No sound output from playback device on Audacity only

[JonnyS]

Hi,

First post, but I’ve been using Audacity for a few years.
Versions:
Audacity 2.3.0
OSX 10.13.6

After adding a second daisy chained Caldigit thunderbolt hub, playback from the first hub has stopped (on audacity only.) I still see both devices in the playback options but selecting either of the listed “USB Audio Codec” devices results in silent playback. Conversely, all other sound from system or individual apps outputs without issue (Safari/Chrome/iTunes.) Also, in the “sound” system preference panel the same list of devices appears as it does in Audacity.

I have:

• transport > rescan audio devices
• quit and restarted audacity
• restarted system
• shutdown and restarted system

Also, when I choose to output through the “built in output” audacity plays sound without issue. I’m guessing the software is glitching on the fact there are two of these devices for some reason. Perhaps if I can reset the device list somehow or rename the devices?

Your help is appreciated!!

Thanks, J

[JonnyS]

UPDATE:
I just tried something. I went to the second hub and put my headphones in that device and tried playback from audacity. Audacity is outputting playback to that device for BOTH “USB Audio Codec” devices listed under the playback device list, so when I select either, I hear it on that one device. OSX is still able to tell them apart however and send audio to whichever I choose.

How do I get Audacity to tell them apart?

Thanks, J

[JonnyS]

Anyone with ideas??

I copied the “audio device info” from diagnostics below if that helps at all. Thanks

==============================
Default recording device number: 0
Default playback device number: 2
==============================
Device ID: 0
Device name: Built-in Microphone
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 2
Playback channels: 0
Low Recording Latency: 0.00297052
Low Playback Latency: 0.01
High Recording Latency: 0.0131293
High Playback Latency: 0.1
Supported Rates:
==============================
Device ID: 1
Device name: Built-in Input
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 2
Playback channels: 0
Low Recording Latency: 0.00297052
Low Playback Latency: 0.01
High Recording Latency: 0.0131293
High Playback Latency: 0.1
Supported Rates:
==============================
Device ID: 2
Device name: Built-in Output
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 0
Playback channels: 2
Low Recording Latency: 0.01
Low Playback Latency: 0.0030839
High Recording Latency: 0.1
High Playback Latency: 0.0132426
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
    352800
    384000
==============================
Device ID: 3
Device name: DisplayPort
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 0
Playback channels: 2
Low Recording Latency: 0.01
Low Playback Latency: 0.0120417
High Recording Latency: 0.1
High Playback Latency: 0.021375
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
    352800
    384000
==============================
Device ID: 4
Device name: USB audio CODEC
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 0
Playback channels: 2
Low Recording Latency: 0.01
Low Playback Latency: 0.00335417
High Recording Latency: 0.1
High Playback Latency: 0.0126875
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
    352800
    384000
==============================
Device ID: 5
Device name: USB audio CODEC
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 1
Playback channels: 0
Low Recording Latency: 0.00458333
Low Playback Latency: 0.01
High Recording Latency: 0.0139167
High Playback Latency: 0.1
Supported Rates:
==============================
Device ID: 6
Device name: USB audio CODEC
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 0
Playback channels: 2
Low Recording Latency: 0.01
Low Playback Latency: 0.00335417
High Recording Latency: 0.1
High Playback Latency: 0.0126875
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
    352800
    384000
==============================
Device ID: 7
Device name: USB audio CODEC
Host name: Core Audio
Recording channels: 1
Playback channels: 0
Low Recording Latency: 0.00458333
Low Playback Latency: 0.01
High Recording Latency: 0.0139167
High Playback Latency: 0.1
Supported Rates:
==============================
Selected recording device: 0 - Built-in Microphone
Selected playback device: 2 - Built-in Output
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
    352800
    384000
==============================
Available mixers:
==============================
Available recording sources:
0 - Internal Microphone
==============================
Available playback volumes:
0 - PCM
==============================
Recording volume is native
Playback volume is native

[steve]

According to your “Audio device info”, Audacity is set to record from the internal mic, and playback via the Built-in Output. Does that work?

Recording via USB hubs is not recommended. Unlike a disk drive that can simply try again if the data is not ready, recording requires the data to be available immediately in real time. If two or more devices are competing for the USB port, then there are likely to be momentary disruptions, which can cause Audacity to lose connection to the audio device. USB hubs can be very useful for keyboards, printers, mice, and even storage devices, but are notorious for audio or video recording.

[JonnyS]

Thanks for the post Steve.

Yes, I’m currently connecting my output directly to my monitors via the system’s 'built in output" since Audacity is not recognizing one of my thunderbolt hubs (or rather considering them both the same one.) Internal mic was chosen because my Apollo twin was shut down at the time, normally I’m connected via thunderbolt to that which has been working without issue.

My current problem is getting Audacity to recognize that the two thunderbolt devices I’ve connected are not the same thing. (see my second post)

Any ideas about what might be causing that?

Thanks again! J