Steinberg UR22 mk2 dropouts suddenly (with newer kernels?)

[TheYke]

Hey there,
I'm using Linux pro audio since 2 years now, and I'm quite happy with it. I'm far from an expert in Linux but I've learned a lot already.

I managed to tune my Debian Bullseye for audio via the realtimeconfigquickscan script and a liquorix kernel.
I have used my UR22 mkII and an IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O (both class-compliant) without problems already.

I only use the UR22 mkII sometimes and since some months, I recognized that my audio pops and drops out when using this card. I tried many things switching out cables, tinkering with the config, using different usb-ports, disabling jack and pulseaudio and using plain ALSA etc.
The iRig Pro I/O is running fine with absolutely zero issues (currently on 5.13).

I seemingly tracked the issue with the Steinberg card down to the kernel. As long as I am using a (liquorix) kernel version 5.8 or lower, it is usable. With higher versions audio is broken. I tried many different kernel-versions but the problem occurs even with the standard kernels from the debian repo and AVL-kernels.

To be honest I'm quite lost with this. Has anyone an idea how to troubleshoot this device? It is very likely that it could be some user-error, but I don't seem to get any further with this. I would love to be able to use this inerface, even with more recent versions of Linux.

Thanks in advance.

[Basslint]

One easy way to debug this would be to:
1. Install a different distro with a recent kernel on the same PC and see if the problem persists. If it does, you could still
2. Try the same interface and kernel version on a different PC to rule out any computer-related issues.

I think step 1 would be good to try because Debian is a stable distro, clearly not optimized for new kernels.

[j_e_f_f_g]

With the latest kernel, significant changes were made to the usb audio drivers. It probably broke something for the ur22. You need to report this on the alsa mail list.

[TheYke]

One easy way to debug this would be to:
1. Install a different distro with a recent kernel on the same PC and see if the problem persists. If it does, you could still
2. Try the same interface and kernel version on a different PC to rule out any computer-related issues.

I think step 1 would be good to try because Debian is a stable distro, clearly not optimized for new kernels.

Yeah, I guess if there is no other way, I'll try option 1. Could switching to Debian testing be enough already, or do you think I should fully commit to someting more bleeding edge from the ground up, like fedora or something else? I started my journey with manjaro and must say, I had more issues with it compared to Debian even when Bullseye was still the rolling testing branch. So I don't want to go the Arch way.

With the latest kernel, significant changes were made to the usb audio drivers. It probably broke something for the ur22. You need to report this on the alsa mail list.

Yeah, thought about this, too. Just wanted to rule out user-error first.

[Basslint]

One easy way to debug this would be to:
1. Install a different distro with a recent kernel on the same PC and see if the problem persists. If it does, you could still
2. Try the same interface and kernel version on a different PC to rule out any computer-related issues.

I think step 1 would be good to try because Debian is a stable distro, clearly not optimized for new kernels.

Yeah, I guess if there is no other way, I'll try option 1. Could switching to Debian testing be enough already, or do you think I should fully commit to someting more bleeding edge from the ground up, like fedora or something else? I started my journey with manjaro and must say, I had more issues with it compared to Debian even when Bullseye was still the rolling testing branch. So I don't want to go the Arch way.

With the latest kernel, significant changes were made to the usb audio drivers. It probably broke something for the ur22. You need to report this on the alsa mail list.

Yeah, thought about this, too. Just wanted to rule out user-error first.

Try openSUSE Tumbleweed, it's rolling but stable

[LAM]

Yeah, I guess if there is no other way, I'll try option 1. Could switching to Debian testing be enough already, or do you think I should fully commit to someting more bleeding edge from the ground up, like fedora or something else? I started my journey with manjaro and must say, I had more issues with it compared to Debian even when Bullseye was still the rolling testing branch. So I don't want to go the Arch way.

If you are using Debian and you want to go "bleeding edge" there is also Sid (or testing) so you'll not need to reinstall ( https://wiki.debian.org/DebianUnstable - fingers crossed the upgrade will go well ).

But your problem seems to be the opposite, the new kernel messed up something... so maybe try to use an older "normal" Debian kernel first?

[novalix]

Hi,

you really don't need to upgrade to testing or even unstable/sid to obtain a relatively recent kernel in debian. Just go with the backports repo.
https://wiki.debian.org/Backports
https://packages.debian.org/bullseye-ba ... mage-amd64

Apart from this, to me it really seems like the changes in the usb audio subsystem do trigger those problems.

[LAM]

Hi,

you really don't need to upgrade to testing or even unstable/sid to obtain a relatively recent kernel in debian. Just go with the backports repo.
https://wiki.debian.org/Backports
https://packages.debian.org/bullseye-ba ... mage-amd64

Apart from this, to me it really seems like the changes in the usb audio subsystem do trigger those problems.

The 5.15 kernel is only in testing and unstable right now:
https://packages.debian.org/search?suit ... image-5.15

[sunrat]

Work is still ongoing for usb audio - Linux 5.16 Aims For Better USB Low-Latency Audio Playback
Hopefully one day USB will catch up to PCI/PCIe for audio.