Troubleshooting Pops, Clicks, & Beeps on Apollo USB

Note: This article applies to Apollo Solo USB, Apollo Twin USB, and Apollo Twin X USB.

Experiencing clicks, pops, or beeps in audio playback on your Apollo USB? Follow the steps below to configure your Windows system and optimize your settings for better performance:

1. Configure Windows
   First, configure your Windows system for use with your Apollo USB by following the directions in this article below:
   Optimizing Windows for UA Devices
   For a video explaining these steps, click here. 
   
   
2. Disable Core Parking & CPU Throttling
   
   Intel processors feature CPU power management abilities that dynamically change clock speeds and sleep states. On some systems, this behavior can adversely affect real-time audio playback. If you are experiencing pops, clicks, or beeps then we recommend that you try disabling these features.

    

   Most systems will allow you to turn off or adjust these CPU power management features in the BIOS / UEFI. Please consult your motherboard or system manual for help with making any changes in your BIOS / UEFI.

    

   By disabling the following features your system will run at a constant clock speed and will not halt individual cores, which may result in better audio performance:

   • Intel SpeedStep (or EIST)

   • Intel Turbo Boost (or Turbo Mode)

   • C-State Control (or C1E, C3, C6, C7)
     
     
3. Enable USB Safeguard
   Enabling USB Safeguard in Console can help alleviate issues with audio playback. For details, see this article.
4. Use an appropriate Sample Rate and Buffer Size setting
   In Console Settings, the Buffer Size will influence audio playback outside of your DAW as well. Be sure to set an appropriate Buffer Size for your Sample Rate setting. A good general starting point when troubleshooting is to use a Sample Rate of 44.1khz or 48khz and a Buffer Size of 512 or higher.

If the problem persists, please generate a Windows system information file and contact Customer Support by submitting a new support request. Follow the directions below to generate a Windows system information file:

1. Go To: Start -> Search
2. Type "msinfo32" and press enter
3. Go To: File -> Save to save the file. 
   
   

Please attach this '.nfo' file when you submit your support request.

To submit a new support request, click here