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onlyone-jc · Apr 30, 2007, 08:39 AM

Hi.

I've noticed that when a sound is sounded (whether it be a system sound, or something else), that just as it sounds, there is a small audible click. I initially thought that this was the sound card activating itself from a temporary power-saving sleep, but it seems to happen on nearly every sound. It's only as it starts, and then the sound plays on and stops just fine. Has anybody else experienced this? Are there any solutions to it?

Another note, and I think I understand why this is so, but does anybody else perceive the volume between the sound out of the internal speakers to be much louder in volume than that of plugging external speakers in via the line-out? I understand this is probably due to the fact that the proximity of a pair of headphones is much closer to the ear than external set of speakers, and this is merely an added safety issue. Is anybody else experiencing this? Is this normal?

Thanks,
onlyone-jc.

onlyone-jc · May 5, 2007, 04:15 AM

Has nobody else experienced this? Or, any ideas as to what it might be?

Thanks,
onlyone-jc.

cgc · May 5, 2007, 01:45 PM

Nope. I have never heard this on my MacPro.

onlyone-jc · May 5, 2007, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by cgc

Nope. I have never heard this on my MacPro.

This is on a MacBook Pro, not a Mac Pro.

Thanks,
onlyone-jc.

analogika · May 6, 2007, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by onlyone-jc

Another note, and I think I understand why this is so, but does anybody else perceive the volume between the sound out of the internal speakers to be much louder in volume than that of plugging external speakers in via the line-out?

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.

Either you're hooking up passive speakers to a headphone out (the MacBook does not have a line out), in which case it's not particularly surprising that they're much softer than headphones, seeing as the same power output is used to drive MUCH larger membranes.

Or you're hooking up active (powered) speakers to the output, in which case they're not softer than the internal speakers; they're exactly as loud as you turn them up.

onlyone-jc · May 6, 2007, 07:39 AM

I'm using passive speakers with an amplifier; so, essentially active. What I mean is one bar of volume on the internal speakers is much louder than one bar when using external speakers via the headphone output. It's bound to be an impedance difference, so I'm not really concerned about it anymore. One good thing I've noticed though, is that independent levels between the internal speakers the headphone output are remembered between switching from one to the other.

My main issue is the clicks I hear upon each sound event. To me, it sounds as if the sound card is going to sleep, and then when I trigger a sound, it is waking up in order to reproduce it, and then immediately going back to sleep. If this is so, is there any way I can tell the sound card not to sleep as quickly?

Thanks,
onlyone-jc.

analogika · May 7, 2007, 07:13 PM

There used to be a sound sleep disabler or something like that for the Powerbooks; no idea if it's been updated for the Intels, or if indeed the sound chip in the Intels is switched off similarly after a certain time.

Due to power constraints, it would seem sensible that the same technique be used, though.

stewacide · May 21, 2007, 11:33 AM

I'm having the same clicking issue with a new Macbook (not Pro). It's barely audible through the laptop's speakers, but truly loud and annoying through headphones (e.g. to have every system sound accompanied with an fizling electric 'pop').

I'm going to call Apple tomorow to see if this is a common issue perhapse with a software patch coming (e.g. to prevent the sleeping that's almost certainly causing it), although this is the only other report on the 'net I could find so it could be a rare occurance.

Any luck with yours yet?

stewacide · May 21, 2007, 11:39 AM

...I'd note also it's clearly related to the sound-card being 'waked' by the OS, since the click is there when a sound it triggered even when the volume is muted (i.e. no actual sound is produced, except for the click/pop from the sound-card being queried).

When did sound cards get this sleep mode anyway? I don't remember old laptops having that... or at least I didn't notice. I know, say, my iPod will produce similar pops/clicks/artifacts when it sleeps and wakes, although that's not every time there's a pause followed by a noise like this...

onlyone-jc · May 21, 2007, 01:59 PM

I'm not sorry that you're experiencing it, too! At least now I know I'm not on my own. I still haven't sorted it mine, I've just been putting up with it, hoping that 10.4.10 will fix it. If it doesn't, then I'll contact Apple.

If you figure it out, then please let me know!

Thanks,
onlyone-jc.

stewacide · May 22, 2007, 12:05 PM

I just got off the phone with Apple. The technical support operator couldn't find any other reports of this issue in their system or on the Apple supprt boards, so it seems to be something rare I wouldn't expect a software fix for. The fact that the same problem also occurs for me booting off a Linux live CD suggests it's a deeper hardware issue/defect.

Because I'm still within the Apple Online Store's return window they suggested I just have it replaced, which is what I'm gonna do. I'm a little nervous about that tho' since other than the bunged sound everything about this Macbook seems perfect (screen's perfect, no creaks, no hotter/louder than expected, etc...)

If you're stuck with yours you could maybe try optical output and see if that is way around the problem...

onlyone-jc · May 22, 2007, 12:32 PM

I didn't buy mine directly from Apple, and so I guess mine will have to be covered under warranty. I'll drop by an Apple Store when I get the chance, and see what they say. It'll probably be a case of doing without it for a week, and having the sound card replaced.

If you decide not to return yours, and you figure a way of fixing this issue, then please post back here!

Thanks,
onlyone-jc.

stewacide · May 22, 2007, 10:32 PM

Because I'm returning it to Apple anyway, I'm gonna install Windows on this system to see if the latest greatest drivers fix the issue. If not I'd chock it up to a defect.

luxx78 · May 23, 2007, 06:17 PM

Just thought I'd chime in: I discovered this same exact sound problem with the first C2D macbook pro I bought about 6 months ago(bought brand new). I returned it for another one the next day b/c I work with a lot of sound software and the "clicking" was driving me nuts.
As I was waiting for the mac person to come out from the back of the store with a new replacement, I tried all of the other macbook pros on the floor to see if I'd get the same results(I had headphones with me). Every single one in the store was behaving the same way: whenever sound had to be engaged, whether it was a system sound or from an app., if there was no other sound already in the background, I heard the "click".
After digging around some sound/music forums, it seemed apparent that this may be a universal problem among the new macbook pros.

stewacide · May 23, 2007, 06:21 PM

Err... I hope this isn't a problem with all of them because otherwise doing a return will be pointless

You'd think the internet would be up in arms about this if it was a common/universal problem?!? I can't imagine everyone else thinks this is normal/acceptable and I'm just being too picky?

stewacide · May 23, 2007, 09:13 PM

found a thread on Apple's board

http://discussions.apple.com/thread....0&#4369740

I wish there was some way to know if this is a problem with all C2D Macbooks or just a few: anyone else there notice this, or more tellingly NOT notice it?

onlyone-jc · May 24, 2007, 03:56 AM

It even happens with the sound muted, so this definitely proves that it is the sound card waking up to some degree.

I know you've, stewacide, said that you've tried it under Linux and it's the same. But, would Linux use the same or a very similar driver to that of OS X would use, since they're both Unix based?

I read in that Apple Discussions thread that somebody tried it under Boot Camp (I presume Windows), and it didn't happen. This would entirely suggest that it's a driver issue.

onlyone-jc.

stewacide · May 24, 2007, 10:41 AM

It happened under Vista as well.

In fact, the Vista drivers DID have a configureable sleep option, but the 'click' is still there when the sleep mode is off, and when the Vista driver puts the card to sleep what you actualy hear is the line go *dead* (i.e. any slight background hum or whatever dies completely).

I don't know how to square that with the 'click' happening even when the sound's muted (which happens for me too)...