MP 1,1-5,1 Strange Audio Issue on MP 4,1>5,1 Mojave 10.14.4

[KeesMacPro]

Your MP already got 2x 6-core , so the issue is not caused by the OEM CPU.
These are the X5690 CPU's I suppose?
I've noticed that you got BootRom 140.0.0.0.0.
How did you succeed to install Mojave without the BootRom update to 144.0.0.0.0 ?

Anyway, since the issue is not caused by the CPU's, I don't know what it could be...

Apart from that , I recommend to read this thread about how to update the BootRom to 144 , there are a few advantages and perhaps it solves the issue.

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[tsialex]

Your MP already got 2x 6-core , so the issue is not caused by the OEM CPU.
I've noticed that you got BootRom 140.0.0.0.0.
How did you succeed to install Mojave without the BootRom update to 144.0.0.0.0 ?

Anyway, since the issue is not caused by the CPU's, I don't know what it could be...

Apart from that , I recommend to read this thread about how to update the BootRom to 144 , there are a few advantages and perhaps it solves the issue.

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

No, 144.0.0.0.0 won't solve the audio issue.

The audio problem happens because Apple removed support for Nehalem dual CPUs with Mojave/Catalina/Big Sur - Nehalem dual processors are last officially supported with El Capitan, but works fine with Sierra/High Sierra.

The only solution is to use a Westmere Xeon instead.

 

[KeesMacPro]

Yes ,but this is a screenshot of his MP:

Or is there a 3,46gHz Nehalem?

 

[tsialex]

Yes ,but this is a screenshot of his MP:

Yes, this is intriguing, if he has a 6-core, he has a Westmere Xeon. Anyway, 144.0.0.0.0 will not change anything related to the audio stuttering, but a clean install can.

 

[KeesMacPro]

If a clean install doesn't help, the only thing I can think of is an issue with the audio Interface driver.

 

[bsbeamer]

What audio device are you using? Does it use word clock sync?

 

[lighterthief]

Your MP already got 2x 6-core , so the issue is not caused by the OEM CPU.
These are the X5690 CPU's I suppose?
I've noticed that you got BootRom 140.0.0.0.0.
How did you succeed to install Mojave without the BootRom update to 144.0.0.0.0 ?

Anyway, since the issue is not caused by the CPU's, I don't know what it could be...

Apart from that , I recommend to read this thread about how to update the BootRom to 144 , there are a few advantages and perhaps it solves the issue.

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

thanks for your time- its a strnge probelm.. it all plays but theres a fuzziness to the sound thta wnast there before... thanks again

 

[KeesMacPro]

thanks for your time- its a strnge probelm.. it all plays but theres a fuzziness to the sound thta wnast there before... thanks again

You're very welcome!
I've had a similar issue a while ago.
I was using an older Apogee interface and the drivers were not supported from HS/ Mojave and up anymore.
The result was as you describe , and when I checked the necessary buffer size/latency etc. it appeared that the Interface was running with its tongue out of its mouth , to put it metaphorical...

 

[lighterthief]

thansks for all your replies... the problem seems to be apparent on all all outputs,,,, even built in headphones.. and a usb inetrface i have.. so its deeper than that !

 

[lighterthief]

What audio device are you using? Does it use word clock sync?

hi.. apogee ensemble.. but seems prob on whartever i use

 

[bsbeamer]

hi.. apogee ensemble.. but seems prob on whartever i use

What is your word clock sync source? Is it connected to anything else?
What are your settings in Audio MIDI Setup?
What kHz format?

Sounds like it could be the bug from a 10.15 update that impacted 44.1kHz sources or defaulted devices back to 44.1kHz from 48kHz. Unsure if this also impacted a 10.14 supplemental or security update.

 

[KeesMacPro]

hi.. apogee ensemble.. but seems prob on whartever i use

If this is the firewire version, you seem to have the same problem I had

 

[lighterthief]

i ve now removed everything... and its now ok out of the headphoen socket and any usb... so gradually going to reconned the rest... but i think its looking like a UAD soundcard is en route !!! the mbp - its been an amazing machine and wanna keep it rolling for a bit longer!

 

[Doug Plays Bass]

I just want to say a huge thank you to every contributor to this thread. I am a photographer and composer, and I recently flashed my 2009 Mac Pro 4,1 2.9 GHz to 5,1 and updated everything to MacOS Mojave, which made everything better except for the audio glitchyness that we've all discovered. Had it not been for this forum thread, which took me a while to find, and the troubleshooting prowess of all involved, I might have given up. As it stands, I have installed a pair of 3.46 GHz Westmere CPUs, as per the recommendation, which has solved the problem. Thanks go to the input of all the contributors here, and I can now get back to writing music. Cheers!

 

[Uranga]

Please Help!! I have a flashed 2009 4,1 Mac Pro now flashed to 5,1. I have tried different OSX and as mentioned on here i need to update to the CPU to use Mojave. I'm now on Mojave with the sound issue (im a music producer.) My question is about the whole Head Shield/Delidded CPUs. I have no idea what i have and should get. I have attached what i currently have if someone can point me in the right direction. Apparently i have the Intel Xeon x5550 2.67Ghz. Thanks advance for your help.

I would like get these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Intel...625090&hash=item1ebe27cc91:g:ISoAAOSwx2dYJfsR

 

[tsialex]

Please Help!! I have a flashed 2009 4,1 Mac Pro now flashed to 5,1. I have tried different OSX and as mentioned on here i need to update to the CPU to use Mojave. I'm now on Mojave with the sound issue (im a music producer.) My question is about the whole Head Shield/Delidded CPUs. I have no idea what i have and should get. I have attached what i currently have if someone can point me in the right direction. Apparently i have the Intel Xeon x5550 2.67Ghz. Thanks advance for your help.

