We have been aware that a small number of owners of the more recent Apple computers like the Mac mini 2018 and the MacBook Pro 2018 have had some issues with audio glitching when using an USB audio interface.

As we reported when we bought our own Mac mini 2018 and tested it, we were unable to repeat any of the problems that we have seen reported.

We tested the Mac mini 2018 with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB2.0 interface, a Kii Control USB2.0 interface and also an Avid Eleven Rack USB1.0 audio interface. We looked at all the scenarios where users said they are experiencing audio glitches; we even watched YouTube videos of users showing issues happening. These included turning Location Services on and off and also the suggestion that "Set Date and Time Automatically" had a bearing on the issue. However, in our test using the interfaces at all sample rates (for example the Kii Control was used at a sample rate of 384 KHz) and using the examples shown by those experiencing difficulties we could not reproduce any of the issues.

Apple Announce Fix

However, some eagle eyed people spotted a line in the release notes for the latest macOS Mojave release - 10.14.4, in which Apple say…

• Improves the reliability of USB audio devices when used with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini models introduced in 2018

One user has reported…

So far in my short time of testing, it fixed the distortion problems with my RME USB Digiface and Mac Mini 2018.

We also spotted another fix that may help Mac mini 2018 users who are having issues with displays. Apple have also said this…

• Fixes a graphics compatibility issue that may occur on some external displays connected to Mac mini (2018)