Mac Studio - Webcam Echo on FaceTime

[lex22]

I have a Mac Studio, and use an LG Monitor, with AudioEngine speakers connected to the headphone jack on the Mac, and a Logitech Webcam. The issue is that when using FaceTime, people I speak with hear a terrible echo when they are speaking. I've tried three different Logitech webcams (C922, C920 and C925e and they all have the same problem.

The LG monitor is connected to the Mac Studio via Thunderbolt, and the webcam connects via USB on the monitor. I tried a direct connection to the Mac (for the webcam), but it made no difference. Note there does not appear to be any echoing using Zoom.

Any idea how to solve this? It's driving me nuts.

 

[BanditoB]

It sounds like the webcam and speakers are not synchronizing to that the speaker output can be ignored. About the only thing that you could likely do is to disconnect the speakers and use a headset of some type, AirPods or something.

You might also check the Audio settings in System Preferences to ensure that they are set correctly to the proper devices.

Since it's happening with FaceTime, you could also give Apple Support a call to see what they can suggest.

 

[generalkenobi]

I had the same problem. Zoom and Teams use their own native noise cancellation. Apple does too when you use built-in microphones and speakers. I started using the Studio Display mic with external AudioEngine 2 speakers to avoid this.

Using other microphones (Blue Yeti, Logitech USB webcams, etc.) seem to have the same problem you're describing. For some reason, it seems they don't get to benefit from Apple's built-in noise cancellation.

One option you might consider is using something like Krisp to eliminate the echo. I use it for work calls. It has the added benefit of silencing even a lawnmower outside my window. However, it is a subscription service.

https://krisp.ai

 

[Killerbob]

I too am using LG monitors with my Mac Studio. I picked up a LogiTech Brio and I use paired HomePods for output, except for Zoom, Teams, and FaceTime calls, I use the monitor speakers, and I have no such issues, in any of the calls.

 

[Parasolian]

I have the same issue as lex22 above. Did not have this problem on my macpro(2013) but have it on the Mac Studio. I wonder if the culprit is the built in speaker on the Mac Studio. I use Bose speakers.

 

[jerryk]

I have the same issue as lex22 above. Did not have this problem on my macpro(2013) but have it on the Mac Studio. I wonder if the culprit is the built in speaker on the Mac Studio. I use Bose speakers.

Use head phones or ear buds instead of the speaker. What they are hearing is the sound from the speaker going into your mic and then to them.

 

[Parasolian]

I have the same issue as lex22 above. Did not have this problem on my macpro(2013) but have it on the Mac Studio. I wonder if the culprit is the built in speaker on the Mac Studio. I use Bose speakers.

UPDATE: I found out (from:

) that the issue might be either the USB hub I am using or the USB-C to USB-A cable that came with the camera. I used a USB-C to USB-C cable (directly connected to my mac) and the echo is gone! Pl. try it and report it here.

 

[Killerbob]

After a while I started having the same issues in Zoom and in FaceTime - maybe it after an update to Monterey...

The solution for me was to NOT connect my Brio directly to my Mac Studio, but rather go via my CalDigit Elements hub.

 

[Parasolian]

After a while I started having the same issues in Zoom and in FaceTime - maybe it after an update to Monterey...

The solution for me was to NOT connect my Brio directly to my Mac Studio, but rather go via my CalDigit Elements hub.

Interesting! Just the opposite approach to what works for me and the video linked above. I also noticed that

lex22​

above also tried a direct connection to the mac with no success.

 

[Killerbob]

Because of this thread, I went home yesterday to see if I was wrong and I found something very interesting...

If I connect my Brio directly to the Mac Studio in the TB4 port #1 (closest to the edge), I have loopback issues in FaceTime and Zoom. However, in the other three TB4 ports it seems to work just fine. Connecting the Brio to my CalDigit Elements hub (via the accompanying USB-C <-> USB-A cable), makes it all work just fine as well.

 

[Parasolian]

Killerbob Continuing your thought process: I have connected my Bose Companion speakers to one of the USB A ports and the USB hub to the other USB A port. So if I connect the Brio to the hub, it seems to me that the speaker and the microphone are on the same USB "controller". If I connect the Brio to one of the USB C ports, perhaps it connects to a different controller? I have not tried other TB ports since the looping is on the remote side (I can not hear it on my side) so I have to wait a bit to try that on someone. Any thoughts? Where's your speaker connected?

 

[Parasolian]

Killerbob Continuing your thought process: I have connected my Bose Companion speakers to one of the USB A ports and the USB hub to the other USB A port. So if I connect the Brio to the hub, it seems to me that the speaker and the microphone are on the same USB "controller". If I connect the Brio to one of the USB C ports, perhaps it connects to a different controller? I have not tried other TB ports since the looping is on the remote side (I can not hear it on my side) so I have to wait a bit to try that on someone. Any thoughts? Where's your speaker connected?

UPDATE: I tried all USB C ports on the Mac and there is no echo on any of them. I get the echo only when I connect the Brio to the hub using the USB A cable that came with the camera. My Bose speakers are connected to the USB A on the Mac.