Problems with UX1 and Mac OS Catalina

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi,

 

I'm having problems getting my Toneport UX1 running in Mac OS Catalina. Pod Farm 2 and Garageband are showing the same issue. I can play for a minute or so and then the sound is stucked. That means, that it is like you're listening to a vinyl record with a scratch, playing the same tone on and on. Then I disconnect the Toneport, reconnect it, play for a minute and having the same issue again.

 

I tried setting up my MacBook Pro 2013 from scratch with Catalina but I still have the same issue. Running Mojave on the same Macbook from an external USB drive works without any issues. 

 

I have driver version 7.6.8 installed.

 

Anyone else having such issues?

 

Thank you!

[Luigi-Sterlini]

I have had exactly the same problem (save I have a UX2 plugged in to my Mac Mini) since about a week ago when I updated to Catalina 10.15.4... which may be a coincidence (or may be the cause).  The stuttering affects other audio too: play a YT video and it works fine for a few minutes then get stuck.  Same for anything played on 'Music' (formerly iTunes) or any MP3 or .wav on my computer, and also when I run a file on Logic.

I wondered if the problem was with the computer, so I disconnected the Toneport altogether and played the output via the headphone socket of the mac Mini: doing it this way all sound sources play perfectly. 

That made me think this was something to do with the Toneport, so I uninstalled the UX2 drivers and reinstalled.  Problem persists.

Help!

Luigi

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi.

 

The exact error message e.g. in Garageband is: "Sample-Rate 42661 detected. Please check on the conflict between Garageband and the external device". Maybe someone can check, if this is an Apple issue or if it is driver related. The sample rate changes in my case between 38000 and 43000 in those messages. Sorry, I only the screenshot in german language available.

 

Thank you!

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Sh0yGunEde

 

I'm not clear: are you saying you see this error message as soon as the stuttering starts?

 

I'm in correspondence with Line6 Support and they've suggested various things to try but nothing has worked.  There was an update to Catalina 10.15.4 released today so I did the upgrade: no difference, the audio problem continues.

 

Amongst the suggestions from Line6:

1. ensure the Toneport is connected to a USB socket in the computer, not via a hub

2. try a different USB socket on the computer

3. disable Energy saving and Sleep

4. instal the latest drivers from the Line 6 site

5. do the Catalina 10.15.4 update

6. "If you have access to a pre-Catalina Mac or a Windows PC you could also reinstall the firmware/USB firmware on the UX (Monkey is not yet Catalina compatible)"

7. "check background programs running" (I've no idea what this is supposed to mean!)

I did all this (and more) but still the problem persists.

 

Have you tried to see if you get the same problem if you run any of the audio source (eg YouTube video, iTunes file, MP3, Logic, etc)?

 

Luigi

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi Luigi,

 

exactly, I'm getting this popup window as soon as the sound problem starts. I did the latest 10.15.4 Update today but the issue still persists.

 

I've tried all suggested points from Line6 already. My Toneport UX1 also works with the same USB Cable on the very same Macbook running 10.14.

I've also tried another Macbook Pro (2016) and had no issue with MacOS 10.15.4 so I assume, that Apple might have changed something with their updates for older Macs. Maybe this can be fixed by an update from Line6?

 

Ede

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

Have you seen this thread?  The old stuff is about Win10 problems but right at the end are some very recent posts about Catalina and the sample rate:

https://line6.com/support/topic/33081-strange-audio-problem-with-ux2-and-windows-10/page/2/

(and some of it seems to be in German!)

Luigi

 

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi Luigi,

 

thank you, I‘ll check that out later. But I think, I‘ve already tried changing the khz settings but I think not the bit settings. Khz did not solve the issue for me. 
 

Currently, I‘m booting my mac from an external USB Drive using 10.14 to play Guitar and do recordings, but that‘s not the way I‘d like to work here!

 

I‘ll let you know later if I managed to fix the issue. 
 

Ede

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

Mine was set to 48,000 for Toneport output , so I tried switching to 44,100 and then rebooting, but it made no difference :0(

Switched back...no change.

Luigi

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi Luigi,

 

I did the same thing. I also created an aggregate device to test if that fixes the issue - no luck. I guess we are stuck here, and as my Macbook Pro is now 7 years old, let's see if we get any help. 

It must be a change, Apple rolled out with the 10.15.4 Update as it worked before that and still works with 10.14. 

 

I also did a clean install of my Macbook the last days with the very same effect just to be sure, that this is not a software issue on my side...

 

I'll reach out to Line6 support to report the issue...

 

What a waste of time searching for a solution when you are stuck at home because of Corona and want to make music ;-)

 

Let me know if you find out anything please and stay safe wherever you live!

