFURIATING.

HELP ME SLUTZ!!!

[che_guitarra]

I think it's your clock source too. I know that sound you're describing the second I hear it - it's when my clock source has reverted to internal.

Not sure how you'd fix it if you don't have an external clock source - maybe as easy as selecting optical, then select internal again to reboot the setting.

[Reggmail]

Originally Posted by Derrick02045

i have exact same prob dude! i have to reset the buffer size it ll go away. but yeah wenever i hv loads of plug it happen

When I was using PT most of my problem was in the buffer settings.
I would also try and disable all plugs and see if the clicking stops, if so, enable one plug in at a time until you find the problem plug.

Some plugs that is used could be defective or if they where demo's (Clicks or beeps when in use) at one time may not have been implemented properly.
Hope someone finds the problem, please post the fix.
Peace & blessings

[Metro.]

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't replied to this thread in awhile. Have been traveling, and away from my precious recording kit!
I'm still experiencing problems! So no, I haven't figured out the source of the clicks. I've tried using different hard drives, changing firewire cables, going through USB, changing H/W buffer size, changing number of processors, updating profire drivers, checking and unchecking the RTAS error suppression... all to no avail. And am certain that clocking is not the problem - definitely using profire's internal clock...

I've also been working with smaller projects where I don't have any elastic audio enabled or many plug-ins. At times when my projects are like this, I experience less pops and clicks. However, the longer I'm working on a project the more clicks start to appear. So it's not a huge problem for projects like these, because I can shut down and start over, and they disappear. However, working on large projects is becoming ridiculously hard. Bouncing down a mix means breaking it into small chunks and re-recording the small chunks together to get no pops.

If I figure out the problem, I'll be sure to report back.

[dukemarcel]

I have a dual 2.4 Macbook, with PT 8.0.4 a Profire 2626 on the firewire, and a Focusrite Octopre clocked to the 2626 via adat with 2626 on internal, and a Glyph GT050 on the USB (they don't like to daisy chain together). While recording, reviewing audio everything is perfectly clear, however late during mixdown pops, clicks, and crackle appear in the waveforms, zooming in clearly shows a waveform indicative of clocking problems. However those weren't there after tracking or for quite a while during mixdown. They seem to show up randomly and stay in the same spot.
It is quite maddening as I use high quality mics, cables, power conditioners, etc. at every step to prevent problems like this.

[dukemarcel]

Also, I save new ptf files as I go, one for tracking, a new one for editing, and multiple ones for mixing using save as. going back to the editing or tracking ptf and finding the same region, all is fine, no crackle or clicks. So copy and pasting from those into the mix ptf saves the audio.

So it is definitely a problem with some sort of region corruption during the mixing process, that does not affect the parent audio files, and is not a clocking problem during tracking.

[thermos]

I started having problems with this after updating to os 10.6.6. Really sucks. Clocking definitely not the issue (Lynx Aurora) and cpu load and disc load not the issue either. Just straight up phantom clicks and pops that sometimes make it into the recorded audio tracks.

[PlatinumSamples]

Bad RAM can also cause clicks and pops... so add that to your checklist.

Rail