Throw away Preferences files (MacOS)
Toggle clock source (to re-establish communication)
Internal Seagate 7200 RPM drives
Clicks and pops when switching between programs
G3 Macintosh - Disable ATI Graphics Accelerator
Power Computing PCI Timing Update New 11/98!
Channel 1 levels too high when recording to ADAT New 11/98!
If all else fails, contact Korg technical support
Incorrect word clock source settings are by far the most common cause of digital audio clicks, pops, and distortion. Make sure that the word clock source of each connected digital audio device is set correctly. For more information on word clock settings for common setups, see Setting Up Your Studio.
Sometimes, preferences files (usually stored in the System:Preferences folder) can become corrupted. If you encounter persistent problems with digital audio programs, try dragging the program's preferences file to the trash. In some cases, it may also be helpful to throw away the 1212 I/O's preferences file, and the Sound Manager preferences file (even if the problem doesn't seem to involve the Sound Manager).
The 1212 I/O and the Sound Manager both store their preferences files in the System:Preferences folder. The 1212 I/O's file is named Korg1212IO Preferences; the Sound Manager's file is named Sound Preferences. For information on the preferences files used by digital audio applications, please see the program's documentation.
After throwing away the Sound Preferences file, shut down and then restart the computer.
Sometimes, the software connection between the digital audio software and the 1212 I/O may become disrupted. To re-establish the connection, try toggling the 1212 I/O word clock source, or selecting another audio hardware option (such as Sound Manager, MacAV, etc.) and then switching back to the 1212 I/O.
Some users have reported audio pops and clicks when using internal Seagate 7200 RPM drives with the 1212 I/O. If this occurs, we recommend removing the drive, and installing it in an external enclosure.
One user had a PowerTower Pro with two internal drives, one a Seagate 7200 RPM (ST32171N 0484), and the other a large Quantum drive (which may or may not have been a factor). Instead of placing the Seagate drive into an external enclosure, he just disconnected the drives from the main Mac power supply, and installed a second power supply specifically for the drives.
Whenever digital audio programs aren't running - at startup, in the MacOS Finder, and so on - the 1212 I/O is in Auto-Routing Mode. In this mode, the 1212 I/O will route audio from input to output. This is designed so that you can leave the 1212 I/O as part of the ADAT optical loop, and still copy from one ADAT to another.
When you switch between programs - for instance, when switching from a digital audio program to the Finder - the 1212 I/O will switch into Auto-Routing Mode.
The setup for the Auto-Routing Mode is controlled by the 1212 I/O Utility; you can set the sample rate and clock source, route any input to any output, and set the volume level for each input (or mute them all, if desired).
If the Utility's word clock and sample rate settings are not the same as those in your digital audio program, this can cause clicks and pops when switching between programs. To solve this, make sure that the Utility's settings match those of your digital audio program. If you like, you can use the Utility's "Save As Defaults..." command to save these settings, so that they will be automatically loaded on startup.
On some G3 Macintosh models, the ATI Graphics Accelerator extension can interfere with the 1212 I/O. Korg recommends that you disable this extension when working with the 1212 I/O. You can do this using the Extensions manager, or other extension-management software, or by simply dragging it out of your System->Extensions folder.
For related information, see G3 Macintosh with factory-installed ATTO SCSI card.
If you see abnormally high levels on an ADAT's channel 1 input, this indicates problems with the word clock settings and/or connections. See the various troubleshooting suggestions on this page, above.
If you have tried the above troubleshooting techniques, but still have clicks and pops, then it is possible that there is a synchronization problem between the 1212 I/O and the other audio device. This may indicate a hardware problem with the 1212 I/O. A modification, available from Korg, completely solves this problem.
In particular, these symptoms may occur with S/PDIF output to the Lexicon MPX-1, the TC Electronics Finalizer, or the Tascam DA-20 and Sony 55ES DAT machines. They may also occur with ADAT output to the Yamaha 01V and Ramsa/Panasonic DA7 mixers, and Creamware A/D/A converters. Contact your Korg distributor/service center for assistance; for more information, see Contacting Technical Support.
Back to 1212 I/O FAQ Home Page