Apollo Twin Unwanted Mic Volume Changes While Recording

[snapperharmer]

I've noticed that while recording using my Apollo Twin (Quad, Thunderbolt 2) I get unwanted mic volume changes. The cycle generally takes a couple of minutes and will go from the setting I want to very quiet, and then back to the selected volume again, almost like a slow sine wave. I thought it might be my mic, but I've recently changed that and the same thing happens. I thought it might be my Mac, but I've just upgraded that to one of the new M3 laptops, and the same thing happens! I'm using Console but all the plugins have been turned off

I can't get to the bottom of it and wonder if anyone has any ideas?

I've attached a grab which is actually from a voiceover I was recording in Final Cut, but the same thing happens in Logic. You can see the volume drop over time - it's very noticeable when you listen back to the recording.

 

[Dumpling]

Thats the analog emulation of a wonky microphone dated back in time to 1920 where the power supply wasn't that steady.
UAD really did an awesome job emulating it.

 

[bpaluzzi]

I'll go with Occam's Razor here and just assume that you're gradually talking quieter / louder.

Show me the same results with a known fixed-level source and we'll have something to discuss.

 

[snapperharmer]

Thanks for the help, much appreciated I'm definitely not talking at different volumes though; instead it's as if I'm talking (or recording acoustic etc.) and turning down the input gain knob on the Apollo at the same time. I'll do a recording with a test tone and post it here later so you can see more precisely what's happening.

 

[stop.d]

try turning noise cancellation on the built in mic… (the MBP mic to be clear)

 

[snapperharmer]

Thanks again - but that doesn't seem to be an option on Silicon Macs according to Apple's website. I'll get to the bottom of it in the end! I'm currently using my cheap Focusrite Scarlett and that seems to have solved the problem for now.

 

[stop.d]

Thanks again - but that doesn't seem to be an option on Silicon Macs according to Apple's website. I'll get to the bottom of it in the end! I'm currently using my cheap Focusrite Scarlett and that seems to have solved the problem for now.

View attachment 16962

the option isn't in "Sound" for whatever reason. when you open your DAW you should get an orange mic icon in the menu bar, click it:



since macOS considers any audio input the "Microphone" this setting seems to affect interfaces as well. thanks Tim Apple!

edit: in my first post I incorrectly called it "noise cancellation", it is "Voice Isolation".

 

[johnn321]

this issue was discussed in other forums!
best solution is press the monitor button on your apollo and then press your input button
after that your input level is back to where you configured it

 

[mrufino1]

Is the mic mode issue a Sonoma thing? And is it specifically desktop apollos that are affected? I’ve never heard of the issue, but I’m on Ventura and have an x8

 

[snapperharmer]

this issue was discussed in other forums!
best solution is press the monitor button on your apollo and then press your input button
after that your input level is back to where you configured it

Thanks John - just clarifying you mean press the "Monitor" button on the right of my Twin, followed by the button labelled "Preamp" on the left? I'm furiously pressing button combinations but nothing seems to make a difference. Do you have a link to the thread on other forums?

 

[snapperharmer]

I thought people might be interesting in these screenshots? The waveform shows how my input volume changes over about a 45-second cycle. The quiet parts are accompanied by a lot of background hiss too. The other screenshot shows how my mic inputs are configured in Sonoma. To be honest the issue has been going on way before Sonoma, and on different Macs too. This is a 440Hz test tone running from my phone, all distances to the mic are constant, as is the phone volume. There's a bit of background noise from the builders next door (the spikes etc.)

Console is set to UAD Mon so the audio shouldn't be affected by any active plugins?

 

[snapperharmer]

I'll go with Occam's Razor here and just assume that you're gradually talking quieter / louder.

Show me the same results with a known fixed-level source and we'll have something to discuss.

Hi - I've just posted an image of a 440Hz test tone which I hope is a bit a clearer than my voiceover waveform? Thanks again.

 

[Tsadar]

Maybe you have very slow tremolo plugin on the master buss..? Just kidding.
Do you see mic gain values changin on that channel?

I'd suggest to contact support to see if they have any solution. Meanwhile you could try cleaning the gain knob on your Twin with contact cleaner. I've cleaned mine Twin (mk1) multiple times over the years because the knob becomes unresponsive/unreliable. It fixes that problem for a while.

 

[johnn321]

Thanks John - just clarifying you mean press the "Monitor" button on the right of my Twin, followed by the button labelled "Preamp" on the left? I'm furiously pressing button combinations but nothing seems to make a difference. Do you have a link to the thread on other forums?

first press monitor then press the preamp button of your choice (input signal)