In this article, you'll find tips for troubleshooting issues with using an external USB audio interface in Cubasis. Possible problems include:
- The audio interface cannot be selected as an audio device in Cubasis.
- The connection is lost during use.
- Only silence is recorded.
- Playback is stuttering.
- Recording or playback stops unexpectedly.
- Recordings contain dropouts or crackling.
Cubasis settings
If the external audio interface is available in Cubasis, but you cannot record or play back without dropouts, crackling, or stuttering, there are a few Cubasis-specific audio settings to be considered.
- In the toolbar at the top right, select SETUP.
- Select the "Audio" category.
- Latency: Increasing the latency allows the system more time to process the audio signal and reduces the possibility of dropouts/crackling.
- Multi-core Processing: Increasing the "Extra Guard Buffer" will lead to a higher total latency but also help prevent dropouts caused by a system overload. In rare cases, audio processing may be more stable with "Multi-core Processing" disabled, but in general, it is best to keep it enabled.
- Background Audio: Keeping this option disabled helps minimize the general load on the system.
The goal is to strike a balance between the lowest possible latency and reliable audio processing. Since this depends on many factors (audio interface, CPU, operating system, background processes, etc.), there are no universally applicable values.
If you cannot achieve stable audio processing in Cubasis with increased "Latency" and "Extra Guard Buffer" values and "Background Audio" disabled, the following more general troubleshooting steps may help.
Permissions / silent recordings
Cubasis must have permission to access the microphone. If it is missing, Cubasis is recording silence only. Surprisingly, permissions are configured in the same place on iOS, iPadOS, Android, and ChromeOS:
- Open "Settings".
- Select "Apps".
- Select "Cubasis" from the list of installed apps.
- Android/ChromeOS: Select "Permissions" and ensure "Microphone" is listed under "Allowed".
- iOS/iPadOS: Under "Allow Cubasis 3 to access", ensure "Microphone" is enabled.
General troubleshooting
Reconnect
Simply unplugging and then plugging the audio interface back in may already resolve the issue.
Restart
Mobile devices, including Chromebooks, are sometimes used for weeks or even months without ever being turned off or restarted. Therefore, it’s easy to forget that temporary issues can often be resolved simply by restarting your device.
Update
- Update your smartphone, tablet, or Chromebook to the latest version of Android, iPadOS, iOS, or ChromeOS.
- If available, update your USB audio interface to the latest firmware.
- Make sure the latest Cubasis version is installed on your device.
Connections
- Check or replace the USB cable. The quality of cables can make a difference.
- Check or replace any adapters, e.g., an OTG or USB-C/Type A adapter.
- Clean the contacts and the mobile device's port, too.
- If the audio interface is directly connected to your device, try using a USB hub—or vice versa.
Power supply
Occasionally, the power delivered by the mobile device or Chromebook is not sufficient for the connected audio interface.
To ensure a stable power supply, try using a self-powered USB hub or a Y-cable that allows for connecting an external power supply in parallel to the audio interface.
Disable background activities
- Pause synchronization with online services like Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.
- Disable WLAN and Bluetooth or simply enable Airplane Mode on your device.
Android: Compatibility check
This article informs on how to verify your device's basic compatibility with Android:
Cubasis for Android: How to check the compatibility of external audio devices