Stereo Tool

Recently I introduced an Echo Box live audio stream from a network that provides their shows in this manner. Up until this point I was not hearing any kind of background echo in my audio chain. Trouble shooting seems to suggest the echo is in Stereo Tool before it hits my transmitter.

Any ideas how I can find the exact location of the problem in ST? Right now I am running my audio off my Mac mini via the automation software with Stereo Tool turned off and the echo is gone. So, this does seem to suggest an issue with ST.

Make sure you're using only one output. You won't need to select an FM output unless you're working with an FM transmitter if I'm not mistaken. So sticking with just Normal should do.

However if using the plugin, Normal Output is not an option, as all the audio is correctly redirected to your plugin host. So make sure you're not setting up the plugin to output through the FM Sound Card (FM Output) section.

Thanks. That appears to have done the trick.

Problem started up again. Not using the FM Output either. I just swapped an output cable from my Mac mini which has ST to the transmitter and the problem started up again after the cable swap turned into dead air. Installed the initial cable again and without making ANY changes to any settings the echo returned. At this point I don't know what to do. I didn't have this problem when I was running a music only format from the hard drive and also aired a live internet stream once in awhile. But using the Line In with an audio feed as described into my automation program (DJ by Macinmind and Radiologik) has resulted in the problem. Only happens with the Line In going and only with the Echo Box delivery system, not another audio source going into the Line In.

Could it be that the sound card is playing both the input and the output? Some sound cards do that.

Echo can basically be only 2 things:
- The sound card routes the audio to the output even if no software is running. if you disable Stereo Tool and still hear audio, then this is the problem.
- There are multiple outputs enabled (check Normal, FM, Low Latency).

Thanks for the suggestions HVZ. Will try this.

The echo has returned. This time I am on a 2018 Mac mini using a Focusrite Scarlett Solo that is a few years old. This is the first time I've tried using it with ST.

I've been able to ID the problem. Upon turning ST off completely I am still getting audio through the sound card input into the output of the Mini and Solo. I tried the different output settings you suggested above but in each case I still have an issue. Normal results in the echo. The other two lead to audio levels jumping around and some buzzing noise at times.

Any suggestions about how to eliminate this problem? I would prefer to use ST and not have to use a typical over the air AM audio processing box since this is going to be a music station. More flexibility to shape the sound with ST.

I got to thinking that if the echo is being created by the Solo due to the fact it won't bypass the computer sound card, would it then be wise to find something else to solve this problem? I tried a Behringer UC 202 with the same results. Still an echo.

When I first started using ST around 8 years ago I first tried a 2012 Mac mini which had its own Line Input into the sound card. I remember the standalone software worked pretty well and the echo that. did exist was very faint. Not enough to be a distraction to the program material and most people would not hear it. That has not been the case now even with the stand alone software with the Scarlett Solo.

Would that be a wise move? Buy an older 2012 Mac mini? Or would an external sound card eliminate the echo?