 

Ede

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

I have no idea why but my set up seems to be working now!  Any audio output routed through the Toneport works and does not freeze and stutter.

I say 'any' but so far it's worked properly using Logic X, iTunes, and a YT video.

Is your set up back to normal?
Luigi

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi Luigi,

 

no, unfortunately not. Just tried again... I'm still having the issues and I am in contact with support which was no help so far. I'll keep you updated!

 

Ede

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi,

 

I now contacted Apple Support as it seems like an Apple issue. When checking the Logs when the sound crashes, I get a "coreaudio Kernel trap" error.

I hope that Apple can help here...

 

Ede

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

Guess what?  The problem returned for me as well!

I'm really disappointed - it worked fine for a week, and now it's broken again.

Can you tell me how to check the logs?  I could see what mine say when it goes wrong.

Luigi

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi Luigi,

 

there is a prgoram called console. When you open it you see all the logs that are written from every process. When the sound of my toneport crashes, the logs are flooded with the error messages, I've posted.

 

No luck with Apple Support so far. They want me to reset my Garageband. Told them, that I reinstalled my whole machine 3 times... I'll give it another try tomorrow...

 

Ede

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi,

 

I'm now in contact with Apples 2nd level Support and got the confirmation (but not in writing...) that this looks like a software & hardware combination issue. The issue was forwarded to engineering, let's see if this will (ever) be fixed. Maybe in the next version 10.15.5...

They want me to visit an Apple store to run some tests on my machine. Unfortunately, the next store is 100 km away. 

 

2nd level support will call on Friday again how to precede.

 

Let's see...

 

Ede

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

Thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it.  You've made much better progress than I have with this!

In the previous post I asked how to access Console, but in fact, I worked it out before you had replied. 

When playback in my set-up next went wrong I grabbed a screenshot.  It looks like this:

 

Unfortunately it means absolutely nothing to me.  However, if you think it might help with your dialogue with Apple, then by all means forward it.

Keep making music :-)

Luigi

 

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

I've taken a break from doing lots of gardening (the weather here in North London is wonderful right now!) and I thought I'd record some music instead.  

The 'stuck' sound happens almost immediately when I run Logic, Podfarm and the UX2 Toneport.  Until now I've only experienced it when playing audio (from any source) through the Toneport.  I'm guessing that the problem you've been experiencing is when recording (hence your previous comments).  Do you also get the problem when you playback any audio?

I assume you've not yet heard any more from Apple since your communication was escalated.  My so-called support form Line6 just stopped a week ago.  They've not answered my last message :-(

Luigi

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi Luigi,

 

I should do gardening as well, damn ;-)

I usually have between 30 and 60 seconds before the stuttering starts. Just enough time to record some riff ideas ;-)

When listening to recordings in Garageband, I also get the error. When using my Toneport as a "normal" soundcard e.g. for watching youtube, I do not get the issue. 

 

No, I have not heard from Apple today. Support promised, that they will get in touch today or early next week. I hope, that the sound issue will be fixed with 10.15.5 which is currently in beta.

 

I don't think that Line6 will help solving the issue. Our hardware is old including the Toneport (at least in my case). This is an Apple problem. When you search the internet you find several posts of people who had or have the same issue in the last years. Sometimes it was fixed with the next update, sometimes not...

 

I now bought a USB SSD and installed 10.14. with my recording software on it. When I record, I start from USB now. With this method, I do not need to downgrade my Mac and have no change at all in the current installation. I do not have the disc space, because then you could also install a dual boot system on the internal HDD. It's not ideal, but I can work with it. Nevertheless I want Apple to fix their issue. Let's see how that works out.

 

Let's see... I'll let you know.

 

Ede

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

Installing the recording software on a separate drive sounds like a neat alternative.  I'm not clued up enough to understand why this would work, if it does not work when run off the computer's HD.  I'm even less clued up to do it myself!

I think I'll just have to wait for Apple to sort it out...there is still more gardening to do :-)

Luigi

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

For the last couple of days it's been raining in North London, and I can't do the gardening.  So, I thought I'd try some lateral thinking and problem-solving instead!
It struck me that I could just try getting hold of another audio interface, with the idea that once the Line 6 issue is resolved I could either keep the new interface or sell it on. I was looking on eBay at Focusrite Scarlet units, when it struck me: I already have another interface!  It's a Zoom R16 stand-alone multi-track recorder which records directly to SD card...or can be used as a Control Surface or audio interface, via USB. 

So, I got that hooked up and it works.  I was worried that if I bought another interface I might still have the same problem, and I'd be wasting time and money.  Well, the Zoom works fine and there is no trouble getting an audio signal into my computer and into Logic X, and it doesn't break down.  

This shows that what we have been experiencing really must be an issue affecting only Line 6 devices.

