Audible click when playing back some MP3 files

[DonMacaroni 54]

I just noticed, for some reason, Emby IOS/IPadOS/MacOS app has very audible click just at the end of the track.
I examined audio files and used Apple Music app to play these back and there is no click, verified file integrities of those MP3''es and also everything checks out.
Any ideas what may cause this? I can provide sample file(s) via private means.

[Luke 42077]

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[DonMacaroni 54]

Ok, here is the server log.
Restarted server, played back one of the affected files (2025-05-18 09:54:11.080)

There is no such sound in file itself, at the the track end. 
Click happens right at the end of the track and right before next one starts.
It does not happen in Web UI and not all files exhibit this.
It is quite loud, hence I first suspected file(s) themselves, but after closer inspection fo the files there does not seem to be anything relevant there which could produce it.
Also no other player than Emby client reproduces it.
 

embyserver.txt

[visproduction 315]

Possible known issue with Apple playback:
https://macreports.com/how-to-fix-the-popping-and-crackling-sound-on-mac/

[DonMacaroni 54]

30 minutes ago, visproduction said:

Possible known issue with Apple playback:
https://macreports.com/how-to-fix-the-popping-and-crackling-sound-on-mac/

Doub’t it.

1. Happens on IOS/IPadOS as well

2. None of the other players exhibit this on same devices

3. Happens only on track end and does not depend on destination device

4. Does not depend on playback volume

Edited May 18, 2025 by DonMacaroni

[visproduction 315]

Support info seems to indicate this  system wide for Apple including IPads and that the clicks happen on the end of track or during a change between tracks and does not depend on playback volumn. 

What are the "other players" where it does not happen?

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Ios+audio+playback+iPad+popping+sounds+between+tracks&ia=web
https://www.imyfone.com/iphone-issues/iphone-audio-playback-stuttering-skipping/
https://www.fonetool.com/phone-management/iphone-stuttering-audio.html

 

[DonMacaroni 54]

Apple Music and VLC. Also I have zero audio issues with Logic Pro or Audacity. It only happens with Emby client and with specific tracks. Also it does not happen when I use Emby web in browser.

BTW, I would not call those shady websites, trying to convince you to install their “fix-all-issues” software, support info.

Edited May 18, 2025 by DonMacaroni

[visproduction 315]

Of course watch out for such sites.  According to the bug discussions online, it seems like the clicking might have to do with switching between different audio bitrates and possibly between different audio codecs.  Can you find two medias with the exact same audio codec and bitrate, maybe put them on a playlist and see if the click does not happen?  That would be a useful test, I think.

Edited May 19, 2025 by visproduction

[DonMacaroni 54]

Happens with some VBR files, so that would be quite impossible.

Edited May 19, 2025 by DonMacaroni

[visproduction 315]

OK VBR means Variable Bit Rate.  The test would just be between two medias that have the identical bit rate and codecs to see if this is causing the click. Two medias with variable bit rates may start at a different bitrate.  The change in codec or bitrates is what the online discussions seemed to think was the cause of the clicks on Apple software.  If you don't think it's a worthwhile test, fine, then don't do it.  I am not sure what you mean by "impossible".

The above request to do the how to report a media playback issue would help.

Edited May 19, 2025 by visproduction

[DonMacaroni 54]

With VBR it is near impossible to have identical bitrate between different tracks in given point of time. It is variable, so each frame is encoded using different bitrate. Based on your theory, there should be pops and clicks during track playback as well as bitrate constantly changes.

[visproduction 315]

Don,

Online comments on the other forums seemed to indicate that it was only switching from one media to another triggered the clicks.  The player managing VBR is a player process, not a change to other content.  Why would you think one process handling playback without clicks would prove anything about switching between media? 

There are some errors in the embyserver.txt to do with audio.
Anyway, I am sort of no longer interested in participating in a discussion here.  Good luck.