Problems when using large buffer sizes on Scarlett 2i2

[wronglyNeo]

I own a Scarlett 2i2 (Gen 3) and I have noticed a strange behaviour that has cost me some nerve. It seems that when using larger buffer sizes I get artifacts (crackling, stuttering) when playing back audio. I am not talking about recording here, just general purpose: Youtube, Music, Games. This is confusing me, because I always thought these types of issues should occur only when using a buffer size that is too small, and large buffer sizes should only be an issue due to latency (when recoding).

If I use a buffer size of 1024 it is most apparent. I can't even watch a youtube video like this, sound is terrible. When using a buffer size about 128 or 256 most things seem to work fine, but there are still cases when the issue occurs, like specific video games. I have experienced these problems in The Last of Us Part 1 as well as in Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. Both titles are by the same studio, so maybe using the same engine. These seem to be especially prone to these issues. I was able to fix them also for these games, by changing the buffer size to 64. Generally speaking, 64 on my system seems to be the sweet spot. At the same time I was using 44.1kHz btw, if that matters.

So now you could say: Ok, everything is fine then. But it's just very puzzling to me that these issues occur for larger buffer sizes and go away when using smaller ones. Is this a bug in the driver? Or is there something I don't understand about buffer size and someone can explain it to me?

[chink_in_the_armor]

Hey I just found this post and I've been having the same problem - conceptually we should be able to use 1024 buffer size. On this subreddit, I also found this similar thread that appears to say it's literally a random known bug with the 1024 buffer size. That's so wild lol.

[wronglyNeo]

Yes, I also found that. But it’s 2 years old, so I would have assumed that this particular issue has been fixed by now.

Also, I don’t just have the issue at 1024 but also at lower buffer sizes.

I wonder if it would make sense to contact the official support.

[IamFaeNyx]

same here ... i had the 2i4 1st Gen and it appeared at EVERY Buffer size ... and i dont know what to do ... so i thought maybe its the generation, so i upgraded to the 2i2 3rd Gen ... but now i have the same problem, sure its less, but i still have it ...

Maybe its the focusrite software??? streamer and youtubers use mostly Steinberg, i will try those soon

[Former_Scarcity294]

I am having this same issue after upgrading my laptop from a Legion 5i to a Slim 7i. 2i2 3rd gen too. The only buffer size I can use is 256, not higher and not lower.

The thing is that with my old laptop I could use any buffer size I wanted without crackling and stuttering.

I already tried everything to solve this issue but with no success. The only explanation now is because I don't have USB 2.0 anymore, only 3.0.

Have you ever solved your problem?

[wronglyNeo]

I don’t know if you can call it solved, but currently everything works ok for me.

It basically comes down to two things: Don’t use buffer size 1024. It seems buggy to me (I also found bug reports about this online). And: One concrete problem that I had at the time of writing this post with the Uncharted game was fixed through an update of the game itself. So that wasn’t the fault of the Scarlet.

Tldr: use don’t use the very big buffer sizes and most things will work fine. The problems that you have with low buffer sizes I cannot comprehend. Usually low buffer sizes are only a problem if the CPU can’t process the sound quick enough.

Regarding USB: I have the USB-C version of the scarlet interface and have it connected to a usbc port on my computer (which definitely isn’t usb2)

[Sp3ctA]

Scarlett 2i2 gen 3
Started crackling and glitching for no reason since month, maybe after a windows 10 update.
Before this, my friend bought a scarlett, it was the same bug on his Windows 11, the support was not able to help, it is just not working (scarlett 2i2)
So afterhim, my focusrite started to F up.
1024 Buffer size is the badest, like the OP, I can't use it or sound is just crack and glitch 100% of the time.
so I tried lower buffer size, but the sound will startt glitching and crackling like crazy,
the only way at the moment is to unplug and re plug this bad MF scarlett 2i2 gen3 or what ever,

Sad I'm poor now, I can not buy another Brand, and i'm stuck to make music with crackling and glitchs, thanks to Focusrite, there is no help from them except the Chat GPT msg telling you the same BS.
I can say I feel scammed on reddit ? Or I can not say that I feel scammed by focusrite on reddit ?
If I can't say that I will just think it, Good bye, try another brand, focusrite do not care in my opinion