Audio crackling on macOS

[MichaelMKenny]

ISSUE
Since the Nov 22nd Steam beta update, that fixed some disconnects on macOS, I have been hearing audio crackling over the top of in-game sounds in all my streaming tests. This has been happening every Steam beta since the one I just mentioned. I would also like to point out that this doesn't happen if streaming to a Windows client (Rebooted my Macbook Pro into Boot Camp).

Things I have tried (But didn't work)
- Turning hardware decoding off
- Changing audio settings on client (e.g 5.1 Surround, Quadraphonic)
- Switching hardware encoders (and completely off, software encoding)
- Rebooting both the host and client
- Other games. I have tried both DX9 and DX11 games (AC Unity, Borderlands the Pre-Sequel) and both have this issue.
- A different mac


OS/SPECS

Host:
Windows 10 AU
i7 6700k
GTX 1080
16GB DDR4 RAM

Client:
macOS Sierra 10.12.1
i7 (Haswell)
GT 750m
16GB DDR3 RAM


STEPS
Select a game to Stream from the host (For this case I'm using Borderlands the Pre-Sequel)
Click STREAM
Navigate game menus until the game makes sound
Once the game starts playing in-game audio listen for audio crackling/popping over the top


RESULTS
I hear crackling/popping over the top of the in-game audio.


DEMO
I have recorded a sample of the bug with an iPhone microphone. What your hearing is me just going through the main menu in Borderlands the Pre-Sequel.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8225228/Steam%20Audio%20Crackling%20Bug/Steam%20Crackling.m4a


EXPECTED
The behaviour I get on a Windows client, none of the crackling, just regular audio that you'd hear if you were playing locally on the host.


LOG
This instance of the log was actually streamed to my dad's iMac (10.11 El Capitan). It was also the mac we recorded the audio file on.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8225228/Steam%20Audio%20Crackling%20Bug/Log.txt

[DizzieDawgie]

You're not the only one with this issue. I too stream from Windows to Mac and have recently noticed this audio crackling issue. I think maybe it started just a day or two ago. I'm not participating in the betas on either computer. I don't recall if either Steam client was recently updated.

Streaming Host: WIndows 10
Steam client application:
Built: Dec 9, 2015, at 12:43:37
Steam API: v017

Streaming Client: macOS Sierra (v10.12.1)
Steam client application:
Built: Dec 9, 2015, at 12:44:50
Steam API: v017

[sirpete]

I am now having this issue in release version (not beta). Here is my post: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/homestream/discussions/1/152391995404425762/

[sirpete]

I have now risen a support ticket for this issue: HT-PGPJ-WN2V-8X58

[sirpete]

And while waiting for support heros to show up, let's fix it the old fashioned way, ourselves. :)

See, the problem is that default soundcard sample frequency on Mac is 44kHz and In-Home Streaming seems tu assume 48kHz.

On Mac open the "Audio MIDI Setup" application (search for it with Spotlight).

Select Audio Format: "2-ch 24-bit integer 48,0 kHz" . (For your output device, obviously).

There you are. I hope this helps you too. Let's see if support reads this too :).

[MichaelMKenny]

Originally posted by sirpete:

And while waiting for support heros to show up, let's fix it the old fashioned way, ourselves. :)

See, the problem is that default soundcard sample frequency on Mac is 44kHz and In-Home Streaming seems tu assume 48kHz.

On Mac open the "Audio MIDI Setup" application (search for it with Spotlight).

Select Audio Format: "2-ch 24-bit integer 48,0 kHz" . (For your output device, obviously).

There you are. I hope this helps you too. Let's see if support reads this too :).

Thanks. The fix works like a charm!

[Greg]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥! Good catch. I assume this recently started happening because of the direct audio passthrough, rather than re-encoding it.

[DizzieDawgie]

Originally posted by mouseme:

Originally posted by sirpete:

Select Audio Format: "2-ch 24-bit integer 48,0 kHz"

Thanks. The fix works like a charm!

This solution worked for me too.

[Tim Ween]

Same problem with macOS Sierra 10.12.2 after update (9 December)

[sirpete]

Good to hear it helps others too. I have to repeat the setting when ever I reboot the Mac. I am still waiting for Steam support confirmation about the correct sample rate.

[syborgen]

+1 I'm seeing this too

[Rauhfa5er]

I have this too but also have issues with mouse pointer not working. Getting tired of the issues with macOS.

[clectic]

I use a pair of Bose bluetooth headphones which only support 44.1 kHz so the above sample rate workaround does not work. It would be very nice to have this issue fixed.