TIME TO TRY TO SORT OUT THE POPPING:
so, in a terminal:
cat /proc/asound/cards
gives me:
1 [USB ]: USB-Audio - Scarlett 2i4 USB
Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 USB at usb-0000:00:1a.7-5, high speed
I think that is a good sign - it sees the 2i4. I don't know if high speed means USB2.
next:
lsusb
gives me:
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1235:800a Novation EMS
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 046d:c517 Logitech, Inc. LX710 Cordless Desktop Laser
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Though my motherboard fact sheet swears blind its all usb 2 it looks like only Bus 1 and 2 are USB 2.
Novation EMS is how Linux sees a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 so hopefully Bus 001 Device 002 means the 2i4 is on USB2.
I cannot find a /etc/modules.conf but i do have (i am using Linux Mint 14) /etc/modules.conf/alsa-base.conf
so, in a terminal:
sudo gedit alsa-base.conf
gets me this:
# autoloader aliases
install sound-slot-0 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-0
install sound-slot-1 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-1
install sound-slot-2 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-2
install sound-slot-3 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-3
install sound-slot-4 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-4
install sound-slot-5 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-5
install sound-slot-6 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-6
install sound-slot-7 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-7
# Cause optional modules to be loaded above generic modules
install snd /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-ioctl32 ; /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq ; }
#
# Workaround at bug #499695 (reverted in Ubuntu see LP #319505)
install snd-pcm /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-pcm $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-pcm-oss ; : ; }
install snd-mixer /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-mixer $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-mixer-oss ; : ; }
install snd-seq /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-seq $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-midi ; /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-oss ; : ; }
#
install snd-rawmidi /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-rawmidi $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-midi ; : ; }
# Cause optional modules to be loaded above sound card driver modules
install snd-emu10k1 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-emu10k1 $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-emu10k1-synth ; }
install snd-via82xx /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-via82xx $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq ; }
# Load saa7134-alsa instead of saa7134 (which gets dragged in by it anyway)
install saa7134 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install saa7134 $CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist saa7134-alsa ; : ; }
# Prevent abnormal drivers from grabbing index 0
options bt87x index=-2
options cx88_alsa index=-2
options saa7134-alsa index=-2
options snd-atiixp-modem index=-2
options snd-intel8x0m index=-2
options snd-via82xx-modem index=-2
options snd-usb-audio index=-2
options snd-usb-caiaq index=-2
options snd-usb-ua101 index=-2
options snd-usb-us122l index=-2
options snd-usb-usx2y index=-2
# Ubuntu #62691, enable MPU for snd-cmipci
options snd-cmipci mpu_port=0x330 fm_port=0x388
# Keep snd-pcsp from being loaded as first soundcard
options snd-pcsp index=-2
# Keep snd-usb-audio from beeing loaded as first soundcard
options snd-usb-audio index=-2
Now it strikes me that
1. i have no idea what # autoloader aliases
install sound-slot-0 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-0
etc.. is on about
2. that
# Keep snd-usb-audio from beeing loaded as first soundcard
options snd-usb-audio index=-2
may not be a good thing
and its there twice.
So i am going to remove one of them and change the other to options snd-usb-audio index=-1
following these instructions:
http://crunchbang.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=9852
i am then going to restart, see how that goes. then i will add:
options snd-usb-audio nrpacks=1
following these instructions:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ad ... SB_devices (right at the bottom under Crackling sound with USB devices)
and restart.
Sadly that was a bit disappointing. After each restart Audacity still pops 60 or so times before starting, and all the other pops still happen. Further searches are needed - unless anyone has any ideas??