Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 distorting sound with PT

[Jacob Champoux]

Hey all! I have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (1st Gen.) that I bought about a year ago. It worked with Pro Tools perfectly, started on version 12.5, and now I've had nothing but problems (currently running PT 12.7.1) After a few minutes, the Scarlett makes this distorted audio sound. And if it's not that, it's clicks and pops. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling PT, and even back to version 12.5. Nothing. Does the USB cable or port have anything to do with this? I usually have to close PT and start it up again. I don't really know if PT is the culprit as sometimes the distortion comes while I'm in my web browser. I've disabled my system sounds and made my internal sound card the default playback and recording device. All with no fix. Would rolling back to a previous version of PT help at all? I was fine during the 12.5 - 12.7.0 era.

Thanks in advance,

Jacob Champoux

Windows 10 Home 64 bit

[Darryl Ramm]

Playback engine buffer size? Session sample rate?

Driver version?

Clocking internally or externally?

System fully optimized?

Direct connected to computer USB or using a hub?

Tried other troubleshooting like trashing prefs?

Moving all plugin files out of the plugin folder?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jacksonland]

I agree with the above, especially:

"Playback engine buffer size? Session sample rate?"
"Clocking internally or externally?"

[The Weed]

Have you updated the Focusrite driver recently. At least on Windows, Focusrite's drivers have not been stellar. One of the reasons I went RME when I moved on from my 002 Rack.

[albee1952]

and, set Windows to NOT use the Scarlett as its default playback device

[Jacob Champoux]

Playback engine buffer size? 256 Samples

Session sample rate? 44.1k

Driver version? 2.5.1

Clocking internally or externally? Internally

System fully optimized? Followed both Avid and
Focusrtie Optimizations



Oddly enough, as soon as I posted the initial question, my rig started working again. I deleted the beta driver I was using (for a day) and reinstalled the latest Focusrite driver with MixControl. I also moved the interface's usb male end from the powered hub I was using and plugged it into a free port. Ever since, Pro Tools and the Scarlett have been working perfectly. I was able to track multichannel drums for a band all day. I'm glad there's a community of helpful individuals like you all. Thanks!

Until next time,

Jacob