Sound quality issue on a Mac m4

npax
npax Member Posts: 5 Newcomer
in Traktor Software & Hardware

Hello, I am using my first macbook for about a week now which I mainly bought for Traktor Pro 4 Djing with S4 MK3. I have a windows PC machine, which obviously I cannot bring with me to parties.

I installed Traktor a few days ago (latest version) moved a small part of my music collection from the windows pc. I decided to move the Hip-Hop folder since its the smaller one in size and number of songs and because most of the songs already have stems generated so I can see the full potential of the mac.

However, when I started my first few songs I immediately realized how poor the sound quality is, very crisp (in the negative aspect) highs and mids, poor bass and when I apply filter it takes it so aggressively that it sounds terrible (tried echo and noise). I am testing with monitoring headphones Audio Technica m50x on both computers. Windows PC is using wasapi as an output, while the Mac is using core.

First I thought it might be traktor settings since I dont remember last time I tweaked something on my windows machine so I decided to move my traktor settings from the pc (the tsi file).

I did it and almost nothing changed, except that sometimes next song I am mixing is getting out of sync and the buttons flashes red, so I have to click it twice to sync again, which is unusable in a live set.

I reinstalled the whole OS on the Mac and tried everything again from scratch. Traktor installation and migrating my settings from the Windows PC but manually this time. - Same results.

I have one more week for the 14 day return to apple policy and I am considering to return it since I am not finding a resolution.

Answers

  • Toxicaudio
    Toxicaudio Member Posts: 63 Helper

    Don't believe that this is hardware related. I am using an M4 Pro with S4MK3 playing with 4 decks and I don't have audio quality issues. How is your setup configured? Is the S4 the only hardware?Screenshots are helpful.

  • npax
    npax Member Posts: 5 Newcomer

    I am adding screenshots of what I think it's important but do not hesitate to ask me for more.

    Screenshot 2025-04-26 at 13.52.28.png Screenshot 2025-04-26 at 13.53.44.png Screenshot 2025-04-26 at 13.55.17.png Screenshot 2025-04-26 at 13.55.27.png Screenshot 2025-04-26 at 13.55.33.png Screenshot 2025-04-26 at 13.56.42.png Screenshot 2025-04-26 at 13.57.16.png

    I am testing with headphones didnt even tried external speakers. However I tried with some house music, no stems no remix decks and it sounds even worse. Windows machine settings are identical except there is WASAPI driver assigned to the S4 instead of the Core which is on the MAC.

  • Nobbi
    Nobbi Member Posts: 57 Helper

    You should enable OZONE in both internal an external . Press Boost on the top of the Traktor screen.
    First set the headroom to 0 db. Then try try to push up the OZONE Boost level in relation with headroom level. Find the perfect balance. Cheers Nobbi

  • Toxicaudio
    Toxicaudio Member Posts: 63 Helper

    "….except that sometimes next song I am mixing is getting out of sync and the buttons flashes red, so I have to click it twice to sync again…"

    which buttons flashes red? This is strange.

    I would try the following : set buffer to 512. Turn off all Limiter. Set all Faders/Headroom/volumes to 0. Switch EQ to Classic. Reanalyze a Track and check the gain level. Reload track into a deck.Play track.

  • npax
    npax Member Posts: 5 Newcomer
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/223589#Comment_223589

    That helped a little and yes it was enabled for internal on the windows machine as well. However it still sounds a lot noisier and crispier on the MAC than on the windows machine.

  • npax
    npax Member Posts: 5 Newcomer

    Yesterday I plugged my headphones directly into the MAC and started listening youtube and spotify. I realized that music sounds pretty similar to the Traktor sound. Is it possible that the traktor soundcard somehow cannot bypass the macbook soundcard or even is it possible that WASAPI is doing some improvement virtualization to the audio on the windows machine ?

  • Toxicaudio
    Toxicaudio Member Posts: 63 Helper

    Last screenshots shows that you are using an USB Hub/Dock.
    Avoid using Hubs. Unplug the Hub. You should use high quality USB C to B cable and connect the S4 directly. I can recommend cables from DJ Techtools.

    For testing:
    Unplug the S4 and the Hub. Open Traktor and use the internal sound device on Mac. Connect your headphone and try again.

  • npax
    npax Member Posts: 5 Newcomer
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/223800#Comment_223800

    Unfortunately it's very hard to find USB B to USB C cable where I live and DJ Techtools seems to not operate in the UK anymore since when I try to order it says it will take between 3-8 bussiness days which does not work for me, so I had to order it from amazon and hopefully it will come on Tuesday so I can test it, since my 14 day test period for apple ends on Thursday.

    Screenshot 2025-04-27 at 23.45.57.png

    However I tested Traktor software without the S4 and indeed the sound is exactly the same. So it seems that this dock or the macos is bypassing the S4 and its giving my headphones the laptop soundcard sound.

  • Toxicaudio
    Toxicaudio Member Posts: 63 Helper

    The USB cable will not resolve your audio quality issue. There must be another reason. It is hard to believe that the audio output of both devices (S4 and MAC) sounds bad. Maybe try another headphone or can you connect the S4 with speakers/PA?

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