The VideoLAN Forums

I am having audio issues with 6.1 and 7.1 playback. I either get no audio or a loud static crackle then no audio when attempting to play audio. 5.1 works fine. An example of a file is '1080p Bluray x265 HEVC 10 bit AAC 7.1' (substitute 5.1 and it works fine). I use VLC version 2.2.4 and have a macbook pro.

Thank you.

Guys, I'm having the same issues as larry. I'm getting a crackling digital distortion on High quality MP3 files on the lastest version of VLC Version 2.2.4.

I tried various HQ audio files, as well as complete uninstalling the VLC app and reinstalling. Same crackling digital distortion.

I'm on macOS Sierra version 10.12.1
Macbook pro late 2013

How can we resolve these audio issues?

Any thoughts on this guys, would love to see a response.

Same issue with 7.1 files.

- MacBook Pro (late 2012) OSX 10.11.6 El Capitan
- MOTU Ultralight mk3 Interface (Firewire connected with thunderbolt adaptor) set at 44khz output
- Stereo Out (2 channels)

I have configured the speaker mapping for 7.1 but I am getting severe distortion noise when I try to play 7.1 video files (5.1 no problems).

I'm looking at this guide now: http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how ... y.1314744/

They mention using 48khz setting for the interface used in the example... I will try that guide and report back!

I used VideoSpec to analyze the input file and yes, it is 48khz AAC MPEG-4 audio. (http://videospec.free.fr/english/)

But even though I changed my audio interface to 48khz sample rate, I'm still getting the distortion sound instead of the file audio. doh!

The MOTU Ultralight mk3 has 14 channels in 4 streams:
- Main Out (1-2)
- Analog Out (3-10)
- S/PDIF (11-12)
- Phones (13-14)

In the Audio MIDI Setup preference panel - I clicked on the checkbox to enable channels 1-10 (Main Out + Analog Out), then I went I selected the MOTU Ultralight from the Audio Interfaces list on the left, right click and select "Configure Speakers". From here, select "Multichannel > 7.1" and set each speaker option to a different output channel (front-center, front-left, front-right, etc...). Once each output is assigned it's own channel, then I can hear the file audio instead of the distortion sound! Yay!

So this is working, but my real problem now is how to mix all the channels back to stereo (I only have two speakers in reality) - this is probably specific to the audio interface itself and beyond the scope of this forum.

Good luck y'all, hope this helps somebody

Same here - 2.2.4 loud noise and crackling with 7.1 AAC tracks on Sierra.

Edit: I used ffmpeg -acodec copy to extract the 7.1 AAC track and alone it plays ok in VLC. Right now I have 2 files that exhibit the probem: both mkv, both HEVC, both with dual audio, one has 2x 7.1 AAC audio and the other has 7.1+stereo AAC tracks. I hope this helps.

As with all of you guys posting above, I am having audio issues with AAC 6.0, 6.1 & 7.1. I use Windows 10. I've tried playing the files on different laptops all with the latest VLC player and all with the same results. There is no audio whatsoever on AAC 6.0 & AAC 6.1 and distortion with crackling & fizzing when playing AAC 7.1. All files are video mkv, HEVC x265. At first I thought it was a fault with the files but, as they come from different sources, I am now of the mind that the fault lies within VLC. Of course, Windows Media Player can't even open the files let alone play them - piece of crap. I've followed other forums that tell how to change various preference settings but to no avail. I'm sure that the geeks at VLC will come up with a solution once they're aware but I'm mightily frustrated.

Just adding to this thread.

I too have been having audio issues with MKV video files with 7.1 AAC tracks. The audio is very loud high pitch cracklings and distortions. The video display is fine, and the MKVs usually are encoded with HEVC x265. I know it's no fault with the MKV file itself as it plays fine with great audio using another popular third party video player for Mac.

Hope VLC will provide an update to resolve this issue. Thanks!

I am experiencing the same issue, only player I've managed to successfully play the file with is Kodi. Hopefully this helps someone having the same issue.