Skip to main content
S
SFvdB
Inspiring
January 31, 2017
Answered

Strange Audio Playback, mono out of sync left and right

  • January 31, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 7203 views

I'm having a very strange and frustrating time with AE 2017.1 (14.1.0.57) at the moment. Whenever I do a preview playback I hear my (mono) audio split over both speakers, and they seem to be ever so slightly out of sync (if at all) and create this weird effect - instead of sounding mono (from the middle). It's infuriating. It seems to do this randomly.

I know AE isn't ideal for audio but in my projects I do need to be able to use it. I've tried mono mp3s, aifs en wavs - I've also tried a stereo wav (the same mono track in both tracks) to no avail. I've tried upping the I/O Buffer size in the Audio Hardware settings, no difference. I've enabled the Cache before playback button and enabled and disabled the play audio in preview and it still messes up.

Sometimes it plays right after I've purged the image cache memory, and it'll be fine for a while, until it seemingly randomly goes back to weird sounding. Maybe it has something to do with the cache...?

It's 44100 Hz, 16-bit audio (mono).

AE 2017.1 (14.1.0.57)

Max OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

Mac Pro (late 2013)

Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 external audio device

Message was edited by: Sebas van den Brink, hit submit too soon

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer SFvdB

I figured out what might be a workaround, although it has limitations.

When I start AE and open a project, the sound is having problems using both preview methods (normal and audio-only).

If I switch between either 16 or 32 samples I/O Buffer Size it seems to cure the audio problems for that session with both preview methods.

However,...

When I switch projects, the problems return.

When I close AE and restart it, open the same project, the problems return.

So whenever I open a project it helps to open preferences, select the other sample I/O Buffer size.

So far I've only switched between 16 or 32, which works. So when it's on 16 I switch to 32 and vice versa.

During this time, the Sample Rate is still set to 44100 Hz (as my audio is that Sample Rate).

I'm not 100% certain this workaround is full-proof, because I'm testing and not actually full-on animating and previewing.

I will need to test this workaround with an actual (commercial) project, luckily I have those lined up

Will update this with more. But hopefully this helps pinpointing the problem a bit.

5 replies

S
SFvdBAuthor
Inspiring
March 9, 2017

I'm not entirely sure how, but the problem seems to have fixed itself. Lately I've been opening and closing projects and previewing without the problems reoccurring, without doing the workaround. I had to use the workaround once, started working on that project for a couple of hours, then when returning the next time (after having closed AE) I didn't need to use the workaround again.

I thought maybe it's something between saved version of CC'15 and CC'17, but so far it seems to work fine whenever and whatever project I open.

So perhaps it was a glitch in the prefs?

I will return to this topic if it rears its head again, but "case closed" I'd say Thanks for all the support!

Szalam
Community Expert
SzalamCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 9, 2017

Thanks for following up!

S
SFvdBAuthor
Inspiring
February 25, 2017

I want to note that software development is rarely flawless and very specific cases (like this) are hard to foresee. As is so much in life, you cannot always keep everything covered all the time, unless you have a crystal ball or a time machine.

But, Dave, I do feel your concern (I've waited with updating to CC 2017 and I've still got CC 2015) this topic is not to discuss issues with how Adobe releases their software or complaints thereabout. Please allow this topic to remain about researching and possibly resolving this bug - because I really want it fixed to get back to work without a hitch. Thanks!

~~~

Back on topic: I've had contact with Focusrite about this and they couldn't offer much help. I did test the audio by playing one (either R or L) over both speakers, resulting in synced but weirdly choppy playback when the bug is rearing its head. Meaning that regular playback is also perturbed.

I'll be working on some projects today with CC 2017 and I'll check back in when I've trialled the workaround a bit more.

    S
    SFvdBAuthorCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    February 22, 2017

    I figured out what might be a workaround, although it has limitations.

    When I start AE and open a project, the sound is having problems using both preview methods (normal and audio-only).

    If I switch between either 16 or 32 samples I/O Buffer Size it seems to cure the audio problems for that session with both preview methods.

    However,...

    When I switch projects, the problems return.

    When I close AE and restart it, open the same project, the problems return.

    So whenever I open a project it helps to open preferences, select the other sample I/O Buffer size.

    So far I've only switched between 16 or 32, which works. So when it's on 16 I switch to 32 and vice versa.

    During this time, the Sample Rate is still set to 44100 Hz (as my audio is that Sample Rate).

    I'm not 100% certain this workaround is full-proof, because I'm testing and not actually full-on animating and previewing.

    I will need to test this workaround with an actual (commercial) project, luckily I have those lined up

    Will update this with more. But hopefully this helps pinpointing the problem a bit.

    Rameez_Khan
    Rameez_Khan
    Legend
    February 22, 2017

    Thank you for your response and sharing the workaround!

    Considering it works fine in After Effects CC 2015, could you please file a bug for After Effects CC 2017 here: Bug Report Form

    Regards,

    Rameez

    S
    SFvdBAuthor
    Inspiring
    February 23, 2017

    Bug report filed!

    I will return to this topic to update my findings using the workaround, to confirm it works or to let you know it doesn't

    S
    SFvdBAuthor
    Inspiring
    February 1, 2017

    Eh, it seems that my weird audio problems are likely due to having too little free space left on the machine. I was down to approx 10 Gb. Had to remove some stuff and now back up to 160 free Gigs. I will return to confirm, if this turns out to be true.

    Dave_LaRonde
    Dave_LaRonde
    Inspiring
    February 1, 2017

    Oh, my. 

    There's a rule if thumb for storage -- If you reach 80% of your capacity, you're full!  After that, weird things can happen... as you seem to have experienced.  If you need more storage, get more.  It's cheap.

    Dave_LaRonde
    Dave_LaRonde
    Inspiring
    January 31, 2017

    Two things come to mind:

    Your audio sample rates may be mismatched.  Over the last few years audio on video has become 48kHz, not 44.1 kHz.  You can either change AE's dealt sample rate to 44.1 or you can convert your audio to 48 kHz.  I recommend the second option.

    You may also want to trash your preferences.  I THINK you hold down the Ctl-Shift-Opt keys (Cmd-Shift-Opt Mac) keys as you start the application.  If I have the wrong key combination, someone is sure to correct me.

    S
    SFvdBAuthor
    Inspiring
    February 1, 2017

    Both things turn out not to be the answer. Both my audio and settings are 44.1. And trashing my prefs also caused me to lose the settings of one of my plugins, leading to lost tools which will cost me more time than I need, right now >:(

    It does playback the audio normally, but when it chooses not to is seemingly random (though obviously nothing is with computers). So perhaps it's a memory thing or cache.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices