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Troubleshooting Glitches, Pops, or Robotic/Distorted Audio with Your Mackie Mixer

  • Updated

If you’re hearing pops, clicks, glitches, or robotic/warbled audio from your Mackie interface, mixer, or USB-equipped product, the cause is often related to sample rate, buffer size, or computer performance.
This guide covers all the common causes and how to fix them.

1. Check for Sample Rate Mismatches

Many audio issues come from different parts of the system running at different sample rates, especially metallic, robot-like, or slowed/pitched down audio.

Common mismatch scenarios

  • Your DAW is set to one sample rate, but your computer’s OS audio is set to another.

  • Another audio device is locked at a different sample rate (e.g., HDMI audio at 48 kHz while your interface is at 44.1 kHz).

  • A browser tab, communication app, or game grabs the audio device at a different rate.

Fix

  1. Select a desired sample rate and match that sample rate everywhere:

    • Windows: Sound Settings → Device Properties → Advanced

    • macOS: Applications → Utilities → Audio MIDI Setup

    • DAW: Audio Device or Project settings

  2. Close any software that forces the device to another sample rate (Chrome, Zoom, Teams, etc.).

Tip: 48 kHz is the most stable choice when other system audio is involved.

2. Increase the Audio Buffer Size

A buffer that is too small can cause crackling, dropout, “robotic” audio, or drifting.

Symptoms of buffer-related issues

  • Audio breaks down only during CPU-heavy sessions

  • Issues improve temporarily if you restart playback or reboot

Fix

Increase the buffer size in your DAW or audio driver control panel.

  • Low buffer (32–128 samples): Good for recording latency, but harder on the CPU.

  • Higher buffer (256–1024 samples): Best for playback, mixing, and eliminating glitches.

3. Remove Competing Audio Devices

Computers may switch between devices unexpectedly or force them to run at incompatible settings.

Check for

  • HDMI / DisplayPort audio

  • USB microphones or webcams

  • Bluetooth audio devices

  • Virtual audio drivers (VoiceMeeter, OBS Virtual Audio, etc.)

Fix

  • Disable unused devices:

    • Windows: Sound Settings → More Sound Settings → Disable

    • macOS: Audio MIDI Setup → Right-click → “Use This Device for” / “Configure”

  • Unplug devices not currently needed.

4. Close Background Apps That Use Audio

Apps that open the audio driver in the background often force a different sample rate or block driver access.

Common culprits

  • Zoom / Teams / Meet

  • Discord

  • Web browsers (YouTube, Twitch, social media videos)

  • System sounds or notification apps

  • OBS / streaming tools

  • Screen recorders

  • Gaming software with built-in chat

Fix

Fully quit these apps—not just minimize them.
After closing them, re-select your Mackie device in your DAW.

5. Verify Computer Performance

Weak or over-loaded hardware can’t always keep up with real-time audio.

Signs your computer is struggling

  • High CPU usage during playback

  • Fans running at max

  • Audio glitches that correspond with CPU spikes

  • Large DAW sessions with many or resource-intensive plugins

Fix

  • Increase sample rate and buffer size

  • Freeze or bounce tracks in your DAW

  • Close CPU-heavy programs

  • Disable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth temporarily (some drivers cause spikes)

  • Plug into AC power if on a laptop

  • Avoid using USB hubs or splitters for audio interfaces

If using a Windows laptop: Ensure you’re in High Performance or Ultimate Performance power mode.

6. Check USB and Connection Stability

An unstable USB connection can cause pops or robotic audio.

Fix

  • Use the shortest USB cable possible

  • Avoid USB hubs

  • Try a different USB port

  • Use USB 3 ports for best stability

  • Make sure cables are undamaged and firmly connected

7. Restart Audio Services (Last Resort)

If the audio subsystem gets stuck between sample rates, a restart can clear it.

Try

  • Disconnect and reconnect the Mackie device

  • Restart the DAW

  • Restart computer audio services:

    • Windows: Restart “Windows Audio” from Services

    • macOS: Reboot the CoreAudio system by restarting the Mac

When to Contact Mackie Support

If none of the above resolves the issue, reach out to us and include:

  • Your computer model and OS

  • Your DAW

  • Your sample rate + buffer size

  • What software was open when the issue started

  • Any other connected USB audio/video devices

We're happy to help you get things running smoothly!

For more information or questions about Mackie products, please contact us here.

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