Complete failure of playback after High Sierra (solved)

Discuss playback problems, including VST, Garritan, MIDI, etc.

Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker

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David Ward
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:48 pm
Finale Version: F 25.5 & 26.3
Operating System: Mac

Post by David Ward » Sun Apr 29, 2018 5:44 pm

This is distinctly odd. After up-grading from OS Sierra to High Sierra, in all files, including new ones not from template (ie new via setup wizard), whether GIFF or SoftSynth, HP or not, scrolling or not, playback consists of the odd detached stutter, or of nothing at all. If there are stutters they keep going in isolated spasms for a while after playback has been stopped or paused. Also Finale is liable to crash during this non-playback. (Playback is through audio units.) Everything is correct in Score Manager, Banks & Effects &c.

Any suggestions?

As far as I can see it is only Finale that is having a problem with sound. iTunes, DVD, on-line sound and all the rest seem to be normal.

I should add that I've tried multiple relaunches of Finale and restarts of the computer.
Last edited by David Ward on Sun Apr 29, 2018 7:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
Mac 10.13.6 & 10.14.6


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Peter Thomsen
Posts: 6602
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
Finale Version: Finale v27.4
Operating System: Mac

Post by Peter Thomsen » Sun Apr 29, 2018 6:15 pm

David Ward wrote:… I've tried multiple relaunches of Finale and restarts of the computer.
Have you tried trashing the Finale preferences file?
Tested a brand new user account? (as a test, not as a solution)
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

oldmkvi
Posts: 384
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 6:13 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Mac

Post by oldmkvi » Sun Apr 29, 2018 6:37 pm

Bummer!
Under Device Set Up, see what Output Source is Selected, set Sample rate to 96 and be sure the Buffer is 4096.
Lower settings cause stuttering!

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David Ward
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:48 pm
Finale Version: F 25.5 & 26.3
Operating System: Mac

Post by David Ward » Sun Apr 29, 2018 7:21 pm

oldmkvi wrote:Bummer!
Under Device Set Up, see what Output Source is Selected, set Sample rate to 96 and be sure the Buffer is 4096.
Lower settings cause stuttering!
That's it!

I've no idea why, but when I installed High Sierra the Buffer Size in Finale's Audio Setup reduced to the minimum 32. As soon as I put it back up to 4096 all was as it should be. Maybe something did happen to my preferences, but until I encounter other unexpected problems, I won't renew them.

I wonder why a tiny buffer size makes the stuttering continue long after playback has been stopped?
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
Mac 10.13.6 & 10.14.6

oldmkvi
Posts: 384
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 6:13 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Mac

Post by oldmkvi » Sun Apr 29, 2018 8:28 pm

Hi, I'm glad!
Use different Dacs sometimes, and I've noticed the Device Setting change every once in a while,
revert to Built in Speakers, or changer the Buffer or Sample rate.
So it's the first place I look now if I'm suddenly getting the Sound of Silence...

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