I would like get these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Intel...625090&hash=item1ebe27cc91:g:ISoAAOSwx2dYJfsR

For a dual CPU early-2009 Mac Pro, you need to get a pair already de-lidded, unless you want to do it yourself. If you are asking this, you probably don't know how to do it, so buy an already de-lidded pair. Like this one below:

Delidded Pair - Intel Xeon X5690 SLBVX 3.46GHZ - LGA1366 Six-Core CPU Mac Pro | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Delidded Pair - Intel Xeon X5690 SLBVX 3.46GHZ - LGA1366 Six-Core CPU Mac Pro at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Uranga]

For a dual CPU early-2009 Mac Pro, you need to get a pair already de-lidded, unless you want to do it yourself. If you are asking this, you probably don't know how to do it, so buy an already de-lidded pair. Like this one below:

Delidded Pair - Intel Xeon X5690 SLBVX 3.46GHZ - LGA1366 Six-Core CPU Mac Pro | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Delidded Pair - Intel Xeon X5690 SLBVX 3.46GHZ - LGA1366 Six-Core CPU Mac Pro at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

fast response. Thank you so much!!
[automerge]1595659378[/automerge]
Out of curiosity. Why do they sell them with the Shield? i saw this Video which looks like mine and saw that the person just insalled them with a shield. As you can see im a noob, ha, just asking out of curiosity.

 

[tsialex]

fast response. Thank you so much!!
[automerge]1595659378[/automerge]
Out of curiosity. Why do they sell them with the Shield? i saw this Video which looks like mine and saw that the person just insalled them with a shield. As you can see im a noob, ha, just asking out of curiosity.

Only early-2009 dual CPU Mac Pros and the Xserve3,1 models use de-lidded Xeons. Single CPU early-2009 and all models of mid-2010/mid-2012 Mac Pros use lidded Xeons.

De-lidded Xeons are more efficient thermally, but the hassle of installing/upgrading it probably is the motive that made Apple change course.

 

[dontthrowthatout]

Hello,

I recently installed Mojave in my 4,1 firmware flashed to 5,1. Straight away I noticed the audio stuttering. I read this post and thought I would just try a 5,1 CPU tray I had lying around. As expected the fans went crazy but the audio stopped stuttering. I swapped back to the original CPU tray and the audio is fine, no stuttering after having the 5,1 tray installed and then removed. Interesting?

 

[KeesMacPro]

Interesting yes!
Does the audio still work fine after restart/sleep/reset SMC/reset NVRAM?

 

[dontthrowthatout]

I can’t test that anymore sorry. I pulled the CPUs from the 5,1 tray and put them in the 4,1 tray then upgraded to Catalina.

 

[MotorMac]

I also want to thank all those who have contributed to this thread. Like others here, I managed to slog thru firmware upgrades and OS versions to Mojave on my early-2009 quad-core MacPro (4,1), then had the stuttering audio issue (which is what brought me here).
After replacing CPUs, stutter is gone on Mojave. So far, all seems to function as expected.

Again, thank you one and all.

 

[Richy Colón]

Ok, so this is my first post here since Ive been working with these machines for quite some time and Im fairly knowledgeable with these kinds of things, but this time Ive hit a brick wall so any help would be great.

Recently got a Dual Quad 2.26 MP 4.1 with the intentions of maxing it on the cheap. Great condition machine in and out.

Process:
New SSD - High Sierra Install, all required firmware updates, 4.1 - 5.1
Radeon Pulse RX580 Installed - recognized fine, no real issues there
Upgrade to Mojave - Do the FW update as required, update works no problem, so does card

Heres the strange thing: I get audio playback stuttering when playing anything...no weird errors, runaway processes, etc. Also Im using the standard 3.5 lineout NOT HDMI or DP, but when using either of those its the same story (except HDMI which has no sound as expected) Completely Stumped...

To test, I installed a second drive with a fresh Mojave install...same issue...for the time it was on HS till my card came in (about a week) no audio issues to speak of. Any ideas? The only thing I can think of is it may be CPU/RAM related as those chips are older and its only got 24GBs of RAM...will be putting 96 in tomorrow though so I can see if that helps, but either way the RAM and CPU aren't being pushed that hard on AM when its happening so I don't think that's related...Thanks in advance for any advice

**I can confirm that the issue is no longer present once the stock E5520 chips were removed and replaced with X5680's**

***TL/DNR: So the issue is most likely relegated to GAINSTOWN (5500 series) Xeon chips in both 4,1 > 5,1 and 5,1 (if any) models running 10.14.4 and above. If you found this thread cuz that is you, the suggested fix is to either downgrade your OS (and leave it there) or upgrade your CPUs to a compatible WESTMERE chip***

I'm having the same problem, my setup is x5650 8 cores at 2.66 rx580 16gb of ram mojave, ordered some memory and see if it resolves the problem

 

[KeesMacPro]

I'm having the same problem, my setup is x5650 8 cores at 2.66 rx580 16gb of ram mojave, ordered some memory and see if it resolves the problem

The X5650 is a 6-core Westmere....
The issue described in this thread is only present in the Nehalem DUAL CPU Mac Pros.

 

[Serge88]

I have a Mac Pro Nehalem dual cpu 4,1->5,1 with High Sierra. I tried Mojave on another Mac and I like the dark mode.
According to some people the audio stuttering happen on 10.14.4 and up. If I install and stay on 10.14.3, could it be a problem ?