Can someone start a Google Sheet to collect data across those reporting this problem? Apple can be very helpful and I'd like to get to the bottom of this.
1. Problems seem to be more prevalent on newer Macs (maybe iMac and Mac mini). What is your HARDWARE (Year, Model) and OS VERSION?
2. Problem reports often come from systems with multiple USB Audio devices, especially when the 3rd party device requires a driver. What other USB devices are on your system?
3. Sometimes, running through a powered USB hub will fix things. A support tech at a major audio company told me that this prevents the OS from manipulating device bandwidth. If you're already using a hub, sometimes removing it can help. What are you using? What have you tried?
4. I don't believe Logic has been implicated as we've heard here from some people running Cubase. Does anyone ever have trouble when NOT using Logic or another DAW?
5. Does anyone else notice any patterns?
So I have no idea if this is even the same underlying issue as OP or not (it's getting kinda hard to keep track of all the Mac USB issue threads
), but following on from my posts in
https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/audio-input-into-logic-pro-x.157320/page-2 and various support emails, my issue is that I get no input signal from the Axe FX 3 into my computer in any DAW (Logic is my primary DAW, but I've tried others), despite macOS acknowledging it as an input and output device and getting an output signal from my computer into the Axe FX 3 (ie. I can listen to music through the headphone jack on the Axe FX 3).
1. I've reproduced this on 2 machines:
a) 2016 MacBook Pro, 15-inch, macOS Mojave 10.14.6
b) 2019 MacBook Pro, 16-inch, macOS Catalina 10.15.2
Worth noting - I set up my 16 inch MacBook Pro from a Time Machine backup of the old 15-inch, so if it's something weird with my computer configuration it would've gotten copied over.
The one thing I can definitively say is that it's not a Catalina issue.
2. My other USB devices:
- Focusrite Clarett 4Pre USB
- CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (powered)
Axe FX 3 is plugged directly into the MacBook Pro though, through an Apple USB A to USB-C adapter. I also have an LG27UL850 4K monitor plugged into the Thunderbolt dock, using DisplayPort over USB-C. I also have 2 external SSDs plugged into my dock. I've been using the external monitor whenever I've tried using the Axe FX 3. Still have issues even with the Focusrite turned off and disconnected.
3. I've tried connecting my Axe FX 3 to my CalDigit TS3 Plus dock, but it made no difference. I've also tried running through a USB-B to USB-C cable (no adapter), and it made no difference. Rebooting the computer makes no difference, both with the Axe FX 3 on and off. Disconnecting and reconnecting the cable also makes no difference. Connecting the USB-C adapter first, then the USB cable, while the Axe FX 3 is on also makes no difference.
The weirdest part of this IMO is that if I check my meters on the Axe FX display, it claims that there is signal under the expected USB OUT meters. So where is the signal falling off? Nothing makes seeeeenseeeeee
4. Definitely not a Logic issue for me – I've been able to repro in Pro Tools and Bitwig Studio.
5. Only pattern I've noticed is that it seems to be a lopsided issue for a lot of people - either you don't get output from the Axe FX (which is what's happening in my case), or you don't get input from the computer into Axe FX. That and that maybe everyone who's running into this is using an external monitor, but I'm not 100% sure.
IMO the best next step would be to see if this is reproducible on a Windows machine with my particular Axe FX unit, but sadly I don't have one to test. If it is, then it's an issue with some Axe FX units (or at least mine). If it isn't, then it seems pretty likely to be a Core Audio issue?