Digital Clicks? Apollo x6 & Protools

[Dion Decibels]

Hi, Im having an issue with what I believe are digital clicks (tick sounds) happening randomly when recording vocals.

Here's what I'm using...

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
Processor 4.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Memory 32 GB 2400 MHz DDR4

Connected to an Apollo x6 via Thunderbolt USB-C cable

Using protools 2021.3.1

Im also using a Rhode NTK mic into a Focusrite ISA-one pre
(Analog not Digital)

Apollo x6 clock is on internal, I've messed with buffer etc. Not sure what I'm missing. Any ideas?? Should I try an SSD Hard Drive? All help is much appreciated. Thank you!

[Obsidian Dragon]

Originally Posted by Dion Decibels

Connected to an Apollo x6 via Lightning USB-C cable

First of all, did you mean Thunderbolt USB-C cable instead of Lightning USB-C? Lightning connectors are normally just used for Apple iPhones and iPads.

Usually digital clicking is caused by clocking issues. Other than your Apollo x6, what other digital devices do you have connected? Is any ADAT S/MUX optical cables being used? Any S/PDIF connections? Any Word Clock connection? You mentioned that "clocks are on internal." If multiple devices are clocked internal, they are acting as independent "Master Clocks" and not syncing (listening) to each other. Only one device should be "Master" (Internal) and all other devices should be "Slave" (External). This will ensure that all "Slave" devices are syncing to the one "master" device. All devices and software should be set to the same sample rate.

[JingleDjango]

No clocking issues for me on my studio workstation:

macOS 10.14.6
Apollo x8
Buffer Size: 128 samples
Internal clock.
Main output pair running SPDIF to my monitor controller. (I had written AES earlier which was incorrect. I don't think there's an AES XLR output.)

[paul_g]

If you have an ADAT attached, you have to go into UAD/settings and change it from Internal to ADAT.

[Dion Decibels]

Yes, sorry! Thunderbolt 3 USB-C

I don't have anything else plugged in to my Apollo. Only my pre amp via 1/4" in.

Only other things being used are plugged in to my computer. A Maschine controller and a hard drive for Time Machine backup.

And, whoops. I meant that my Apollo is in internal...

Thank you

Originally Posted by Obsidian Dragon

First of all, did you mean Thunderbolt USB-C cable instead of Lightning USB-C? Lightning connectors are normally just used for Apple iPhones and iPads.

Usually digital clicking is caused by clocking issues. Other than your Apollo x6, what other digital devices do you have connected? Is any ADAT S/MUX optical cables being used? Any S/PDIF connections? Any Word Clock connection? You mentioned that "clocks are on internal." If multiple devices are clocked internal, they are acting as independent "Master Clocks" and not syncing (listening) to each other. Only one device should be "Master" (Internal) and all other devices should be "Slave" (External). This will ensure that all "Slave" devices are syncing to the one "master" device. All devices and software should be set to the same sample rate.

[Dion Decibels]

No ADAT. Nothing digitally attached to my Apollo. Only my Focusrite ISA-One pre-amp.
A Maschine Controller & Time Machine HD to my computer.

[Dion Decibels]

Yes, sorry! Lightning 3 USB-C

I have nothing digital connected to my Apollo. Only a ISA-One preamp for my mic.

I do have a Maschine Controller & Time Machine HD plugged in via USB to my computer. I'll try with those unplugged next time.

And sorry, my Apollo is on Internal. Don't have anything else using Word Clock or an ADAT, etc.

Thank you

[Obsidian Dragon]

Originally Posted by Dion Decibels

Yes, sorry! Lightning 3 USB-C

If that is the case, that may be your problem. The Apollo X6 uses Thunderbolt cables, not Lightning. I'm surprised a Lightning cable even fits in the port. It uses a different connector altogether.

[Dion Decibels]

Ughhh, sorry. THUNDERBOLT. not lightning.

[Kyle Splittgerber]

Is the noise only heard in Pro Tools as opposed to Garageband, Logic, Safari, Spotify, etc? If so, might you have a demo plugin in the session? Sometimes those inject noise to persuade the user to purchase.

Are the clicks recorded or just monitored? If recorded, what happens if you record using a different input?