Audio Recording Distortion MacBook M1 Big Sur

Hello DaVinci Afficionados,

I'm experiencing some serious audio distortion when I record audio to any track (like voiceovers) via Fairlight.

I'm running Resolve 17.1 on a MacBook Pro M1 with Big Sur installed. Whether I record the track with an audio interface (I've used a MixPre and a Scarlett), or whether I record directly using the internal mic on the MBP M1, the result is the same: ROBOTIC-SOUNDING AUDIO.

Audio playback recorded with video (in-camera) or imported from media are fine.

Recording with same hardware configurations using Final Cut Pro or MacOS voice recording utility results in proper audio, so that's another test that rules out that this might be a hardware problem.

Is anybody else having this issue or is it just me? Is there some setting I'm overlooking, or maybe patching my inputs incorrectly or not setting some bitrate correctly? This problem is driving me bananas. Please help if you have any suggestions.

Thanks,
Sal

I have noticed a similar issue since I installed Beta 5. The only difference is I record my audio on a Windows 10 desktop, not a Mac. Usually restarting Resolve once or twice will stop the issue for a short while, but it eventually returns after a while. I've checked the sample rates in Windows, and it matches with Resolve. I also recorded audio in Audacity with the same set up, and it sounds fine. This is strictly a Resolve issue.

I am going to have to see if I can roll back to Beta 4

I'm having the same problem. Running V17 beta 7 on Windows 10. My audio interface is a MixPre 3-II. I've confirmed my timeline, Windows 10 system settings, and output are all 24-bit 48Khz. Every time I record there's terrible static.

Well it's good to know I'm not the only one. Thanks for your input friends.

I did find a solution. It involved two main steps:

1) I had to make sure my Windows sound settings matched my audio interface (24 bit / 48 Khz). To do this, I opened Settings, clicked "Sound", on the right clicked "Sound Control Panel". Then I selected the "Recording" tab. I right clicked on my audio interface and selected "Properties". Then I selected the "Advanced" tab and set it to "2 channel, 24 bit, 48000 Hz".

2) I created a new Resolve project, and before making a timeline or anything, I opened the project settings, selected "Fairlight", and chose "Use fixed bus mapping" for the "Audio Busing Mode."

After doing this, I could record clean audio in Fairlight.

I hope this solution works for you, too!

I will have to try configuring the microphone for two channels. I found Use Fixed Bus Mapping reduced the severity and lowered the number of times audio disortion occurred, but it still didn't fix the issue completely

I'm having the same problem. Running DaVinci Resolve V17.1(for Apple Silicon) beta6 on M1 MacMini(Big Sur 11.1).
I found this problem did not appear on V17.0(for Intel) beta6 on M1 Mac with Rosetta2.
I hope that the developers will work on solving this problem as soon as possible.

Sounds exactly like in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=127173
I have exactly the same issues with a M1 MacBook Air and a M1 MacBook Pro. It doesn't matter which microphone I use, what sample rate, flexi or fixed mode. The sound is always distorted. But only in Resolve.

Same Issue

Mac Mini, Apple M1, Cores 8, Memory 16 GB
Resolve 17.1B Build 11

With some testing, I've determined configuring the microphone to 2 channels did nothing. It seems like using Fixed Bus Mapping is the actual key to reducing the distortion problem. Hopefully this issue will be isolated and stomped out soon.

Just wanted to post saying this same issue here on M1 Mac Mini with the Rode NT-USB. No issue using the same device with Adobe Audition or Quicktime.

Seems to be an Apple Silicon only issue, so the Windows 10-based workaround shared doesn't' really apply.

[Shrinivas Ramani]

Hi

Could you post a link to a sample recording (audio clip recorded in Resolve), alongside:
a log archive,
a screenshot of the Windows/Mac audio device configuration (showing device name, sample rate etc) and
a screenshot of project/timeline settings where the sample rate is provided?

Thanks
Shrinivas

I'm having the same problem on Resolve 17.1 beta 6.

Audio interface is Scarlett 2i2 3rdGen. It's working normally on other software. i.e. GarageBand.

I'll send samples in DaVinci Resolve 17.1bata6 on M1 Mac mini.
Please see the attached files.(compressed by 7z)
Sorry to trouble you, but please confirm it.