Once the Line 6 problem has been fixed, I'll probably go back to using the UX2, but for now I have a solution that allows me to make music!

Anyway, I thought I'd let you know :-)

Luigi  

[hytrez67]

Hi,

I have exactly the same problem, UX 2 and Catalina10.15.4....

Pat

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Pat

Do you have problems with recording or playback, or both?
Luigi

[hytrez67]

Hi Luigi,

i have the problem with all audio connections, garage band, you tube ect...since up date with Mac OS 15.14.5....(My English is not very good, I'm French)

Pat

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Pat

Sounds you are having exactly the same problem I have had after I installed Catalina 10.15.4: any audio played back through the Toneport (form iTunes, YouTube, MP3 files on the computer) very quickly fails to play.  If I try to record using Logic, Garageband, Audacity it also fails.

However, I have disconnected the Toneport and in its place I have connected a different interface (Zoom R16) and it works fine - I've ben recording all this afternoon with no problems!

I expect that Apple will fix this eventually, but it could take weeks. 

What should have happened is that Line 6 should have spotted this problem when 10.15.4 was in Beta, and made sure the update didn't break anyone's system...but obviously they didn't.

Luigi

[hytrez67]

Thank for your answer..I will probably change the UX2 for a Presonus Audio usb96, I think the UX2 is up to date...

Pat

 

[Sh0tGunEde]

Hi Guys,

 

just as quick update from my side. I‘ve never heard back from Apple so I decided to go for a new Interface. Changed to the Focusrite Solo One v3 now. No more issues...

 

I already have a buyer for my UX1. A shame after all those years...

 

Ede 

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi Ede

Thanks for letting us know.  My workaround has been interesting (and I've been able to make music without any problem), but I'm not sure the mic pre-amps on my Zoom device are anything more than average quality.  So I've decided to take the same route as you: I've ordered a 3rd Gen Focusrite Solo which should arrive in a couple of days.

I'll also try to sell the Line 6 UX2 Toneport :-)

Luigi

[LauRivBass]

Hi guys, 

I have been having the same issue but with the UX2.

Noticed if you switch to safari (or iTunes, or any other third apps than Line6's) right after the device is connected and recognised by POD Farm or Garage Band, you can still keep on playing (recording ,might be way more difficult)

 

The thing is Catalina will no longer support 32bit softwares / drivers.

for driver Apple has made some security requirements update with OS 10.15.x

 

Line6 updated the drivers to run on 64bit macOS but... they missed something in the process. They won't admit that and the support from Line6 (the person I got to correspond with was cdegardin) is completely useless in this topic.

 

They reject the responsibility to Apple. Whereas Focus Rite, Steinberg, Roland, and even cheaper brands such as Behringer, already solved this issue, as it comes from driver and/or firmware.

 

Still I got Apple support, who got very helpful and competent. they made me check almost everything in their product: macOS (except the code from Line6 of course). 

Apple even told me, that before spending a lot of money I should know that this issue is from the manufacturer of the USB Interface and not from Apple (in case I was considering to upgrade my MBP just for that).

 

In other words, I was not convinced by Line6 being good (I mean their Pocket POD is just  a big stack of sh...ame), but this driver issue convinced me about their inefficiency. the support bullsh...ame reaction convinced me to return the product and change it to another brand. Still hesitating between Steinberg and FocusRite though.

 

Bye Bye Line6, hope you get into some trial troubles that make you unable to sell your sh...ame products that expensive anymore. the UX2's worth no more than 29USD IMHO

 

I was following this other thread:

https://line6.com/support/topic/55146-mac-os-catalina-pod-farm-259-crashes/

 

 

 

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi LauRivBass

 

I couldn't have put it better myself.  I switched to Focusrite and it works properly.  The device is solidly built and a fraction of the size of my old UX2.  The mic pre-amps sound good too.

 

I suspect Line6 have a small portion of the audio interface market and would rather allocate R&D resources to their core products, which are guitar-facing.  That said, it's not right that they should simply abrogate all responsibility.

 

I'll not be buying Line 6 again.

 

Luigi

[LauRivBass]

7 hours ago, Luigi-Sterlini said:

Hi LauRivBass

 

I couldn't have put it better myself.  I switched to Focusrite and it works properly.  The device is solidly built and a fraction of the size of my old UX2.  The mic pre-amps sound good too.

 

I suspect Line6 have a small portion of the audio interface market and would rather allocate R&D resources to their core products, which are guitar-facing.  That said, it's not right that they should simply abrogate all responsibility.

 

I'll not be buying Line 6 again.

 

Luigi

 

I am returning the product as from Monday.

im still hesitant between Roland, Steinberg and FocusRite... I guess I'll also loose the license of Steinberg Cubase LE when returning the UX2.

 

but nevertheless, even with garageband, recording will be better than no recording at all :)

 

GoodBye Line6! Enjoy the bad reputation you'll get and you just fairly earned!

[AlexBowring]

I updated to Catalina over the weekend and am now experiencing the exact same problems with the UX1 interface. Never had any problems when I was using Sierra before, but this is basically a game breaker. It really sucks that the current solution seems to be to buy a new interface from a different company. You would think line 6 would get onto this considering its driving customers away, such a shame. 

[pippoart]

i think i found a temporary workaround, it's working for me!

would you try it too, guys?

 

 

[AlexBowring]

On 6/15/2020 at 9:30 AM, pippoart said:

i think i found a temporary workaround, it's working for me!

would you try it too, guys?

 

 

 

Hi @pippoart. Nice idea but unfortunately this hasn't worked for me (UX1, Early 2013, Catalina 10.15.5), still get the exact same problem. 

 

I started a ticket with line6 and they got back to me, here is what they said:
 

This is a macOS issue which appeared after the 10.15.4 update of macOS Catalina (not before on 10.15.3)
This problem is mostly linked to certain hardware only (older Macs up to 2012/13)
Unfortunately we can only recommend using macOS versions before 10.15.4, there's no information available at the moment about possible macOS fixes

So basically I'm dead in the woods :( 

[EGman]

Hi guys! 

Months ago a friend of mine gave me his old UX1. I was running High Sierra on my mac. Everything was running fine. I could record my guitar and my voice in garageband using the UX1 unit. I updated my mac to Catalina a few moths ago. My UX1 could record my guitar without problems, but when I tried to record my voice nothing happened. I tried setting up my unit though the sound preferences tab on my mac but it never recognized the interface. A few days ago I bought Helix floor. I created patches and recorded some guitar into garageband with no problems. When I tried to record a vocal track using the helix as an interface same thing happened as with the UX1. Couldn't record my voice, not even a sound from the mic. 

Any help on this matter is more than appreciated. 

Keep safe

 

Enzo.

[LauRivBass]

On 6/16/2020 at 6:26 PM, AlexBowring said:

 

Hi @pippoart. Nice idea but unfortunately this hasn't worked for me (UX1, Early 2013, Catalina 10.15.5), still get the exact same problem. 

 

I started a ticket with line6 and they got back to me, here is what they said:
 

This is a macOS issue which appeared after the 10.15.4 update of macOS Catalina (not before on 10.15.3)
This problem is mostly linked to certain hardware only (older Macs up to 2012/13)
Unfortunately we can only recommend using macOS versions before 10.15.4, there's no information available at the moment about possible macOS fixes

So basically I'm dead in the woods :( 

 

No you're not :) 

 

I had the same issue, now I have solved this issue and everything goes perfect on old and new MacBook Pro, as well as iMac and even iPad.

 

Here's the solution:

 

Say bye bye to Line6 as they're simply incompetent.

Say Hello to Steinberg UR22C it is just: !..!

   You will have a better Cubase (note that you might not need those extra but still) for free as well.

   You will buy from a pro in this branch, and they're really professional (not consciousless incompetent like Line6)

   You will get no problem at all with running 64bit OS. And everything works soooo great.

   You will even get to buy an additional USB Dongle to be sure you will never need internet connection to use Cubase and Steinberg tools (not needed at home or on one computer to just play for yourself on headphones though).

   At the moment the UR22C is in sale so enjoy it! 

 

 

Really Line6 doesn't admit the issue is theirs.

Steinberg had this issue and solved it in 2 weeks

Roland had this issue too and solved it in 3,5 weeks

Boss had this issue too and solved it in one month

Behringer had this issue too (and they're supposed lower quality, yet much better than Line6 it appears) solved it in a month!

 

BYE Line6 You won't fool us any longer!

 

[allenrwinslow]

I have the same problem. Toneport UX1, MacBook Pro 2012, Catalina. Logic will play for a few seconds then start skipping repeatedly. Looks like I'm getting a new interface...

[bbarnes14]

Any updates to this? Been having the same skipping problem after about 10 seconds of opening POD Farm. I've tried everything, no fix. 

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Hi bbarnes14

I'm not aware of any changes.  In fact, as I indicated in a previous post, I switched to a Focusrite Scarlett Solo some time ago, and it works like a dream. 

I sold the Toneport.  I'm sure it'll work fine on a much newer mac, and/or a PC.

Luigi

[zomber]

here the solution!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW18RqhJ1ZY

[Luigi-Sterlini]

Thanks, Zomber.  Sadly, it's (literally) a year too late for me - I sold my Line 6 UX2 in May 2020 and bought a Focusrite Scarlett Solo - it's a sold as a rock, and has never let me down.