cannot render a comp with only a TIFF sequence

After Effects CC 15.1.0 (Build 166)

Mac OS 10.13.4, High Sierra

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)

3.5 GHz Intel Core i7

16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4096 MB

Ever since updating AE, I can no longer render out any comp that is comprised solely of a TIFF sequence in any output format (movie file or image sequence) or codec. It crashes AE and returns this error:

<BEEp_InitSoundPB> <0> Vid rate ratios min,max: 1,1

Here are some of the results of experimentation:

Comp 01: Consists of only a pre-rendered TIFF sequence, no effects, will NOT render. Location/time of failure varies every time.

Comp 02: Extremely complex with lots of filters and layers. Drop a TIFF sequence into it and the entire comp will render.

- Clue: Normal AE comps seem to be fine, even when introduced with the TIFFs.

Comp 03: TIFF sequence, camera, and one solid (1920x1080) in 3D space placed over the TIFFs will render.

- Clue: Will only render with an active camera and an element in 3D space. No camera and the render will fail.

Comp 04: TIFF sequence, camera, and one solid (100x100) in 3D space placed over the TIFFs will NOT render.

- Clue: Solid is evidently too small.

Comp 05: TIFF sequence, camera, and one solid (1920x1080) in 3D space placed under the TIFFs will NOT render.

- Clue: AE insists on seeing the solid.

Comp 06: TIFF sequence, camera, and one solid in 3D space placed over the TIFFs but positioned outside of the field of view will NOT render.

- Clue: Again, AE insists on seeing the solid.

Comp 07: TIFF sequence, camera, and one solid in 3D space placed over the TIFFs with blending mode set to screen (on a black solid so that it becomes invisible) will render.

- Clue: AE seems to want a large enough element, though not visible, to exist within the field of view in 3D space, with an active camera.

Comp 07 is now the bizarre and unacceptable workaround I'm stuck with until someone out there may know the cause and an actual legitimate solution.