<Audio Recording Environment>
Machine:M1 Mac mini (mem16GM/SSD512GB)
Software:Davinci Resolve Studio 17.1 beta6(17.1B Build11)
Headset(Microphone):Logicool G533
Language:Japanese

Hi

Could you post a link to a sample recording (audio clip recorded in Resolve), alongside:
a log archive,
a screenshot of the Windows/Mac audio device configuration (showing device name, sample rate etc) and
a screenshot of project/timeline settings where the sample rate is provided?

Thanks
Shrinivas

Here is a link to the audio recording on YouTube which includes the screenshots:

The forum is not letting me upload the Diagnostics log. Says the file is too big (it's 1.3MB). Trying to run CaptureLogs, MacOS complaining "Not authorized to send Apple events to Finder." Sorry, but this is all very cumbersome to begin with, and I'm a noob with MacOS, so I'm clueless when it comes to finding workarounds for system-related messages.

JUDGING FROM THE AUDIO SAMPLES THAT USER "MASAHISA" PROVIDED, IT SEEMS THAT HE AND I ARE EXPERIENCING AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM.

+1 for exact same issue on M1. :/

This is exactly the same issue I have with a MBA M1 and MBP M1. No matter what microphone I use, no matter if USB mic or XLR with audio interface. Different sample rates or bus modes have no effect. This just happens with the 17.1 Beta. The 17 Beta works fine with the same hardware.

So my current solution is, that I have two installations of Resolve. Beta 17.1 and Beta 17 (x86 version). The performance of the x86 version is pretty good and especially good enough for voice over work. So that at least I don't have to use a second software just to record my audio.

I'm having the same issue but on Windows.

It wasn't doing that before I updated to the latest beta release.

EDIT: I managed to correct the issue by marking the "Use fixed bus mapping" option.

Hello DaVinci Afficionados,
I'm experiencing some serious audio distortion when I record audio to any track (like voiceovers) via Fairlight.
Thanks,
Sal

I'm experiencing the same. M1 Mac mini 16GB
Latest version of the 17.1 beta

Hi

I'm also having the same problem.

I'm using the Macbook Air M1 with Devinci 17.1 BETA.

I also have a Macbook Pro and decided to record on that with my same external microphone (Samson C01UPRO). To my surprise the audio was perfect! (I just can't render, hence the reason for the M1). So I don't know if it's the latest version of Devinci or the M1?

Some help would be greatly appreciated. I bought the M1 because of all the great reviews, but it's no good unless the recording audio works!

Do you think going back a revision would work?

Hi Everyone

I've just unistalled the 17.1 BETA version and reinstalled the 17 version, and I'm thrilled to say the audio worked perfect!!

I hope this helped you guys and I also hope it solveas youre issues.

Cheers
Pete

I finally had a chance to capture the an example of the issue. I am currently running the most recent Davinci 17 public beta 7 on Windows 10. I have attached a 7zip file with a demo audio, debug files, and screenshots of the requested information.

Please let me know if more information is needed

Hi together, I had the same "microphone distortion effect" issue - starting with 17.1Beta6 on Mac Mini M1. However with the 17.1Beta7 for M1 everything works fine (24.01.2021), no distortion anymore for microphone recordings inside DaVinci.

Be aware that the "check new version" inside DaVinci (M1 17.1Beta6) does not show that a new version (M1 17.1Beta7) exists, so you have to download it manually.

Furthermore, on the main DaVinci download page, even if there is a Mac/Windows/Linux selection, you can download only the non-M1 version from here, the M1 version can be found in the "Support" area.

Probably it would be a good idea to expand the main download area to "Mac Intel / Mac M1 / Windows / Linux".

I'm not getting distortion now but I do get dropout - I get that on Windows, too, and fixed bus mapping Does Nothing.

My current workaround is recording into a field recorder and having the line out from that into resolve - then I swap the audio for the original from the recorder using waveform syncing.

Argh.

Hey, I've been having the same issue, just with imported audio, the audio from the same clip worked fine a few days ago, but when I opened the project to continue editing today the audio just sounded HORRIBLE!
I'm using a Windows computer, with DaVinci version 17.0 build 39..
I'm in the middle of downloading an update, I hope it fixes it...