Sizzling High-Frequency Issue with Avid Carbon Interface

[Llay]

Hi everyone,

I've been experiencing an issue with my Avid Carbon that I’m hoping someone can help me with. For some reason, my mixes have this annoying sizzling high-frequency sound, particularly at the top end, that I've been struggling with for a while. Initially, I thought it was due to my plugins, possibly some EQ settings, so I went through a lot of troubleshooting with no luck.

However, after trying out another interface with the same session, I realized the sizzling was gone, which led me to believe the issue is specifically with the Avid Carbon. I’m not sure what's causing this or how to fix it.

The high-frequency sizzle has been really affecting the quality of my mixes, making them sound much brighter than intended, and it's starting to drive me crazy! Has anyone else encountered this issue with the Carbon, or does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve it? I’d appreciate any insights or advice.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best,
Llay

[dominicperry]

It's not a complaint I've seen anyone make so far about Carbon, but that doesn't mean it isn't real.

To make any progress with understanding this, you will probably need to provide some details about your monitoring chain and room, and which other interfaces you have used as a comparison.

Also, I'd like to be clear about when the sizzling problem occurs - is it during mixing through Carbon, or when listening back on a different playback system? It seems odd the hear something you don't like during mixing and not be able to alter it with normal mixing techniques (EQ, compression, etc) but I'm not sure if that's what you're experiencing.

Dominic

[Llay]

Hi Dominic,

Thanks for your response. To clarify, my Avid Carbon is summed through a Neve Orbit 5057, and for monitoring, I’m using Yamaha HS8 speakers directly from the Carbon. The issue occurs during mixing in Pro Tools with the Carbon. For instance, when I use Pro-Q 3, even with minimal EQ cuts, I immediately notice this piercing, high-frequency sizzle that’s really ear-fatiguing.

Interestingly, I discovered yesterday that when I place the ADPTR AUDIO Streamliner on my print bus, the sizzling frequency disappears. I chose the TIDAL Hi-fi codec and double-checked for artifacts—there were none, and the annoying frequency was gone. But when I bypass the plugin, the sizzling returns.

To dig even deeper, I tried using the Lynx Aurora via Access Analog, with the same sample rate and bit , and the sizzle wasn’t there either. This makes me think the issue is specific to the Carbon, and it’s incredibly frustrating, especially given the investment in such a high-end interface.

I can send you a sample track if that would help you hear exactly what I’m describing. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Llay

[marianna]

Originally Posted by Llay

Hi Dominic,

Thanks for your response. To clarify, my Avid Carbon is summed through a Neve Orbit 5057, and for monitoring, I’m using Yamaha HS8 speakers directly from the Carbon. The issue occurs during mixing in Pro Tools with the Carbon. For instance, when I use Pro-Q 3, even with minimal EQ cuts, I immediately notice this piercing, high-frequency sizzle that’s really ear-fatiguing.

Interestingly, I discovered yesterday that when I place the ADPTR AUDIO Streamliner on my print bus, the sizzling frequency disappears. I chose the TIDAL Hi-fi codec and double-checked for artifacts—there were none, and the annoying frequency was gone. But when I bypass the plugin, the sizzling returns.

To dig even deeper, I tried using the Lynx Aurora via Access Analog, with the same sample rate and bit , and the sizzle wasn’t there either. This makes me think the issue is specific to the Carbon, and it’s incredibly frustrating, especially given the investment in such a high-end interface.

I can send you a sample track if that would help you hear exactly what I’m describing. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Llay

Probably best to get a case going and have a tech agent look this over for you and advise.

To create a support case go to https://www.avid.com/support#contact-support
or ping me back here and I can help you and do it.

Marianna

[Llay]

Hi Dominic,

Thanks for your response. To clarify, my Avid Carbon is summed through a Neve Orbit 5057, and for monitoring, I’m using Yamaha HS8 speakers directly from the Carbon. The issue occurs during mixing in Pro Tools with the Carbon. For instance, when I use Pro-Q 3, even with minimal EQ cuts, I immediately notice this piercing, high-frequency sizzle that’s really ear-fatiguing.

Interestingly, I discovered yesterday that when I place the ADPTR AUDIO Streamliner on my print bus, the sizzling frequency disappears. I chose the TIDAL Hi-fi codec and double-checked for artifacts—there were none, and the annoying frequency was gone. But when I bypass the plugin, the sizzling returns.

To dig even deeper, I tried using the Lynx Aurora via Access Analog, with the same sample rate and bit depth, and the sizzle wasn’t there either. This makes me think the issue is specific to the Carbon, and it’s incredibly frustrating, especially given the investment in such a high-end interface.

I can send you a sample track if that would help you hear exactly what I’m describing. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Llay

[Llay]

Hi Dominic,

I just wanted to let you know that I found out where the issue was! For some reason, I had the ethernet cable plugged into port number two, and when I switched it over to port number one, that sizzling, harshness went away.

Thanks so much for your response and help anyway—I really appreciate it!

Best,
Llay